2018+ Softail Models Breakout

Security system going off

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 4, 2022 | 11:08 AM
  #1  
Glenn Gorman's Avatar
Glenn Gorman
Thread Starter
|
Stellar HDF Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 2,297
Likes: 1,811
From: space
Default Security system going off

For some reason the security system on my 2018 Fatboy will go off even if I'm standing in front of it.

I don't mean by itself, but if I'm strapping it to my lift. I've replaced the battery in the fob a couple of times and alwsys keep the fob in my pocket when around my bike. I have two fobs and it does it with both. Or if I let someone sit on the bike. As soon as they straighten up the bike, the alarm will go off and the lights start flashing, even though I'm standing there touching the bars.

Anybody have any idea what could be causing it? I have a Mustang solo seat. But other than that, the antenna is in the factory position.
 
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2022 | 11:38 AM
  #2  
pgreer's Avatar
pgreer
Stellar HDF Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 3,177
Likes: 2,222
From: College Station, TX
Default

How long has it been doing this? Anything else in your pockets? like another set of keys with a FOB?

Does this happen at multiple locations? ie in your garage, when you stop for gas or somewhere on the road not in a city or business etc?

It's not uncommon for radio waves to interrupt communication between the FOB and the alarm. I've had something similar ot a few gas stations. So if you haven't tried already, be sure there is nothing else in your pockets and try it at multiple location that include a remote site in a rural area to see if it makes any difference.

Paul
 
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2022 | 11:47 AM
  #3  
Andy from Sandy's Avatar
Andy from Sandy
Seasoned HDF Member
Community Influencer
Liked
Top Answer: 3
Top Answer: 5
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 12,233
Likes: 4,943
From: England
Default

I think all these devices use the same frequency as WiFi, microwave ovens, radio controlled models, etc but they use what is called spread spectrum that allows many devices to be used simultaneously and not directly interfere with each other. They generally have ID codes as well plus other things to allow the receiver to know it is listening to the correct transmitter.

My bike occasionally chirps once when I am picking it up off the stand and that might be one of the occasions where the receiver wasn't quite in sync with the fob for a brief moment.
 
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2022 | 12:07 PM
  #4  
Glenn Gorman's Avatar
Glenn Gorman
Thread Starter
|
Stellar HDF Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 2,297
Likes: 1,811
From: space
Default

Hmmm, it's never happened at other locations because I'm the only one getting on my bike. Come to think about it, it's has happened a couple of times with me in my garage when throwing my leg over.

It's happended with and without my other key fobs. There are a few different wifi signals near my garage. I live in an apartment, the garages are separate from the apartments. There are 5 garages per single building. The guy who has the garage attached to mine rides a 2017 Street Glide Specia. He has a security system but no alarm.The guy next to him rides an older Dyna. And the guy on the other side of me has two crotch rockets.
 
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2022 | 12:49 PM
  #5  
702's Avatar
702
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 7,145
From: Las Vegas
Default

Is there a battery in the siren like in the touring line?

https://serviceinfo.harley-davidson....8?locale=en_US
 
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2022 | 03:27 PM
  #6  
barneyboy's Avatar
barneyboy
Seasoned HDF Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5,076
Likes: 3,293
From: Plover, WI
Default

A common source of RF interference is nearby LED light fixtures. Quality fixtures will have shielding to minimize interference. Low cost fixtures won't.
 
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2022 | 01:10 AM
  #7  
Glenn Gorman's Avatar
Glenn Gorman
Thread Starter
|
Stellar HDF Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 2,297
Likes: 1,811
From: space
Default

No battery.

I don't have any LED fixtures, but the guy next to me might, I'll check.

My 3 gal air compressor, batter tender and ..... Ahhh, my work lights are LED floods. These are usually plugged in, but not turned on unless it's dark out. Also I have an old Bang & Olufsen Beocenter 7700 that I usually leave the radio turned on 24/7. As well as a 12 or 15 Inch fan which is also left on.
 
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2022 | 06:57 AM
  #8  
LoupGarou's Avatar
LoupGarou
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 111
Likes: 64
From: Southeast Louisiana
Default

I'm thinking the alarm receiver (receives and decodes the signal from the fob) could be weak.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 7, 2022 | 07:14 AM
  #9  
702's Avatar
702
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 7,145
From: Las Vegas
Default

Originally Posted by 702
Is there a battery in the siren like in the touring line?

https://serviceinfo.harley-davidson....8?locale=en_US
Originally Posted by Glenn Gorman
No battery.
If you have the siren, it looks like you have a battery in it.



 
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2022 | 09:24 AM
  #10  
chopper_man's Avatar
chopper_man
Stellar HDF Member
Veteran: Army
10 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 3,316
Likes: 2,110
From: Masshole
Default

I don't know where your security "antenna" is on a Fatboy but on my SGS it is under the seat on top of everything else under there. I did experience similar issues to you a while ago, turned out the antenna was not where it was supposed to be and was hanging down low in the compartment (my fault for not putting it back where it belonged). Once I put it back the issue resolved. May want to check yours.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:02 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE