WHAT IS THIS STUFF ANYWAY?
What is an IN-Charge Series tankbag?

IN-Charge is a tankbag that allows you to build a motorcycle communications system in the tankbag
RKA has been working on this motorcycle communications system tankbag for some time.
It is not your father’s tankbag.
It features a Rammount base and standard arm attached to the front of the bag to start you off on your system
It features hidden portals on the front and rear left side of the bag that allow cables and cords to enter and exit the bag.
It features a control box inside the bag that the cables and cords reside in, keeping them hidden, out of the way.
It features a SAE to SAE cord to bring power into the bag from the 48” power lead that connects directly to your battery.
You can mount and power devices in and on this tankbag. Your GPS, XM radio, Radar detector, FRS radio, CB. Whatever you want up to three devices on the optional Rammount bases and cradles.
This tankbag is movable from bike to bike with the only need in common is a tankbag attachment and a power lead.
We also have a optional battery pack that can run the system for up to 7 hours.
Lastly RKA can build you a bag to your specs using the RKA, StarCom1, Garmin, Rammount, Powerlet, and Motorola parts we have in house.
Why is a complete system best?

RKA has researched and studied communications tankbags since 1987 having mounted CB’s, Car radios, intercoms and such in our custom made tankbags for years.
The benefits are numerous:
All your expensive equipment is in the bag and easy to remove and take with you.
You can cover it all with the raincover when needed.
Hardly any wires to attach to the moto. Power, Passenger intercom and maybe the XM antenna.
The devices ride on the smooth cushion of the tankbag rather than the harsh jolting of the handlebars or dash.
When you combine technologies of the STARCOM1, ZUMO550, FRS radio, Bluetooth phones, Rammount and Powerlet products you have a system that rises above the pack. The StarCom1 provides POWERFUL, high quality sound and with the ZUMO550 you have complete control over all functions with the touch of a finger. Bike to bike or a phone call with the push of a button.
The RKA IN-Charge Tankbag puts all these technologies together in one complete package that’s beautiful and easy to use.
What is a Starcom?

StarCom1 is a universal motorcycle communications system that can combine….
Rider to passenger hands free and natural conversation.. Just talk.
Bike to bike communication vox (voice controlled) or PTT (push to talk) with the addition of a FRS radio or CB
Stereo music, at CD quality, from any portable music system.
Mobile phone. Enjoy a normal phone conversation at speed. Totally hands free.
Satellite Navigation or radar, allows voice commands to be heard clearly
High Speed clear conversation.
Maybe most important it is an amplifier that allows you to hear everything with plenty of power, volume and quality.
What is a Zumo 550?

This is the ONLY GPS out there has far has we are concerned. Yes there are features here and there that we would like to see added but overall this is the one. This device was designed by GARMIN specifically for motorcycles. It starts by just being the good old GPS navigation device we have always wanted for our motorcycle. YES this is a waterproof, touch screen device that’s made to use with your gloves on. BUT …. This is were the ZUMO 550 begins. This GPS includes a CAR cradle with a microphone and speaker so you can move it easily from Moto to Car.

Customize your ride with the rugged zūmo 550. Designed by bikers, zūmo’s motorcycle-friendly features make it easy to operate while in the saddle. From back roads to rallies, its preloaded maps and high-end navigation features give you the freedom to go where you want.
Enjoy Bike-Friendly Design
Durable and dependable, zūmo 550 is built for motorcycles:

· Glove-friendly touchscreen with left-handed controls makes it easy to operate

· High brightness, sunlight-readable, UV-resistant display makes it easy to view your screen

· Motorcycle console for trip information, including fuel gauge to warn you when it's time to fill up

· Motorcycle mount with universal mounting hardware so you can mount it anywhere

· Included motorcycle and automotive mount (with integrated speaker) for riding or driving

· Custom caps available in a variety of colors to reflect your style

· Vibration-tested, waterproof and built with fuel-resistant plastics to withstand the elements

Navigate the Open Road

zūmo 550 comes ready to go right out of the box with preloaded City Navigator® NT street maps and a hefty points of interest (POIs) database, including motels, restaurants, fuel, ATMs and more. Simply enter a destination, and zūmo takes you there with turn-by-turn voice directions that speak street names. In addition, zūmo accepts custom points of interest such as school zones and safety cameras and lets you set proximity alerts to warn you of upcoming POIs. The 550 also comes with a rechargeable, removable lithium-ion battery a for trip planning or use on foot, and even accepts additional maps.

Add Traffic, Weather and Radio

With optional XM subscriptions and an XM antenna, you can check the weather, move ahead of traffic and listen to the radio when you travel with zūmo in the U.S. As an alternative, zūmo can receive optional TMC traffic alerts (in select cities) when used with a compatible traffic receiver. Simply press a button on the screen, and zūmo recalculates your route to avoid traffic tie-ups.

Talk and Listen Wirelessly

With zūmo 550’s Bluetooth® wireless technology, you can talk on the phone safely without removing your gloves or helmet. Connect zūmo to your Bluetooth-enabled headset/helmet and cell phone to make and receive hands-free calls. You can even make phone calls to POIs through zūmo’s Bluetooth interface. In addition, zūmo transmits navigation voice prompts to your headset so you can listen wirelessly.

Plan Your Trips and Share Your Rides

Zūmo 550 makes it easy to plan your next trip and share routes with your riding buddies. Plan trips on your computer before you start. Search for food and fuel stops and local attractions. Then, transfer your route to zūmo and go.

At the end of the day, share your favorite places and rides with other zūmo riders, and review your travels in Google™ Earth. SD card expansion makes it easy for storage and route sharing. Download routes to share with your riding buddies — even load mp3 files to your unit to enjoy tunes on the road. In addition, JPEG picture viewer lets you share photos of your adventures with friends and family.

Zūmo 550: The navigator that's born to ride.
How do you want to mount devices?

RKA has designed this tankbag to accommodate your devices by mounting them ON or IN the bag.
If you want to mount things on your handlebars or dash this is defeating the propose of the bag and concept and this bag may be more than you require.
Will this system ride properly on my motorcycle?

MOST IMPORTANT is to start at the bottom with the attachment of the tankbag.

Mounting the tankbag properly is the key to the whole set up. If you follow instructions the bag will not move. Your devices will be solid and steady. If not installed correctly the bag will move from side to side and the devices will not be secure.

Secondly it important to have all the devices has close to the tankbag has possible. Push the devices forward and down onto the tankbag lid and then tighten down the Rammount arm to secure everything. If devices are “hanging”, using the rammounts only for support you can possibly get some osculation in bumpy situations

When the system is done properly everything rides smooth and any movement is a soft movement compared to the jolting of a handlebar-mounted unit.
Can I see my instrument panel?

Most all instruments can be seen easily or with a slight movement of your head

This of course depends on the motorcycles configuration, where the instrument panel is located and where you tankbag is located and what your seating position and height is.

The devices can be moved from side to side, up and down forward and back depending on the ramounts you use and the positioning of the devices.

We are trying to get customer photos of the different motos, so check out our "Happy Customer, Application, Photo Gallery Page". For answers to your application issues, or better yet give us a call.
What do you want to do:?

JUST my Zumo/GPS/Music and a Bluetooth headset / helmet

Solution:
Mount Zumo on the handlebars.
Purchase a Bluetooth headset or helmet.

Issues:
No amplification
No XM radio
Tiny sound
Battery life time.

JUST my Zumo/GPS/Music and a hardwired headset / helmet

Solution:
Mount Zumo on the handlebars.
Purchase a wired headset with mic and speaker plugs for your helmet (Zumo or Starcom Page)

Issues:
No amplification
No XM radio
Tiny sound

Intercom (Driver to Passenger)

Solution:
Purchase a StarCom1 Digital or Advance with two headsets
Install under your seat and your setup with no tankbag needed
Music:
add a music source and you and your passenger have music and intercom.
Bike to bike:
Add a radio cable and PTT if you want, and a FRS or CB radio and you have bike-to-bike
communications with more wires running around your moto.
GPS / Radar:
ADD a GPS or radar and a cable to the Aux and you now have GPS and radar, with even MORE wire running around our moto.
Phone:
Plug in a phone to the Starcom and you have a phone now OR if you have a Zumo550 you can blue tooth
the phone to it and you have a phone.
What about Bluetooth?

Bluetooth …. Yes the term and concept is very fashionable but the technology is not quite there.
BMW launched a system some time ago, which was withdrawn due to technical limitations

From the headsets we have seen it seems there are a number of factors to consider:

1: Limited features often just one connection only. (Some now have up to seven)
2: Short battery life and requires charging before each trip.
3: Once battery flat, NO Communications.
4: Intermittent connectivity for some devices.
5: May need regular re-pairing
6: They will also be very limited in terms of Audio Quality.
7: Most units available at this time are MONO only not stereo (More stereo units are now on the market)
8: RKA has tested a number of Bluetooth products; we have a Nolan In-com and a Scalia Teamset that do have a place for some folks.

Here’s my personal story.

I recently rode from Windsor California to Redding California and back about 450 miles round trip. Going up I used my complete system bag with everything hardwired and my phone blue toothed to my Zumo550. When the phone rang it was blue toothed to the Zumo I answered it on the screen by tapping on “answer” and tapping on “end call” when done, the call was run from the Zumo through the Starcom and into my hard wired helmet. Wonderful sound quality and amplification.

My Zumo capable XM radio worked great with the master volume on the Zumo set at 70% and the StarCom1 set at 50%. From here I could adjust the volume with the “bar” control on the screen up and down to my liking never worrying about quality, power or volume.

My wife was behind me in our Dodge Sprinter, I called her numerous times on the phone and we also talked on the 2 way with no problems.

MY RETURN:

Sunday morning I set up the system with only Bluetooth … no wires what so ever …. If I would have had a passenger I could have had intercom capabilities with another Bluetooth headset or helmet.

The first negative thing this setup did was disable the StarCom1 and the FRS two-way. Since the StarCom was now out of the loop only using the Zumo for music, and phone. NO XM! Only MP3 player (Yes there is a way to blue tooth the XM but that’s more problems, trouble, and battery issues with ANOTHER device, It’s not worth the trouble you’ll have to call me for an explanation on this issue)

So I get on I-5 and head south listening to an audio book on the Zumo. I can go about 100 miles until I need fuel, I called Kathy twice and the phone worked good, for me to hear the audio book and phone the volume was set at the max. The quality of the sound seemed ok, but after a short time I could tell the sound was tiny with no base or treble and it started to get to me.

After my 100 miles I stopped in Willows for fuel and decided the test was done. I hooked up the Shoei RF1000, put away the Nolan and plugged everything back in.

XM Radio was the first thing I wanted to test WOW!!! What a difference the sound quality was fantastic compared to the Bluetooth setup AND I had the volume at 70% rather than 100%. I called Kathy and tested the units and everything was a go. So I went back to my Audio book and actually came to the conclusion I was missing half of what the narrator was saying. Well so much for blue tooth headsets for ME. I am going to stay hardwired for a while longer.

We believe Bluetooth headsets have along way to go and there will be many disappointed customers at this time.