One of the biggest disappointments I have found on my 2014 SG has been the stock boom radio. I find it to be PATHETIC at best.

Recently I took a company group ride from here in Tucson to Bisbee Arizona; just a bunch of folks from work wanting to get out on the road.
Many of the guys had Ninja type of bikes, but one had a 1987 Honda Goldwing with a stock radio. As we took the back southern country roads, I lost all radio station reception approximately 7 miles outside of Tucson and did not regain any reception until just a few miles of our destination. As we had lunch in Bisbee, I spoke with the guy on the Goldwing and I mentioned the radio system. He informed me that he never lost radio reception during the entire route.

I don’t wish to bad mouth Harley, but WTF Harley?? Even in town, my radio snaps, crackles, and pops. When I take it to the stealership they claim they can’t hear any problems on the test ride. It is sad to think that the older radio of a Honda out performs 2014 technology on a Harley.

Some other gripes with the radio are... power can't be completely turned off, warning message which must be accepted each time the bike is turned on, programmed buttons only show button number and not the radio station number that is assigned to it, need a damn microscope to see the time which is on lower edge of screen.

 

The things we put up with for love (or brand loyalty). I feel your pain. The radio issues you mentioned were some of the reasons I didn't trade up to the '14 wet head.

 

Remove the Harley radio and install a Honda one then it will be perfect. I find very little to gripe about with my 6.5 radio. I do not have popping issues etc etc. I must admit that I can not make a conference call, while streaming 3 videos while talking to the space station on bluetooth but I guess I'm more interested in riding that being entertained with crap I can listen to at home in my living room.

 

The problem is not that the 2014 HD Radio is inferior to the older Goldwing radio. It sounds like there is something wrong with your radio. In fact, the 2014 HD sound system is far superior. For years, the HD radio/speaker set up has gotten the nod in comparison with other brands. My 2012 Limited still has a completely stock sound system. It has never crackled and popped and never lost reception to the point where I couldn't scan to something more local. I can hear mine at 90 mph. I have seen where Goldwing owners say their radio is useless over 50 mph.

 

To **** you off more. I had a 98' Goldwing SE that had a CB. It's communication range was several miles and not 500 yards like on my 11' FLHTK.

 

2013 limited and my radio rarely works. Thankfully the CD player and aux is there to make up for the reception issue I have. Ready to ****can the hk and go aftermarket.

 

U may have a 20 dollar antenna issue not a 30000 bike issue

 

Do you have the latest software that addressed popping? Have you put on a "hidden" or shorty antenna? it makes a difference. Mike

 

Once I took off the stock whip and installed the hidden antenna my radio reception when to crap. I Very rarely listen to the radio anyway. I burn MP3's and can get almost 8 hours of my favorite tunes on one CD. No commercials and no over talking DJ.

 

Whip antenna that came with bike.
Many folks state the hidden antenna works even worst than the stock.