Brad Binder delivers verdict on MotoGP helmet radio

Of the handful of riders who tried MotoGP’s latest in-helmet radio system at the Aragon test, Brad Binder was the most positive about the performance of the technology.

While helmet radios have been used in F1 for decades, it’s a much more complicated task in MotoGP.

But after several years of development, it looks as though a system could be ready to send on-track safety messages to riders from Race Direction during 2026.

The eventual objective then appears to be the more controversial use of tactical two-way communication between riders and their teams.

Unlike F1’s established in-ear radio communication, the MotoGP system utilises bone conduction technology, via ‘pads’ that rest on the rider’s jawbone.

KTM's Brad Binder tests helmet radio

During Monday’s Aragon MotoGP test, several riders struggled to clearly hear the pre-recorded messages along the circuit's high-speed straights due to excessive noise and minor helmet movements affecting the positioning of the headphones.

However, Red Bull KTM's Brad Binder experienced no such problems,

"Honestly they have done a frickin amazing job! I was really impressed,” said the South African.

“My helmet didn’t feel any different and I didn’t notice I had anything, and no matter if you are full gas with your head-up or behind the screen or whatever it is, the message comes through super-clear. So, yeah, they did a good job with it."

When asked specifically about clarity during high-speed straights, where Alex Marquez, Lorenzo Savadori and Johann Zarco struggled to hear messages clearly, Binder replied:

"Yeah! I was so surprised. I don’t know if any of you have tried these little [bone conduction] headphones things that come over and chill in front of your ears? It feels like everyone can hear what you are listening to, but the reality is that only you can.

“It is something similar to this: it works super-well."

“Whether we need them or not is another question”

The associated hardware also wasn’t a problem, Binder said:

"For me, I put my helmet on and they put the little box in my hump. I didn’t feel anything or notice anything.

“It was the first time I’d ever tried it. I hadn’t used it before and honestly I was quite impressed by the way it worked.”

But while the technology might be a success, “Whether we need them to talk to us or not is another question,” Binder added.

“But if that’s what they want, then I don’t mind.”

Binder set the 13th fastest time at the test.