satellite radio

[happydave]

Have a 93 GL1500 and would like to add satellite radio without breaking the bank, ideas/comments? Thanks

[dadztoy]

does your 1500already have the aux audio input mod??? http://www.sierra-mc.com/gl1500auxinput.html If it does, find an XM radio and subscribe...

You can also use a Garmin Zumo 665 which comes with XM but it's not cheap!!!

Or you can buy an XM radio for not so much and feed it into your 1500 radio via the aux mod...

http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&page=1& ... ingdocs-20

Les

[happydave]

So just need 12 volts to run and tune thru radio?

[dadztoy]

If your bike already has the aux input mod, yes, it's that simple... If you don't have the input mod on your radio, then you will have to use an FM modulator or cassette adaptor to bring in the XM audio... On most XM radios you will also need to mount an external antenna somewhere on the bike...

Les

[Rob H]

Hello,

Will this Radio work anywhere in the world? Pardon the question if it seems it ignorant, but I am shipping my bike to Europe at the end of the month and wonder whether it will be worth having?

Thanks
Rob

[dadztoy]

According to my research it will NOT... Here are the North American radio coverage maps for Sirius XM... The XM/Sirius system depend on satellites that are in geosynchronous orbit over the USA. Their coverage doesn't reach to other areas on the globe.

Les

[Rob H]

200 miles off shore! I am going a little further than that so it is not going to work for me.

[WingAdmin]

So just need 12 volts to run and tune thru radio?

Keep in mind that the satellite radios normally have a DC/DC converter inside the "cigarette lighter plug" that converts the ~12 volts from your vehicle down to around 5-7 volts. You can't cut that plug off and wire it directly into your bike, this will feed 12 volts to the radio, and will fry the radio.

[CMReynolds1]

When I installed mine on the 1800 I took the lighter plug apart and desoldered the input wiring from the ground and center post. I then added bike wiring at these two inputs, ground and 12 VDC supply. Sealed the assembly and that allowed for me to hard wire and still keep the DC voltage reduction circuitry. I also mounted the antenna under the cowling just below the windshield. This works quite well and hides it. This is also where it is mounted on the factory models on 1800's. As was mentioned if you already have an AUX input to your radio, most of the work is done. Just dealing with the power cord. Good luck.

[WingAdmin]

When I installed mine on the 1800 I took the lighter plug apart and desoldered the input wiring from the ground and center post. I then added bike wiring at these two inputs, ground and 12 VDC supply. Sealed the assembly and that allowed for me to hard wire and still keep the DC voltage reduction circuitry. I also mounted the antenna under the cowling just below the windshield. This works quite well and hides it. This is also where it is mounted on the factory models on 1800's. As was mentioned if you already have an AUX input to your radio, most of the work is done. Just dealing with the power cord. Good luck.

I have done exactly the same thing (hard-soldering the input wires inside the plug) to several of my satellite radios, including the one now on my GL1500. My antenna is mounted on top of the glareshield, just behind the windshield, and it works very well there.

[GRAPEAPE94]

I have an older DELPHI ROADY XT and love it. The receiver is no longer made but I was able to obtain 3 new ones several years ago at a great price. With all of the punishment that the original went through I just replaced it with one of the 3 new ones. This radio works on 5vdc and many years ago J&M sold a 5 volt converter that plugged into the harness on the left side of my "06. My antenna is mounted behind the windshield on top of the dash and the radio is wired to my aux. I think that the newer ones work off 7vdc.

[keithgrg357]

Are the screens visible in sunlight on any of the satellite radios installed on the handlebars.

[WingAdmin]

The color satellite radio I have now has a color screen, and while it's easily readable at night, it's not great in sunlight.

I used to have a one with a monochrome LCD screen like this one, and it was easily readable in sunlight:

https://www.amazon.com/SiriusXM-XEZ1V1- ... 092&sr=1-6

[minimac]

One of the first things I did on all of my rides was install a 12V outlet. I also run a three outlet adapter into that, which is easily moved from bike to bike. I usually power my XM radio, mounted to the windshield with the rubber suction cup thingy, and have a tape deck adapter tape plugged into the XM. Buy running it through the tape deck on my stock radio, I get the XM through the bikes speakers. With the triple power adapter in the snap covered pocket , I can run my GPS and also charge my phone at the same time. It's been that way for over six years and works well enough for my needs. When parked, everything can get locked up in the trunk or side cases. The toughest part was bundling all the wires and tucking them in the pocket!

[keithgrg357]

The color satellite radio I have now has a color screen, and while it's easily readable at night, it's not great in sunlight.

I used to have a one with a monochrome LCD screen like this one, and it was easily readable in sunlight:

https://www.amazon.com/SiriusXM-XEZ1V1- ... 092&sr=1-6

Thanks, I'll consider but I'm not in a hurry as it's so cold here in southern Ohio. I just ran 12V hot all the time to my trunk so I can lock up cell phone etc to charge while in a restaurant ect and I ran 12V switched to the left front pocket to use with a satellite radio and blue tooth. I'm hoping I can integrate my iPhone, wife's iPhone, satellite radio, both Bluetooth helmets, still use CB and listen to stereo radio and GPS. Not sure if SENA is the only way to go and am hoping some company figures it out at a much lower cost than SENA.

[raven41951]

First, think about where you ride. Second, think about S/XM radios; cost of unit, subscription, longevity of unit. I have had several Sirius radios and thought I could move them from my truck to the bike as they have a plug-in base. Although infrequent, the swapping of the unit from one base to the other and back cause the radio connectors to wear out making them useless. Third, take in to consideration what type of cell phone you have and you coverage area.

Most of my riding is within my coverage area. I no longer use the Sirius radio but I do have the internet option in my subscription. As long as I have a signal, I can receive Sirius, Amazon, Pandora etc. through my phone and pipe it into the bike (connections option all previously mentioned above).

On my 1500 I used the cassette adapter and on my 1800 I have a direct connection. Had I kept the 1500 I would have sent it to Sierra Electronic for the input mod as that is a better, permanent solution.

As far as sound quality, its a bike, your in the open air at high speed, my hearing is poor to begin with. Its only background noise so what's the difference?

If you do opt for a Sirius/XM radio, then mount it permanently. If you remove it, it will fail. If I had to do it over and needed/wanted the Sirius radio, I would have bought one with a remote, mount the radio in a pocket (for security) and use the remote to control it.

I'm still using the cell phone/internet connection in my 1800 and it works fine for me. I have the Sena 20s but I prefer the bike speakers to the headset.

[WingAdmin]

I have a generic automotive XM radio on my GL1500 that has been on there for MANY years, through thousands and thousands of miles. It's been through sun, rain and wind. I take it off its mount and throw it in the trunk whenever I park. It is still rock solid and never fails to work perfectly. It's been on and off of its mount many hundreds of times, and I've never had a problem with it.

On the mount

Off the mount

[keithgrg357]

I have a generic automotive XM radio on my GL1500 that has been on there for MANY years, through thousands and thousands of miles. It's been through sun, rain and wind. I take it off its mount and throw it in the trunk whenever I park. It is still rock solid and never fails to work perfectly. It's been on and off of its mount many hundreds of times, and I've never had a problem with it.

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I've heard that the DELPHI SIFI2 is a radio, still available, that is a very good stereo unit that is readable in sunlight. My problem is my wife wants to listen to her station and I want to listen to mine and we each have our individual iphones for calls. She would be ok with FM while I want Sirius for news and different music. Also we want to be able to talk to each other via Bluetooth and be cordless. My trike has GPS and CB but I will use my iPhone app "WAZE" for navigation and traffic alerts and very few have CB that I ride with. I am exploring finding a Satellite radio with Bluetooth and Sena Freewire.

Congrats on choosing a radio that has given you such good service.

[fletch57]

I have the same XM radio that I will be installing on a 2008 GL and like the way you mounted yours. Is the mounting hardware a product that is available if so, where to buy?
Thanks,

[minimac]

I have used an old Roady XT for the last ten years. I just use the suction cup mount and a cassette adapter when on the Goldwing, and the same mount and earpad speakers in my helmet when I'm on one of my scooters. It easily transfer to each vehicle and like Wingadmin, stows away easily when parked. About four years ago, I replaced the suction cup.

[WingAdmin]

I have the same XM radio that I will be installing on a 2008 GL and like the way you mounted yours. Is the mounting hardware a product that is available if so, where to buy?
Thanks,

Mine is a repurposed Butler mug mount:

I then took some very high bond (3M VHB) double-sided adhesive tape and bonded the satellite radio dock to the Butler mount. It allows me to adjust the angle of the radio for the sun or whatever, and it holds it very solid. It's worked perfectly for many years.

[fletch57]

I found the Butler Mug Mount at Cyclemax. Thanks!

[PastoT]

I know this is an older thread but I found RAM mounts work well with my Sirius radio. I use a Clutch/Brake reservoir clamp mount, a short 1" extender and a flat mount 1" ball that bolts perfect to the 4 mount holes of the dock. Once the socket on stock Starmate 3 or 8 dock is removed allows the RAM mount to bolted on with no issue.

[CrystalPistol]

I have a generic automotive XM radio on my GL1500 that has been on there for MANY years, through thousands and thousands of miles. It's been through sun, rain and wind. I take it off its mount and throw it in the trunk whenever I park. It is still rock solid and never fails to work perfectly. It's been on and off of its mount many hundreds of times, and I've never had a problem with it.

2018-01-22 23.27.59.jpg
2018-01-22 23.28.12.jpg

My problem is my wife wants to listen to her station and I want to listen to mine and we each have our individual iphones for calls.

That's a marital issue beyond my help.

I use Delphi SkyFi ones, have two on life subs, been using since they come out, have doc stations in 7 4 wheel vehs & 2 bike/trikes. 4 wheel vehs use wired Delphi Modulators, bike & trike use wireless in plug located in trunk top so close to redio ant and NO interfearrence.

I have several spares of each part, never got a bum deal on ebay …. SkyFi 1s are near bulletproof.. I do have one SkyFi 2 but never use it.

[CrystalPistol]

Meant to add, one of my SkyFi 1s is the first that my wife bought as a gift when the first came out early 2000s or very late 1990s, it's been in constant service and spent much of my last 10 years as a state LEO in my issued police car, out in all weather, left in on cold winter nights as well as hot summer days when parked in my drive …. unless wife and I were using it elsewhere. I retired 2010, that SkyFi 1 still doing the deal. I scan E-bay, have picked up some "bundles" as others went to whatever or estates I guess, picked up boomboxes, modulators, and very often got way more than was in listing. Above pic is it in our GL1500 trike.

I set the station before closing trunk, like 40s on 4, etc, then just use radio with XM treated like another station.