Best Walkie Talkie for Dirt Bike Riding | Top 5 Two-Way Radios & Buyer Guide

Dirt biking is a combination of adventure and fun in such a way that you get messy but still enjoy it. It is a popular sport that involves riding a motorcycle on off-road paths or through a dirt trail. This can be done individually, or in groups.

You may find it a bit difficult to learn how to dirt bike, but it can become quite addictive once you get the hang of it. It is a quite dangerous sport, which is why you must wear a helmet at all times during dirt biking.

But beyond wearing a helmet, it is important that you have a means of communication as a safety tool when dirt biking.

This is important when you are riding individually or in groups because you will be able to communicate with your team members in case one (or more) of you get lost on the trail.

If you also need help in case of an emergency, a means of communication becomes very handy. A walkie talkie is an excellent tool of communication because it works even in terrains where mobile network coverage might be poor.

A good walkie talkie for dirt bike riding should be one that has a long range, is durable and weatherproof, and has a number of accessories that makes it easy to use.

We have reviewed 5 of the best walkie talkies for dirt bike riding. But before we list them, there are certain factors that determine the type of walkie talkie you should buy.

Top 5 Two-Way Radios for Dirk Bike Riding: By Best Feature

Buyer’s Guide: Critical Factors to be considered before you select the Walkie Talkie for Dirt Bike Riding

Dirt Bike riding basically means riding a bike across winding terrains which includes hills and valleys. This informs the factors that will make you buy a walkie talkie for this fun sport, some of which include;

1. Range

Walkie talkies send signals from one device to another on a selected frequency. The distance at which audio signals are transmitted with or without interference is called range.

The terrain for dirt biking changes from time to time; and this can affect the audio quality. A good walkie talkie for dirt biking should have a minimum range of 30 miles, or at least 10 miles with the presence of obstruction.

2. Band of coverage

After range, the next important factor to consider is the audio quality of your walkie talkie. The band coverage of your walkie talkie almost always determines the audio clarity and quality.

There are two bands on which walkie talkies operate; the Family Radio Service (FRS) or the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS). GMRS transmits signals over farther ranges compared to FRS, but they mostly require a license.

Many walkie talkies also use both bands of coverage, allowing you to choose a more preferred band.

3. Voice Exchange (VOX) Function

It is almost impossible to take your hands off your bike when riding along a dirt trail just because you want to use your walkie talkie. This is why many dirt bikers prefer to get a walkie talkie that has a voice exchange (VOX) function.

This VOX function allows you use your voice to operate your walkie talkie in hands-free mode.

4. Durability

You can be certain that dirt, water and dust will come in contact with your walkie talkie during dirt biking. There’s virtually no way to avoid it.

This is why you need to get a walkie talkie that is not only durable, but it also weather/dust resistant.

5. Portability/Size

There are some critical questions you must ask yourself before buying a walkie talkie for dirt biking. How convenient will it be to carry? Will it go into your small pouch? Will the size cause discomfort?

It is important you look out for portable walkie talkies that can easily fit in a pouch or stay clipped to your chest without any challenge.

6. Battery life

The battery life of your walkie talkie is also quite important. In case of a tournament or even an emergency, it is expected that a good walkie talkie for dirt bike riding should work uninterrupted for at least 10 hours.

7. Accessories

When it comes to dirt biking, the more accessories you have, the more functional your walkie talkie would be.

Accessories like LED flashlight, earphones (preferably over-the-ear kind or helmet earphones, lanyard, etc, help make for a great user experience as they make it more easy to use.

Other accessories like extra batteries and USB chargers help to increase your convenience. A good walkie talkie for dirt bike riding should also be lightweight.

8. Weather Alerts

Dirt bike riding is usually fun in the summer due to the dry weather. It is definitely the opposite in the rain where there is a high chance of the wheels of your motorcycle getting stuck in the mud.

This is why you need a walkie talkie that can provide weather alerts. Weather changes can be very unpredictable, so you need to be ready at all times.

9. Budget

Most walkie talkies for dirt biking are affordable. The price of accessories (that may not be included in the pack) may, however, add to the cost of the product.

For example, buying a helmet headset together with the walkie talkie of your choice might make the overall cost increase beyond your budget. But do not hesitate to spend a little above budget if you need to.

Now that we have shown you the factors for choosing a walkie talkie for dirt biking, let us highlight our top 5 walkie talkies for dirt bike riding.

Top 5 Best Walkie Talkies for Dirt Bike Riding

1. Midland GXT1000VP4 GMRS Two-Way Radio

Value for Money

The Midland GXT1000VP4 walkie talkie is no doubt made for dirt biking and other extreme outdoor activities. Its design makes it very functional to use; with emergency buttons for SOS messages and location signals.

This product allows you communicate over a range of 36 miles even in uneven terrains. You do not have to worry about having secure conversations with your team members as you have access to 50 channels with 142 privacy codes each.

This waterproof walkie talkie also has access to NOAA weather alerts.

With this two-way radio, all you have to do is enjoy your dirt bike adventure with your friends as the battery keeps you going longer than 12 hours and can be recharged if it does out.

Specifications of Midland GXT1000VP4 GMRS Two-Way Radio

  • Dual Power Mode
  • NOAA weather alerts
  • 36-mile range
  • Call alert and vibrate feature
  • JIS4 Waterproof feature
  • SOS messages and Location signals
  • LCD backlight

Pros and Cons of Midland GXT1000VP4 GMRS Two-Way Radio

Pros:

  • Has a wide range.
  • Doubles as a phone with its call and vibrate feature.
  • Weather channels for safety.
  • Private conversations over a number of channels.
  • Ergonomic design.
  • Can be used with other Midland devices.

Cons:

  • There might be static in certain terrains due to a reduction in range.

2. Neoteck FRS462MHz Walkie Talkie

Best for Durability

If you need a very durable product for dirt biking, this Neoteck walkie talkie is your best bet. This product is made to go through the rigorousness that dirt biking presents.

The water-resistant design of the Neoteck FRS462MHz also adds to its durability. What’s more, it is lightweight and fits into your palm easily.

There is a group caller feature that allows you group your team members in such a way that they easily receive direct calls. ou also have access to NOAA weather alerts, and there is a built-in LED flashlight in case of emergencies.

This walkie talkie is also very portable, can fit easily in your hands, but is also small enough to be clipped on your chest pouch or strapped to your hand.

Specifications of Neoteck FRS462MHz Walkie Talkie

  • Maximum range of 36 miles.
  • 16 channels.
  • NOAA weather channels.
  • Water resistant specification.
  • 12-hour battery life.
  • Earbuds, rechargeable batteries and clips included.
  • Group caller feature

Pros and Cons of Neoteck FRS462MHz Walkie Talkie

Pros:

  • Wide frequency coverage.
  • Enhanced call privacy.
  • Update from Weather channels.
  • Made of highly durable, waterproof materials.
  • Multiple accessories for convenience.
  • Dual power mode.
  • Very portable at 2.36 x 4.53 x 1.3 inches.

Cons:

  • It works on a single frequency.

3. Motorola MU350R Waterproof Two-Way Radio

Best Audio Clarity

Imagine how frustrating it can be when you wind up in unfamiliar terrain when dirt biking and your walkie talkie starts to produce static.

With the Motorola MU350R, you do not need to worry about poor audio transmission. This product comes with a push-to-talk (PTT) voice activated function even up to a range of 35 miles.

You have access to 30 channels, so you can easily switch from one channel to the other. There is access to NOAA weather alerts.

And in case of slight rain during your dirt bike adventure, the IP67 waterproof casing of this product ensures that your walkie talkie continues to function efficiently.

This product is one of the most portable you’ll find anywhere on the market. This is a great advantage for dirt bikers who can easily carry their radio without any hassles.

Specifications of Motorola MU350R Waterproof Two-Way Radio

  • Range of 35 miles in open areas.
  • 30 channels
  • NOAA Weather alerts
  • IP67 Waterproof Feature
  • Pack of 6 radios
  • Voice operated Push to Talk (PTT) function
  • Extended battery life.

Pros and Cons of Motorola MU350R Waterproof Two-Way Radio

Pros:

  • Impressive audio transmission.
  • Waterproof radio for enhanced durability.
  • Access to Weather alerts.
  • Large number of channels.
  • PTT function secures your calls.
  • Comes with extra 3 AA batteries.
  • Very portable.

Cons:

  • Some products come with damaged batteries.

4. Baofeng UV-5R MK5 Walkie Talkie

Best Battery life

The battery life of the Baofeng walkie talkies is top notch. This product is built according to military specifications, and has a large 3800mAh battery that provides a battery life of over 20 hours.

This is great if you’re going to be out biking all day. In addition to this very impressive battery life, there are other accessories that make this product a good choice for dirt biking.

If you think this will affect its functionality, you are mistaken as the Baofeng UV-5R MK5 walkie talkie has 50 channels for easy communication that can be operated in hands-free mode.

Specifications of Baofeng UV-5R MK5 Walkie Talkie

  • Tri-Band Ham Radio
  • 13-mile range.
  • Multiple number of accessories.
  • Voice Exchange (VOX) function.
  • LCD Backlight screen.
  • Power switch feature.
  • 20-hour battery life.

Pros and Cons of Baofeng UV-5R MK5 Walkie Talkie

Pros:

  • Over 3500 codes for private communication.
  • Has a number of useful accessories.
  • High audio quality due to VOX hands-free function.
  • The battery life can be extended up to 48 hours.
  • Comes with FM radio.
  • Multiple band selection.
  • It’s a portable radio.

Cons:

  • No access to weather channels.

5. Arcshell Rechargeable Long Range Two-Way Radios 

Best Price

Dirt Biking in a group is a lot of fun, and the Arcshell two-way radio will ensure that the fun never stops. This 6-pack radio comes in a convenient size and design, so you and your team members all have compatible devices with which you can communicate as you ride.

This product offers 16 channels with 155 privacy codes. There is an in-built mic for improved audio transmission. It is water-resistant and also comes with a removable belt clip for easy use.

Specifications of Arcshell Rechargeable Long Range Two-Way Radios

  • Range of 35 miles.
  • Water-resistant specification
  • Channel scan feature
  • Emergency alarm
  • Intelligent charging.
  • Built-in LED Flashlight
  • 22 channels with 121 privacy codes each
  • Inbuilt Voice Exchange (iVOX/VOX)Hands-free function
  • Noise Reduction and overcharge protection.

Pros and Cons of Arcshell Rechargeable Long Range Two-Way Radios

Pros:

  • Very Affordable.
  • Flexible antenna for clear audio.
  • Push to Talk (PTT) power boost
  • Has a number of useful accessories.
  • Weather resistant materials.
  • Fast charging due to its intelligent charging feature.

Cons:

  • No access to weather alerts.

Comparison of  Top 5 Walkie Talkies for Dirt Bike Riding

 RangeWeather AlertsWaterproof/Dirt proofBattery LifeEarphones
Midland GXT1000VP4 GMRS Two-Way Radio36 milesYesYes16 hoursYes
Neoteck FRS462MHz36 milesYesYes12 hoursYes
Motorola MU350R35 milesYesYes14 hoursNo
Baofeng UV-5R MK5 Walkie Talkie13 milesNoNo20 hoursYes
Arcshell Rechargeable Long Range Two-Way Radios 35 milesNoYes14 hoursYes

Final Words:

The walkie talkie of our choice for dirt bike riding is the Midland GXT1000VP4 Walkie Talkie. We picked it because it has a superb range with a great number of channels. And all these come at an affordable price.

You can look through other reviews of each product, as you will need all the information you can get before you make a choice. However, the other products in this category are also very good choices.

Do not forget that you might need to buy some extra accessories to make your walkie talkie easy to use e.g. a helmet headset or a bike mount. When you are done, enjoy the thrill that comes with dirt bike riding.

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