Bluetooth, Bluetooth, Bluetooth. It appears like everything these days has to have Bluetooth on it, even if it is just the logo. Data connections to phones in order to ply you with information about where you are and where you’re going, or more popularly Bluetooth connections to headsets for use in cars, on bikes or elsewhere.

Undoubtedly Bluetooth technology is here and here to stay. I personally don’t want my information being streamed automatically back and forward between phone, computer, phone networks and internet, but then I have turned that feature off; but on the whole I have to say it’s a good thing. The major benefit I see is that I have the choice while riding to connect to almost anything; I can listen to music, answer phone calls, and most importantly for me hear directions from the sat nav. The sat nav is no longer the car-driver’s best friend, it is now becoming more common on the handlebars of motorcycles (with a few waterproofing modifications).

For those that don’t want to be disturbed whilst riding by their wives they need not connect their phone via Bluetooth, I don’t mind so much and just say I’ll call her back. But needless to say it is an ideal aide for couriers and other bike professions.

Traditionally communicating on a bike consisted of a lead from a power pack, to a hub, then on to the helmet and an unsightly box or speaker having to be fitted inside the helmet. Some people have taken it a step further and bought a cheap Bluetooth headset from Carphonewarehouse and the like and used that, but I presume that is pretty uncomfortable. Nowadays things are more advance. Like I said Bluetooth, Bluetooth, Bluetooth. That’s what it’s all about.

Factory-Fitted or Bolt-On, the benefits are endless. We now have the option of helmets without wires linking you to the bike or jacket or elsewhere. The helmet stands on its own with smartly designed speakers, microphones and battery compartments. Most systems come with rechargeable batteries and connect to devices and other systems for intercom between rider and pillion.

My preference is for a factory-fitted system, all wires, speakers, microphones, batteries etc fitted at source when the helmet was built. No need to mess about with fittings and I guess the biggest thing for me was not needing to fit an unsightly bulge on the back of the helmet, affecting weight, and aerodynamics which do matter past a certain speed level. That’s not even mentioning the affects of this box in an accident, which I am guessing has not been tested when the helmet went through ECE, ACU or any other approval on the block.

A headset from carphone warehouse costs from around £30, the bolt-on systems cost around £100-150 for a good one (not including helmet), and the factory-fitted helmet and comms systems start around £120-150 (helmet with comms). Prices tend to start here and go up as you add effects of branding and marketing, but generally these prices are typical of the current market.

If you think that is cheap what you need to remember is that everything is made in china these days. Even the helmets you think are made in Italy are often OEM manufactured under the strictest confidence in the far-east. Into that mix add the fact that a Bluetooth system is essentially a pair of headphones and a microphone connected to a clever Bluetooth programmed chip. The Bluetooth chip may cost a few bob to make or licence but in my view a system made in china is no worse than a system made in Sweden. We all buy Japanese cars and Chinese CD Players, so they are certainly up to speed in electronics, and as far as the helmet goes they all go through some of the highest standards testing in the world to get to the UK including production testing and annual reviews (ECE, ACU and SHARP).

All in all I am writing this because I have had a great experience with the Bluetooth available and the use of it has made my ride more enjoyable, whether that be listening to music, radio or my wife on the back.