Sena presented its latest intercom at EICMA, the world's most important motorcycle show in Milan. The brand's spearhead, the serial intercom for bikers, had to be at the top of its game, and the 60S is indeed the new generation of biker-to-biker communication.
We'd already had a chance to try out one of the brand's intercom systems, with the RT1 spider, so we already had an idea of the quality of the South Korean brand's products. But as this new device was still top secret until a few weeks ago, it was hard to know what it would sound like.
Sena's technologies
Until now, Sena has relied on its in-house Mesh technology to enable exchanges between bikers. With the 60S, there are several technologies that work together to enable seamless communication.
Open Mesh 2
Open Mesh 2 technology is supplied on most of the brand's intercoms, and is similar to handheld radios or standard CBs. It enables communication with members of a pre-defined group.
Mesh 3
Still based on mesh technology, communication between group members is based on the in-house solution. However, the new algorithm automatically adjusts the volume of each member to ensure that the sound is at the same level for the whole group.
Wave: the cellular network to avoid losing communication
The disadvantage of the mesh solution was the loss of connection and therefore of communication when the range was too great, or when an obstacle came between members. With Wave, as soon as the connection is lost, you switch over to the cellular network via VOIP. The switchover is automatic in both directions, and you converse without interruption with your group.
Unfortunately, we weren't able to test this wave technology (or mesh3) during our trial, as you need to have two 60S intercom units paired up to see the benefits of these technologies. In any case, on paper, it's clearly appealing, because that was the problem with Mesh 2: we could lose connections and therefore miss bits of an exchange.
Sena claims an exchange distance of almost 2 km over open ground in Bluetooth or mesh mode, and virtually unlimited in wave mode. In bluetooth mode, 4 bikers can communicate, rising to 24 in mesh group mode, and unlimited in open mesh mode.
The different functionalities
The main benefit of the intercom is the ability to communicate with your passenger or fellow riders. That's really the first argument given when you're interested in these gadgets. But other features are just as interesting:
- The music function: no more long journeys alone, hearing nothing but the wind in your headphones. A little Ska-P or Shaka Ponk, and you'll have a banana behind your visor. But be careful not to lose your concentration on the road. And if you don't have any music on your phone, there's always the radio, accessible via the Sena Motorcycle app. A little preparation before you set off: you'll need to get the whole thing up and running before you set off. Once underway, you'll be able to adjust the volume or skip to the next track, but that's about it (which is pretty good, though).
- The maps option is another great feature when you're on the move, with a little voice to help you get to your destination. But once again, this option needs to be activated before you set off.
- Telephoning while driving is forbidden by law, and the same applies to motorcycles. However, you can simply pick up the phone to give yourself time to stop without losing contact with the person you're talking to.
The telephone exchange
On the other hand, during our test ride, we could clearly see the improvements in the intercom's responsiveness. Where the start of a call could be lost with a Spider RT1, the 60S misses nothing, and telephone exchanges are masterfully clear.
Harman Kardon sound at its best
The sound of the Sena 60S is stunning, the earpieces are a hair larger than other models, and just a little thicker. The ear in the headphones takes its place without being compressed. With background music, ambient traffic noise can be heard perfectly, which doesn't completely break the driver's concentration and alertness. But Sena has made an effort by increasing the maximum volume of the intercom, because on other models, even with the volume at full blast, you really had to strain your ears not to miss a conversation. Here, the sound has been turned up to 130% compared with the 50S, and you can really feel it. There's no need to turn the sound control all the way up on quiet exchanges. Personally, when I turned it all the way up, it was just too loud for me. Noise reduction during telephone calls has been improved, but I found that exchanges were already so clean that I can't really see the difference.
The plus
- The update is now wireless, you open the application and the update is proposed. It's an OTA (Over-the-air) update, which means you can update via Bluetooth, cellular network or WIFI. Just make sure you have enough battery power to avoid damaging the device.
- Sena has thought of you, and offers 4 different shells in its basic package: dark chrome, metallic silver, glossy black or pearl white, so you can match the design of the intercom to that of your headset. The brand also offers 8 other shells in a variety of colors: green / orange / red / yellow / blue / gray / mottled black / carbon black.
- The design is really nice, and the luminous displays make it easy to identify the status of the intercom when charging, exchanging calls or whatever.
- The magnetic fastening is really good, allowing the intercom to be installed or removed without forcing. But Sena also offers stickers to attach it directly to the helmet.
- Sena is really generous, because they supply a whole range of equipment to attach the intercom to any type of helmet, whether you have a full-face, a jet or a modulable, you'll be able to attach the intercom in the best way for your use. And if you have several helmets, you can leave the integrated headset and microphone in place, and move just the 60S intercom. Really practical!
- IPX7 waterproofing ensures your intercom lasts a long time and can be used in any situation. The 50S was only water-resistant, but the 60S is a significant step up in quality.
Minuses
- I wouldn't recommend the built-in flashlight, as I don't see the point of such a device, which will eat up the battery like snow in the sun. But as long as you don't use it, there's nothing to worry about.
- As for autonomy, the brand claims 22 hours. I doubt my intercom lasted that long during my tests, but it's hard to say, given that I rarely drive 22 hours non-stop.
- Another point I regretted is that Sena still doesn't provide clear documentation in the form of a paper manual. You discover options and functionalities by playing and clicking around. Perhaps it will arrive later on the brand's website?
- In the pre-series version I was able to test, the translation must not yet have been completed, because when you switch the device on or off, you get an indication of the battery status, but all you get is "high" / "medium" or "low" without specifying that this is the battery status. This is very confusing at first.
To conclude
Johann Zarco, MotoGP rider, LCR Honda I tested the SENA 60S at the LCR Track Days in June 2024: frankly, I was blown away by the simplicity and effectiveness of the Mesh technology. There were no distance limits on the track, and everyone could connect without a hitch. All in all, it made our motorcycle sessions a lot more fun and a lot safer for everyone!
You're going to tell me this technology costs an arm and a leg! Sena has announced a price of €399 for the solo version! That's the price you'll find for the Cardo Packtalk pro at our partner Motoblouz, and it's only €30 more than the 50S. And as for the warranty, Sena has announced a 3-year guarantee for your 60S, which isn't bad!
It's an investment, a gadget for some, a partner on the road for others. For a long time, I've shunned this kind of motorcycle technology, but Sena intercom systems have made me rethink my position and my approach to the road.
