Bluetooth radio for Road Glide
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Tourer
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 359
Likes: 56
From: Chicago
Bluetooth radio for Road Glide
Good morning. I purchased a 2011 RG last night, and I am looking to install a bluetooth radio with a usb port so I can charge my phone. I dont know much about stereos in general, less about bike stereos. I am not particular to a brand and would prefer something functional but budget friendly.
Thanks
Jon
Thanks
Jon
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,855
Likes: 1,004
From: Southern Virginia
The question is do you want something that is "plug and play" or are you willing to learn how to wire up the adapter harness used to get the handlebar controls working which will be required for most aftermarket head units? Also are you willing to give up the waterproof nature of your stock head unit. If you just want bluetooth and a charging port the Metra SaddleTramp bluetooth module has a bulkhead style USB charging port and it is pretty close to plug and play. It is a very easy install on the stock HK head unit.
Also you need to realize that if you replace the head unit you WILL need to also get an amplifier. Most all aftermarket head units are designed to work with four ohm speakers. Your stock head unit is made to work with two ohm speakers, so just replacing the head unit will result in sound so weak you will not be able to hear the music on the road. For basic setups a lot of folks like the Stinger SPX700.4 amp.
If you don't mind giving up the waterproof feature AND can afford an amplifier FatHead Cycles has a fairly affordable pre-wired sony Marine unit for sale:
SONY MEX-M72BT W/ METRA 99-9600 HD INSTALL KIT PLUG AND PLAY BUNDLE | '99 -'13 HARLEY-DAVIDSON
The "Marine" label basically means it will not corrode internally and the face will not fade under sunlight. I think the particular model he sells does have a basic IPX rating meaning it can take some water splashed on it, but not a steady downpour.
If you have the cash and want to go with an aftermarket head unit AND keep waterproofing then RockFord Fosgate and Aquatic AV make head units that plug into the factory harness and allow the handlebar controls to work. They are pricey though. Also just about any aftermarket head unit will not have Automatic Volume Control which is the feature that raises the volume level as speed increases.
I guess the best thing to do is decide which features you want the most and list them and the smart folks can give you some direction.
Also you need to realize that if you replace the head unit you WILL need to also get an amplifier. Most all aftermarket head units are designed to work with four ohm speakers. Your stock head unit is made to work with two ohm speakers, so just replacing the head unit will result in sound so weak you will not be able to hear the music on the road. For basic setups a lot of folks like the Stinger SPX700.4 amp.
If you don't mind giving up the waterproof feature AND can afford an amplifier FatHead Cycles has a fairly affordable pre-wired sony Marine unit for sale:
SONY MEX-M72BT W/ METRA 99-9600 HD INSTALL KIT PLUG AND PLAY BUNDLE | '99 -'13 HARLEY-DAVIDSON
The "Marine" label basically means it will not corrode internally and the face will not fade under sunlight. I think the particular model he sells does have a basic IPX rating meaning it can take some water splashed on it, but not a steady downpour.
If you have the cash and want to go with an aftermarket head unit AND keep waterproofing then RockFord Fosgate and Aquatic AV make head units that plug into the factory harness and allow the handlebar controls to work. They are pricey though. Also just about any aftermarket head unit will not have Automatic Volume Control which is the feature that raises the volume level as speed increases.
I guess the best thing to do is decide which features you want the most and list them and the smart folks can give you some direction.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 359
Likes: 56
From: Chicago
The question is do you want something that is "plug and play" or are you willing to learn how to wire up the adapter harness used to get the handlebar controls working which will be required for most aftermarket head units? Also are you willing to give up the waterproof nature of your stock head unit. If you just want bluetooth and a charging port the Metra SaddleTramp bluetooth module has a bulkhead style USB charging port and it is pretty close to plug and play. It is a very easy install on the stock HK head unit.
Also you need to realize that if you replace the head unit you WILL need to also get an amplifier. Most all aftermarket head units are designed to work with four ohm speakers. Your stock head unit is made to work with two ohm speakers, so just replacing the head unit will result in sound so weak you will not be able to hear the music on the road. For basic setups a lot of folks like the Stinger SPX700.4 amp.
If you don't mind giving up the waterproof feature AND can afford an amplifier FatHead Cycles has a fairly affordable pre-wired sony Marine unit for sale:
SONY MEX-M72BT W/ METRA 99-9600 HD INSTALL KIT PLUG AND PLAY BUNDLE | '99 -'13 HARLEY-DAVIDSON
The "Marine" label basically means it will not corrode internally and the face will not fade under sunlight. I think the particular model he sells does have a basic IPX rating meaning it can take some water splashed on it, but not a steady downpour.
If you have the cash and want to go with an aftermarket head unit AND keep waterproofing then RockFord Fosgate and Aquatic AV make head units that plug into the factory harness and allow the handlebar controls to work. They are pricey though. Also just about any aftermarket head unit will not have Automatic Volume Control which is the feature that raises the volume level as speed increases.
I guess the best thing to do is decide which features you want the most and list them and the smart folks can give you some direction.
Also you need to realize that if you replace the head unit you WILL need to also get an amplifier. Most all aftermarket head units are designed to work with four ohm speakers. Your stock head unit is made to work with two ohm speakers, so just replacing the head unit will result in sound so weak you will not be able to hear the music on the road. For basic setups a lot of folks like the Stinger SPX700.4 amp.
If you don't mind giving up the waterproof feature AND can afford an amplifier FatHead Cycles has a fairly affordable pre-wired sony Marine unit for sale:
SONY MEX-M72BT W/ METRA 99-9600 HD INSTALL KIT PLUG AND PLAY BUNDLE | '99 -'13 HARLEY-DAVIDSON
The "Marine" label basically means it will not corrode internally and the face will not fade under sunlight. I think the particular model he sells does have a basic IPX rating meaning it can take some water splashed on it, but not a steady downpour.
If you have the cash and want to go with an aftermarket head unit AND keep waterproofing then RockFord Fosgate and Aquatic AV make head units that plug into the factory harness and allow the handlebar controls to work. They are pricey though. Also just about any aftermarket head unit will not have Automatic Volume Control which is the feature that raises the volume level as speed increases.
I guess the best thing to do is decide which features you want the most and list them and the smart folks can give you some direction.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,855
Likes: 1,004
From: Southern Virginia
You seem very knowledgeable on this type of thing. Let me ask you, is there an aux port in the back of the stock radio I can simply stick a USB lead in? This whole business seems much more complicated and expensive then I anticipated, and considering the fact I just spent a whole lot of money on the bike itself coupled with needing to invest a little money still to service it and make sure shes road ready, this seems like something I need to put on the back burner for now....
To get by some folks will just plug their phone into the AUX port and run everything from the phone.
I understand being overwhelmed by all of this. I was in your shoes a couple of years ago. If your bike is an Ultra ask yourself if you think you will use the intercom and/or CB functions. If not then maybe waiting and planning for a build later on would be best. The Sony kit from Fathead Cycles has gotten a lot of good reviews but I wonder how well it would work without an amp. Maybe you could call them and ask them if they know from experience if that unit will play well with the factory Harley speakers (or at least as loud as the factory head unit would).
Maybe tell folks what your primary must have features are and we could come up with some recommendations.
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