How to Install a Helmet Intercom

Installing an intercom on a helmet you already own takes about ten minutes and needs no tools beyond what's in the box. Most helmets have recessed speaker pockets exactly for this. Here's the process that gets you clear sound the first time.

1. Mount the base clamp

1. Choose the clamp or the adhesive base. The clamp slides between the shell and the cheek pad on the left side and grips — the most secure option. Use the stick-on baseonly if the shell curve won't take a clamp.
2. Loosen or remove the cheek pad, slide the clamp's plate between shell and liner, and tighten.
3. Make sure the unit's cradle sits where your gloved hand can reach it easily.

2. Place the speakers

1. Find the speaker pockets in the ear recesses. Peel the speaker adhesive and center each speaker directly over your ear canal — not just in the pocket, but aligned with your ear.
2. If the speakers sit too far from your ears, use the included foam spacers to bring them closer. Distance is the number-one cause of weak sound.

3. Fit the microphone

1. For a full-facehelmet, use the adhesive boom or wired mic and position it a finger's width from the corner of your mouth. For a modular or open-face, use the boom arm.
2. Check the mic's marked front faces your mouth — a reversed mic sounds muffled.

4. Route the wires and test

1. Tuck the speaker and mic wires under the liner so nothing presses on your head.
2. Reinstall the cheek pads, clip the unit into its cradle, and pair it with your phone.
3. Ride a short test loop: check speaker volume at speed, mic clarity on a call, and that the controls are reachable with gloves.

That's it. If you'd rather skip the retrofit entirely, a helmet with comms built in does all of this at the factory. To pick a unit first, see the best intercoms.