Dragonfly fairing radio problems
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 610
Likes: 1
From: New Jersey
Dragonfly fairing radio problems
Just purchased a Dragonfly fairing for my RK at Myrtly Beach Bike Week. The fairing came with a Kenwood stereo. To be fair to Dragonfly I was told that the cd player would probably skip on the rk. The end result is the cd player is useless. It usually will not play for more than 15 to 20 seconds without stopping and going into search mode. The other problem I have is the radio reception is awful. I live in the NY metro area and the signals are usually strong 100 miles out from my home. I can't get decent reception 20 feet out of my driveway. Have any of you experienced this, and if so, how did you correct it? New stereo? antenna amplifier? Being unfamiliar with bike stereos do all cd players skip on baggers or do I have an alternative? Any advice would be appreciated.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,051
Likes: 50
From: Florence, MT (Bitterroot Valley)
RE: Dragonfly fairing radio problems
I recently put the Dead Center Fairing on my Road King. I bought it used off this forum from another member. Just took a 400 miler for lunch and to test it out. The CD only skipped if I hit a big (severe bump) and then just briefly, before back on track. So maybe 2-3 times in a hundred miles. The rest of the time I listened to the radio. Perfect, but it had the Sirius System all set up and so that's what I listened to. It was great. Couldn't get AM or FM for squat! Worthless down the canyon I was riding. So, you might consider the Satellite option. I'm hooked, and I'll have it from now on. When I upgrade to an ULTRA, it'll have Satellite Radio as the 1st option instead of the chrome I usually throw on. Good Luck, CCRyder
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,893
Likes: 2
From: USA
RE: Dragonfly fairing radio problems
That sure sounds suspisious that they would say its going to skip with a RK.
I'd send the entire thing back to them.
You will get a good idea of how their customer support works now. Don't forget a restocking fee may be assessed, I've heard from others they do.
Good luck.
I'd send the entire thing back to them.
You will get a good idea of how their customer support works now. Don't forget a restocking fee may be assessed, I've heard from others they do.
Good luck.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 588
Likes: 2
From: Naugatuck, CT
RE: Dragonfly fairing radio problems
I had seen on the Dragonfly website that there is a chance of the CDs skipping. As for the antenna again not knowing what componant Dragonfly uses, I retrofit an Ultra OEM fairing to my Road King. I went with a amplfied antenna and have not had an issue at all with reception. I basicly get the same as I would in my cage. As for CD skip. I have a Clarion M475 Marine Stereo in mine, and I found that if I make Data MP3 CDs and burn them at a slower rate I hardly get any skip. I rode 600 miles one day on some bumpy highways and never skipped once.
Frank
Frank
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 715
Likes: 0
RE: Dragonfly fairing radio problems
I have had a Dragonfly fairing for 4 years now (& I LOVE it, I never take it off). I put my own stereo in because the DF unit is an overpriced POS.
I used a Clarion Pro Audio head unit that has a 45 second anti-shock buffer for CD's & it has yet to skip even once in 4 years of riding.
The Clarion plays mp3's from CD. It is real nice to put 150 songs on one CD. It also has an internal memory that you can rip 6 CD's of music to & that can't skip either.
I also have Sirius & use that a lot also. For AM/FM reception I use a TuneTrapper antenna which works OK, but does not quite equal the reception of an external whip antenna.
~John
I used a Clarion Pro Audio head unit that has a 45 second anti-shock buffer for CD's & it has yet to skip even once in 4 years of riding.
The Clarion plays mp3's from CD. It is real nice to put 150 songs on one CD. It also has an internal memory that you can rip 6 CD's of music to & that can't skip either.
I also have Sirius & use that a lot also. For AM/FM reception I use a TuneTrapper antenna which works OK, but does not quite equal the reception of an external whip antenna.
~John
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,675
Likes: 95
From: Billings,Mt.
RE: Dragonfly fairing radio problems
Since you just bought,I would be contacting Dragonfly Concepts.Maybe the radio was phucked up from the get go and maybe it can be replaced under warranty.
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 715
Likes: 0
RE: Dragonfly fairing radio problems
Maybe the radio was phucked up from the get go and maybe it can be replaced under warranty.
There are very few car radios that will not CD skip at ALL on a bike, before I bought the Clarion I tried both a high end Pioneer & an Alpine & they both skipped just like the KW that DF uses.
Stock HD radios skip occasionally also for that matter.
~John
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,202
Likes: 6,066
From: Black Hills
RE: Dragonfly fairing radio problems
Two years ago,I put a Sony marine grade unit in my lowered FLHT. I picked the marine grade for the weather resistant quality and I expected it to compensate for the bouncing of a boat. I also had problems with the CD skipping but with Thunderheaders I couldn't hear it anyway. Over this pastwinter I changed pipes to SuperTrapp's and also stepped up 1 grade heavieron my front fork oil. No more skipping !!
It'scheap, it really improved the ride and stopping the skip was the bonus. It might be worth a try.
It'scheap, it really improved the ride and stopping the skip was the bonus. It might be worth a try.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 715
Likes: 0
RE: Dragonfly fairing radio problems
I picked the marine grade for the weather resistant quality and I expected it to compensate for the bouncing of a boat. I also had problems with the CD skipping
I have a small motor-home on a dual wheel E-350 Ford chassis. That unit also needs the anti-shock buffer or it will skip on every highway expansion joint. I put a Panasonic unit in it years ago with a buffer (it was advertised for "off-road use")& it hasn't skipped since (it came with a Kenwood unit that skipped constantly)
~John