XM Radio - The Verdict Is In
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 9
From: Duluth, GA
XM Radio - The Verdict Is In
I bought a 2013 CVO Ultra about 3 weeks ago, trading in my 2011 CVO Street Glide. The new bike came equipped with XM Radio capability and I decided to give it a whirl. So what's the review outcome?
Ummm well nothing special to be sure. Now, don't get me wrong, I have XM in the cage and rarely listen to anything else as I can't stand the local stations with the constant commentary and ads being played, but there are some shortcomings on the bike.
Obviously the antenna is probably not located in an ideal location. I have noticed in areas with a lot of top cover (read that as considerable overhanging trees) tend to cause lost reception points. Ditto when riding up in North Georgia around areas like Wolf Pen Gap, and points north such as Tail of the Dragon, or places where you have considerable land mass rising above you near the road.
The plus side is when on the freeway or other open areas, it seems to work beautifully. So...I imagine that the age old question of "is it worth the cost" needs to be answered by the owner.
Certainly there are solutions...such as buying a better antenna and locating it at a better location, however that isn't something I was interested in. My "cheap solution" is when riding the mountains or areas with spotty reception, switching over to the iPod system (I have enough on my bike playlist that I could listen to it for 2 solid days and not hear the same song twice) and using XM when on the open road.
So...those considering adding on the XM module, or paying your hard earned bucks to activate it...take the above into account.
Ride Safe!
Ummm well nothing special to be sure. Now, don't get me wrong, I have XM in the cage and rarely listen to anything else as I can't stand the local stations with the constant commentary and ads being played, but there are some shortcomings on the bike.
Obviously the antenna is probably not located in an ideal location. I have noticed in areas with a lot of top cover (read that as considerable overhanging trees) tend to cause lost reception points. Ditto when riding up in North Georgia around areas like Wolf Pen Gap, and points north such as Tail of the Dragon, or places where you have considerable land mass rising above you near the road.
The plus side is when on the freeway or other open areas, it seems to work beautifully. So...I imagine that the age old question of "is it worth the cost" needs to be answered by the owner.
Certainly there are solutions...such as buying a better antenna and locating it at a better location, however that isn't something I was interested in. My "cheap solution" is when riding the mountains or areas with spotty reception, switching over to the iPod system (I have enough on my bike playlist that I could listen to it for 2 solid days and not hear the same song twice) and using XM when on the open road.
So...those considering adding on the XM module, or paying your hard earned bucks to activate it...take the above into account.
Ride Safe!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,721
Likes: 372
From: Tonopah Az
For me it is I added siriusxm about three months ago and love it and yea it might drop for a second or two but all in all it's nice to listen to what I want and only have to deal with the damn D J's once in a while.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 212
Likes: 1
From: Florida Space Coast
Different antenna or relocate the existing and you wont drop nearly as much. I can even listen to it in my garage now.
It is expensive but as said, the damned DJ's are not as intruding as all of the crap on FM.
Classical Rock as soon as the ignition is turned on and the radio goes thru its check-out.
It is expensive but as said, the damned DJ's are not as intruding as all of the crap on FM.
Classical Rock as soon as the ignition is turned on and the radio goes thru its check-out.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,741
Likes: 45
From: Indian Land, SC
Anybody live in the KANKAKEE area of Chicago?
I'm looking to buy a satellite module off of a guy on Craig's List but he will not ship it, says cash & carry only. I told him I would pay with PayPal to protect him & me but no dice....
I'm looking to buy a satellite module off of a guy on Craig's List but he will not ship it, says cash & carry only. I told him I would pay with PayPal to protect him & me but no dice....
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 959
Likes: 5
From: Oswego, IL
I work in Kankakee. I'm there from 7:00a till 3:30 p most days.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
I didn't bother putting a unit on my 09- on the 1995 I had my antenna on top of the tour pak and had very good reception- even inside my garage ( so shooting through the frame roof/shingles etc.)
( I did try on top of the radio in the fairing but the reception was not great)
I was an early adopter ( my company did some work for XM), however after the merge I noticed a real decline in audio quality due to reduced bandwidth.
my last big trip with the '95 in 2010 I used the XM maybe 10%
ipod 90% lots of podcasts, some music.
I modified the car cradle to a bar mount and used an FM modulator to get the signal into the stereo.
unit and controls were at my left thumb, so easy to use while riding. hardware cost was about $175
Mike
( I did try on top of the radio in the fairing but the reception was not great)
I was an early adopter ( my company did some work for XM), however after the merge I noticed a real decline in audio quality due to reduced bandwidth.
my last big trip with the '95 in 2010 I used the XM maybe 10%
ipod 90% lots of podcasts, some music.
I modified the car cradle to a bar mount and used an FM modulator to get the signal into the stereo.
unit and controls were at my left thumb, so easy to use while riding. hardware cost was about $175
Mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Apr 30, 2013 at 11:44 AM.
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 212
Likes: 1
From: Florida Space Coast
Hey 07, sorry about that.
I went to the Satellite Super Store (on-line) and purchased an antenna specifically made for bikes. It uses omnidirectional and ground plane independent technology. It is adjustable and can be mounted on the handlebars or, with two sided tape, just about anywhere. I mounted it to my inner fairing on top just to the left of the windshield. Not the prettiest thing in the world but, it works damned good.
Go on-line for all of the pertinent info and part number.
I have also heard that relocating the factory installed antenna from inside the fairing to somewhere near the windshield, maybe behind windshield bags, it gets way better reception.
I went to the Satellite Super Store (on-line) and purchased an antenna specifically made for bikes. It uses omnidirectional and ground plane independent technology. It is adjustable and can be mounted on the handlebars or, with two sided tape, just about anywhere. I mounted it to my inner fairing on top just to the left of the windshield. Not the prettiest thing in the world but, it works damned good.
Go on-line for all of the pertinent info and part number.
I have also heard that relocating the factory installed antenna from inside the fairing to somewhere near the windshield, maybe behind windshield bags, it gets way better reception.