Cardo Systems Scala Rider Q2 Review

I recently purchased the Cardo Systems Scala Rider Q2 system to communicate with my riding buddy when out on motorcycle rides. It's often frustrating not having the ability to communicate to another motorcyclist during a ride. One rider might be running low on gas, or need to make an emergency pit stop. More often than not - it's just nice to remind the guy behind or in front of you to turn off their blinker!!

The Scala Q2 has turned out to be an amazing set. The Bluetooth multi-rider team set allows one biker to speak to another without wires. The set comes with a built in FM radio, and can connect to a Bluetooth phone. It can also connect to an MP3 player - although only through hardwire.

The set allowed my buddy and I to carry on a near normal conversation at up to about 75 mph. I must insert a caveat here - my buddy was wearing a modular helmet that lets more air in than a normal full face helmet. That probably hindered conversations at greater speeds. What impressed me the most was that the conversation was flawless. I didn't have to ask him to repeat himself, and because the set supports full-duplex audio - we were able to talk simultaneously.

The unit itself was very lightweight - and fits very nicely on the side of the helmet. The controls are simple and easy to use with gloves while the bike is moving. I did have a little trouble situating the speakers - but that was easily fixed.

I never really got the FM radio to work at all - but I didn't expect it to work well out in the Hill Country. I'll try the MP3 player sometime - but I don't really like listening to music while I ride so that function is not very important to me. According to the manufacturer, the set automatically mutes music when a phone conversation or mic-to-mic conversation begins.

I've had friends tell me that they have answered phone calls while riding and the other party could not tell they were on a motorcycle.

The Scala Q2 certainly has lived up to its hype.

And - we just happen to have them at High Definition Powersports!!

4th of July Ride

The other owner of HDPS and I have not had a chance to ride a motorcycle in over a year.  We've just been too busy.  Late last year - we even sold our personal motorcycles.  

Now that business has stabilized (a little) - we both realized how much we missed riding. And - as fate would have it - we each had the opportunity to grab the motorcycle that we each had wanted for a long time.  

On July 4th, John and I took a ride in the Hill Country with an old friend, Alan.  Alan rode his Triumph Daytona 955, John rode his Triumph Sprint ST, and I was on my Kawasaki Concours 14.  We left early (7:00am) and headed toward Wimberley and Blanco.  With little traffic and cooler temperatures - our inaugural ride on the sports tourers was fantastic.  

Blanco's Sunset Cafe never disappoints for breakfast.  The toast and biscuits are more like loaves of bread.  The pancakes are huge.  The omelets are tasty, and the service was impeccable!  Again - because we were early - we got right in and ate right away which meant more time for riding!

We had initially gotten behind a group from SAAME (South Austin Area Motorcycle Enthusiasts) but they turned off on 170 to Wimberley - we took 150.  We thought we'd run into them in Blanco - but we ate pretty fast - so maybe we'll see them next time.  I knew it was SAAME because I saw my friends, Tony and his wife Andi in the beautiful pink jacket she got at our shop!!

After breakfast, Alan led us through the twisties to Luckenbach, then back to Johnson City and back home on Fitzhugh Rd.  There's nothing like pacing yourself through the curves to familiarize yourself with a new bike.  

We knew the intense heat was on its way - so we headed home and ended our ride right at noon before the temperature hit the upper 90s.  Perfect timing in my book.

There are so many riding groups in Austin - everyone should be able to find someone to ride with.  We're working on a few rides of our own with customers of High Definition Powersports - we know a lot of people that have yet to discover the beauty of the Hill Country.  So - join our mailing list by signing our guestbook at our web site (www.highdefinitionpowersports.com) and follow us on Twitter (@hidefpwrsports) and learn of more rides to come.