EVO All Evo Model Discussion

Shorty antenna on EVO Touring

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 1, 2014 | 11:33 PM
  #1  
Gone Blue's Avatar
Gone Blue
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 304
Likes: 38
From: SE Michigan
Default Shorty antenna on EVO Touring

What is everyone using for a shorty antenna on EVO tourings? I replaced the stock whip on my 97' EG with a Kuryakyn 865 17" antenna and the reception on all bands is terrible. All the Harley short antennas are listed for bikes 98' and up. Not sure why?

Thanks, G.B.
 
Reply
Old Jun 2, 2014 | 05:11 AM
  #2  
HGM's Avatar
HGM
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 15
From: Senoia, Ga., by way of Miami, Fl..
Default

I ended up running the factory antenna cable down the right rear fender and bent a piece of metal to serve as a mount at the saddle bag support.. Then I bought the factory antenna mount and a Kuryakyn short whip... Looks pretty good, still sounds like ****... It's not the antenna, its something else, this bikes radio has never picked up any radio stations worth a damn.. Honestly, I'm kinda baffled about it and interested in what others say here.. I run with the MP3 99% of the time anyhow, so it hasn't been a priority, but it is ridiculous. By the way, its on my '95 Ultra
 
Reply
Old Jun 2, 2014 | 05:51 PM
  #3  
machinehed's Avatar
machinehed
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 957
Likes: 2
From: Carlsbad Springs Ontario
Default

Antennas must be well grounded at there mount locations .
If your radio is an older analog type as opposed to a electronic tuned unit , there will be a ant. tuning screw at the back of the radio .
To tune the older type , you find any a.m. station that is coming in weak and adjust the screw to maximise the reception . This tunes the radio to the particular ant. you have.
The electronic tuner types with do this on there own.
To check your antenna system ...
Ensure the ant. has a clean ground to chassis at its mount .
Remove the ant. connector from the radio and look for corrosion .
If corrosion is found , then water has migrated through the ant. cable to the radio connection.
Clean the radios female ant. connector and replace the cable/ant.assy.
With the above , you should attain the best reception possible .
Im an ex. car stereo installer from way back and believe that a radio and speakers on a bike are nutts and a pair of ear buds and a mpv are all you need.?
 
Reply
Old Jun 2, 2014 | 09:25 PM
  #4  
Gone Blue's Avatar
Gone Blue
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 304
Likes: 38
From: SE Michigan
Default

Thanks HGM and machinehed. However, I am using a Harley antenna rear mount bracket and new Harley antenna adapter. My radio reception on all bands (AM, FM, & Weather bands) was really good with this set up using the stock antenna. The Kuryakyn 865 antenna I just bought is a dual function, AM, FM, & CB. I am thinking this is part of the problem? My bike is a Classic so I don't have a CB. I really don't mind the looks with the stock whip. At 10' from the bike you can hardly see the antenna. The stock antenna is on the bike in the signature picture. You can't even see it. I was looking for a short antenna as the stock long whip hits me in the back when riding in a cross wind. Wt????

Thanks, G.B.
 

Last edited by Gone Blue; Jun 2, 2014 at 09:28 PM.
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2014 | 04:14 AM
  #5  
dc1450's Avatar
dc1450
Road Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 3
From: Mass.
Default

Shorty antennas suck, they don't work unless you are local to the signal.
 
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2014 | 08:00 AM
  #6  
larsfum's Avatar
larsfum
Stellar HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,578
Likes: 463
From: On a Lake, not far from the Gulf
Default

I just went to the autoparts store, and picked up one of the short rubberized ones for about $10 IIRC. I get good reception even when it is tucked under the tour pak.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Gonzy
Audio Systems
2
Nov 24, 2013 11:18 AM
Geoff
Touring Models
30
Feb 20, 2011 05:57 PM
Cycotic
Ignition/Tuner/ECM/Fuel Injection
6
Feb 5, 2009 02:06 PM
kdietz
Touring Models
39
Oct 21, 2007 12:33 AM
moe15
Touring Models
5
Apr 24, 2007 11:27 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:40 PM.

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