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Riding a motorcycle is a visceral experience. You, the road, the wind, and your trusty steel steed. There’s not a lot better than that. However, even with a musical machine beneath you, a Bluetooth motorcycle helmet setup can yield benefits beyond fielding the occasional phone call. I tested a Cardo PACKTALK EDGE to assess the benefit of adding Bluetooth to your riding experience.

A Bluetooth motorcycle helmet setup like a Cardo PACKTALK EDGE can add music, conversation, and navigational assistance to your rides

Have you ever hit the road for a long ride and thought “Man, I’d love some music right about now.” It’s something we take for granted in our cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs. However, for those motorcyclists who are already on the Bluetooth motorcycle helmet wagon, this is a non-issue. 

Adding a Bluetooth setup to your favorite DOT-certified helmet turns your safety-oriented lid into a source of information, connectivity, and entertainment. For starters, a low-profile unit can allow one-touch access to incoming calls, and even voice commands to place outgoing calls, all without getting off the bike. 

But beyond the obvious benefit of staying connected, your Bluetooth setup can pipe in your favorite tunes. Sure, there’s often an orchestral mix of engine noise, nature, and wind on a bike. However, without compromising your situational awareness, you can listen to some of your best beats while you carve canyons or cruise boulevards. 

A SHOEI RF-SR motorcycle helmet with a Cardo PACKTALK EDGE Bluetooth unit on a set of handlebars.
A SHOEI RF-SR helmet with a Cardo PACKTALK EDGE unit | Erik Sherman, MotorBiscuit

Enter the Cardo PACKTALK EDGE, a replacement for my aging Sena 20S EVO system. With a set of JBL-sourced speakers that slide into the recesses of my SHOEI RF-SR full-face, sound quality is a major improvement. Needless to say, being able to hear my tunes over the wind is important to me as a regular music-loving motorcyclist. But it’s also essential as a supplement for your motorcycle mount. 

Smartphone mounts are plentiful in today’s motorcycle aftermarket, and allow riders access to information. Most notably, a phone mount can be a helpful reference with turn-by-turn navigation. I use a phone mount and my Cardo PACKTALK EDGE to get visual and auditory instructions. No more getting lost.

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Staff Writer

Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman joined the MotorBiscuit team as an Autos Writer in 2022. An admitted petrolhead and an avid motorcyclist, Erik has owned everything from classic cars to motorcycles to modern driver’s cars. Erik also has extensive experience with military and emergency vehicles, ranging from ambulances and fire engines to MRAPs and M-ATVs. Erik is an eager car and motorcycle reviewer with experience covering everything from sports cars to pontoon boats and jet skis.

Erik holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations (IRG) from the University of Texas at Austin and has studied Chinese, Energy, and European Politics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Erik’s background is unorthodox; he is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) combat veteran, water survival practitioner, and a former firefighter/EMT. Additionally, Erik is a regular volunteer and former instructor with the American Red Cross (ARC).