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Bluetooth-equipped motorcycle helmets allow motorcyclists to speak with other riders, listen to music, and access turn-by-turn navigation via voice. Speakers and a microphone are built into the helmet, so your hands can stay on the grips and your eyes on the road.
We also recommend using a hands-free, handlebar-mounted control for your Bluetooth motorcycle helmet. In most systems, you can pair up to four users via the control system. That allows riders with paired helmets to communicate with one another on the same channel.
Bluetooth-enabled helmets start at around $150 and can go as high as $1,000. Paying more increases the quality of the helmet’s materials and the sound. Helmets designed and produced with built-in Bluetooth capability are more reliable than old-school helmets with Bluetooth add-on kits.
A standard Bluetooth system connects to the next closest rider in a chain. But you should consider buying a Bluetooth helmet that uses a mesh network. Mesh technology allows all paired devices to more easily connect—and to re-establish a connection if one of the users falls out of range.
Bluetooth Retrofits
Some helmets don’t come with a full Bluetooth setup, but are “Bluetooth-ready.” In that case, you can use a kit to install communications gear in the helmet’s liner. Bluetooth helmet kits start at around $30, They commonly come with the control pad, two speakers, and the necessary wiring.
Installation might require drilling holes to pass the necessary wiring. Peel back the sides of the helmet’s liner to place the speakers near your ears. The wiring extends to the helmet’s outer shell, where it pairs with smartphones.
Helmets that are not Bluetooth-enabled are trickier to convert to wireless communications. They are more likely to require drilling and soldering skills. If you’re not up to the task of radically modifying your helmet, it’s a better idea to buy a helmet that’s ready to convert.
Shop now for Bluetooth kitsBest Bluetooth Motorcycle Helmets
ILM Bluetooth Integrated Modular Flip-Up Full Face Helmet
This DOT-certified helmet, selling for around $250, is made from ABS plastic. It has all the recommended Bluetooth features, including built-in 3.0 Bluetooth tech, eight hours of talk time, and noise suppression to deliver high-quality voice at high speeds. There are one-touch controls for making and receiving calls. The ILM-953 Pro allows up to eight riders to communicate simultaneously.
Shoei Neotec II
Shoei is a recognized leader in high-quality motorcycle helmets. The Shoei Neotech II starts around $700. It provides the option for Shoei Rider Link, which installs without needing to modify the helmet. The Bluetooth system offers a one-mile range and 10 hours of talk time. The helmet features a built-in drop-down sunshield, slippery aerodynamics, strong noise reduction, and a micro-ratcheting quick-release chinstrap.
Torc Mako T14
The affordable and high-rated Torc Mako T14, starting at $199, comes ready to be integrated with Bluetooth communications. Its thermo-polymer alloy shell minimizes weight while offering high impact resistance. The helmet’s lithium-ion battery provides up to eight hours of talk-time, with 100 hours of standby power. It can be a bit noisy at highway speeds.
Are Bluetooth Motorcycle Helmets Legal?
It is perfectly legal to install a Bluetooth system in your helmet. However, various states—including California, Illinois, and Missouri—place limits on using Bluetooth technology. For example, there are statutes prohibiting riders from covering both ears with a headset or earplugs. One ear must remain open to hear traffic. Please check the laws in your state to avoid fines.
