To many, motorcycling is a singular affair. The bond formed between man and machine is one to be enjoyed without the frivolous background noise associated with other forms of transportation. On the other hand, sometimes a little conversation on the ride can be a good thing to break up the monotony. We're typically the silent types when it comes to communication devices, but that was until we came across the Scala Rider G4 by Cardo Systems. There are a host of similar devices on the market today, but we were initially intrigued because the box we received contained two G4's - that's unusual - and both were already paired together.
The G4 is similar to other communication devices on the market in that it contains a receiver that attaches to the side of the helmet, a pair of speakers and a noise-cancelling microphone (our test unit's microphone was attached to a flexible boom and was meant for a three-quarter helmet. While suitable for most full-face helmets, a wired microphone is also available specifically for full-face applications). We were also intrigued by the G4's Bluetooth capability, which gives it the ability to sync with a cell phone or GPS device. Cardo claims the unit can sync with three other riders, giving four people the chance to communicate with each other up to one mile away. Older Scala models are also able to connect to the G4, though with less expansive range.
While we've had mixed results with other intercom units in the past, it has been a while since we've last tested one. Installing the G4 is a simple matter of attaching the device and positioning the ear pieces and microphone. Though we didn't have more units to give to other riders to test its distance and multiple user capability, we did extensively test its rider-to-passenger features. Operating the G4 is simple; two buttons on the face of the unit (A and B) control channel and talk functions, while three buttons above control power and volume functions. Activating the intercom can be done with the voice activated microphone or the Push-To-Talk button. We found the former to be unreliable and rather difficult, so we resorted to the latter. Fortunately as ambient and wind noise increase, so too does the volume coming through the earpieces. Cardo designed the G4 to work even for those who wear earplugs (like us), and the maximum volume is plenty loud to hear normal conversations with the ears plugged and traveling at highway speeds. The noise-cancelling microphone works well in eliminating wind noise when trying to communicate, though no system is 100 percent effective at high speeds. This in itself is an improvement over other brands we've tried in the past.
We were also genuinely impressed with the talk time. Specifically, the rechargeable lithium-polymer battery is good for 10 hours of talk time and up to a week on standby. This too is another feature we can attest to as we held numerous conversations with our passengers during two-up travels and even hours of radio during our solo rides. Yes you read that right, the G4 comes with an FM radio built-in to the unit. RDS, or Radio Data System technology, allows the unit to scan for the best signal available with just the push of a button. We noticed the RDS worked better at a stop, as our unit would pickup obscure channels instead of established ones once moving. Should you be riding through the middle of nowhere with no radio reception, a jack in the rear of the G4 unit accepts MP3 players as well.
As we mentioned earlier, the G4 is also Bluetooth compatible. Though we didn't have much time testing this particular function. The interface gives preference to phone, GPS or intercom functions first, so if a call comes in while listening to the radio or an MP3 player those will automatically be silenced in order to take the call. We noticed decent sound quality; though the recipient on the other end complained about wind noise - something we were expecting. That being said, the conversation was comprehendible, but we wouldn't recommend it for long talks.
We were very impressed with the Scala Rider G4. Coming from riders who typically don't listen to anything at all, having an effective and simple-to-operate device like this makes group riding, or even just two-up riding a much more enjoyable experience.