Spyder radio is worthless - any solution to this problem?

[Mazo EMS2]

I have a bunch of music on my phone, and I also have the SXM App on my phone that I either bluetooth to my helmet, earbuds, or to the bike speakers, depending on which helmet I have on

 

[Wahrsuul]

I have an unused Sena SM10 that came on my 2014. Didn't need it so it's sitting in a bag in the garage along with the other stuff I removed.

 

[Tonylmiller]

My sound system works fine, including the radio. I have a bluetooth FM adapter that allows me to play music from my phone if I choose (and hear NAV directions).

I found it sounds a lot better if I bias the sound more to the rear speakers.

I'm sure it would be better if I used bluetooth to a sound system in my helmet, but I do not have that capability (yet).

 

[Motorcycledave]

I know this radio subject has been beat to death over the last few years. I have a 2020 RTL and I’m sure anyone that has one has found the the radio is worthless. I’m curious now that the pandemic is hopefully over and things are getting back to normal has anyone heard of a solution to this problem?

HI EVERYONE
Well this posters opinion of the radio is spot on....CanAm has from day one had radios that were and are sub par when compared to
most all other radios on motorcycles. Honda, Harley , Indian , BMW, and the list goes on, I would think that BRP would try and hook up with
one of their radio makers and have them build a proper unit. So I would suggest you use your smart phone and a bluetooth head set and download the
XM radio APP. or iHeart radio or Pandora for your enjoyment...

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

HI EVERYONE
Well this posters opinion of the radio is spot on....CanAm has from day one had radios that were and are sub par when compared to
most all other radios on motorcycles. Honda, Harley , Indian , BMW, and the list goes on, I would think that BRP would try and hook up with
one of their radio makers and have them build a proper unit. So I would suggest you use your smart phone and a bluetooth head set and download the
XM radio APP. or iHeart radio or Pandora for your enjoyment...

Dave as I said above I have ( and love ) the OEM " radio ". I didn't need to add an AMP to get great sound , both in volume and clarity .... I consider the " radio " to be the HEAD unit ONLY .... what didn't work for me was the LOK-TITE on the connections, the poor reception from the Antenna, and very limited / low performance of the speakers. After fixing those issues, my " radio " performs fantastically. Mike :thumbup:

 

[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.

 

[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.
View attachment 196599

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 :thumbup:

 

[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! :thumbup: Tom :spyder:

 

[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! :thumbup: Tom :spyder:

:agree: 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 :roflblack: .... And I am hearing challenged ( to many .357 rounds ) ..... Mike :thumbup: