After Market Radios

[gearheadfla]

I will have to check into this Pete, I didn't think I would miss the handlebar controls, I was wrong.

[96desertXII]

When I replaced the radio on my old Tour Glide, I went with an Ipod capable unit, finding that CD's always seem to get scratched and skip on a bike. I would go for an Ipod only unit with a radio......weather channels would be nice too. I do have a working stock unit and I use the headset all the time.

Would a replacement unit still work with intercom and headsets?

[suzib6sw]

No.. replacing the Radio with an aftermarket, we would loose,
1, Intercom
2, Headset
3, Auto Volume adjust with speed
4, CB integration.

What we will gain is..
Power... Bwhahhahahahaha... Oh.. sorry.. got carried away there..

Some more control of the bass/treble etc.. no bass boost specifically as there is only so much you can wring out of a 4" cone.
MP3 playback via Bluetooth or cable OR SD memory card or Flash drive..
GPS integration Via Bluetooth for the Garmin Zumos etc
Some cell phone capability if you use a small mic in your helmet. but who wants to answer the phone on the bike anyway?

We will, depending on the radio used, retain , with an adapter, handlebar control of certain functions, like volume, mute, stations / track changes and radio/cd/mp3 playback selection..


I have fitted a JVC mechless with Bluetooth to Pams Harley Softail Heritage with Screaming Eagle Pipes.. and preliminary tests have been good..

Pete

[Kevin B in Illinois]

Have you looked into the Harley Davidson Ultra Classic or any of the Street Glide stock systems that all HD come with and owners seem to upgrade to insane systems from the aftermarket. I know that the stock system on the Ultra is ten times louder than the Voyager XII (checked in my garage side by side) and has intercom capabilities as well as weather radio and cb. Also these units would be able to be picked up reasonably at Ebay and Swap meets etc.(even dealerships if you talk with the Service manager and make friends about buying stock systems when they do upgrades. Just thinking about it as I read American Bagger magazine and notice that every one of the EGlide's has an upgraded system. Just a thought. I agree that there is only so much bass you can get out of the tiny speakers, that is why you add an additional speaker system to the bag lids and glove boxes ..oh wait that is what you do to the Harley's to make them thump with Bass...lol.

Kevin Braddy
IPVMC
President (yes I have a Voyager XII...have had 7 of these bikes)

[suzib6sw]

Yup.., harley (Harmon Kardon) radios are an option but they too are expensive even second hand.. anything from $400 to $1000.. Which kinda defeats the object here..
The other issue with the harley stock radios is that the front facia is often the wrong shape to fit the non standard size of the voyager too.
Width isnt an issue, its the height.. The Voyagers XII's cut out is a fraction under a standard 1 DIN height with very little leeway.
Maybe Im setting my sites too low, but with limited manufacturing capability and resources, Im trying to make this affordable and a viable alternative.
Still "playing" with the options though..

I am trying to locate the plugs used for the speakers when they connect into the power amp.. I can find the females as fitted on the existing loom but I cant find the male ends.. 4 pin, flat blade.. The same plug is used on most chinese scooter regulators as well as the voyagers power amp..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Scooter-Voltage ... ea&vxp=mtr

This is what I am looking for.. Just the plug.. I think there is one used on VW Jetta;s so I may be able to buy that separatley..

Cheers.

[rscott6942]

I was wondering what you came up with as a solution? I am trying to figure out my best course of action.

Has anyone tried using one of the FM modulators the have usb/sd card capabilities with the remotes?

[suzib6sw]

What you have to weigh up is the "losses" in going to aftermarket..
1: No more auto speed/volume adjust
2: No intercom
3: no CB integration if fitted
4: Potentially no handlebar controls although Im sure I have a work round for that
5: Very few Radios have remote "steering wheel" control and are waterproof
6: Esthetics.. Making it look semi decent.

On the Bonus side..
1: CD capability (but how/where do you store CDs without scratching them)
2: SDcard/USB mp3 capability (Some)
3: Mechless (no CD , totally digital)
4: Some Bluetooth functionality
5: Limited choice but marine radios available.
6: More Power output, (But bear in mind 4" speakers can only do so much and if you set it up correctly, the stock radio and amp are more than adequate)


6 of one, half a dozen of the other..