Sirius XM reception TERRIBLE?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 12,499
Likes: 7,511
From: Edmond, OK
Easiest thing to do I pull fairing off and relocate to the upper inner corner next to outer bolt hole for windshield above speaker. Use some emblem tape for the antenna or stick the whole metal plate with it. Fits nicely and I get 3 full bars of signal everywhere without having the antenna exposed.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 254
From: US
BTW, I think if I were to do so, Id notch the vent instead of the fairing itself.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,824
Likes: 603
From: Myrtle Beach SC
The tiny slot would not show even if you removed the antenna. It's located on the right side of the fairing, it's not that close to the vent, I doubt the wire would reach that. Take the outer fairing off and look at the antenna and you will then understand what we are talking about.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 99
Likes: 18
From: Iowa
The stock mount is the problem... It's on top of the radio and has the antenna pointing to the side. Simple fix you can do yourself, split open your fairing, remove the antenna from the mount, use a two sided tape and stick it to your dash. I have a 2014 Street Glide so I placed it right side between the vent and the edge of my windshield. (Opposite of the vent open button) Used a dremal tool to cut a small groove so not to pinch the wire. Problem solved...looks great. I did this back in 14 when I first purchased my SG and never had to upgrade or do any further changes to have good signal again. Due to satellite positions, if I'm in a downtown area with tall high rise buildings, or in canyon areas where the view to the south is blocked, I do loose signal but that will happen with any satellite coms. The other nice feature there is a channel you can get that places a live weather radar on the screen for you...
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,272
Likes: 10
From: Orange VA
Located in northern VA. Same results with 12 FLHTK and 16 FLHTKSE. Works well in most areas. A few places I have only a few areas with spotty cut outs, to include stretch of road near home. But reception is consistently spotty on bike and in cars with Sirius/XM. Seems to be sketchy signal from satellite or there is localized earth-based interference.
No idea if I have newer antenna version in CVO.
No idea if I have newer antenna version in CVO.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,630
Likes: 434
From: PA
I have always relocated that puck to the top of all my bikes, hated the look but I always pinched the wiring it never caused a problem. My biggest fear of cutting Into the fairing has been, If for any reason water seeped its way Into the fairing and caused and electrical Issue, your warranty will not cover It as you compromised the Integrity of the fairing. This came directly from customer service at HD.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 30
Likes: 1
From: Arizona
I have always relocated that puck to the top of all my bikes, hated the look but I always pinched the wiring it never caused a problem. My biggest fear of cutting Into the fairing has been, If for any reason water seeped its way Into the fairing and caused and electrical Issue, your warranty will not cover It as you compromised the Integrity of the fairing. This came directly from customer service at HD.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 123
Likes: 22
From: Northeast Ohio
I used a Dremel tool on low speed with a small, round (3/32") carbide mill and just laid it sideways into the plastic. Made a perfect notch, and clean with no burr. The edge is smooth so as not to cut into the antenna wire jacket. @brucea4, unless your bike is different than mine, I have a painted inner fairing as well. (2015 Ultra Limited) The piece that gets notched is just a black textured plastic and could be replaced down the road at minimal cost if you really felt the need to 'undo' it. It's the piece that surrounds the vent outlet behind the windshield.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 106
Likes: 10
From: Metro Detroit
Poor engineering
Very disappointing that the reception is so poor. They likely knew it was an issue as this is an extensively tested feature by OEMs. If they had elected to put a buffer in the Sirius feed like car companies it would have also helped.
