Spyder Apple Carplay won't work without a headset! Any luck in getting BRP to address this safety & inconvenient issue?

[trboyden]

Hi All,

Like many of you, I initially struggled to get Apple Carplay to work on my '24 Spyder F3-S. I had bought some Bluetooth earphones and the Spyder would not pair with them even though they paired with my iPhone just fine. I finally got it to work when I tried my Quin Design helmet. For whatever reason, the Spyder likes that helmet and not three other Bluetooth headsets I've tried. But here's the deal - you're out on the road and using navigation to get to your destination, and the battery in your helmet dies. So, what, you're just SOL when your navigation turns off? That seems like a huge safety issue, let alone a convenience issue on a not cheap motorcycle.

Has anyone had any luck in getting BRP to acknowledge/recognize this and remove the need to have a headset connected in the software? I have a Beeline Moto II that I have created a 3D printed mounting plate for that gets sandwiched in the handlebar clamp as a backup device. But this is 2025 and Apple Carplay has been in cars and motorcycles forever now and we shouldn't have to do that. This isn't meant as a gripe post, so I hope that's not how this comes across. I am genuinely interested in what people's experience is with this issue and if there are any advocates in the community that BRP listens to on issues like this.

-





Cheers!

Tim

 

[racoon]

I installed a SENA 3S Plus bluetooth headset in my HJC helmet.
According to the SENA website, my headset provides 8 hours of talk time, and takes 3 hours to fully recharge.

You didn't specify which Quin helmet you have but I found this information about their communication systems after a Google search.

Stay Connected on the Road with Quin Design's Real Smart Motorcycle Helmets

Stay connected on the road with the Quin Design Communication page. Experience the convenience of seamlessly integrated Bluetooth and communication systems in every Quin helmet. Activate the S.O.S. feature with a simple triple press.

www.quintessential.design

It says it has 60 hours of battery life on a single charge, and up to 7 hours of continuous audio playback.

Another thought. My SENA headset charges via a USB Type C connector.
I bought a handlebar mount from Slingmods.com that adds a couple of USB A ports. It plugs into the auxiliary power port on the right side of my Spyder.

Can-Am Spyder RT Phone Holder / Mount with USB Charge Ports (2020+)

Enjoy hands free navigation when riding your 2020+ Can-Am Spyder RT with our hands free Smart Phone Docking Station

www.slingmods.com

Since my headset charges via USB it should be possible to plug it in while I'm riding using a USB A to USB C cable.

Option 2: On my 2024 Spyder the USB port that you plug your iPhone into is in the "glove box" in front of the handle bars. Since the iPhone has to be connected for Carplay to work it isn't available to charge the headset. But, it might be possible to use USB splitter cable, one with a single male connector and two female connectors.

Option 3: or run a cable from the USB port in the top case up to your headset, which might be a shorter distance.

 

[trboyden]

Another thought. My SENA headset charges via a USB Type C connector.
I bought a handlebar mount from Slingmods.com that adds a couple of USB A ports. It plugs into the auxiliary power port on the right side of my Spyder.

Can-Am Spyder RT Phone Holder / Mount with USB Charge Ports (2020+)

Enjoy hands free navigation when riding your 2020+ Can-Am Spyder RT with our hands free Smart Phone Docking Station

www.slingmods.com

Since my headset charges via USB it should be possible to plug it in while I'm riding using a USB A to USB C cable.

Option 2: On my 2024 Spyder the USB port that you plug your iPhone into is in the "glove box" in front of the handle bars. Since the iPhone has to be connected for Carplay to work it isn't available to charge the headset. But, it might be possible to use USB splitter cable, one with a single male connector and two female connectors.

Option 3: or run a cable from the USB port in the top case up to your headset, which might be a shorter distance.

Good thoughts! In my experience most Bluetooth devices don't let you use them at the same time they are charging. Most of your earbuds today go into a case to charge and don't have a USB port on them to plug them in. I wouldn't be crazy about being attached to a motorcycle via cable. I know people do, especially those that use heated gear, but I also know people that have gotten burnt and had a spill getting off their motorcycles when the cables started over-heating and melting. Most vendors' battery ratings are B.S. or at best only achieve that for the first few uses and then only get about half that life thereafter. I have the Quin Carbon Umbra. I would say 4 hours is more realistic for that helmet, because while you are using the audio features it is also pinging your phone every so often for location data as part of the S.O.S. feature.

 

[JWK70]

Since my headset charges via USB it should be possible to plug it in while I'm riding using a USB A to USB C cable.

I have done a variation of this with my Sena on a few occasions. I have a portable power pack with a USB port on it that I plug into then put the power pack into my inside jacket pocket. I do it this way so that I can plug my phone in to charge when needed. I use my phone for navigation and blue tooth XM radio into my helmet.
Last September my wife and I did a 3 day trip on my RT and she was listening to music while we were travelling all day, about an hour and a half from home her Sena started telling her the battery was low. At the next exit I pulled off and plugged hers into the USB port in the top case and it charged while she continued listening to music. Worked very well.

 

[mbranscum]

This is the way it's set up on most motorcycles. You have to have a headphone and speaker to operate Carplay. My 21 Honda Goldwing was same. You have to have a headset and mic for it to work.

 

[CloverHillCrawler]

Sena's latest firmware for the last 2 years will tell me that my battery is low on my 50R after about 6 hours of riding. I can usually go about another 2 hours before it dies. On my long days, when I am out for more than 8 hours, I carry a little battery pack with a USB C cable to charge it while I am on one of my breaks with the helmet off. My wife's SF1 pretty much acts the same way.

 

[jfischer]

Pretty sure the microphone requirement is from Apple. That's kind of the point of CarPlay, to be able to use your voice with Siri rather than poking at a screen.

That said, I did purchase a USB powered Bluetooth hands-free adapter for the car. It is enough to get CarPlay working. I keep it in the trunk in case my headset dies or something and I still need/want ACP for navigation, etc. It was somewhere around $15. Of course being in the trunk you can't actually *use* the BT microphone, but the Spyder doesn't know that

 

[racoon]

Pretty sure the microphone requirement is from Apple.

I agree, it is probably an Apple Carplay requirement.
I just checked the Owners Manual for my 2023 Honda Ridgeline and it has information about using the microphone that's built into the Ridgeline's overhead console near the map lights with Apple Carplay and with Apple's Siri to make phone calls.

 

[jfischer]

I agree, it is probably an Apple Carplay requirement.
I just checked the Owners Manual for my 2023 Honda Ridgeline and it has information about using the microphone that's built into the Ridgeline's overhead console near the map lights with Apple Carplay and with Apple's Siri to make phone calls.

Yeah all modern cars have a microphone in place already for hands-free calling via Bluetooth, and for CarPlay/Android Auto. I think all motorcycle-based CarPlay implementations also require a microphone be present before you can use it.

 

[baxter]

Buy a Bluetooth receiver for about $35 bucks and plug it into the back trunk power source. This will get Apple CarPlay to work with your iPhone.

 

[racoon]

Buy a Bluetooth receiver for about $35 bucks and plug it into the back trunk power source. This will get Apple CarPlay to work with your iPhone.

And how do you hear the directions?

 

[baxter]

And how do you hear the directions?

Audio, through the bike speakers.

 

[KW1M]

Cheaper solution for 2024 RT (my S2S anyway)... $14 from amazon - plug into back top case, select it as driver headset, connect iPhone as usual, and sound comes out speakers. Great for summer riding when I use a half helmet:

UGREEN Aux to Bluetooth 5.3 Adapter 3.5mm Bluetooth Receiver

 

[baxter]

Yes, Ugreen Bluetooth Receiver

 

[darbedog]

Curious as how to get announcements to come out of the speakers with the UGREEN receiver. I've picked one up and tried it on our 24 S2S. I have it paired as driver's headset, audio output on speakers. iPhone 8 is what I have - I can punch in a address on CarPlay that goes through it's thing, but there's no audible output on the speakers? Are you guys plugging the jack from the UGREEN into something? I realize there's no aux on the new Can Am models. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[KW1M]

Curious as how to get announcements to come out of the speakers with the UGREEN receiver. I've picked one up and tried it on our 24 S2S. I have it paired as driver's headset, audio output on speakers. iPhone 8 is what I have - I can punch in a address on CarPlay that goes through it's thing, but there's no audible output on the speakers? Are you guys plugging the jack from the UGREEN into something? I realize there's no aux on the new Can Am models. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

To eliminate the obvious (I've been burned here myself) -- check the volume on the bike. Don't think I did anything other than that. I was shocked it just started working (I played some music to test).

 

[safecracker]

Harley Owners are having the same issue. This is how one owner got around the issue.

 

[baxter]

The one shown above is another name for the Ugreen device that several others like me purchased and performs same way. I have mine plugged into the rear USB port. Cheap and easy way to get ACP to work.