2017 rt limited Bluetooth

[Longtrack]

Can I use any Bluetooth headset to say listen to radio without using a dongle on a 2017 rt limit. THANK YOU

[fastfraser]

Yes you can . We use the dongle to hear music ,GPS and pair our head sets for communication . You should be able to do two of these functions without the dongle but not all three .

[Longtrack]

Yes you can . We use the dongle to hear music ,GPS and pair our head sets for communication . You should be able to do two of these functions without the dongle but not all three .

I how you are right. We have Bluetooth headset already and just would like hear radio and passenger without needing that dongle

[Brentc]

If I understand your question, you are wondering if you need a dongle at all? You do need something to transmit to the Bluetooth headset. You can use the dongle or some other Bluetooth transmitter, but you do need a transmitter of some sorts.

[johnsimion]

I wish it wasn't true, but what Brent said was also my understanding about my own 2017 RT. I find the radio just about impossible to hear at speeds over about 10 mph. It would be great if I was able to send the signal to my helmet headset, but BRP wants $259 for their accessory dongle to do that. Even third-party dongles are well over $100. Sorry, but paying $100 to listen to the garbage on the radio is just not worth it. If there's a way to do this without paying for a dongle, though, somebody say how to do it!

Wouldn't a good alternative be to just forget about the radio while on the road and just get music on mp3s through a cell phone (which obviously does have a bluetooth connection to the headset)? I'm not technically proficient but I believe some radio stations can be received on the internet as well. With a proper mount, the cell phone could also show a map and Siri can give directions. A new cell phone can go for hours without a charge, too, so most of the time there shouldn't be any need for wiring to charge the phone.

I'm new to the Spyder and don't do much electronics, so please forgive me if I'm being Mr. Obvious here.

[oldguyinTX]

Pair your headset to your phone and listen to whatever you want. If you listen to music stored on your phone, that's free. If you stream music, i.e. Sirius or XM radio, or any other music apps, you will use cellular data. Just need a signal. And yes, lots of FM stations stream music. You just have to download their apps.

[Flamewinger]

You can get iHeart Radio, Sirius and many other radio apps on a smartphone. Pairing to the phone with music is the only way to get music to the headset. To listen to the bike's radio would require a bluetooth transmitter.

If you want to control what you listen to then you'll need a way to mount the phone which would still be a problem as trying to touch the screen while going down the road can be tricky.

[Pirate looks at --]

However on the 16 and up models you do have the ability to see what songs are playing on the phone, and you can advance to the next song with the left hand controls. Just plug the phone into the supplied USB connector.

[PaladinLV]

I usually wear a shorty but even when I use a half I can hear my radio at speeds of 80 mph without any problems.
Might want to check your setting and ensure your Auto Audio gain is set to HIGH!


AJ

I wish it wasn't true, but what Brent said was also my understanding about my own 2017 RT. I find the radio just about impossible to hear at speeds over about 10 mph.

[finless]

Wow... crazy answers here.

If you want to hear the Spyders radio in your Bluetooth helmet you do need the Bluetooth dongle. Only the new 2018 models you will not.
Contact Motorcycle Dave (A sponsor here) for good prices.

All RT models will display the songs, titles, playlists on the display IF it is an Apple iPhone or iPod.

Just giving correct answers here.

Bob

[stevencovert]

I have a huge collection of mp3 music. I put it all on a USB thumbdrive and plugged it into the connector in the trunk. You can see the see the song & artist on the spyders display. Works well for me. Also, an old iPhone or iPod plugged in offers direct control, as iPhone interface is built into the Spyder.

I have the BRP bluetooth kit installed now, have yet to get it all synched up with helmets to see how it works. Really hoping the $249 prive tag is worth it, to hear whatever comes out the speakers on the bike get pumped into the helmets!