The Midland R1 Mesh intercom combines straightforward installation and glove-friendly operation with excellent audio quality.
Motorcycle intercoms have become increasingly sophisticated, but the fundamentals remain the same: they need to be easy to fit, simple to operate and clear enough to hear at speed. On those measures, the Midland R1 Mesh makes a strong first impression.
To give it a proper test, I fitted the R1 Mesh to my Arai XD4, which is far from the quietest helmet around. Installation was straightforward, helped by the unit’s thin wiring, which is easy to route beneath the helmet’s interior liner.
Two mounting options are included. I used the bracket that slides between the helmet shell and liner, as it makes it easier to transfer the unit to another helmet. A stick-on mount using 3M adhesive is also supplied. Speaker pads are included to bring the speakers closer to your ears if required, although I didn’t need them. Overall, it was as easy to install as any motorcycle headset I’ve used.
Operation is similarly straightforward. The large, contoured buttons are easy to locate by feel and can be operated while wearing thick winter gloves. The fixed antenna protrudes from the unit, but it hasn’t proved obtrusive or caused any issues in use.
Audio quality through the supplied 40mm speakers is excellent. I wear earplugs when riding with a headset, yet music and conversations remained clear, with good volume and surprisingly solid bass. Midland says its Digital Noise Killer technology reduces ambient noise by up to 80 per cent, while the system also allows music or navigation instructions to continue in the background during intercom use.
The microphone uses a generously sized foam windsock, and callers have reported hearing me clearly. Bluetooth pairing with my phone was quick and uncomplicated, and the R1 Mesh can also connect with compatible motorcycle multimedia and TFT systems.
The headline feature is Midland’s mesh technology, which allows riders to communicate without relying on a conventional daisy-chain Bluetooth connection. The system supports up to six people communicating and 99 listeners, with a claimed mesh range of up to 2km. It can also connect to Midland, Cardo, Sena and Interphone units through Bluetooth. I haven’t tested the mesh function yet, so a verdict on its group-riding performance will have to wait for a follow-up.
Battery life is claimed to be 23 hours in Bluetooth mode or 15 hours in mesh mode, and the unit carries an IPX6 water-resistance rating. Other features include USB-C charging, voice activation, automatic gain control and app-based web radio.
At $319.99 for a single kit or $629.99 for a twin pack, the Midland R1 Mesh represents good value compared with some rival systems. It is easy to install and operate, comes loaded with useful features and, most importantly, delivers excellent audio quality.
You can check out the R1 Mesh range at Midland Comms.
