Audio Question

[Ken613834]

I just purchased a new 2014 RT Ltd and noticed the audio hook up connection in the trunk for an MP3. My 2012 GoldWing used a USB which was quite convenient and the operation was seamless when I wished to play tunes.

This is likely a fairly dumb question, but is there a connector that I can plug into the bike and hook my USB to it for music or do I need to acquire an MP3? MP3's are not expensive at all but I was just wondering?

If I do go the MP3 route, is there anything I should watch out for with respect to picking the correct MP3 or will any MP3 work??

Thanks....small question but I did not know the answer and everyone on this Forum are so helpful...especially to a newbie Spyder owner.

[billybovine]

I just purchased a new 2014 RT Ltd and noticed the audio hook up connection in the trunk for an MP3. My 2012 GoldWing used a USB which was quite convenient and the operation was seamless when I wished to play tunes.

This is likely a fairly dumb question, but is there a connector that I can plug into the bike and hook my USB to it for music or do I need to acquire an MP3? MP3's are not expensive at all but I was just wondering?

If I do go the MP3 route, is there anything I should watch out for with respect to picking the correct MP3 or will any MP3 work??

Thanks....small question but I did not know the answer and everyone on this Forum are so helpful...especially to a newbie Spyder owner.

You should have got 2 cables to plug into the Ipod connector. One is for Ipod or other apple device. Look in your owners manual for the devices that are compatible. The Spyders cluster can control the Idevice and the options will show on the gauge cluster. The 2nd cable is for mp3 players and the cable has a mini stereo jack on the end. The sound will come through the radio but there is no control over the mp3 player. I am not a fan of Istuff but broke down and got a Ipod Classic just to plug into my Spyder.

[bullant12]

I just purchased a new 2014 RT Ltd and noticed the audio hook up connection in the trunk for an MP3. My 2012 GoldWing used a USB which was quite convenient and the operation was seamless when I wished to play tunes.

This is likely a fairly dumb question, but is there a connector that I can plug into the bike and hook my USB to it for music or do I need to acquire an MP3? MP3's are not expensive at all but I was just wondering?

If I do go the MP3 route, is there anything I should watch out for with respect to picking the correct MP3 or will any MP3 work??

Thanks....small question but I did not know the answer and everyone on this Forum are so helpful...especially to a newbie Spyder owner.

If you don't have an Apple device, go for a MP3 then. No USB connection/cable are available for the Spyder as of now. Only for Apple with the 30 pin plug (or buy the 30 pin/Lightning adapter), or the 9mm male jack for other MP3 devices.

[cptnrob]

I too have a 2014 RT Limited and have had nothing but trouble connecting my ipod. Have tried three diffierent ipods with same result. Fiddling with the 30 pin connection will get the ipod to work but as soon as I close the trunk and get on the bike, connection is lost. All ipods work fine on cables in house or other cars. Spyder does have a decent radio though (always way something nice)

[Cruzr Joe]

I too have a 2014 RT Limited and have had nothing but trouble connecting my ipod. Have tried three diffierent ipods with same result. Fiddling with the 30 pin connection will get the ipod to work but as soon as I close the trunk and get on the bike, connection is lost. All ipods work fine on cables in house or other cars. Spyder does have a decent radio though (always way something nice)

With your Ipod on and the Spyder running, press the mode button, then toggle through the selections with the "SET" button it will toggle through am, fm, weather, ipod. when it gets to ipod you should have the proper connection. a used ipod touch with the apple connection is usually the best option for great sounds. feel free to call me if you have any more questions 501 580-5595



Cruzr Joe

[cptnrob]

Joe, thanks for your response. I have a touch and when I toggle through, it will show aux connection until I get off, open trunk, play with connection until it works. Then when getting back on bike, it will revert to aux. Again, does this for three different ipods.
Bike only have 1300 miles on it so plan to bring up this issue when it goes in for first service at 3,000 miles.

[Cruzr Joe]

Joe, thanks for your response. I have a touch and when I toggle through, it will show aux connection until I get off, open trunk, play with connection until it works. Then when getting back on bike, it will revert to aux. Again, does this for three different ipods.
Bike only have 1300 miles on it so plan to bring up this issue when it goes in for first service at 3,000 miles.

Sounds like a loose wire or bad cable, good luck.

Cruzr Joe

[billybovine]

Sounds like a loose wire or bad cable, good luck.

Cruzr Joe

get a new cable.

[dlby]

Only apple w orks wi handlebar controls

Xept volume

I use a Jabra bluetooth & connect to fm radio from my galaxy s5 phone

Also use maps for gps at same time

Mounted on dash

Works great xept cant change tracks unless i use touch screen on phone at stopsigns

I have an old ipod
Works great from trunk
But old music sets and no map system
Eh

[Ken613834]

Thanks to all of you who have responded. Very helpful.

[GreyCastle]

You should have got 2 cables to plug into the Ipod connector. One is for Ipod or other apple device. Look in your owners manual for the devices that are compatible. The Spyders cluster can control the Idevice and the options will show on the gauge cluster. The 2nd cable is for mp3 players and the cable has a mini stereo jack on the end. The sound will come through the radio but there is no control over the mp3 player. I am not a fan of Istuff but broke down and got a Ipod Classic just to plug into my Spyder.

I just got a 2015 Spyder RTS and the salesman told me not to use my classic. Have you had any problems with it. If I could I would prefer my classic.
Thanks.

[bigbadbrucie]

I just got a 2015 Spyder RTS and the salesman told me not to use my classic. Have you had any problems with it. If I could I would prefer my classic.
Thanks.

The classic worked fine on my 2014 RT s. I no longer have the classic (theft) and now have a touch. The touch works exactly the same as my classic did.

[billybovine]

I just got a 2015 Spyder RTS and the salesman told me not to use my classic. Have you had any problems with it. If I could I would prefer my classic.
Thanks.

My experience has been that the classic works great. I plug it in in the spring when the Spyder come out. Unplug it in the fall to bring it inside when the Spyder goes for winter storage.

[lou49]

My experience has been that the classic works great. I plug it in in the spring when the Spyder come out. Unplug it in the fall to bring it inside when the Spyder goes for winter storage.

I do the same, except that mine stays on the bike even through the winter months!

[lou49]

I just purchased a new 2014 RT Ltd and noticed the audio hook up connection in the trunk for an MP3. My 2012 GoldWing used a USB which was quite convenient and the operation was seamless when I wished to play tunes.

This is likely a fairly dumb question, but is there a connector that I can plug into the bike and hook my USB to it for music or do I need to acquire an MP3? MP3's are not expensive at all but I was just wondering?

If I do go the MP3 route, is there anything I should watch out for with respect to picking the correct MP3 or will any MP3 work??

Thanks....small question but I did not know the answer and everyone on this Forum are so helpful...especially to a newbie Spyder owner.

check with the dealer! If you purchase the bike recently they may be willing to get you a replacement! You got nothing to lose, but a phone call!

[JP58]

Someone on hear mentioned the 16's have a USB cable instead of iPod. Would that plug into 15's socket.

[Bfromla]

Lot of good answers above just a recap ipod with the 30pin connector (& or the new lighting adapter to the 30pin)will allow you to select playlist & skip thru songs. The other plug will just be a headphone jack & control volume. Finless made a good instructional vid for the ipod interface



I wasn't there but I still care! POW /MIA VETS

[billybovine]

Someone on hear mentioned the 16's have a USB cable instead of iPod. Would that plug into 15's socket.

No it won't.

[billybovine]

A little explanation of the difference between the audio input on older Spyders and the 2016 models.

In older Spyder the device you plug in actually plays the audio. It outputs this to the radio as analog audio to the radio. The radio amplifies the input and sends it out to the speakers. So with a MP3 player plugged in it uses 3 of the seven wires to the radio. Left and right audio plus 1 common ground. They are also compatible i devices for control and charging. So it uses all 7 wires. Left, right audio and ground, same as the mp3 player. Also has 5V power, ground and 2 data lines.

For 2016 the radio has gone to a usb connector. That is only 4 wires. 2 for power, 5V and ground. 2 for data. No analog audio lines anymore. Instead of the plugged in device playing the audio file. The plugged in device sends the audio file to the radio and the radio plays the audio file. The advantage is that more and cheaper devices can be used.

[finless]

Lot of good answers above just a recap ipod with the 30pin connector (& or the new lighting adapter to the 30pin)will allow you to select playlist & skip thru songs. The other plug will just be a headphone jack & control volume. Finless made a good instructional vid for the ipod interface



I wasn't there but I still care! POW /MIA VETS

I am going to reshoot this video due to the glair on the screen when I shot it...

I will also do a technical video about the trunk connection which should answer the many question we always get.

Stay tuned...

[Bfromla]

I am going to reshoot this video due to the glair on the screen when I shot it...

I will also do a technical video about the trunk connection which should answer the many question we always get.

Stay tuned...

Lamont is going to have to add your videos to the do's & dont's listing. To get us & new members the proper training . Thx for what you have done I have learned a lot.

[Pirate looks at --]

I really believe that the best solution is to use a Bluetooth headset in your helmet and pair it with your phone, be it android or iPhone and load your music on your phone, you can even go so far as purchasing some high end ear buds and plug them into the Bluetooth set in the helmet. No you have no limits to the music you can play. I have 15000 songs in the iCloud that I can access from anywhere and if I need to take or make a phone call I can. With the push of a button I can talk to my wife, and if she gets out of hand......with another push of a button, I can be back to music! The best part of this is......no one else but me has to listen to my lousy music!