Cardo Scala Rider G4 motorcycle comms

Thanks to wireless Bluetooth connectivity, motorcycle intercom systems have come a long, long way in recent times – and for proof look no further than the Scala Rider G4, by communications specialist Cardo.

The unit’s base plate screws or glues onto the side of your helmet, while the two speakers are Velcroed into position for each ear. The system is available in two different formats – one with a boom microphone for use with an open-face lid, and one with a flat microphone that can be Velcroed into the chin piece of a full-face lid.

The Scala Rider G4 is an on-bike rider-to-pillion intercom system (when purchased as a pair), but it can also be used as a bike-to-bike comms system, linking up to three riders (or two couples). Cardo claims the Scala Rider G4 has a workable bike-to-bike range of up to 1.6km.

While that’s pretty impressive in its own right, it’s only when you consider the rest of the Scala Rider G4’s capabilities that you truly begin to appreciate just how much techno wizardry has been packed into the G4’s compact dimensions. It allows you to make and receive phone calls on the move when paired with a Bluetooth-equipped mobile phone. It can play MP3 audio when linked with an MP3 player, either wirelessly (with Bluetooth-equipped MP3 players) or via an included cable. It can also store up to six FM radio stations. So, that’s the nuts and bolts of the system, but how’s it all pan out in the real world?

Firstly, installation is pretty simple, although it’s important you get your speaker positions just right – being just half a centimeter out has a big impact on sound quality. You’ll need a relatively roomy helmet too – my Shoei full-face lid is a pretty snug fit, and if I was going to be using this intercom regularly I’d be looking to buy a slightly bigger lid so the speakers didn’t press quite so firmly on my ears. Next, suck it up and read the instructions – carefully. There’s a lot going on in this bit of gear, and while the actual electronic component slides on and off the base plate in seconds, this isn’t a simple ‘plug ’n’ play’ gadget.

I recently used the device to keep in touch with two other bikes during a 350km round trip to the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, and while there was a bit of fiddling involved at times to get things working smoothly – born, I suspect, of unfamiliarity more than anything else – the bottom line was I came away from the experience impressed. Many functions are voice activated, while the buttons are fairly easy to use too – even with bike gloves. The sound quality is top notch – even at highway speeds it was crystal clear, and that goes for using the mobile phone too. It’s very clever how an incoming phone call overrides the intercom feature or MP3 player, ditto the auto volume adjustment. Cardo says it’s water resistant and not waterproof, and I’ll vouch for that claim – a heavy downpour on the way to Phillip Island was enough to throw a spanner in the works, but it dried out during the day and worked fine on the trip home.

The MP3 function is a winner, but the radio was a little disappointing – the sound quality was on the patchy side. The Scala’s range is really quite good – it often still worked even when the other bike was out of sight, but the range did shorten considerably on a day trip through the rugged hills to Melbourne’s east, which was no surprise. Obviously, you’ll have no ‘range’ issues to speak of if you’re purely using the Scala as a rider-to-pillion intercom system. Cardo claims the unit is good for 10 hours of talk time before recharging, and I have no reason to doubt that claim.

At $399 for a single unit or $699 for the Scala Rider G4 Powerset (a pair of units), we’re not talking loose change, but the quality of manufacture and presentation is on the money and the technology involved is nothing short of breathtaking. If you’ve never used a motorcycle comms system before, you’ll wonder how you ever did without it.

The solo unit Scala Rider G4 comes with the following:
•    Scala Rider G4 headset
•    Helmet clamp with attached speakers and microphone
•    Dual-voltage universal travel charger
•    Dual-purpose USB adapter cable
•    Allen key
•    Velcro pads
•    MP3 cable
•    Glue plate
•    Pre-moistened towelette
•    Carry pouch
•    Microphone sponges
•    User guide and registration card

Click on the following link for more information on the Cardo Scala Rider G4 and the full Scala range of communications gear.