Hello..

I recently bought a 2012 ultra classic and had asked the dealer to install a Garmin Zumo 590. I asked if I would be able to hear it through my sound system, and they said yes, if I bought the interface kit for the bike - which I did.

I got the bike back the other day and it looks great mounted on the fariring. However, I just can't hear it! I have the Harley in-helmet headset, and can hear the radio, nav, cb, intercom.. just not the GPS.

Did I misunderstand the dealer? Should I be able to hear the instructions from the GPS through the built-in sound system?

 

as far as I know you need the Harley Davidson Garmin 600 or 650 others do not work even with the interface kit

 

The GPS unit itself has a volume control and a mute function that maybe are not turned on. Make sure they are in there "proper" place before you start looking back at the dealer. Sometimes these functions are buried in the layers of the GPS's abilities.
My Zumo has the same ability. I used to keep it plugged in the aux. port on the radio to play music but it also gave me vocal instructions for navigation.

 

Thanks, the unit is working correctly.. I tested it in my car, and works great there, but of course, using it's own internal speaker. I will call the dealer tomorrow.. unfortunately, winter is setting in and I won't be able to bring the bike back til spring

 

Some comments in this thread (link below) seem to indicate that to get audio from the 590 to the bike, you'll have to plug the audio line out (3.5mm female) from the zumo harness into the aux line in (3.5mm female) on your bike head unit. Would have to have the head unit in aux mode to hear the audio from the zumo.

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...o-590-a-7.html

Presumably you could also plug a bluetooth or FM transmitter into that line out as well - but you'd then either have to tune your bike's radio to the FM station the transmitter was on, or have something capable of linking to the bluetooth transmitter that you could hear.

 

Well, that certainly is disappointing, and not what I believe I was told when I bought the unit. I was led to believe that I could listen to anything, and the GPS would interrupt when it gave directions. Kinda pointless to only have the GPS on and not be able to use the entertainment/comm system! Gonna have to go back to the dealer and find out the story.

Edit:
Actually, just checked the Harley accessories site and I believe this is the interface kit I have (don't have my invoice handy right now...)
http://www.harley-davidson.com/store...terface-module

And it says:
When linked, the music volume will automatically drop when a GPS spoken command is detected, allowing you to hear the instructions through the radio speakers or the 7-pin communications-style headset

So, I think it should work as I was told

 

I'm confused … you say What nav can you hear?

Did you purchase the Garmin version or the Harley Road Tech version of the Zumo?

Not sure with the 590, but with the 660 and 665 only the Road Tech version worked properly with the NIM.

With the NIM hooked up and working properly the Road Tech Zumo would send out a signal to the NIM that an announcement was coming, which would interrupt the output of the radio ( CD, FM ) and allow you to hear it through the radio. The non Road Tech versions would not (if you have one of these I would suggest you contact Garmin.)

I have not used mine for a while (sometimes it is nice just letting the ride take you where it will) but as I recall the speaker switch should be in the down position to hear through the speakers (like the CB). (If the speaker switch is in the middle position you would hear music through the speakers and NAV through the headset.)

Also, there is a volume setting ON THE RADIO which, again, as I recall, only appears when the radio is receiving signals from the Zumo. So … if the 590 can run a route in simulated mode, try doing that (while parked) and watch the radio for the screen to change to the GPS volume, and make sure it is turned up.

If you don't get that screen while running the simulated route there is probably something wrong. Again, as I recall, there is an audio plug connecting the Zumo and the NIM that can come loose. If you take the faring off that would be the first wire I would check.

 

Read down the page on your link, it only mentions the 660 or 665, not the 590.
I don't know if that is fact or an omission.

 

Read the fitment on the link, my understanding is 660 or 665 models. Hope they take back the electronic device then just pay the difference for a 660 or 665. Good luck.

 

Ok, I made a typo.. I meant I can listen to the weather, not the nav.. I don't have a built in nav like the latest models.

As for the Garmin, I have the Harley Riad tech version of the Zumo 590. I was told that this model was able to use my entertainment system with the said interface kit. Yes, I know the catalogue says it is for the 660 and 665, but I am pretty sure it is also compatible with the 590, or so I was told.

I guess the only way I am going to resolve this is to go back to the dealer.

I posted my question here hoping someone else had the same setup as I, and could verify correct operation.