Alternate Bluetooth Setup for RT

[SteveandBelinda]

Here's a thought. I want to still use all the bike has to offer, with out the hassle of connecting and disconnecting the wire. From what I understand, if I switch to bluetooth, all that stuff can't be used anymore, because I am not wired to the bike.
I watched a video by Motorcycle Dave, where he has made a wire with connections that I can still use all the bike has to offer, except the CB, which is a loss, but no big deal. Here is the way it works:
1. I go ahead and buy 2 new Sena 10s headsets
2. I also purchase a Sena SM10 dongle
3. I buy the wire w/ connectors from him
4. I remove bike radio from under the right passenger audio control panel
5. I connect one end of his wire to a connection port on the radio
6. take seat back off, and drill hole in trunk to run other end of wire connectors through
7. instal the Sena SM10 dongle in trunk, and hook the connectors to it.

Supposedly I can now use all the radio features of the bike through the bluetooth headsets, because the radio is going through the bluetooth dongle, along with all the features the headset has. I know that the headset has FM radio, but all the reviews on the radio portion of that headset aren't too good.

Does this sound like it will work as described. Would like advise before I buy the wire and dongle. I just purchased the headsets last night.

Here is his video on how to do it. https://youtu.be/cwGjxE3vrmg

 

[pegasus1300]

So first of all you don't have to buy the wire,it is included with the sm10 when you buy it from Dave.Second you don't have to remove the radio just the body panel covering it. Third you don't have to remove the seat just the backrest. Yes you do have to drill a hole thru your trunk wall to get to the dongle if that is where you mount it. I did. It works great. I have all the functionallity of the Spyder Radio BT'ed to my and my wife's helmets. I bought a pair of smh10's also from Dave, they were already paired. They don't have a radio in them. I would call Dave and ask him for his recommendation as to what you want to accomplish. He wont try to sell you something you don't need he is very knowledgeable and good to talk to. I don't have a cb in my bike from Can AM. I thought it too expensive. I am using a hand held CB that I will also get another dongle to link it to my helmet but not right now.

 

[BilltheDiver]

I agree with everything pegasus just posted. I have a 2015 rtl and bought the dongle and cable package from Dave. I use it with a pair of Sena 20's and stream music from the stereo along with my zmuo gps voice instructions to the helmet units. It still allows us to communicate via the helmet intercoms. I will also second the comment that Dave is knowledgeable and quite helpful in the entire process.

 

[robmorg]

Yep, it all works great together as you described it (with the corrections made by pegasus1300 in the second post). Here is a picture of how I installed the Sena SM10 Bluetooth dongle in the rear trunk with this cable coming from the radio. More info here. I also agree with you that the new Sena 10S is a great choice of headset to use for this. :thumbup: I upgraded to that from the SMH10. The bluetooth works better and the music sounds better than with my older Sena headset.

Here, on Motorcycle Dave's website, you will find a helpful installation video, done by "finless Bob" - the guy who originally designed this cable.

 

[SteveandBelinda]

Yea, I bought the 10s's last night off of a authorized seller on Ebay, for 325. for a dual pack, and just bought the dongle off of Amazon for 113. And just called Dave and bought the cable from him.
Should be all set to go. The process of getting it done doesn't look too bad, just the seat back part sounds risky loosing the nuts on inside of seat.

 

[pegasus1300]

just the seat back part sounds risky loosing the nuts on inside of seat.

It really isn't as scary as it sounds. Just gently push the screws in until you feel them hit the nut then get them started. Just don't jamb them thru like you have to make a new hole. You'll be fine.

BTW I was thinking that if you didn't want to drill a hole in your plastic you could get a small project box from Radio Shack mount it behind the seat or some other place in that area and put your sm10 in there and drill exit holes in that for the wires. That would protect the dongle and leave no trace if you wanted to remove it later.Velcro will hold it in place.

 

[robmorg]

I've had my seat back off a few times, and never had a problem. The bolts are attached to "something" on the inside, but not sure how firmly. Just be careful when you start to thread them back in and you should be OK. :thumbup:

Opps, I see Paul already said that.

 

[SteveandBelinda]

Yea, not too worried. I just hope I have not problem setting everything up, (bluetooth wise) Just read a thread where they had a terrible time setting things up. Oh, by the way, did you have to pull the radio up out of where it is mounted? I noticed Dave's video said that you had to disconnect the electrical harness from the radio to get it out.

 

[finless]

Hang on..... Make sure you get the correct cable.
The one in the video (I made the video and I make the cables for Dave) is for if you do not have XM radio.
Since you had wired headsets and CB do you also have the BRP XM radio?

If so you need a different cable.

Bob

 

[CapeSpyder]

Yep, it all works great together as you described it (with the corrections made by pegasus1300 in the second post). Here is a picture of how I installed the Sena SM10 Bluetooth dongle.

Rob the lower hole is that just a grommet and what size did you use. That looks like a great way to bring this all together. [emoji1]


Sent From my Note 5

 

[SteveandBelinda]

Hang on..... Make sure you get the correct cable.
The one in the video (I made the video and I make the cables for Dave) is for if you do not have XM radio.
Since you had wired headsets and CB do you also have the BRP XM radio?

If so you need a different cable.

Bob

No, I do not have XM radio, just am-fm & cb

Already ordered and paid for cable yesterday with Dave. Said he would ship it out yesterday. Hope he sends the right one.

 

[ChicoFowler]

Yep, it all works great together as you described it (with the corrections made by pegasus1300 in the second post). Here is a picture of how I installed the Sena SM10 Bluetooth dongle in the rear trunk with this cable coming from the radio. More info here. I also agree with you that the new Sena 10S is a great choice of headset to use for this. :thumbup: I upgraded to that from the SMH10. The bluetooth works better and the music sounds better than with my older Sena headset.

Here, on Motorcycle Dave's website, you will find a helpful installation video, done by "finless Bob" - the guy who originally designed this cable.

I had Sena mounted in the glove box just under the handle bars.
Don't have to get off the bike to turn it on/off.
Heat not an issue. I have a 2014 RT Limited

 

[robmorg]

Rob the lower hole is that just a grommet and what size did you use. That looks like a great way to bring this all together. [emoji1]


Sent From my Note 5

Yes, I temporarily removed the right rear speaker (not hard to do) and routed the wires behind there. I drilled a hole just large enough to fit the ends of the wires through (mini-USB, etc.). Then after the wires were in place I finished off the hole with a rubber grommet. Can't tell you what size I used - I had an assortment of them and just picked one that fit the hole.

 

[robmorg]

Yea, not too worried. I just hope I have not problem setting everything up, (bluetooth wise) Just read a thread where they had a terrible time setting things up. Oh, by the way, did you have to pull the radio up out of where it is mounted? I noticed Dave's video said that you had to disconnect the electrical harness from the radio to get it out.

Steve,

You do not have to pull the radio out - just the small black panel that covers it, located beneath the right rear passenger hand grip. There should be only one harness already attached that goes up to the multi-function switch. The other one has a cover on it, and you remove the cover and attach the new harness there. Just make sure you snap it all the way in.

If you discover that there is already a harness on the second radio connection, then you have the "entertainment harness" already installed. That is what "finless" was referring to above. At that point, I would PM "finless" and get more details about the other harness he mentioned and/or how to modify the harness you get. Sorry I do not personally have more information about this, as I didn't need it at the time. Don't worry about already having paid Dave for the harness - he'll do right by you.

As for pairing everything together, I would recommend you download the 10S user manual from the Sena Web Site. It will be VERY helpful. I also made some detailed notes when I went through that process, after upgrading to the 10S. You will find those notes in PDF format attached to this post. It may take you a couple of tries to get everything working together the way you want it. If you need to use a different pairing sequence or method, just delete all your pairings with the headset control (or the software interface) and start over. You'll quickly get the hang of that. Also make sure you headsets have the latest firmware before you begin pairing them to other devices. Sena updates firmware often, so even new headsets sometimes need a firmware update.

 

[SteveandBelinda]

Steve,

You do not have to pull the radio out - just the small black panel that covers it, located beneath the right rear passenger hand grip. There should be only one harness already attached that goes up to the multi-function switch. The other one has a cover on it, and you remove the cover and attach the new harness there. Just make sure you snap it all the way in.

If you discover that there is already a harness on the second radio connection, then you have the "entertainment harness" already installed. That is what "finless" was referring to above. At that point, I would PM "finless" and get more details about the other harness he mentioned and/or how to modify the harness you get. Sorry I do not personally have more information about this, as I didn't need it at the time. Don't worry about already having paid Dave for the harness - he'll do right by you.

As for pairing everything together, I would recommend you download the 10S user manual from the Sena Web Site. It will be VERY helpful. I also made some detailed notes when I went through that process, after upgrading to the 10S. You will find those notes in PDF format attached to this post. It may take you a couple of tries to get everything working together the way you want it. If you need to use a different pairing sequence or method, just delete all your pairings with the headset control (or the software interface) and start over. You'll quickly get the hang of that. Also make sure you headsets have the latest firmware before you begin pairing them to other devices. Sena updates firmware often, so even new headsets sometimes need a firmware update.

Ok Rob, thanks for the help. I will download the manual and read up on it before they get here. Maybe I will pull that panel before the wire gets here, just to make sure the second connection isn't already occupied. Are any of these screw holes into plastic? Reason I ask, is that there is a screw missing on the left saddle bag, when you drop the saddle bag door open, Bought a screw from the dealer, and found out the hole is striped. Didn't know if
these screws to take off these panels were into plastic either.

 

[robmorg]

Sorry, I cannot recall for sure if the screws go into plastic - I imagine they do. I CAN tell you that I did not have any problem re-securing them. Just be careful not to over-tighten and you should be fine. As you know, the video you linked to in the OP shows you exactly how to do the job. As I recall, I think I did also remove the top screw inside the right side of the saddlebag opening to make it a little easier to move that piece of plastic out of the way when it's time to slide that top cover off the radio opening. If you are not sure what I am talking about, watch the video again and you will hear Bob talking about flexing that piece of plastic to slide the cover out.