RT-S Sound System MP3 Player

[Fjrwillie]

Recently purchased RT-S which came with sound system. In all my years of riding this is the first time I have had music. Options before were in helmet speakers, but I felt that would have been too much of a distraction. With the external speakers its different. With that said, I just purchased my first MP3 player and hooked it up and worked like a charm. Simple SanDisk MP3 player. Now that i got the thing, wondering what you guys do to be able to switch to the next track. Not sure if you can run a long enough cable from the back to the cockpit to have the MP3 player located at your fingertips.

Help the musically challenged spyder rider

Willie

[PMK]

Cool that you found the MP3 cable and are using external music.

Sadly the MP3 is a set and forget. The audio controls on the left grip apparently are not configured for the MP3. Actually, there is no way they could be since the MP3 is simply an audio out type setup. Basically you are connecting external speakers.

The better setup, and yes more $ if purchased new is to use the IPod and its cable. Depending upon the IPod it may or may not require and Apple adapter also.

You may also be able to use an old IPhone for music. But I am not 100% certain on that.

With the IPod, it takes a bit of learning to sort out the left grip control sequence, but it is controllable.

FWIW we never use the radio anymore. The IPod has much better sound quality and no commercials.

For us it was a $150 upgrade. Not inexpensive but used every ride.

PK

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I thought the same thing, so I moved my connection to the glove box on the right side.......There is " just enough " OEM cable to do this.....After removing the plug from the trunk it is possible to " carefully " strip the cable from the harness with a very sharp box cutter......I just routed it alongside the frame up to the glove box ,drilled the correct size hole , and re-attached the plug.......I also made a sheet metal clip that I slide into the panel alongside the glove box,( on the outside ) this is for the MP-3 player. It has Velcro on it and so does the MP-3. This way I have some control ......................If you don't like the crappy OEM speakers, I fixed that with four 5 1/4 inch JBL - 2 OHM ones that are incredible ......they cost me $116.00 for all four.......................If you are going to SPYDERQUEST , you can see and hear all this stuff..............Mike

[GeorgiaBill]

Recently purchased RT-S which came with sound system. In all my years of riding this is the first time I have had music. Options before were in helmet speakers, but I felt that would have been too much of a distraction. With the external speakers its different. With that said, I just purchased my first MP3 player and hooked it up and worked like a charm. Simple SanDisk MP3 player. Now that i got the thing, wondering what you guys do to be able to switch to the next track. Not sure if you can run a long enough cable from the back to the cockpit to have the MP3 player located at your fingertips.

Help the musically challenged spyder rider

Willie

I'm going from an FJR to a 2014 RT-S tomorrow, and have been wondering about audio. I've got an old IPhone 4 that I plan to try. Wish there was support for bluetooth or Android, but I expect to eventually go to bluetooth speakers in the helmet.

I've had some form of audio since 1984 and I think it was initially a car radio, 2 speakers, and I had to turn the volume way up at speed and way down when I rode through traffic.

It will be interesting to see what responses you get from the experts.

I just glanced at the pictures on your blog, but will read everything now. I've been watching imotorsports and wondering if they would really pay the air fare. Looks like they did for you.

-Bill

[Fjrwillie]

I'm going from an FJR to a 2014 RT-S tomorrow, and have been wondering about audio. I've got an old IPhone 4 that I plan to try. Wish there was support for bluetooth or Android, but I expect to eventually go to bluetooth speakers in the helmet.

I've had some form of audio since 1984 and I think it was initially a car radio, 2 speakers, and I had to turn the volume way up at speed and way down when I rode through traffic.

It will be interesting to see what responses you get from the experts.

I just glanced at the pictures on your blog, but will read everything now. I've been watching imotorsports and wondering if they would really pay the air fare. Looks like they did for you.

-Bill

I can't say enough about iMotorsports. First class operation, at least for me. They made it easy to buy from them. Appreciate the view on the blog. Been writing it awhile. Mostly motorcycle travels but recently throwing in the cage travels as well.

Willie

[dlby]

Ran long cable purchased from amazon through trunk hinge, under the seat & up by handle bars.
Suction cup holder over speedo.

I just use cord for charge as I connect to radio via a jabra Bluetooth unit with fm output to Spyder radio
Took 20 minutes

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk

[Bob Denman]

PMK has you on the right track.
If you use an I-Pod; you pick up a whole lot more functionality in the radio controls...

[dlby]

Yep
I think if I was still using apple I would do that myself but since I use Samsung phone or tablet for maps music communication etc that's why I just brought it all up front

Mostly it's all about fun isn't it great!
Riding-music & being (there) in the good place

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk

[PMK]

PMK has you on the right track.
If you use an I-Pod; you pick up a whole lot more functionality in the radio controls...

Yes it does.

However, moving the MP3 connection to the glove box is cool also, just does not allow left hand grip controls. We do not use audio communication on our Spyder, so volume up, volume down, mute are important to have easy control of.

An MP3 or using a phone via audio output in the glove box should be fine for many people and if you understand electrical stuff, the entire oem harness should still be able to stay as is. Simply needs a parallel patch cable to the glove box.

PK

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Yes it does.

However, moving the MP3 connection to the glove box is cool also, just does not allow left hand grip controls. We do not use audio communication on our Spyder, so volume up, volume down, mute are important to have easy control of.

An MP3 or using a phone via audio output in the glove box should be fine for many people and if you understand electrical stuff, the entire oem harness should still be able to stay as is. Simply needs a parallel patch cable to the glove box.

PK

....Since I wasn't aware of the PATCH cable I just re-moved the OEM one and sent it up to the glove box...I do have the volume control on the MP-3 and I made a (re-movable) clip so the MP-3 is outside the glovebox so I can change songs etc...........Mike

[Copperman]

The better setup, and yes more $ if purchased new is to use the IPod and its cable. Depending upon the IPod it may or may not require and Apple adapter also.

You may also be able to use an old IPhone for music. But I am not 100% certain on that.

With the IPod, it takes a bit of learning to sort out the left grip control sequence, but it is controllable.

FWIW we never use the radio anymore. The IPod has much better sound quality and no commercials.

For us it was a $150 upgrade. Not inexpensive but used every ride.

PK

Having just recently purchased a 4th generation iPod, I have a couple questions.

While the unit is plugged in and operating, does the cord also keep the iPod charged? If so, do I need to manually turn off the iPod when I'm done riding?

[PMK]

Having just recently purchased a 4th generation iPod, I have a couple questions.

While the unit is plugged in and operating, does the cord also keep the iPod charged? If so, do I need to manually turn off the iPod when I'm done riding?

Should charge as you ride.

PK

[Copperman]

Should charge as you ride.

PK

Thanks. Any idea if I need to power it down?

[beadaholic]

Thanks. Any idea if I need to power it down?

I never even think about it anymore, don't need to turn it on, power it off or anything at all, when I turn the key it is where I left it.....at the same spot on the same song! Works wonderfully.

[Copperman]

I never even think about it anymore, don't need to turn it on, power it off or anything at all, when I turn the key it is where I left it.....at the same spot on the same song! Works wonderfully.

Thanks!

[PMK]

Agree, the IPod done right is similar to a system in a car. Turn on the key and it plays, turn off and it stops. Music begins where it left off, charges on it's own while riding. Learning the left grip buttons is a bit of effort but not too bad. Mainly it is about how long is a long push vs a short push. Also to select one feature, I forget which one, you have to scroll off the screen to accomplish enter. Pretty wacked but it works.

PK

[bronzeflex42]

Recently purchased RT-S which came with sound system. In all my years of riding this is the first time I have had music. Options before were in helmet speakers, but I felt that would have been too much of a distraction. With the external speakers its different. With that said, I just purchased my first MP3 player and hooked it up and worked like a charm. Simple SanDisk MP3 player. Now that i got the thing, wondering what you guys do to be able to switch to the next track. Not sure if you can run a long enough cable from the back to the cockpit to have the MP3 player located at your fingertips.

Help the musically challenged spyder rider

Willie

That is just what i did. I have a cheap MP3 Jensen player. I just ran a cable, i bought from best buy about 2-3ft long. I routed it from my trunk under the seat to the glove box or just let it sit between my legs and change the songs or put it in the glove box when i just want to let it play. Works great!!!

[pegasus1300]

I have a 5th generation Ipod. What control functions should I have on the left grip and what buttons correspond to what control. I can get to AUX and can see what is playing and change volume but can't get any other control. 2012 RTS-L

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I have a 5th generation Ipod. What control functions should I have on the left grip and what buttons correspond to what control. I can get to AUX and can see what is playing and change volume but can't get any other control. 2012 RTS-L

The first problem is if you're seeing AUX, not iPod. Are you using the BRP cable with the iPod dock connector, or the cable with the mini stereo plug. You must use the iPod cable to have control of the iPod.