Not sure if this is the right forum, but has got to be close. Thinking of adding the XM module and have read quite a few comments, most tend to focus on the ant location.

Question 1, some seem to mount the ant on the OUTSIDE of the fairing, next to the vent, while most mount it behind the windshield, next to the vent. Seems like the outside mount would look odd, and might cause issues when removing the outer fairing.

Question 2, does the boom system have to be flashed to recognize the XM module? Bike is a '14 Ultra Classic, with 6.5 Boom.

Question 3, any other issues I should be aware of?

Thanks

 

I've read that relocating the antenna from inside the fairing to outside (beside the vent) improved reception. I relocated mine but honestly didn't notice any difference...which makes sense I suppose. Plastic probably has zero impact on the radio waves passing through the outer fairing...otherwise the antenna itself wouldn't be enclosed in a plastic case.

Going from memory there is an option to enable/disable XM...at least there is on my Technoresearch Centurion.

 

as we approach winter, reception sucks everywhere.

 

I tried both locations with the ant.....no difference noticed.
The module was plug & play without a flash on my bike.
Very simple install.
The reception is great when out in the open, unfortunately when near big buildings, big trees or in the hills there are signal interuptions.

 

No flash needed when you add the SiriusXM module... just add it to my bike weekend before last. FWIW, this was the 3 time I have added the module to one of my bikes (never having to have it flashed), and true to form when I called Sirius they were terrible and it took a half hour to get them to enable the Travel & Travel Link stuff... doing it online myself wouldn't work (option wasn't there for Harleys) and the people on the phone were worse, both saying it wouldn't work on my bike (23 RGL), me saying it will just turn it on, this is the third bike and every time the same dance.

I have the Road Glide fairing and I screwed up this time with the antenna, I put the puck further down the fairing than where it is supposed to go, probably 4" closer to the headlight... I just wasn't thinking. Once I got the programming sent to the bike and all was good, I took it for a test ride. Reception sucked when heading east and it there were any obstructions (trees, building, etc) beside the road it would cut out bad. Came back home popped the fairing off and realized I didn't put the puck on the little metal square thats closer to the windshield, and on Road Glides it is actually there for the puck... so I corrected that and took it back out, much better was at 3 out of 3 bars and it rarely ever drops any bars when I'm out on the road (does not cut out at all). On your Bat Wing the module will come new with a bracket for that fairing, use it and get the puck as high up (towards the windshield), and level inside the fairing and I think you'll be fine. If you get a module used and it doesn't come with bracket, give me a shout I got one laying around here in a box collecting dust.

If you mount it beside the vent, I think it looks fine because the dash is black and so is the puck... not really anything eye catching about it. We did that to a neighbors, and just made a notch where the wire passed thru to the inside of the fairing so the wire didn't get rubbed and damaged over time.

 

Ok thanks guys for the good feedback. I ordered the module new from HD about an hour ago. When it arrives, in about a week they say, I will install and report. I will try the various locations just to see.

Ssitruc
Thanks for the heads up on the "dance". Hopefully I get someone that has done an HD before. We are on the $5 (ea) per month for 2 yr deal with them for our car and truck, so that will be another dance to get the same deal on the bike, I am sure.

So it SHOULD be a matter of just selecting XM in the source selections then, it sounds like.

 

Yeah at first SiriusXM will not NOT be greyed out anymore, once the module is installed. Then when you pick it you will get their "get a subscription" channel (channel 1 I think), and another one that will show your "Radio ID" number for the module (channel 0 I think)... then with that number call Sirius, get your subscription worked out, and then have them send a signal to the radio... It was no issue at all getting the music subscription going, it was getting the weather/traffic add on that for some reason is always a hassle, if you're not getting that add on then it will be a breeze.

 

Looks like the wx and trfc are not available in my area, which is no biggie. Cell phones cover that pretty well. Except I won't be using my cell when on the bike, oh well.

 

That was one of about four BS excuses the guy on the phone said to me.... its satellite. It is not a must have kind of thing, but if you want it call them back and push harder. If they're resisting again, ask to talk to someone else.... I did the send the signal anyways thing with them and if it doesn't work its on me (I knew it worked)... first guy said it couldn't be sent to my radio because their system didn't show it would work... magically the next guy was able to and it was all good. Had to do this dance the last two times, but I got to say this last time was by far more of a pain... and I was trying to give them money??? The music programming was not an issue, its that add on package that is the issue getting them to just do it, and take my money funny part about it was I started the process by adding the subscription for the bike via online myself, and it wouldn't give me the option to do the add on for a Harley, so I got on the chat thing and was not getting anywhere with that person/robot?, so I just called and started in. I forgot I had the window open for the chat while I was talking to them on the phone... at almost the same time that the guy on the phone said Ok I'll send a updated/refresh signal to the radio, in the chat window it said "I think I found a way to do it"....

Over the years even on here I seen threads where others had the same issue initially getting that add on package added, and with the experience I had had with them in the past, I was expecting it again, and knew I just had to push...

The add-on will work and 2014 and newer bikes with the factory Boom GT 6.5 or the Boom GTS (because those have the display for it), if the HD SiriusXM module is installed. It will not work in the Boom 4.3, due to the lack of the display, same for older bikes with factory head units.
It will work with either of the two HD SiriusXM modules that are used in the GT6.5 or the GTS... the GT6.5's kit is HD #76000351 and it comes with the SiriusXM module HD part #76000233, and the GTS's kit is HD #76000842 and it comes with SiriusXM module HD part #76000818. It seems like such an easy "matrix" to add to their system for the call center's screens for their operators... because if its not on their screens they don't think it exist...

I have had the add-on package on my original GT 6.5 with the original module for it, then on the GTS with the old module, that I moved over to the GTS when I upgraded the head unit, and now on the GTS with the newer module in the new bike. Its not the "end all, be all" add-on package by the way, but I like it being integrated and it works for me (phone is in a pocket), so I know it works and it just shouldn't be so much work to get it to be added...

 

Thanks for the info, but still not sure I would try to add them on. I live rural and avoid cities like the plague.