Radio Question

[rpatrickmc]

I have a new 04 R1150RT with Radio Prep Kit, but no radio yet. What options, if any, are there to the BMW radio? I would like a handle bar mounted remote control and also a head phone jack. Any help or suggestions are appreciated.

[Kenny2]

Radio set-up

From what I hear, It is the satellite radio. Go across the nation and have the same style of music.

I took the setup off the bike and use an Ipod.

[alien_hitchhiker]

rpatrick, I installed a $30 marine AM/FM/cassette player on my R1100RT and use it to amplify an XM satellite radio. Instead of dash speakers I ran a heavy duty phone jack through my tank bag and use it with helmet speakers. Downside is that I do have to open the glove box lid to adjust volume.
Clarion makes a marine unit with a hardwire remote for about $300. I believe I saw it at www.bmwrt.com (a great site, btw). I've also heard of rigging a fiber optic cable to a conventional remote and running it down to the stereo with the remote then mounted on the bars or tank bag. Where there's a will ........
Steve

[Mike1]

I have a 2002 1150RT with the factory installed antenna and speakers . I bought for $200 and installed a Clarion radio, AM/FM/CD. We used an automobile BMW to Clarion conversion pigtail from the local electronics store. I wanted a radio with a remote control similar to your TV remote about the size of a computer mouse. Mounted the remote on the left handlebar with Velcro, and with some fiber optic cable and connectors from Radio Shack, fed it down to the radio and aimed the fiber optics to the receiving unit on the radio. Works great! With the remote we have; on/off, volume, change station, mode and, Carlos Santana on the CD for Saturday morning, with Beethoven blaring on Sunday. Some minor drawbacks; I can only change to preset stations, wind noise at highway speed, and hard to find local stations while traveling. Everything considered now I would go with an I Pod and an earpiece.
Regards, Mike :brow

[BradfordBenn]

Pretty much a wiring harness that will convert a BMW 5 series car to your brand of stereo is what you need. Me personally I looked at doing it, and instead went completely the other way.

I have an XM SkyFi mounted on the handlebars (although I am thinking of moving the mount)
I put a MixIt in the "radio/glovebox"
I ran all that back to the AutoComm communications system.
Then that all comes up to the comm system in the helmet.

Works great. Plus my wife is more comfortable riding with me cause she can talk to me as we cruise along.:clap

[alien_hitchhiker]

Mike - you must be the guy I "heard about" with the fiber optic set-up. I gave some thought to that sort of arrangement about a year ago but wasn't sure how to put it together. Are you willing to share your details? Pics maybe? I'd like to be able to adjust the volume on my XM from the handlebar or top of the tankbag. With my current system I have to reach down and pop open the glove compartment lid.
Thanks, Steve

[demotors]

I like the idea of using fiber optics. I installed an Alpine AM/FM/CD radio. I relocated the remote's LED to the radio faceplate by desoldering it from the pc boad, running a two conducter wire from the LED to the PC board . The remote works fine, but the fiber optic would have been quicker and easier to do. Anyone have better luck using a car CD radio in the vertical position. Mine jumps too much. Maybe because it's a 1994 design.

[Mike1]

Hey, not a problem guys. I'll get some pics together as soon as my riding buddy can get his digital camera over here. There is also a url with pics on how to install the BMW factory radio. I found this a big help on installation. I'll see if I can find it.
The Clarion was a model DB 325 with remote. This is a standard automotive radio with AM/FM/CD, mounted vertical on the bike. The fiber optic leads are from Radio Shack; one 3ft cable, two 90 degree elbows and one connector. (I'll get pics of this.)
The installation takes some time and care. It will work!
I will post it here when I have it ready. :thumb

[Kenny2]

Radio install

I found this Site. sig radio install (http://home.comcast.net/~signa/bmw/)

Hope it helps.

[alien_hitchhiker]

Wow, very slick work by Sig! Thanks for the link.
Steve

[Mike1]

Good installation site. Most of this is intutive, and can be done with some thought. The site I used for info on my installation was: http://www.snafu.org/pics/r1150rt/radio/
I will get some pics of my set up this weekend.
Regards, Mike.com
Whereabouts unknown.
:brow

[Mike1]

Hey Guys, sorry about the delay here. I finally got some pictures (4) of the fiber-optics cable and connections on my bike. The cable was installed with the radio install; a 3 ft. cable, 2-90 degree elbows and one connection to glue to the remote. Easily done, along with the URL for the install. If you need help, email me.
(Sorry, I have to post each picture as a separate post.)
Regards, Mike.
Here is the first picture of the remote attached to my handlebar.

[Mike1]

Here is a picture of the remote with cable disconnected.

[Mike1]

Picture of the cable attached to the radio housing by small screw and nut with lockwasher.

[Mike1]

Picture of 90 degree elbow pointing to receiver "eye" on radio. Hope all of this helps. Sorry about the multiple post.