SENA’s practical guide to choosing the right motorcycle intercom: regulations, advice and model selection

The motorcycle intercom has established itself as an essential high-tech accessory for making your journeys safer and easier. With so many options available on the market, choosing the ideal model can seem complex. Whether you prefer to ride solo or in a group, listen to music or chat with your fellow travelers, find out how to select the right intercom for your needs.

CURRENT REGULATIONS: SAFETY FIRST

As a motorcyclist, it’s forbidden to ride your bike while holding a phone in your hand or using headphones, earphones or headphones. These devices reduce your concentration and triple the risk of an accident. Breaking this rule can result in a €135 fine and the loss of 3 points on your driving license.

Only hands-free kits and helmet-integrated intercoms are authorized. SENA intercoms meet these criteria, enabling you to answer calls, listen to music, follow GPS instructions and communicate with other motorcyclists in complete safety.

See Road safety Intercoms (France)

3 SENA TIPS FOR SAFE, CONNECTED RIDING

1. Choose a quality intercom that complies with regulatory standards, features hands-free mode and voice commands to stay connected while keeping your attention on the road.

2. Set the volume of your device to a moderate level, so you can stay alert to the ambient noise that’s vital to your safety.

3. Driving comes first! Use the intercom for essential messages and alerts, such as road hazards or route changes.

CHOOSING YOUR INTERCOM 

Solo or duo use?

• If you ride alone but need to communicate with other bikers, SENA’s single pack intercom is for you. It also offers Bluetooth connectivity for listening to music, the radio, following GPS directions and handling calls.

• If there are 2 of you on the bike, choose a dual pack intercom from SENA. It’s more economical to buy. You’ll be able to communicate with your passenger, listen to the same music, receive calls, track your GPS and talk to other bikers.

Small or large groups?

• If you’re going out in small groups, Bluetooth intercoms like SENA’s SMH, SF, Series 3, Series 5, Series 10 and Series 20 are just the thing. They make it easy to connect 2 motorcycles, or even 4 motorcycles in the correct pairing order, with a minimum range of 400m.

• For larger groups, opt instead for SENA’s Spider, SRL, Series 30 and Series 50 Mesh technology intercoms. They offer extended connectivity for up to 24 users in private mode, and a range of up to 8km for some models. In free mode, the number of users is virtually unlimited.

Sound quality: an essential criterion

For bikers who like to listen to music and want superior quality during conversations, the choice of HD speakers and ambient noise reduction technology becomes essential. SENA Series 50 intercoms go even further, with speakers and microphone designed by the audio experts at Harman Kardon for first-class sound.

Autonomy

Compare the autonomies of the different models to choose the one that best suits your needs. For example, a SENA SMH5 offers up to 7 hours of talk time, while a SENA 50R can provide up to 13 hours.

Ease of use and compatibility

• Choose a communication system that’s intuitive and easy to use, with controls that are accessible even when wearing gloves. Over the past few years, knobs have gained ground, as on the SENA Spider ST1.

• Choose voice-controlled intercoms to stay focused on the road and avoid fines. For example, the SENA 50S offers hands-free control of functions and even access to Google or Siri by voice!

• And make sure it’s compatible with your existing devices, such as smartphones, GPS units and headsets.

Going even further

Some intercoms go beyond the norm by integrating a camera directly into their design. Such is the case with the SENA 50C, featuring an Ultra HD 4K camera.Ideal for easily and safely capturing your video outings, without cluttering up your helmet with an additional accessory.

Budget: making the right investment

Intercom prices vary according to features and performance.If you opt for a solo intercom, expect to pay less than €100 for a SENA SMH10 and more than €300 for a SENA 50S. If you buy a duo intercom, expect to pay less than €200 for the SMH10 duo and less than €650 for the SENA 50S duo.

Investing in a duo pack for you and your passenger is more economical than buying two separate solo intercoms.

About Sena Technologies, Inc.

Founded in 1998, Sena Technologies, Inc. is the leading innovator in the motorcycle and outdoor sports communications market, famous for the SMH10 Bluetooth intercom helmet launched in 2010. Developing innovative devices such as camera intercoms, smart helmets and Mesh intercom technology, Sena is the preferred supplier to motorcycle OEMs, distributing worldwide via a network of partners. With over 20 years’ experience, Sena continues to create innovative communication solutions for two-wheeled enthusiasts.