Cable routing from helmet to bike - what a kerfuffle

[GS Bloke]

I have a AutoCom 300.

The only pain in the ar#e with the system is the cable from helmet to bike.
I find the only way is to lay the cable up my front and over my shoulder, do up my jacket, pull on my buff and feed the cable inside it, put on my helmet and plug in the cable (top end), pull slack down from bottom end of cable (below jacket), get on bike and plug into main system.
Sometimes the cable comes out of my helmet exposing all the smaller wires.

There must be an easier way than this.... any suggestions?

A jacket with a seperate cable velcro run down the front would be great so the cable can be fixed outside the jacket!

 

[MikeP]

Is it the plain cable (straight lead)?

If so, get yourself the optional curly-wurly lead, then fix the standard Autocom lead short somewhere near the tank, just plug in the optional (curly) lead and leave it to its own devices outside your jacket.

Mine just hangs down from the left, in front of my left shoulder to the plug beside the seat. No problems.

 

[GS Bloke]

Interesting....

Yea it is a straight lead, the one that came with the system.
Doesn't the curly one get bashed about by the wind at high speeds and pull the smaller wires out of the helmet?

 

[MikeP]

Interesting....

Yea it is a straight lead, the one that came with the system.
Doesn't the curly one get bashed about by the wind at high speeds and pull the smaller wires out of the helmet?

No. Not in all the years I've been using helmets with comm-leads of one sort or another.

 

[araspitfire]

I just use the straight leads and have little problems... Mikes curly leads would solve the little problem I occasionally have... In order to stand up while riding off-road, if I don't have my tank-bag on the bike (like when I ride off-road) I have a little too much lead hanging down by my knee and it catches on the front of the seat... I fixed this in Morocco by tying it up across the tank, simulating having it held higher by my tank-bag. (the cable comes out of my seat at the tank-corner, and up through the straps on my OEM (1200) bag.

But...

If you are pulling the loom out of the helmet, you have put it in there wrong IMHO.. Mine is trapped very tightly in both my C2 helmet and my BMW Enduro. But I'd add some double sided tape if it was slipping...

The lead plugs into my helmet and runs down my left shoulder, loops forward through the straps on my tank-bag, and down through the corner at the front of my seat. never any problems, have had to exit the bike 3 times without it noticeably catching on anything... just unplugged during the flight.

Al...

 

[GS Bloke]

If you are pulling the loom out of the helmet, you have put it in there wrong IMHO.. Mine is trapped very tightly in both my C2 helmet and my BMW Enduro. But I'd add some double sided tape if it was slipping...

The lead plugs into my helmet and runs down my left shoulder, loops forward through the straps on my tank-bag, and down through the corner at the front of my seat. never any problems, have had to exit the bike 3 times without it noticeably catching on anything... just unplugged during the flight.

Al...

Yea I thought about using some tape.
Do you run the straight cable on the outside?
I assume from your desc that you do, down behind you and then across your lap?
I am doing a long run soon and don't want it spoilt by cables!

 

[ghost-rider]

if you can get your hands on some, ive just fitted my autocom, and in with kit they give you some velcro(both parts), the softer part of the two i found that if you cut it up into little strips you can stick the mike and the associated wiring to the inner shell of your lid, it gives a nice soft finish on the inside of your lid and i found it sticks like shit to a blanket

 

[Yellow Peril]

it all comes down in front of you just get used to getting the lead over which ever shoulder when you put your helmet on. I don't think i have ever seen some one with the leads behind them, to be honest you would catch them everytime your get off the bike.

 

[MikeP]

What sort of helmet are you using?

Post some photo's of where you have the cable routed and how it comes out of the helmet.

I have Autocom fitted in three helmets, BMW System IV, V and Enduro. In each I have used a small P-Clip to make sure that the cable doesn't pull.

I use a short stainless cross-head bolt and a nyloc nut on the inside.

The hole is in the plastic skirt and does not affect the integrity of the helmet (I'm not going to sell an old helmet so I'm not bothered about the resultant hole).

 

[GS Bloke]

I have an Arai Condor.
When not using the AC I can tuck the cable into the skirt of the helmet quite nicely, although you have given me summit to think about with the way you have done yours - looks good.

 

[GS Bloke]

Thanks to all who posted as you gave me some good ideas.
I have re-routed the cable exit point on the helmet, stuck some velcro on the lead and inside the helmet and that seems to hold pretty well.
I have also used the spare plastic cable sticky routing thing (came with the AC) as MikeP has on the lower pic.
Also bought myself a curly lead.
I cant drill any holes in the condor as the protection goes all the way down.

Cheers.

 

[spannerman]

Cable routing from helmet to bike

my simple solution was to sew some 1/4" wide elastic loops on the inside of the storm flap on my jacket pass the cable through them and the cable stays in your jacket and doesn't get in the way, if your not using the intercom, just leave the cable tucked down inside the jacket,i have got two leads one in my summer jacket and one in my winter one,problem solved

Cheers
Spannerman

 

[andyclift]

This seems a lot of fuss about nothing. Both my wife's and my Autocom leads come out of our helmets near the join in the flip front and hang down a few inches by left shoulder. The bike socket hangs out between tank and seat.

We just get on the bikes and connect both ends and have never thought that we need any sort of system in doing it.

We have straight and curly leads. The only difference is that the curly lead is useful when I forget to unplug and get off the bike.

I have never found the need to secure the helmet plug for when the Autocom is not used, it just lays on left shoulder and does not move, whatever speed I am doing.

 

[wilbjr21]

This seems a lot of fuss about nothing. Both my wife's and my Autocom leads come out of our helmets near the join in the flip front and hang down a few inches by left shoulder. The bike socket hangs out between tank and seat.

We just get on the bikes and connect both ends and have never thought that we need any sort of system in doing it.

We have straight and curly leads. The only difference is that the curly lead is useful when I forget to unplug and get off the bike.

I have never found the need to secure the helmet plug for when the Autocom is not used, it just lays on left shoulder and does not move, whatever speed I am doing.

Me too - just the same as you.

 

[spannerman]

Cable routing from helmet to bike

Hi Andyclift
How often do you ride your bike? if you ride on a daily basis it gets on your tits having to think if you are going to use the intercom or not,at least if the leads are permenantly attached you have the choice without having to carry the leads in your pocket or wherever and if sewing a few bits of elastic in your jacket is a lot of trouble it must be a nightmare having to put your boots jacket and helmet on when you go out on your bike let alone those pesky gloves

 

[andyclift]

Spannerman.

Sewing a bit of elastic in all four bike jackets is no trouble but why would I want to? It's a pointless exercise.

I use my bike daily for work and pleasure. The Autocom is used most of the time, if only for the satnav voice and the speed camera warnings. When I get on I plug the lead into my helmet. When I get off I unplug it and leave the lead on the bike.

When I go on ride outs many of the other riders are using comms systems. I have never seen anyone with the need to worry about where the cables go.

 

[spannerman]

Cable routing from helmet to bike

We all have our own pet hates,one of mine happens to be untidy dangling wiring,it could be something to do with being a mechanic i suppose,but there we go,each to his own,i guess

 

[andyclift]

We all have our own pet hates,one of mine happens to be untidy dangling wiring,it could be something to do with being a mechanic i suppose,but there we go,each to his own,i guess

That explains it. As an Engineering Project Manager I have normally found that the simpliest solutions are often the most cost effective and the best.

 

[JoeC gs1150se]

kerfufles 'R' us ...

Just attach the end plug to the lid by way of a 'P' clip with the plug facing the rearwards, curly chord inserted and it runs over the left shoulder BEHIND you ,and to the autocom box by way of your left side.. Can be tucked into /under the belt for the most of us.. All secured and out of the way, no flapping around etc.
Borrow some nail varnish remover to clean the spot for the 'P' clip prior to fitting or youll waste your time getting it to stick to the lid..

JoeC.

 

[ghost-rider]

nail varnish remover, no dont do it, most of em contain acetone which just destroys plastics etc., it turns it brittle and it just cracks up, better of with a tiny amount of white spirit or a alchoholic wipe somat like that