#bluetooth

Back in the day, motorcycle communicators were just that. You used them to talk with your riding buddies when you were riding with them. Maybe, if you were lucky, they had a FM radio or some kind of facility to allow you to run a wire from your iPod to the unit, but if you were running a wire, why not just wear your headphones, anyway?

Bluetooth-enabled accessories have revolutionized the helmet communicator market. Originally, one could only use them for talking to friends who had the same kind of device. Now, riders are using helmet communicators for a host of activities: phone calls, music, and turn-by-turn directions. Through all of these, the rider is using a smartphone to provide the information via audio cues.

Introduced on the new 2014 R1200RT and K1600GTL Exclusive is BMW’s latest electronic rider aid, Hill Start Control. HSC is a technology any touring rider who’s struggled with a weighted motorcycle at a graded stop will immediately recognize as beneficial.

Until now motorcycle gloves have had a single function: protection. BearTek is changing that by introducing Bluetooth connectivity into its line of motorcycle street gloves.

High-Tech Motion’s weatherproof Phoneshield ups the usability and accessibility of your smartphone by bringing it out of your jacket pocket and mounting it front and center on your bike’s handlebars.