European motorcycle touring: to intercom, or not to intercom

You’re halfway up an Alpine pass. The light is doing thatuncanny thing it only ever seems to do at altitude – bleaching the sky, crisping the edges of the world. The engine is humming in a deeply satisfying register. And then, in your ear:

"Do you think my panniers look too wide from the back?"

The intercom has spoken.

Once the preserve of professional motor racing crews and air traffic control, intercoms are now a common fixture among bikers on tour - particularly those heading to Europe with friends. These devices promise convenience, safety, and an added social dimension to your ride. But they also threaten something precious — the solitude that can make motorcycling so mentally restorative.

The case for connection

There’s no doubt intercoms offer practical advantages. You can communicate hazards, directions, detours - all without the semaphore of frantic hand gestures or pulling over every twenty minutes. The latest systems allow group chat, music sharing, and integration with navigation. It’s like your own miniature call centre.

Then there’s the social aspect. Riding together, you can comment on the scenery, share a laugh, or simply keep in touch when traffic separates you. For many, this shared experience is a huge part of the appeal.The motorbike trip becomes more than a procession of individual reflections - it becomes communal, even collaborative.

And in an emergency, a breakdown, injury or wrong turn canbe dealt with in real time, without relying on patchy phone signal or shoutedmessages at the roadside.

The argument for silence

But here’s the thing: motorcycling is already a rare reprieve from the chatter of modern life. A bubble of isolation in which your mind is freed from the pings, beeps, and endless conversations that colonise ourdays. Add an intercom, and suddenly the motorcycling meditation is rudely interrupted.

Even well-intentioned chat becomes a distraction. The low-level pressure to remain conversational chips away at the quiet mental clarity that defines a good ride. Not everyone wants a running commentary on hairpins and hotel check-ins.

Then there’s the technology itself: battery life, pairing issues, wind interference. Many riders find themselves spending more time fiddling with controls than enjoying the ride. For some, it’s a solution to a problem that didn’t exist.

Somewhere in between?

Of course, this isn’t an all-or-nothing proposition. Someriders treat intercoms like any other tool: useful when needed, silent whennot. Systems can be muted, group chats paused. You can dip into the social rideand return to solitude as the mood strikes.

The best compromise might be the most obvious: agree beforehand when to chat, and when to ride in silence. Use the tech, but don’tlet it rule the road.

Whether you’re connected or gloriously uncontactable, oneaccessory you absolutely need on a European motorbike tour is reliable breakdown cover. This is where ETA European breakdown cover comes in.

Covering motorbikes as standard, ETA’s policy includes roadside assistance, recovery to a nearby garage, and repatriation if things really go pear-shaped. There are no long call menus, no gimmicks — just proper help, when and where you need it.

Make your European bike breakdown someone else's problem

While DIY roadside repairs can be rewarding, investing in a good breakdown policy before your trip is a smart move. Prices vary wildly, so do your research. If your bike is less than 20 years old and your trip under 31 days, you’re eligible for cover from the ETA.

Our European breakdown policy includes motorcycle hire for up to 14 days at £60 per day. And if your bike can’t be fixed within 72 hours, we'll bring it home.

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The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 35 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK's most ethical provider.

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