Intercoms for open face and half helmets

What is different about open helmets

A full face helmet gives the intercom three easy spots: the chin bar for the mic, speaker pockets in the EPS liner, and a large shell surface for the mount. An open face (3/4) helmet keeps the shell and usually has room for speakers, but there is no chin bar. A half helmet has very little shell below the ears, often a thin liner, and sometimes no room for speakers at all.

Wind is the other difference. Your mouth is exposed, so the mic has to cope with air rushing past, and your ears are more exposed too. Good mic placement and a windsock matter more here than on any other helmet.

Use the boom mic with a windsock

Every major intercom ships with or offers a boom microphone on a flexible arm. On an open helmet, the boom mounts at the left side of the helmet and curves round so the mic sits just in front of your mouth. Fit the foam windsock that comes in the box; on open helmets some riders add a thicker fur-style windsock for highway speeds.

Position the mic close to your lips, almost touching, and directly in front of your mouth rather than below the chin. Most mics are marked on the side that should face your mouth. Modern intercoms use noise processing to reduce wind, but they work best when the mic is close.

• Mic close to and in front of your mouth
• Correct side facing your lips
• Foam or fur windsock fitted
• Arm bent so it does not touch your face or move in wind
• Cable secured so it does not flap

Clamp vs adhesive mount

Clamp mounts slide between the shell and the liner and hold by pressure. On many open face helmets there is a usable gap at the lower left edge. Half helmets often have a thin rim with no gap, so the adhesive mount is the usual choice. Clean the surface with isopropyl alcohol, press firmly, and let it cure before riding. On a curved half helmet, choose the flattest area you can find so the adhesive bonds fully.

The installation steps are the same as on a full face helmet; see how to install a Cardo Packtalk for a full walk-through.

Speakers on open and half helmets

Open face helmets usually have ear pockets in the liner like full face helmets. Stick the speakers in with Velcro, centered over your ears, using spacers if needed.

Half helmets are trickier. Many do not cover the ears, so there is nowhere inside to put a speaker. Options include half-helmet kits or accessories from the intercom maker, which may hold the speakers in ear flaps or let them sit under a skull cap, and helmets with removable ear covers that can hold speakers. Cardo and Sena both sell accessory and audio kits; check the maker's compatibility list for your model before buying.

Note.Some states limit headsets or earphones while riding. Speakers mounted in a helmet are treated differently from earbuds in some states. Check your state's laws.

Managing wind noise

Open helmets are louder than full face helmets, so you will need more volume and a well-placed mic. Most intercoms offer automatic volume that rises with speed or ambient noise. Many riders use filtered earplugs, which can make speech through the speakers clearer by cutting the wind roar.

A windscreen that sends clean air over your helmet helps a lot. Turbulence from a short screen can make speech hard to hear at highway speed. See motorcycle helmet wind noise for screen and earplug tips.

Choosing an intercom and helmet

For riding with a passenger or a small group on an open helmet, any current mesh or Bluetooth intercom with a boom mic will work. Mesh units like the Cardo Packtalk series and the Sena 50S, 50R and 60S are popular for groups. The best motorcycle intercoms and the best Cardo Packtalk intercoms guides compare them.

If you are open to a different helmet, the best open face motorcycle helmets guide lists 3/4 helmets with room for speakers. Remember that a half helmet offers less coverage than a 3/4 or full face helmet; the types of motorcycle helmets article explains the trade-offs.

Compare motorcycle intercoms →

Frequently asked questions

Can you use a Cardo Packtalk with a half helmet? Yes. Use the boom mic and the adhesive mount, and use an accessory kit or ear covers for the speakers if the helmet does not cover your ears.

Which mic should I use on an open face helmet? The boom mic with a windsock, positioned close to and directly in front of your mouth.

Why do people say I sound windy? The mic is too far from your mouth, missing its windsock, or facing the wrong way. Move it closer and fit a thicker windsock.

Do I need a clamp or adhesive mount? Use the clamp if it fits firmly between shell and liner. On most half helmets, the adhesive mount is the reliable choice.