There have only been a handful of moments where a purchase truly changed the way we ride.
Upgrading to quality rain gear.
Making the jump from an Outlander 500 to a Renegade 1000 XXC.
Those upgrades didn’t just improve comfort—they transformed the overall experience. This past weekend, we added something new to that list.
We Finally Pulled the Trigger on Ride Communication
For a while, we had been kicking around the idea of adding communication devices to our machines. With four business rigs, going the traditional route—buying and wiring in radios—started to look expensive and time-consuming.
So instead, we decided to try helmet communication units.
We went with Cardo units (and no—Traild is not affiliated or sponsored by Cardo in any way). But after using them for a full weekend, the impact was big enough that we had to share it.
First Impressions: Easy Install, Slight Learning Curve
The install itself was straightforward. Mounting everything and getting the units set up didn’t take long.
Connecting them the first time… that was a different story.
Maybe it was the Thursday night beers, but it took us a bit to get all four units paired and talking. Once we figured it out, though, everything clicked—and from that point on, they worked flawlessly.
Performance on the Trail
We had heard that range can be somewhat limited and mostly dependent on line of sight. That proved to be accurate.
On dry gravel trails, if you dropped back far enough to get out of the dust, you’d occasionally lose connection. But honestly, it wasn’t a big deal—the devices reconnect quickly and automatically every time.
And when you are connected?
It’s seamless.
- No buttons to press
- No fumbling with controls
- Just talk
The voice activation and clarity made it feel natural, like everyone was riding in the same cab.
Where It Became a Game Changer
The real value showed up in the moments that usually slow a group ride down.
Miss a turn?
Instead of a frantic mix of hand signals and confusion, it’s just:
“Turn around.”
At intersections where nobody is sure which way to go, everyone can check maps and give input instantly—no stopping, no getting out, no trail-side meetings.
It completely streamlined the ride.
- Faster decisions
- Less frustration
- More time actually riding
And overall, it made the experience a lot more fun.
The Only Downside
If there’s one drawback, it’s this:
There’s now one more thing to charge every night.
When you’re already juggling GoPros, remotes, and phones, it’s not ideal. But in this case, it’s absolutely worth it.
Final Thoughts
The biggest surprise?
This setup eliminates the need to spend thousands on stereos or complex communication systems for every machine.
For us, it’s one of those rare upgrades that truly changes how you ride—not just incrementally, but in a meaningful way.
This is a game changer.