how to install a radio
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,449
Likes: 46
From: Roswell, GA
i never referenced the swi jac in this thread. daily new products are available for these bikes. a plug and play setup is being designed now for the kenwood radios and even the swi jac with arc setups are better than the biketronics products. its my 02 but 600 $ for 11 watts per channel just isnt what i was looking for.
My bad for the previous error.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 305
blue, I don't have hogtunes speakers......they are titans.
thanks for that expl. again, I am no radio guy......I just know they are loud with no amp and very clear.
I'm getting a "communication error" for some reason though.....I think it's my ipod. going to do some trouble shooting and call them today. see if they do the right thing and replace the radio right away. if not, I'll get the top of the line sony from ebay. like you said, they can be gotten cheaper there.
thanks for that expl. again, I am no radio guy......I just know they are loud with no amp and very clear.
I'm getting a "communication error" for some reason though.....I think it's my ipod. going to do some trouble shooting and call them today. see if they do the right thing and replace the radio right away. if not, I'll get the top of the line sony from ebay. like you said, they can be gotten cheaper there.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,287
Likes: 3
From: murfreesboro tn.
pingman, what i was saying that with the biketronics you are limited to a sony type of h/u which in the radio world is medicore at best. with swi jac and the new harnesses being developed for kenwood and other h/u the choices are much more varied. biketronics is a competent setup i just find it expensive for what you get. ifiniti jl audio arc audio and foose speakers are just a few of the items available. head units range from alpine blaupunkt kenwood and so much more. its my humble opinion that many folks use your type of setup because iy is "harley" friendly. its just a scoot would you only use 1 type of radio for your car? i doubt it same with these bikes they arent as fragile as many believe. just toys that need a inventive mind like firecap to open the door of possibilities
Last edited by blueflht; Sep 25, 2008 at 09:00 AM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,449
Likes: 46
From: Roswell, GA
Cap: Thanks for clarifying the PAC is not IR. It is a wireless remote that does require soldering resistors and cutting the OEM wiring for use. For me, I prefer the hard-wired Biketronics interface for $149. And I've done plenty of wiring on my '04 police EG just to have handlebar controls of the headunit and cruise control; saddlebag LED's that function as turn signals in addition to run/brake, etc.
A nice aspect of Harleys is the broad spectrum of interests pursued by folks whether it's custom paint, custom body work, engine mods, and audio just to name a few.
For me, a non-audiophile, the Sony/Biketronics system works just fine and has for several years/40K miles. And if someone comes up with an easy, plug 'n play module for other headunits, I'm all for it. IIRC, Dragonfly has a kit for Kenwood headunits already for use of the handlebar controls, but I haven't seen one or read about it in any detail. And Hawg-wired makes a good interface unit also that works with Sony headunits--don't know if it has the same exact compatibility as the Biketronics unit, but many use it, as well.
Looking forward to hearing about any new products that provide alternatives to the HD headunits.
A nice aspect of Harleys is the broad spectrum of interests pursued by folks whether it's custom paint, custom body work, engine mods, and audio just to name a few.
For me, a non-audiophile, the Sony/Biketronics system works just fine and has for several years/40K miles. And if someone comes up with an easy, plug 'n play module for other headunits, I'm all for it. IIRC, Dragonfly has a kit for Kenwood headunits already for use of the handlebar controls, but I haven't seen one or read about it in any detail. And Hawg-wired makes a good interface unit also that works with Sony headunits--don't know if it has the same exact compatibility as the Biketronics unit, but many use it, as well.
Looking forward to hearing about any new products that provide alternatives to the HD headunits.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 733
Likes: 0
Always nice to have options Pingman, there are some who are not comfortable in doing anything else but plug and play. My take is how do I make this work where you plug in at the last possible place and still make it easy. When you plug into the harley wiring harness you take the risk that if anything happens with what you have plugged in and cuases a major failure or damage Harley hits you with sorry no warranty coverage.
That is where it gets difficult for me plug in at the last point possible. The ARC upgrade does just that it pretty much sets on the outside looking in. The handle bar controls are presenting a major hurdle in pluging in but not pluging in. I am still working on it, but want it to where you are not limited to 1 or 2 head units.
That is where it gets difficult for me plug in at the last point possible. The ARC upgrade does just that it pretty much sets on the outside looking in. The handle bar controls are presenting a major hurdle in pluging in but not pluging in. I am still working on it, but want it to where you are not limited to 1 or 2 head units.
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