MP3 options

[m2102]

I’ve been getting a little fed up with Sirius radio lately and want to get some opinions on MP3 players. What do others use, not interested in using my phone, and how do you like it? What to look for in storage, play back on tracks and whatever I’m forgetting.

[C-dub]

For my 2016 I got a 16gb flash drive and plugged it into the trunk usb port. I have around 450 songs on it in two folders and usually just have it play songs randomly. If I go want to put over 500 songs I'll create another folder. This can be controlled with the controls on the handlebar easily.

[Viking]

I’ve been getting a little fed up with Sirius radio lately and want to get some opinions on MP3 players. What do others use, not interested in using my phone, and how do you like it? What to look for in storage, play back on tracks and whatever I’m forgetting.

Totally depends on the year model of your GL1800. I believe the 2012 to 2017 had MP3 on SD card capability incorporated into the sound system from the factory.

Now for 2001 to 2010... there is J&M and there is EBay Chinese version. There used to be another but I believe they have gotten out of the market. I have J&Ms older model, and although a bit glitchy, it works alright. The newer model is made even more cheaply, in my opinion, but may not have the tendency to quit when you hit a bump in the road. This is my only experience, so thats all I got. I have had the J&M for 8 years now.

[alwrmcusn]

I simply plug my iPod into the 3.5 connection in the left fairing pocket and turn up the volume.
I can also plug the iPod into my SENA Bluetooth but I prefer the fairing speakers, less intrusive/distracting for me.

[m2102]

Thanks for the replies. Gives me some things to think about.

[C-dub]

Totally depends on the year model of your GL1800. I believe the 2012 to 2017 had MP3 on SD card capability incorporated into the sound system from the factory.

If this is true I am so far unaware of it on my 2016. The only SD card slots I am aware of are for the maps and trip planner routes.

[C-dub]

I simply plug my iPod into the 3.5 connection in the left fairing pocket and turn up the volume.

I would have done this too, but there's no way to control it this way other than the volume using the bike's controls.

[jackjohn]

Totally depends on the year model of your GL1800. I believe the 2012 to 2017 had MP3 on SD card capability incorporated into the sound system from the factory.

If this is true I am so far unaware of it on my 2016. The only SD card slots I am aware of are for the maps and trip planner routes.

I'm sure Viking meant to say thumb drive rather than SD card. In the '12 and later models, there is a receptacle in the trunk for a thumb drive the only place the SD cards are used in in the navigation system.

[Viking]

Totally depends on the year model of your GL1800. I believe the 2012 to 2017 had MP3 on SD card capability incorporated into the sound system from the factory.

If this is true I am so far unaware of it on my 2016. The only SD card slots I am aware of are for the maps and trip planner routes.

I'm sure Viking meant to say thumb drive rather than SD card. In the '12 and later models, there is a receptacle in the trunk for a thumb drive the only place the SD cards are used in in the navigation system.

Okay, it was not what I meant to say, jackjohn, but thanks for the correction. I actually thought it was an SD card capability. Now I know different. Not having a 2012 to 2017 model, I had just gone with what I had thought I had read. I just wish I had that capability on my 2009. I never would have had to add the J&M. So, how well does it work? Well enough for me to start hunting for a newer to me bike?

[Snowmoer]

If this is true I am so far unaware of it on my 2016. The only SD card slots I am aware of are for the maps and trip planner routes.

The wire is on the floor of the top trunk just left of where the GPS is located. It might be under the trunk floor if you do not see it. Here is a photo of mine in my 2012.

[keithg64]

I haven't seen a way to do this on the 01-10 but why wouldn't there be a way ? Some way to have an sd card or flash drive and control from handlebars instead of the j&m and the Chinese cheap thing.

[dirtwinger]

My choice for music on my 2012 is a 32gb iPod hooked up through the USB trunk connector. I transferred my CDs to the iPod and now have 2600+ tunes playing in random mode, and thanks to the Honda system, I can change modes anytime. I still have room on the iPod to add more whenever I get new music.

[Big Blue UK]

I haven't seen a way to do this on the 01-10 but why wouldn't there be a way ? Some way to have an sd card or flash drive and control from handlebars instead of the j&m and the Chinese cheap thing.

There is a way, but it is DIY.
Have to realise the first 1800 rolled off the production line, the same year as IBM introduced the first flash drive, and it was only 4 years prior to that, the USB interface was introduced to the world.

Lossless and ACC converted MP3 soundtracks I play I am happy with, it cannot however touch digital CD sound, I went through 3 Honda CD changers, and thought sod that at 500 quid for a new one. Although I am happy enough with MP3 quality, especially the functionality, my sound system upgrade compensates for the loss of digital CD almost and cost only 300 quid.

Not sure if the one Viking referred to is the Soundgate I have had about 5 years that was pricey at the time at 175 quid, that is also glitchy sometimes, it loses handlebar control, I have to unplug it to reset it, so I wired a switch into the power supply, so I could just turn it off/on instead.

I also bought a cheap Chinese one a year or so ago, (by cheap I mean bought direct from China these days, as easy as buying nationally, without a retailer buying it for a tenner and retailing it for 150 - 200 quid) but have not took it out the box yet.

As already mentioned, the no interface alternative is a 3.5mm lack plugged into the aux socket in the LHs of the fairing.

[jackjohn]

I haven't seen a way to do this on the 01-10 but why wouldn't there be a way ? Some way to have an sd card or flash drive and control from handlebars instead of the j&m and the Chinese cheap thing.

The only way I found to add it to my '04 was with the J&M converter. The early Gen 5's were designed to have a CD changer and that is the interface J&M and others used for the thumb drive or ipod. It worked but would lock up occasionally and have to be reset. As for the USB in the trunk of my '12, it works flawlessly.

[C-dub]

If this is true I am so far unaware of it on my 2016. The only SD card slots I am aware of are for the maps and trip planner routes.

The wire is on the floor of the top trunk just left of where the GPS is located. It might be under the trunk floor if you do not see it. Here is a photo of mine in my 2012.

Correct. I may even have the same flash drive plugged into my USB (not SD) port on mine.