I sent this letter to HD today. Re: Disappointed with Harley Davidson Proprietary Practices – disabling WHIM for non-branded Sena products

I would like to express my disappointment in Harley Davidson’s business practice of intentionally crippling their GTS Boom Boxes and WHIM products when used with a non-branded Sena communications device. The practice of intentionally downgrading the music audio output from stereo to mono, as well as interfering with quality sound when used with a non-branded Sena wireless helmet device is, in my opinion, deplorable. I own a 2015 Ultra Limited Low and decided to have a costly upgrade of the Boom Box to a GTS model, paying in the thousands, to upgrade in order to have CarPlay in my Infotainment center.

After looking at Harley Davidson helmets, I decided to go with a Sena Impulse helmet with built in Sena communications. The helmet has built in Harmon Kardon stereo mic and helmet speakers. It sounds fantastic when paired with my phone directly. However, when paired with the GTS system, it sounds horrible. This is by Harley Davidson’s design to force customers to use a Harley Davidson branded product i.e. Sena headset or helmet, if they want good sound through their GTS/WHIM product. I find this reprehensible not allowing your faithful customers to purchase their helmet of choice. I paid $700 for my helmet and close to $4,000 for the GTS upgrade to get CarPlay only to find that the stereo is intentionally crippled as a result. Forcing me to buy a Harley Davidson branded product and losing my freedom of choice, particularly with regard to safety equipment, is something that goes too far with controlling my ability and freedom to purchase what I want to wear and use on my expensive motorcycle.

I do have one suggestion however.. If you want your pound of flesh from your customers, instead of forcing them to use your branded helmets or comm devices, provide a dealer installable WHIM patch/firmware update (at a cost) that “unlocks” it and allows stereo sound to any compatible helmet. I would begrudgingly pay for it, as would others I am sure. I am not giving up my helmet. Not everyone wants a Harley Davidson logo on every piece of protective gear or clothing they ride with. I have always felt that it was part of the culture of Harley Davidson to have freedom of choice and make an individual statement on their motorcycle. This breaks with that culture and am finding your competition does not stoop to this level of proprietorship.

Please fix this or my next motorcycle will not be a Harley Davidson. It does not feel good to me and I know others feel the same way. You have overstepped.

The next time I upgrade my motorcycle, I plan to fit the motorcycle to my helmet and not the other way around. Shame on you Harley!

 

You expected anything different from the moco? Especially after their race tuner debacle?
I can tell you if I buy a new bike again, it will not be a Harley. Most likely a BMW r18. Might buy a used Harley but new? Never again.

 

For me, this is a very small step from putting an RFID chip in a $600 HD branded jacket and if the chip is not detected, then the motor sputters and runs bad. I know my letter will just probably go in their round filing bin on the floor which is one reason why I'm posting about this.

 

Yeah, I felt the same way when they stopped putting kickstarters on 'em.

 

I usually don’t care too much about proprietary stuff as I can well afford it and understand it usually takes care of quality and compatibility issues but I feel that if I’m buying a $30k+ touring bike with unreasonable market adjustments, fees, etc I expect it to not require an inferior proprietary system to function properly. I bought the WHIM and 50S with my Street Glide ST because I had to for full functionality but it’s an inferior system vs the Cardo Edge and requires all sorts of shenanigans to work properly. I love Harley and am a substantial share holder but I’m not wedded to remaining loyal to them if they are not looking out for their customers best interests.

I just bought my first Japanese bike and it is an absolute dream. Everything works perfectly, it has tons of character and performs way beyond my expectations. With limited space in my garage the next bike to go might reluctantly be a Harley.

 

I empathize with you OP, but you wasted a stamp.

 

When I bought my Street Glide new in 2019 I didn't know about the WHIM or proprietary headsets either. Did I blame the MoCo? No, I blamed myself for not thoroughly investigating and understanding additional costs to make it work as designed. Did I cry about it? No, I paid the money and moved on. Crying fixes nothing.

 

Screw WHIM, I never saw any benefit of it.

 

I didn't get the sense that the OP was whining or crying- the letter was an articulate expression of dissatisfaction with a vendor's practice. Will it do anything? maybe maybe not. Did it indicate a lack of research? not to me. MIGHT it have an effect on HD choices going foreward? perhaps./. Did it take a chip out of MY HD loyality? yeah- just a chip.

 

I have no dog in the fight because I will never own a bike with an audio system.