Harmon Kardon Radio Problems
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,313
Likes: 5
like someone stated earlier the H/K radio sucks i had a 2009 SG and had 3 radios replaced. until i bought a alpine cda 105 with the biketronics retro kit and all my problems are gone. harley should sell the bikes with out radios so u can pick and install your own.
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Lynnwood Wa
My radio shut itself off once about three months ago , thought nothing of it.
Yesterday on the way home from the JOB it shut off than came back on, off again until i got home. looked for a short or pinched wire since i had adjusted the handle bars, found nothing. Went to get on it this morning to go to work and the radio is fine. But wait just before I get to work there it goes off, than back on and stayed on until I shut it off. Got on it to come home Working fine ..cruising listening to tunes watching for cagers being stupid. Pulled up to a stop light ... it shuts off... been home for about 2 hours cant get it to come back on. NOT a pinched wire it sounds like after reading this thread its a common problem and i'm going with out a radio for a while cuz in this economy I dont have 250.00 to have it fixed
Yesterday on the way home from the JOB it shut off than came back on, off again until i got home. looked for a short or pinched wire since i had adjusted the handle bars, found nothing. Went to get on it this morning to go to work and the radio is fine. But wait just before I get to work there it goes off, than back on and stayed on until I shut it off. Got on it to come home Working fine ..cruising listening to tunes watching for cagers being stupid. Pulled up to a stop light ... it shuts off... been home for about 2 hours cant get it to come back on. NOT a pinched wire it sounds like after reading this thread its a common problem and i'm going with out a radio for a while cuz in this economy I dont have 250.00 to have it fixed
I couldn't stand it and went out this am to investigate a little deeper.
With the bike on and presumably the stereo also I started my removing the hand controls as i had recently adjusted the handle bars. I removed the right side and of course nothing changed... but as i loosened the left (clutch) side the radio came on. I finished removing the controls and found the wrapping around the harness was pinched a little and of course in the pinch was ONE wire. I adjusted the wire and taped the harness into a little tighter bundle and reinstalled it. SO its working for now and i will see after riding it for a few days to see if the problem returns.
ADVICE>>>> as previously stated it the problem in most cases can be directly related to the LAST thing you did.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,675
Likes: 95
From: Billings,Mt.
Mine shut of yesterday once which is the norm.
Maybe I'll be lucky and the display will quit so I can get another radio under warranty to see if the sound problem still exsists.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: N.E. Ohio
The Harmon Kardon on my 2009 Ultra worked flawlessly for 28,000 miles and then while on a ride about three weeks ago the audio cut out. I have to power the unit down, wait a short time, then turn it back on and SOMETIMES the audio resumes. When it does it can last anywhere from several seconds to several minutes. The interesting thing is that I can play the radio all day long when it's parked in my garage on the accessory setting which leads me to believe that the HK isn't built to withstand the vibrations of the motorcycle. Gonna take it in once the weather turns and have it checked out since it's still under warranty.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,932
Likes: 4
From: 46th State, USA
Mine has been working fine until this morning. My XM radio is loosing it's mind. I mean memory. After pre-setting favorite satellite radio channels and turning the radio off and back on, it will always only go to channel 1.
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Stage II
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: georgina
i noticed recently that hd is offering a free upgrade to the harmon kardon radio system..its upgrade is now at version 8.25 not sure it this will help but i was wondering myself what does the upgrade correct???