Bike to bike communications is simply a pain in the rear.  Finding a
system that will play music, intercom with a passenger and interface with
a phone or radio, and still be usable at speed is a big task.  Most folks
comment on spending nearly $1,000 (or buying a Goldwing) to accomplish
this.

Additionally, I had rather low expectations of success -- the noise level
on a bike can exceed 106 dB at speed from the wind alone.  I always wear
earplugs to block out the majority of the sound, so I was not confident
that I could find something that would actually overcome the wind noise
and my earplugs.

I decided to go with an Autocom system for two reasons:  One, it seemed to
be the most popular with the "LD Rider" crowd, and two, it's the only one
available locally.

Autocom offers two systems for 2003 that support radio, phone, intercom
and music, the Pro 7 Sport and the Easi 7 Sport.  The Pro system is the
'gold standard', while the Easi system offers a smaller feature set, at a
reduced cost.

The Easi 7 consists of a black box, powered by a 9 volt battery, a headset
with noise canceling microphone, and hookup cords for a cell phone and
music source.  The Easi 7 has only two inputs - one for communication and
one for music.  An additional headset can be attached for rider to
passenger intercom.  To hook a two way radio to the system, you need an
additional set of cables and a Push to Talk switch.  This extra cable
costs around $150 from Autocom.  I have not yet investigated if it is
truly needed, or simply convenient.

The Pro 7 system adds VOX capability, more inputs, a cascading mute, based
on which input has priority, and you can hear your voice in the headset.

Given the cost difference, I chose the Easi 7 at $239.00 versus $399 for
the Pro 7.  I felt that VOX and the extra inputs were not worth the extra
$160.

Installation instructions are provided on the website
( http://www.autocom.co.uk ) and are very clear.  They emphasize the
positioning of the earspeakers and the microphone.  None the less,
installation in my HJC Symax helmet took over an hour with the excellent
help of the staff at Engle Motors.  Positioning of the earspeakers
directly in line with your ear canal is critical to getting good sound out
of the system.  I ended up borrowing several pieces of hook and loop tape
from the fine folks at Engle Motors to install the speakers and
microphone.  The microphone must be directly in front of your mouth, and
in contact with your lips.  This way, it only picks up your voice, and not
the wind and motor sounds.

Once the speakers and mic are installed, hookup is idiot proof - you
simply plug the colored connectors into the matching plugs.  Initial tests
with a cheap CD walkman showed that it did work, and the volume was
sufficient to be heard.

Next, I attached my Sprint PCS digital cell phone to the system with the
provided 2.5mm plug and called my wife.  At first, she didn't believe that
I was rolling down the road at 40 MPH - she said it sounded a bit like I
was on a speakerphone but very clear and easy to hear.  I was wearing
Hearos brand earplugs (33 dB NRR) and had no difficulty hearing the
conversation or the music while underway.

I finally got off the city streets and up on the highway for the real
test.  Heavy traffic, big trucks and 70+ MPH speeds.  The only time it was
a bit hard for my wife to hear me was when I was passing an 18 wheeler -
she said is sounded like there was water running.  I still had no
difficulty hearing the conversation, even with the trucks and wind
buffeting.

Satisfied that I could keep in touch with the better half while on the
road, I called my friend, and doubting Thomas about comm systems, Jeff.
He could not believe that I was riding the bike.  Test two, passed!

Overall, a complete success, just as Autocom advertised.  In my opinion,
it is actually easier to hear conversations in the helmet with earplugs
than with just the phone.

All the above tests were on my 1997 ST1100 with a Clearview Gen II +2"
windshield and a Laminar Lip installed.  This is not a 'cone of silence'
setup - it's still quite noisy, but the Autocom overcame the noise and
worked exactly as advertised.

Considering the price ($260 with tax and windsock for the microphone),
expandability (Two way radio, passenger intercom, etc), and performance
(exceeded my admittedly low expectations), this setup is a winner.

Coming next: Review after 2600 miles on the road.