An Introduction & Question

[Chappie]

Yes all correct. I tool Paul's advice and talked with Motorcycle Dave and will get from him the SM10 dongle & probably the 10S headsets. There is also a way to install the XM radio easily. Very simple! Yes I will "thank the old stuff for their service" and send them away with the Wing! I still need to get a Spyder to attach them to. I will definitely add pics when the new ride arrives home. Going to get the wing on Craigslist probably tomorrow.
Thanks everyone again for all the help.
Ron

 

[Samson]

Can't answer your question as I have never turned on the radio- LOL. Prefer listening to the bike. Welcome, great part of the country you live in.

 

[Big Juice]

Welcome, ride safe, ride often, post up and then add pictures of your new ride when you get it! Good luck with the helmet issue. My wife and I use the Bluetooth so we can talk trike to trike (she has a Spyder also).

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

XM

Thanks for the replies! I'm not apposed to Bluetooth I was just hoping there was a setting on the Spyder's audio system to broadcast to Bluetooth without the sound blasting through the speakers on the bike. Also an accommodation for an an "Aux In" so that I could install my portable XM radio.
Thanks again for the warm welcomes.

:congrats:....:welcome:........ I also went with an after-market XM, I have mine in the Glove box, with a SMALLER size plug into a 12v. recept. on my dash ..... I put the antennae on top of the rear trunk above the Pass. backrest .... I have it on small sheet metal plate that increases the re-caption a bit ...... Mike :thumbup:

 

[stevencovert]

Probably not...

In order to get the BRP wired headset you need the CB option (I'm 80% sure). The holes are there to mount the round jacks, but there will no amplifier. As for the wireless, SENA does make a kit (I want to say 20 with a letter, like 20s ??) that mounts in the trunk and connects to the existing wires (on newer model RTs). It connects to your BT helmets and a wired input like a phone.

There is the BRP BT kit that does connect to everything. It is not hard to install, I totally missed the rubber cap on the BRP radio and had to ask for help here. In my case it presented noticeable lag between helmets when riding two up - I could hear my wife behind me, then a split later the voice came into my helmet. Couldn't understand anything. But I now have a new SENA setup (I'd get from Motorcycle Dave, a sponsor here - excellent service!). I haven't had a chance to try it out again.

What I currently do works very well - without spending a fortune on the BRP XM Radio kit. On the newer RT's (I have an RT-S), the CB audio cable is wired tied on the right side near the gas tank. I got an extension cord from Amazon (6') and routed up to my XGrip on the handle bars for my iPhone (get one from Pierre at http://canamspyderaccessories.com/ replaces one of your 4 bolts. Then plug your phone in. I run the XM app or Amazon Prime Music, and just use simple helmet to helmet BT. The music streams out of the radio. Handy for GPS too, as the phone turns down the music to report GPS stuff.

Sure the Spyder XM kit is nice, but $$. For $5 my extension cable and phone work just as well

Supposedly the BRP $250 BT kit would connect my phone and helmets together via BT, but to be honest with HtoH comms, you can pair your phone too. Tap the button to talk to each other, tap again to listen to your phones music/gps/etc.) That way my wife can chit chat with our daughter while out on the road, then listen to her music. I can have XM and GPS in my helmet from my phone.

EDIT: We got our helmets with built in bluetooth on sale from Cycle Gear for $250. They have a store near me. Basic BT, not the one that connect to like 6 other devices with phone and all that. The more expensive BT SENA comms from what they told me can pair to phones, GPS, etc. and prioritize which one comes out, shares the phone call between both helmets, washes the dishes, etc. But I'm too cheap for all that


Just my thoughts!
Steve

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Regarding your wired intercom set, it strikes me it would be best to say, "thanks for your service" and retire it. Bluetooth wireless communications are far and away superior. We have both Scala Cardo and Sena systems and have been pleased with both. It really improves the enjoyment of rides when able to talk with one another either on the same Spyder or bike to bike.

OK, so BT is great and newer technology, but tell me. How well does it work when you are in a group of 10 or more riders? Can everyone hear everyone else, particularly when the tail gunner may be a 1/2 mile or more behind the lead?

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I have one question for the moment. We have wired helmets with J&M headsets with the Honda system. It is also the way we communicate with each other. Is there a way to adapt this system to a newer 2015-2017 RT?

Give me a call. I'll send you my number in a PM. As you've already noticed the general consensus is CB is old hat and not to be messed with. I'm sorry, but the majority are wrong! There are considerations and options that make CB a viable alternative, still. It's not the end all to be all it may have been at one time, but neither is that fabulous new technology known as Blue Tooth! Keep your mind and options open. CB works for me, and damn well at that!

 

[stevencovert]

Ah OK

OK, so BT is great and newer technology, but tell me. How well does it work when you are in a group of 10 or more riders? Can everyone hear everyone else, particularly when the tail gunner may be a 1/2 mile or more behind the lead?

In that case yes, a CB is a great option. The only thing is getting it installed correctly with no ground loops, etc. We have a couple people that bought the kit and had it installed, only to find very poor reception or broadcast strength. Some have bought a mount for a popular hand held (no idea name brand). If you're not afraid to install it, I'd watch a few videos go for it!

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

In that case yes, a CB is a great option. The only thing is getting it installed correctly with no ground loops, etc. We have a couple people that bought the kit and had it installed, only to find very poor reception or broadcast strength. Some have bought a mount for a popular hand held (no idea name brand). If you're not afraid to install it, I'd watch a few videos go for it!

The reason I asked is because I have a CB and it works good! One of the problems with the Spyder is its lack of metal. I installed a no ground plane antenna that helps a lot.

I just wanted to make the point that BT is not the end all to be all that so many think it is. Working within it's limitations it's great technology. But it goes to show that newer is not always better. On the bike and close bike to bike it's the way to go, especially from a cost standpoint, but for longer distances it just doesn't cut it.

Actually, what I've wondered a lot is why Family Radio Systems haven't been adopted for bike to bike communications. They're small, reach quite a ways, and a lot cheaper than CB.