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I've noted in several posts that some of the limitations of the wired setup of the 2018 Star Venture can be overcome with a Sena Freewire setup. I wanted to put up this post to explain how this works, what you need, some gotchas to look out for, and the various ways you can use the setup to accomplish what you want. BEFORE I BEGIN Let me say up front that I'm not a Sena employee, nor am I getting any kind of monetary compensation for any of this. I mention these products because a) I own them or have ordered them, b) I know that they work, and c) I use them because they work and/or I like them. This post isn't meant as an advertisement for Sena. Honest! PROBLEM STATEMENT The issue at hand is that the 2018 Star Venture does not have the capability to pair a wireless Bluetooth headset to the infotainment system. The only way to get a headset hooked up to the system is via a 7-pin headset connector (available for both rider and passenger). This is all well and good, but poses some issues. 1) You and the passenger are tethered to the bike. Step away, and you have to unplug, losing your connection, among other annoyances. 2) You are forced to use the on-board intercom to speak to each other. This causes issues because the PTT for the intercom is also used for the CB, so if you use both, every time you talk via the on-board intercom, you broadcast the conversation via CB. You can certainly use BT headsets and chat with your rider via the BT intercom, and then have your bike audio play out via the speakers, but then you have no way of talking out via the CB. SOLUTION The Sena Freewire is a wired-to-Bluetooth adapter. The adapter plugs into the wired connection on your bike; then, you pair your BT headset to the adapter using the BT headset's phone pairing feature. This allows two-way audio (speakers and mic) between your BT headset and the bike's on-board audio system. The 2018 Venture uses the same 7-pin connector as modern Harley-Davidsons, so the Freewire for Harley-Davidson is the version you need to buy. PROS Your helmet is no longer tethered to the bike. More flexible options on how to handle intercom. One headset can accomplish music, intercom and CB communications without overlapping. CONS Expensive. Current price is $225 per unit, and you'll need two if you want to include your passenger's access to the on-board audio. Keeping the various options straight can be a bit of a learning curve. It's wireless/BT, so expect some delay when using the mic. Passenger can't have access to their own phone AND a Freewire at the same time (the infotainment system only allows one phone to be connected for calls at a time). SETUP - NO PASSENGER Sena has a video on Youtube that quickly shows how to pair the Freewire with your BT headset (see below). Thus, it's just a matter of 1) plugging the Freewire into the bike helmet socket, 2) mounting the Freewire on your bike (handlebar is easiest), 3) turning the Freewire on, and 4) pairing your BT headset with the Freewire. Once this is done, you're pretty much set. You can leave the intercom off in the infotainment system and use the PTT for the CB. If you're using a smartphone, pair the smartphone with the infotainment system on the bike, not the BT headset. This is because most headsets only let you pair one phone, and since the Freewire uses the phone pairing feature, you wont be able to use it for phone and Freewire at the same time. This isn't a problem, as the Venture infotainment system shows you when someone calls (along with their number) and flashes text messages on the screen, etc etc. You can answer the phone, and the Freewire will handle all the audio for the phone call, both in and out. SETUP - WITH PASSENGER Follow the same setup as before, adding a Freewire to the passenger mic socket. You'll need to find a place to mount the passenger Freewire; I'm going to try to put it on the side of the passenger grab handle. Now the passenger has access to the infotainment audio, and this is where the fun begins. EDIT: I managed to find a way to mount the passenger Freewire in the trunk. See this post: http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?135982-First-Mod-2018-SVTC-Hide-the-Freewire Intercom and CB Most motorcycle BT headsets come with a built-in headset-to-headset intercom feature. Probably the biggest limitation for CB enthusiasts on the Venture is that the PTT button functions for both the on-board intercom and the CB, as I previously mentioned. With this setup, you can use the BT headset intercom instead of the bike intercom (which you can turn off). Now the PTT button only has to be used for CB, and the headsets can function as your intercom. Of course, if you don't plan on using the CB, you can turn the CB off, and now you have the option of using either the BT headset intercom or the bike intercom, whichever you prefer. Dual-Zone Audio Since your passenger is connected into the bike's infotainment system via the wired connection (via the Freewire), they can take full advantage of dual-zone audio. That's it for now. This post is meant to be a living document, and I'll update it as my setup gets some shake-down runs in.
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Hi all, I needed to new bluetooth unit for my ride with the Klim off road helmet I posted a review of a while ago. I felt the Sena unit with a stated 1 mile range would be good one since I have had a lot of success with Sena products. 1 mile by the way is wishful but does give good range for a group ride. If someone is hanging back a mile they deserve to not hear about my bladder issues....... I haven't ridden with my brother @cowpuc since 2015 but I'll bet his hearing is still good enough to hear me complimenting him on how pretty Tweeks carves the twisties....so he don't need no stinkin, lop eared, bluetooth contraption anyway. But for the rest of us: Here is my review - comments are always welcome https://ultimatemotorcycling.com/2020/11/02/sena-10s-motorcycle-bluetooth-communication-system-review/ VentureFar...- 5 replies
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Hello all, I just got a chance to review the Sena SF1 bluetooth - low end unit. It is a lot of fun getting to ride review products and sharing what I learn. I hope these help you all in making buying decisions. If you would like me to " try" to get a product in for review that you were thinking of buying, let me know. Currently I have in transit: Tom Tom Rider GPS Remote Tire monitoring- lost in Fed Ex somewhere Interesting GPS add on called Beeline (.co not .com if you are interested. Here is my review of the low end Sena. Comments appreciated and requested - especially from my Brother @cowpuc https://ultimatemotorcycling.com/2020/06/09/sena-sf1-review-for-rider-to-passenger-communication/ VentureFar...
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I'm a guy what likes a bluetooth headset for my helmet. Last season I bought a pair of Sena 30Ks for me and my son. I didn't know then that the Venture only had wired headset support, but I did know this before I bought the bike. I had a couple of J&M headsets in the queue to purchase. During our club kickoff party this year, one of my club buds told me he got a Sena Freewire for his Harley (newer model, 2017 I think). I didn't think much of that until I started doing the research on the J&M headsets. I noticed something peculiar: The part number for the connection cable for the newer Harleys is HC-ZYH, while the part number for the Venture is YHC-ZYH. Both are seven pin. That got me to thinking... Could they be the same cable? Was the "Y" at the beginning of the Venture cable just there to denote that it's only sold through Yamaha? So I did the only thing a geek like me could do: I called my friend and asked him to meet me to test his Freewire on my bike. Bottom line: IT WORKS. If you're interested, you need the Sena Freewire for Harley-Davidson, part # FREEWIRE-01. Sena Link: https://www.sena.com/product/freewire/ Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Sena-FreeWire-Bluetooth-Motorcycle-Communication/dp/B01M2CCJ8D -
Looking at gutting the entire intercom system and using just a Sena 20s and a zumo. Kitty is concerned that if we ever do get back to riding with ventureriders, that the lack of the CB might be a big deal. So is the majority still CB oriented, or are most switching to Bluetooth?
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Just wanted to pass this along for those that may be unaware, but Sena has a helmet clamp that you can simply plug in your ear buds versus using the speakers, Sena SMH-A0303 Helmet Clamp Kit for Earbuds. Amazon has it for $34.62 and free shipping. I purchased one last week and after I got it the wife wanted it for her helmet. So, I ordered another one for myself last night. Neither of us particularly cared for the speakers and loved the idea of just having the earbuds plugged in and listening to both, music and being able to talk with the push of a button with sound quality of the earbuds. When the other order comes in and the weather cooperates we will be able to do a road test!
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Sena is introducing a new SM10 Bluetooth Stereo Audio Adapter- Interesting to see it will interface with the Goldwings on board audio system-DIN 5 pin to 3.5mm 3 pole audio cable- I am hoping it will work for the Ventures on board audio system..I am very pleased with the SMH-10 and if this does work, it will be the cat's meow...
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Sena SMH10B-10 Review This is a review of my new Sena SMH10 Bluetooth Headset and how well it functions for my particular application. Spoiler alert! It works extremely well! The Sena is a replacement for a three year old Scala Cardo Q2 headset. I considered a new Scala 4 but the reviews were not stellar. I have tried several different wired systems over the years but have a need to go wireless for some of my activities. I have used starcom, kenedy, rider and a couple others. Basically I need connectivity between the headset and the following items: 2 GPSs, phone, MP3, intercom, ham/wx band radio. Why so much stuff? I have only one motorcycle and it needs to meet all the requirements for its intended duties; pleasure rides, long distance endurance rides (IBA), touring, bicycle charity ride escort (Motorcycle Marshal), and anything else that comes to mind. The idea is to throw my leg over the FJR1300, turn on the headset and go. No fuss, no hassle, just go. I will not discuss the installation and set up of all this equipment here. Only the bluetooth connectivity and headset operation. Here are the general equipment specs: Headset - Sena SMH10B-10 FW V4.1, BT V3.0 GPSs - Garmin Zumo 550 Ham/WX Radio - Yeasu FTM10R Transceiver, AM/FM/VHF/UHF, Dual channel Bluetooth Phone - Apple iPhone 4 The Sena SMH10 allows several connection profiles including Headset Profile, Hands-free Profile (HFP), Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP), Audio Video Remote control Profile (AVRCP). I have yet to try all the possible profile combinations but have already found that by simply using HFP and A2DP everything works as I need. With the multiple connects and the availability of the SM10 Dual Stream Stereo Transmitter (dongle), which allows wired audio connections, the connectivity is nearly limitless. The basic helmet mount comes with a single stereo 3.5mm input. My particular needs have been met without having to acquire the SM10 dongle. The old Scala Q2 worked pretty well but two major problems were the short battery life (3-4hrs) when connected to the ham radio, and the fact that it could not be paired to anything else when the ham radio was in use. When not using the ham radio, it was paired to another headset (intercom) and the GPS which also paired to the phone and those worked well also. Battery life was then extended to a more realistic 6 hours or so. The Sena allows for multiple connections via HFP profile and allows me to connect to the ham radio, GPS, and intercom at the same time. I use A2DP profile for the GPS to allow stereo MP3 streaming. Another plus for the Sena is the available volume is 3x that of the Scala. Instead of straining to hear, I am able to run it at about 75% volume at highway speeds. The audio is clearer and has more bass than the Scala even though the speakers are only slightly thicker. With the helmet on, I can fill up with gas at the pump, walk inside the store while still hearing and talking on the radio or phone. While assisting a down or injured rider, I can stay in contact via the ham radio with out having to carry a separate hand held radio on my belt. Audio reports from the phone and ham radio have been very positive. Audio prompts from the menu system are nice. I found this SMH10 on ebay for about $160. Not bad when comparing to other available units.
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Hi Folks, I just thought I would give you guys my opinion on these two Bluetooth sets since my wife and I have had the unique opportunity to experience them back to back within a two month span. Four years ago I purchased the Scala Rider Teamset units for my wife and I to use. This product performed fairly well over the last few years and finally became so worn out that I made the choice to upgrade. About 3 months ago I chose to purchase for us the Scala Rider Q2 Proset. The sound was certainly better than the Scala Teamset that we had been using. The voice activated intercom reacts a lot smoother, and using our iPhones with them has been pretty flawless. My wife does have the complaint that when she listens to music, the sound is less than inspiring. We have on a number of occasions had to wait and fiddle for an extended period of time for the units decide to sync with each other. But, once they do, they work fine. We both agree that the buttons on the units are quirky to deal with especially with gloves on. The volume range is very limited, but adequate. Overall, we had been decently happy with them, and certainly felt that they were better than the TeamSet units we had worn out. Well....that all changed one month ago when our oldest son, who didn't know we had purchased new microphone sets for ourselves, purchased us the Sena SMH10 Dual set for a gift for our anniversary. Instead of telling him we had already purchased ourselves a new Scala set, we kept our mouths shut and accepted the gift with big grins and big hugs. I then made the choice to install the Sena units on our helmets just see if there was any difference between the two products. To put it mildly, we were blown away by the difference! The Sena SMH10 is far and away a better sounding unit, as well as way easier to operate due to the jog dial that is more friendly to navigate with gloves. The unit produces a deeper and more rich sound than the Scala product does. Also, the volume levels are markedly better. Instead of pushing buttons to raise and lower the volume, you turn the jog dial and it acts like a radio dial. My wife loves the way here iTunes music sounds on these units, even while running 75 on the freeway. There is absolutely no waiting for them to sync, and turning the units on and off is a matter of quick taps on two buttons. We did a 400 mile ride last weekend and had the units on from 7:00AM until 7:00PM, and they never went dead. Well I'm not gonna blah blah blah anymore. I just wanted to inform anyone who may be thinking about buying new Bluetooth sets, that they cannot go wrong with the Sena SMH10. Now, I've gotta figure out what to do with a 2 month old Scala Q2 set.
