I know this may be an over asked question but my dilemma has been on going and I am finally at my breaking point. I have a 08 ultra classic with 84,500 miles and I have gone thru at least 6-7 radios. At most I was getting 2yrs out of a radio and then bam I would have to bring it back to dealer and they would send it out for a refurbished radio(under warranty). Well this all happened again back in late June/July(18) and then again in the beginning of August(18). Everything has been fine up until this past weekend and now I am back to the same issue. Basically the radio sound is only thru a headset. I can't play thru the bike speakers. I currently am running the Hogtunes amp and four speaker system. I have been in talks with Hogtunes and they have said that because of heat in fairing this may continue if I continue with refurbished radios. I have found a replacement stock unit and have it being shipped to me. My hopes are that I can change out current radio and have been contemplating sending broken unit to Iron Cross radio for repair. I basically am looking for some advice on what I can do. I do use the CB as I am part of two separate Hog chapters and use the CB to communicate on rides. However I am so frustrated that I have considered the aftermarket options. I have read many reviews on the Jensen units as well as the Aquatic units and just don't know the direction I should take. If anyone has had same problem and how did you resolve the issue.

 

Send it to Iron Cross or buy a take out unit from a member or EBay, it’s what I did ...

 

6-7 stock radios installed... that's a bit excessive. Same Hog Tunes set up for most of those? grasping at straws here but Possible to much draw on the remote line? issue with the contacts on the rocker switch to listen through head set or speakers? What else are you running on the bike? Heated gear, seats, grips. Other draws where you may be running to low on the voltage possibly? Problem with the regulators causing to high of voltage? Happen after rain or wash?

 

The 13 down HK units had a issue with the mother board cracking, Iron cross will fix the issue or just go with a aftermarket unit and be done with it. I went through two HK units on the old bike before I just got a retro kit form Biketronics and bought a alpine unit.

Juice

 

Ok. I went through 1 on my 2010. wouldn't play and had a different error for each speaker. ESP covered it. I do get his need for the CB is the reason to stick with HK radio. Im a road captain myself and thats why I am sticking with stock. If it wasn't for that I would be all over the Sony radio you have. better not being responsible for chapter equipment.

 

I understand wanting to stick with the stock HK unit. There is only one advantage to aftermarket that I am aware of, and that is sound quality. If you use quality aftermarket components with preamp outputs installed by Iron Cross you can seriously close that gap also.

I would suggest sending it to Iron Cross and let them go through it and add front and rear preamp outputs to it. That way you could use any high quality aftermarket amp you like and remove the Hogtunes from the equation.

The only thing you may have to do if you go that route is buy a pair of PAC SNI-1 ground loop isolators for the preamp outputs to eliminate pops during power on and power off. I have been running this setup for a while now and I love it. I got an Arc DSP to tune the signal and am pleased with the sound quality and still have the water resistance, CB, intercom, weather radio, and AVC to enjoy. I added a SaddleTramp bluetooth module and now use my phone with it a lot just like you can with the more modern head units.

Just my .02.

 

Iron Cross can add Bluetooth as well while you're at it, if so desired.

 

The one thing to remember with their Bluetooth mod is it can only stream audio. With the SaddleTramp (which you can install yourself) you can pause and skip forward and backwards with the handlebar controls. When you switch to another input or turn the bike off whatever you are streaming pauses and then starts back up when you turn the bike back on or switch back to the bluetooth input.

 

Iron Cross Audio; www.ironcrossaudio.com

 

Ok so here is my update. I picked up a used radio and have it installed and have come to conclusion that the stereo was from a street glide or road glide with just two speaker use. This stereo has no fade on the screen. though I do have music coming thru rear speakers on my ultra I have no control of them....So After reaching out to PEZ at Hogtunes he has told me that radio may need to be reflashed. Is this the same as going to Harley site and downloading the update to a cd then running in bike? Any further help would be appreciated.