For the past 3 years I have been using relativly cheap neck band wireless Bluetooth earbuds like these:

https://www.amazon.com/Mpow-Bluetoot.../dp/B07X45Z1BQ

Replace the rubber earbud tips with the memory foam type which fit better and cut more of the ambient noise. Like these:


https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-list...5344039&sr=8-9

The bright green are easy to spot when they occasionally get puled off with the helmet. I bought two headsets so i can charge one while using the other. The sound is pretty good and the buds are comfortable. When the music is off they work just like earplugs minimizing the wind sounds.

Pick a brand that has big enough buttons to use with gloves. This set up makes 8-10 hrs in the saddle much more fun for me.

I like the idea of wireless BT headphones but battery life is not long enough. When I switched to an iPhone that only has a lightning cord port I had to buy a splitter so I could put the phone in the cradle on the handlebars and have the ability to charge and plug in ear buds a the same time. The Apple splitter is huge and does not work with a cradle so I got an after market "dongle" that work for a few weeks but crapped out becasue of all the flapping in the breeze it does when on the bike.


Then a buddy of mine showed me a small BT receiver about the size of a box of matches. It has a 10 hours talk/play battery life with a aux port that I can plug regular ear buds into (I prefer the Skull Candy. heap and reasonable sound)

Now I put the phone in the cradle plug it into the lightning core. Slip in the ear buds then owner the BT receiver n and put it in my pocket. I can work all the controls from the phone screen.

Mpow Bluetooth Receiver, Streambot Mini Bluetooth - $14.99 on Amazon

The knurled round fitting is a male/male adapter that is removable. It is used if you want plug itno you car radio or another other radio with a female aux port

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FortNine just recently did an interesting comparison of various comm systems

The ones I linked above have a 13 he playback time. My headset that is 3 years old has always given 8 hrs which is what they are rated for.

I'll check them out.

Edit - After looking I don't like neck wrap.

There are some really good suggestions here, but the system I have been using for over two years now is the Fodsports BT-S2. It attaches to your helmet, best if you have full face or modular type, provides interface to my iPhone that provides, GPS turn by turn, Music Source, and telephone. They are available on ebay and Amazon under several brand names just search BT-S2.

The some of the shortcoming is the units inability to send voice commands to the phone, and it has limited ability to interface with similar systems from other brands or charge while using the device.

As a side note, if you helmet is not designed for speaker install with pockets located near you ears, it may need some mods. Also placement of the speakers as close if not lightly touching your ears really helps with the sound quality.

I recently watched a YouTube review of the newer LEXIN LX-B4FM Motorcycle Intercom, available on Amazon for around $76.00 USD fixes many of this issues with the BT-S2 and BT-S3 series devices.

I have been told by multiple people when talking to them via phone while riding at highway speeds they had not idea I was on my bike. The noise cancelling on the included mic is very good.

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Keep in mind that the type of helmet and the snugness of the fit can affect what will work for you.

I have a modular helmet and when putting it on I flip up the chin guard and can stretch the ear portion to accommodate the earbuds. With a full-face helmet that's a lot trickier to do and may force you to look for a lower profile product.

I use JayBirds myself, along with custom fitted inserts and I've been quite happy with them.

I use the Klipsch R5 for racing Baja. Fits good in my ears and inside the helmet and has plenty of battery life. Klipsch R5 Neckband Brown https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076HV2F13..._H6f6DbSYC5M59

+1 BT-S2 ordered from amazon. Trouble free usage for over a year I have an HJC IS Max II modular helmet with pockets for speakers. Install was a breeze. I don’t always remember my (pinlock) earplugs but can still hear music and directions. Although the iPhone won’t take verbal commands from the unit, I can flip up the modular helmet and give Siri commands if stopped at a light since the phone is in a Ram Mount. Even thought about buying another one for the ski helmet.

I've tried a few solutions. Ones that worked poorly were the Mpow Bluetooth receiver + wired earbuds, and the cheap Sena-knockoff helmet headsets mentioned previously.

I got nowhere near the advertised battery life with the Mpow receiver. It's supposedly 10 hours, but I didn't get anywhere near that in practice. More like 4 hours, on a good day.

The other problem with the Mpow receiver was that it would report 30% battery remaining, then suddenly shut down. So the battery percentage was either flat out being faked, or being estimated very badly.

That happened with both the original Mpow, and its warranty replacement unit. Either I got 2 defective units in a row, or the advertised battery life is BS. Suspect the latter, given the price point.

I gave the Yideng (or Fodsports or whatever other Chinese-brand-of-the-week) BT-S2 headset an honest shot, but it didn't deliver. Highlights: crummy battery life, no ability to recharge while in use, low volume, zero compatibility with other brands (such as a friend's Sena).

That said, the various Sena-knockoffs do have their place. They're OK if you don't ride at highway speeds, don't go on long rides, and don't need to talk to anyone using a different brand of headset.

The BT-S2 clones could be very useful for motorcycle instruction, especially given the price point. That's assuming one BT-S2 will actually connect to another, which I haven't tested.

Since I didn't care for the popular cheapo choices, you might ask, what did I end up with? Cardo Q-Solo.

It isn't the best, but it's a big improvement on the other devices. Volume is adequate (actually audible through earplugs!), controls are easy to use through gloves, it's waterproof, Bluetooth connection is reliable, and battery life is OK - 5-6 hours. The Q-Solo can be charged while in use, which is hugely useful. It makes the battery life mostly unimportant. All around, it's way better than the cheap alternatives.

Q-Solo retails for around $100 but I got mine for $40 through (long story). No intercom function, but I never ride with anyone so that's fine. Phone calls through it work well, though I rarely do that.