Cardo Takes Communications to the Next Level

When Cardo launched its latest creation – Dynamic Meshwork Communications (DMC) – last year, it was considered to be a game-changing technology for communication systems.

But what they didn’t expect was how challenging it would be to educate not only enthusiasts about what it was but also dealers who were selling them.

“We’re the only company with hands down the most advanced motorcycle communication product on the market – DMC – we invented it,” says Jamie Cheek, VP of Sales, Cardo Systems, Inc. “It took us almost three years of engineering, and it works completely separate from Bluetooth.”

With a typical Bluetooth communication system, you’re paired to the rider in front in a linked “daisy-chain” network, according to Cheek. “If you’re riding down the highway and you tell me and your buddy, ‘I’ve got to peel off at this store, I’ll catch back up with you guys later.’ As soon as you leave, I can’t talk to your buddy because I was talking to him through you. I would have to relink to him to continue talking because you were a repeater off of my Bluetooth.”

While Cardo is still a believer in Bluetooth as a viable technology for its more budget-friendly applications, they felt it had limitations for group riding. “With our DMC, it’s a mesh overlay that basically self-heals the network immediately. When you peel off to go to the store, I’m still talking to your buddy. I never break the link or even know you’re gone. When you catch back up with us, we’re still talking to you. There are no disruptions.”

Cardo’s scala rider SMARTPACK, PACKTALK and latest SMARTH systems all run DMC. The self-adapting, spontaneous network created by DMC hovers around the group like a virtual cloud and seamlessly overcomes interruptions in a way that traditional Bluetooth connectivity cannot.

“You don’t even need your phone,” Cheek says. “These are the only communication systems in the industry with this technology. No one has figured out how to do it besides us. With Bluetooth systems, riders need to activate the mic before they can talk. With DMC, there is no activation required. Users talk into the mic like they would naturally. So from a safety aspect, DMC offers advantages to Bluetooth. Another bonus feature is you don’t lose your music because it’s parallel audio streaming.”

Cardo’s DMC technology allows up to 15 riders to communicate seamlessly in a group ride.

For group rides, there’s no comparison to DMC with its user-friendly intercom network. You can connect with just two people if you want, but with one of Cardo’s premium systems you can link up with 14 other people for a total of 15 people on the network at the same time, spread out over 5 miles!

“What’s really cool about this mesh network,” Cheek adds, “is if 10 of us are riding on a trail, you can say, ‘Hey there’s a trailhead up here, half of you should take that route.’ They can keep talking; the network is not disrupted. And they can keep talking when we meet back up again. It’s automatic. The network is self-healing, no button tapping, no reconfiguring anything.”

While the DMC technology is still very new to enthusiasts and dealers who may not be aware of all of the benefits, Cheek says anyone who has ridden with a Bluetooth system and experienced the limitations will be easily won over by DMC. Cardo even offers a free SmartSet App, which is a full-blown remote for the unit. It sees everyone in a rider’s group, and allows them to switch from Bluetooth to DMC mode as well as control the volume.
For more information about DMC and Cardo, visit www.cardosystems.com.

The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame recently named Marilyn Stemp and Steve Piehl to its board of directors.

Stemp is a pioneering figure in the motorcycle industry, founding IronWorks Magazine with her late husband, Dennis, and becoming the first female editor of a nationally circulated, mainstream motorcycle magazine. She also revived their trade magazine, Iron Trader News; edits the monthly Kiwi Indian News; contributes to several powersports media outlets; and is the founding editor of Sturgis Rider Daily. Stemp is a noted editor and writer of several motorcycle-focused books. Her consistent support for charitable efforts in the industry include the annual Biker Belles Celebration, Las Vegas BikeFest and as campaign chair for the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum’s development plan in 2014. She co-founded the Flying Piston charity events taking place in Daytona and Sturgis each year and is a National Ambassador for All Kids Bike. Stemp was inducted into both the Las Vegas Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the Sturgis Museum's Hall of Fame in 2018, and in 2022 she was recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in Powersports by DealerNews.