Spyder radio is worthless - any solution to this problem?

[Podhouse]

I get a few local stations. But i dont brother. I just use my music on my phone with the bluetooth connection.it works good for me.

[vito1943]

Personally I never use the radio, nor do I listen to music through my phone or any other device. While I always have the radio on in any of my cars, I prefer the lack of distraction and focus on the riding when on a motorcycle including my 2021 RT. I used to listen to the music on my phone via the helmet speakers, but one time was enough of being so engaged in the tune that I almost missed a vehicle attempting to enter my lane from a side street on my riight. Since that day I just listen to the sound of the engine and the wind. Even with an intercom system, wind noise makes talking with my passenger wife a frustrating exercise, so recently I removed the Sena system from both of our helmets and I do not miss it at all.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

All you have to do is add streaming to your XM subscription (if it's not already included) and you can stream from your cell, pc, laptop, tablet, etc. I have an XM on my 2014 RTL and stream it to my cell and other devices so I have it in my car through my phone.

Good work around as long as you are in range of cell signal, which depends on the provider and geography, and you have a data plan to cover it all.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Might need to change the thread subject but I'm going to ask here anyway as few of you have mentioned you have 2014 RTL and listen to your iPod. I too have a 2014 & have been using Sena 50S. However, my husband got tired of all the problems with 50S and had factory CB installed. I had previously had CB installed as we both had GoldWings and took him awhile to get his Spyder.
My question is: I want to flip back to using my CB but I listen to audiobooks more than music. I had tried connecting my older iPod to the back but feel like I'm missing something. Please, any suggestions? I'm due to go on a 2 week trip mid June and need to be able to listen to something. Thanks.
Sandie

Do you have a wired headset? That is necessary to listen to the audio from the radio. Or, there is a Bluetooth adapter to listen to the audio via BT headset, but you cannot use the CB then. Did you have the audio set to iPod? Aux is not the one for iPod use. Is your iPod a generation supported by the audio system? I don't remember which ones are and are not.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I use the radio all the time. The only significant deficiency I've encountered is FM signal strength has to be strong, and range is limited to 30 to 50 miles from the transmitter. I never listen to AM. NPR is my go to network. I have an NPR app that uses GPS to list the closest stations to my current location.

[DGoebel]

FrogmanDave, on the other hand I sometimes do rides of 1000+ miles in a day, 1,700+ in a weekend, (Iron Butt Rides) and radio stations, even streaming doesn't even work all that distance, and the tunes keep me awake. So yes, there's still a need or use for Antique old Ipods / and or 120+GB's of MP3's loaded on my phone, which I've discovered works better than the IPod in my '18RTL. Here's my June 18th weekend trip plan, and I still agree with the OP, the factory radio is sad, so sad.
2022 Smackdab.jpg

[FrogmanDave]

FrogmanDave, on the other hand I sometimes do rides of 1000+ miles in a day, 1,700+ in a weekend, (Iron Butt Rides) and radio stations, even streaming doesn't even work all that distance, and the tunes keep me awake. So yes, there's still a need or use for Antique old Ipods / and or 120+GB's of MP3's loaded on my phone, which I've discovered works better than the IPod in my '18RTL. Here's my June 18th weekend trip plan, and I still agree with the OP, the factory radio is sad, so sad.
2022 Smackdab.jpg

No offense meant Dave. I haven't seen a working iPod in a long time. That's all. Man I guess you do put on the miles. To me that's crazy! You are an animal! Ride safe.

[McRuss]

Well, opinions are like.....never mind! Riding across WestTexas requires some kind of noise other than the engine and programming in radio stations along the route seemed like a good idea. Didn't work. Horrible reception is the gremlin. Now if I could just locate 'Joel the Biker's' posted solution, I might find a solution....search didn't work.

[helton61]

I put songs on a thumb drive plug it in the usb in the trunk plays real good.

[Deanna777]

I have a 2014 RTS-SE6 I use the radio, while I am on the bike. I turn up the volume so other people can hear me.

Sometimes I get static, on the radio. I don't use any other devices ( Ipod, cell phone, or apps on my phone, BT).

Deanna

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Well, opinions are like.....never mind! Riding across WestTexas requires some kind of noise other than the engine and programming in radio stations along the route seemed like a good idea. Didn't work. Horrible reception is the gremlin. Now if I could just locate 'Joel the Biker's' posted solution, I might find a solution....search didn't work.

I just typed in " Joel the Biker " , He's there !!!! .......... look at the posts by other members , on the right side column ...He was about 15 names down from the top ..... Mike

[SLICE]

XM app on iPhone and I have 2 years free Apple music for the last 4 years ( Shhh Don't tell them).

[Gwolf]

My old flip phone has an FM stereo radio built in. It don't stream from the web like many of them. It is an actual FM radio. It also has a slot that will take a 32 gig mini-sd chip.

Bluetooth the flip phone to the helmet speakers and don't need anything else.

[Tango]

BRP radios are a POS! The whole infotainment set up is a POS! Outdated, way more complicated than it has to be. All of the major bike makers, think touring bikes, have more modern and easy to use set ups! More powerful amps, and speakers that put out great sound. I have used my phone with XM/Sirius Bluetoothed to the bike. Much better sound. Also use it for GPS. It works great! Tom

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

BRP radios are a POS! The whole infotainment set up is a POS! Outdated, way more complicated than it has to be. All of the major bike makers, think touring bikes, have more modern and easy to use set ups! More powerful amps, and speakers that put out great sound. I have used my phone with XM/Sirius Bluetoothed to the bike. Much better sound. Also use it for GPS. It works great! Tom

mostly ..... 2010 to 2017 could be successfully dealt with..... ( only " Joel the Biker " has been successful with the post 2017 audio system ).... I put a Bosche retractable Auto antennae on my 14 RT and got great long and short distance reception. ....I swapped out all the speakers ( made the rear 5.25" ) and I can't play it at Max volume it hurts my ears .... And I am hearing challenged ( to many .357 rounds ) ..... Mike

[old Timer]

The engine and all the stimulus when riding is all I've ever needed IMHO.

[UtahPete]

In my humble opinion, when Can-Am designed the Spyder, they envisioned a world where Bluetooth would reign over the integration of technologies used on a bike. Consequently they didn't invest much in the AM/FM receiver or the speaker system for that matter.

That's fine with me, because I'd rather not pay for a high end system I'll never really use. I never listen to the radio any more at home or in the car. I never use the speakers because sound is so much better through the headset (plus I'm not annoying everyone in earshot).

[Jane1330]

Cardo unit w/JBL wurks fur me...

[McRuss]

I put songs on a thumb drive plug it in the usb in the trunk plays real good.

I put songs on a thumb drive, plugged it into the USB in the trunk and .....how do you get it to play even fairly good? The only options for 'source' are radio and 'aux' and aux wants me to configure my bluetooth! a little explanation please, even by PM.

[bigbadbrucie]

Reading these posts makes me glad thhat I did not succumb to all the hype of the 2020+. My ‘14 sound system is no better or worse than what I had on my “wings”. I’m sitting on a motorcycle for gosh sakes, not sitting in a concert hall, so the sound quality suffers. I use my oem speakers with my ipod plugged into the bike in the trunk connection and play the music that I WANT TO LISTEN TO. A bbetter system will still not be concert hall perfect, and you can rest assured pay A HELL OF A LOT MORE for that wee pleasure. I’m happy with what I HAVE!

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Reading these posts makes me glad thhat I did not succumb to all the hype of the 2020+. My ‘14 sound system is no better or worse than what I had on my “wings”. I’m sitting on a motorcycle for gosh sakes, not sitting in a concert hall, so the sound quality suffers. I use my oem speakers with my ipod plugged into the bike in the trunk connection and play the music that I WANT TO LISTEN TO. A bbetter system will still not be concert hall perfect, and you can rest assured pay A HELL OF A LOT MORE for that wee pleasure. I’m happy with what I HAVE!

BBB, for 10 thru 17 it was never about the " Radio " .... it was the speakers, I use 2 ohm JBL's and couldn't be happier .....Mike

[pidjones]

My '21 RTL was very slightly improved by changing to a longer aftermarket antenna - maybe 10% improvement. Luckily, for local riding I have the choice of three contemporary Christian stations (my preference) to choose from. I also have an old cell phone with blank SIM and much of my collection on an SD card in the trunk plugged into the USB port there. It connects to the RTL via Bluetooth. A drawback on that is the USB in the trunk is only hot when the bike is on. I have to remember to take that phone out and put it on a charger if not riding for a week or more.

[helton61]

I just plugged it in and it plays didn't have any trouble.

[linguine]

I use my phone and the BT connection to my Spyder RTL. Using Spotify in offline mode, I can play all my tunes anywhere, via playlists that have been downloaded to the phone. No data connection is used. Excellent sound.

[GFrog]

XM app on iPhone and I have 2 years free Apple music for the last 4 years ( Shhh Don't tell them).

Same here.

I have Sirius XM on my phone and stream to my headset. I also stream Sirius XM in my truck via Android Auto. Beats having to pay extra for a Sirius XM vehicle package.