A CB is still one of the most useful things to carry on a long ride – it reaches truckers and other riders without a subscription or a cell signal, flags road and weather trouble ahead, and lets a group stay in touch across a few bikes. The catch on a motorcycle is space and weather: there is no dash, so the best motorcycle CBs are handhelds, all-in-handset units or tiny mounted radios, ideally paired with a headset.
We picked five that suit different setups, from a battery handheld you clip on and go to a wired-in radio for a touring bike. All are legal 4-watt CBs – on a bike, the real performance gain comes from a properly mounted, tuned antenna, not extra power.
Top picks at a glance
- Best overall: the Midland 75-822 – handheld and mobile in one.
- Simplest, no install: the Cobra HH50WXST handheld.
- Best wired-in: the Cobra 75 All Road all-in-handset.
| CB radio | Type | Weather | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midland 75-822 | Handheld + mobile | NOAA | Versatility |
| Cobra HH50WXST | Handheld | NOAA | Fully portable |
| President Randy III | Handheld (AM/FM) | Weather | Premium handheld |
| Cobra 75 All Road | All-in-handset | Weather | Hardwired install |
| Uniden PRO505XL | Compact mobile | No | Permanent mount |
1. Midland 75-822 — Best overall
The 75-822 is the smart motorcycle pick because it is two radios in one: carry it as a battery-powered handheld off the bike, then drop it into the included mobile adapter to run off 12V and an external antenna when you ride. Add NOAA weather and it covers every situation a rider hits. The catch: As a handheld its rubber antenna is short-range until you connect a proper external one.
Verdict — Buy it: the most flexible choice – handheld convenience plus real mobile performance.
2. Cobra HH50WXST — Best pure handheld
When you want the simplest grab-and-go option, the HH50WXST is a rugged 40-channel handheld with NOAA weather, an earphone jack and dual-channel monitoring. Clip it on, ride, and it works without any wiring at all. The catch: Battery handhelds have shorter range than a mounted radio with a roof antenna.
Verdict — Buy it: the easiest no-install option for casual or backup use.
3. President Randy III — Best premium handheld
A step up in features and build: the Randy III is an FCC-approved AM/FM handheld with VOX (handy under a helmet), a 7-color display, a desktop dock and a mobile charge module. It is the polished choice for riders who use a CB often. The catch: Pricier than a basic handheld, with features casual riders may not need.
Verdict — Buy it: the feature-rich handheld for frequent riders who want AM/FM and VOX.
4. Cobra 75 All Road — Best for a wired install
If you want a permanently wired CB but have no room for a radio body, the All Road puts every control in a weather-resistant handset and needs only a small cradle – a clean fit on a touring bike or trike. It adds AM/FM and Bluetooth too. The catch: You give up the carry-anywhere freedom of a battery handheld.
Verdict — Buy it: the tidy wired-in option for touring bikes and trikes.
5. Uniden PRO505XL — Best compact mobile
For a trike or a bike with a fairing pocket, a tiny mounted radio gives the best range for the money. The PRO505XL is the most-reviewed compact CB here – simple, reliable and easy to wire to a fixed antenna for maximum reach. The catch: It needs a mounting spot and an external antenna, so it is not for every bike.
Verdict — It depends: the best range per dollar if you can mount it; skip it if you cannot.
How to choose a CB for your motorcycle
Start with how you will mount it. A handheld (Midland 75-822, Cobra HH50, Randy III) needs no install and doubles as an off-bike radio – the most popular route. An all-in-handset unit wires in cleanly when you want it permanent but have no dash. A compact mobile gives the best range if you have a fairing pocket or trike to mount it in. Whichever you choose, pair it with a helmet headset so you can actually hear over wind and engine noise.
And the antenna is everything on a bike – a short rubber-duck handheld antenna has limited reach, so for real range fit and tune an external whip. Set it with one of our best SWR meters, pick a quality Firestik antenna, and remember the 4-watt CB limit. Touring in an RV instead? See our best CB radios for an RV, and browse more in the best CB radios hub.
Motorcycle CB radio FAQ
What is the best type of CB radio for a motorcycle?
A handheld or all-in-handset unit, because a motorcycle has no dash for a conventional radio. A 2-in-1 like the Midland 75-822 is popular since it works as a handheld and a mounted radio.
Do I need a headset with a motorcycle CB?
Effectively, yes. Wind and engine noise drown out a speaker at road speed, so a helmet headset (wired or Bluetooth, depending on the radio) is what makes a CB usable on a bike.
How do I get good range from a CB on a motorcycle?
Fit an external antenna rather than relying on a handheld’s rubber stub, mount it as high and clear as possible, and tune it to a low SWR with a meter. The radio is only 4 watts by law, so the antenna does the work.
Are handheld CB radios waterproof?
Most are water-resistant rather than fully waterproof. Check the rating, keep it in a protected spot or bag in heavy rain, and choose a sealed all-in-handset unit if you ride in wet weather often.
Can I use a CB and a Bluetooth intercom together?
Yes – some radios (like the Cobra 75 All Road and Randy III) offer Bluetooth or VOX so you can route CB audio into a helmet headset alongside an intercom, though setup varies by system.
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