Direct or Mod

[pieceofficer]

I was looking at Cyclegadgets Complete package kits for the XM XT,

first off, I like the idea of the XM being on the Clutch Resevoir. However, their mount, I am not to fond of the antenna being right there, and all that coiled up wire under the lip of the mount. I like the idea of mounting the antenna under the plastic on the handlebar.

Are there any mounts out there that are like the Cyclegadget mount that just do not have the antenna platform? Just comes straight up?

Also, do youy guys use the Direct FM modulator(25bux) or do you use just the FM modulator built into the unit?

I have a Roady2 in my truck and my car, and in my 2005 Titan, I use the direct cord from the output to the aux input on my truck. NEVER have to worry about stations, static ect. This is what I would like to do. So ANY advice on a Direct connect into my 2003 K1200LTE would be great. I would like to hear through the external speakers on the bike.

I seen someone mount the XT on the tank, just forward of the Radio/intercom/display area. This looks good for weather reasons.

CG has the power cord for 30.00!! Any one have a MUCH cheaper solution? It will be over 100.00 for mount/fm direct/raincover, etc. To mount to the LT. I am pretty sure it can be done MUCH cheaper.

PICTURES OF YOUR MOUNTS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!

[KayGee]

I have the SkyFi on my clutch side using the offset satellite radio holder for BMWs. My dealer installed it (I don't do tools) and hid the extra antenna wire under the handlebar cover. I ordered the Delphi Direct FM Adaptor that also provides power for my receiver and it allows me to turn off the built in FM modulator.

http://www.cyclegadgets.com/images/DEL-SA50003_thumb.jpg

[Dick]

I was looking at Cyclegadgets Complete package kits for the XM XT,

first off, I like the idea of the XM being on the Clutch Resevoir. However, their mount, I am not to fond of the antenna being right there, and all that coiled up wire under the lip of the mount. I like the idea of mounting the antenna under the plastic on the handlebar.

Are there any mounts out there that are like the Cyclegadget mount that just do not have the antenna platform? Just comes straight up?

Also, do youy guys use the Direct FM modulator(25bux) or do you use just the FM modulator built into the unit?

I have a Roady2 in my truck and my car, and in my 2005 Titan, I use the direct cord from the output to the aux input on my truck. NEVER have to worry about stations, static ect. This is what I would like to do. So ANY advice on a Direct connect into my 2003 K1200LTE would be great. I would like to hear through the external speakers on the bike.

I seen someone mount the XT on the tank, just forward of the Radio/intercom/display area. This looks good for weather reasons.

CG has the power cord for 30.00!! Any one have a MUCH cheaper solution? It will be over 100.00 for mount/fm direct/raincover, etc. To mount to the LT. I am pretty sure it can be done MUCH cheaper.

PICTURES OF YOUR MOUNTS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!
Bill, you can buy shorter XM antennas. I bought a 4 footer for my XT and it works great. I've got the website for ordering those somewhere around here and if somebody doesn't beat me to it, I'll send it to ya later this afternoon.

[pieceofficer]

Keith,
Do you experience any interferance with that method and using that modulator? It is still effectively an FM modulator right? If it has been flawless for you, I will probably go this route.


Dick
I do not feel I need to dump another 20-30bux for a smaller antenna lead. Hell, I am already in about 50.00 for unit, then 30 for mount, 30 for pwr lead, 25 for modulator I guess, then you GOT to have the rainfly, so add another 20.00. When it is all said and done, close to 200.00. Damn....adds up quick and feels awful when mentally you justified it with a 79.99 radio with a 30.00 rebate!!

I have only purchased the unit at this juncture. Still waiting on some GREAT ingenuity from you folks that will tell me what to do for pwr to save on the 30.00 cord, and mounting, etc.

So, Dick, you said there is room under the handlebar covers...I haven't removed them before, so I will look at that tonight possibly. I also seen a pic of an antenna mounted under the plastic handlebar cover. Is there room for all of this?

Keith, where did you dealer mount the direct connect modulator?

[Lonewuff]

Keith,
I stopped in at Best Buy to see if I could find that Modulator and they told me it is only for the Skyfi1 and won't work on the 2. What do you have yours hooked to?

[pieceofficer]

You can get the one that is for the XT on Cyclegadgets.com for 25+S&H

I am sure it will work on others, but it is listed as a part in the parts list for the XT.

[KayGee]

Keith,
I stopped in at Best Buy to see if I could find that Modulator and they told me it is only for the Skyfi1 and won't work on the 2. What do you have yours hooked to?


I have the SkyFi2 and I ordered the modulator from cyclegadgets.com (# DEL-SA50003) so I know that it works with the SkyFi2. But remember that you need another cradle if you want to move it back and forth to the car if you have the SkyFi2. Roady doesn't have a cradle. Also remember that with this modulator, you don't need a separate power source

Do you experience any interferance with that method and using that modulator? It is still effectively an FM modulator right? If it has been flawless for you, I will probably go this route.

No interference at all.

Keith, where did you dealer mount the direct connect modulator?

I'm not sure, somewhere under the nose (I don't do tools)

[Lonewuff]

So what is the difference between this FM mod. and the one all the stores are selling for $25 - $29 dollars? It also has a power feed?

[pieceofficer]

.....Roady doesn't have a cradle. Also remember that with this modulator, you don't need a separate power source


I believe the XT in fact does have a cradle, I may be wrong...maybe it isn't a standard option or something, but I have seen some with a Cradle. I am going to buy one at Wal-mart per Wolf's advice and I will see what it has with it. Most on here will already know the answer to this though. I believe the XT is pretty popular.

[Dick]

Dick
I do not feel I need to dump another 20-30bux for a smaller antenna lead. Hell, I am already in about 50.00 for unit, then 30 for mount, 30 for pwr lead, 25 for modulator I guess, then you GOT to have the rainfly, so add another 20.00. When it is all said and done, close to 200.00. Damn....adds up quick and feels awful when mentally you justified it with a 79.99 radio with a 30.00 rebate!!

I have only purchased the unit at this juncture. Still waiting on some GREAT ingenuity from you folks that will tell me what to do for pwr to save on the 30.00 cord, and mounting, etc.

I hear ya on the bones adding up. Butt just in case you need one, HERE (http://www.myradiostore.us/antennas-cables/for-roady/) is where I bought mine.


So, Dick, you said there is room under the handlebar covers...I haven't removed them before, so I will look at that tonight possibly.

And there is definitely room inside the handlebar cover for this.

I also seen a pic of an antenna mounted under the plastic handlebar cover. Is there room for all of this?

IIRC, Hans (Silverbuffalo) found a way to put his antenna inside the handlebar cover. I tried to do the same with mine, butt never could get it to seat just right. I then mounted it on an RCU shelf with some velcro. Someday, I'll take a pix and post it.

Good luck on your project, Bill. Got plenty of help comin' atcha from the folks. Best regards.

[surfran]

I have the SkyFi2 which I purchased from Sams Club Internet Auctions as a package that included vehicle adaptor and the boombox system. I have now adapted it for the LT. I purchased a RoadyXT offset from Cycle Gadgets. Ran a Cigarette Lighter Plug Adaptor to the Handlebars for power. Keep the antenna wiring coiled up and together using a velcro strap. Keep the power wiring coiled up using twist tie. Here are some photos of mine. Also here is a link that I found while doing research AFTER I purchased mine. You can find some really good deals out there if you look hard enough.

http://www.fatwallet.com/t/24/563680 By the way the STARBUXM5
will get you a free Roady XT or a 39.99 SkyFi2.......

I am attaching some photos including my inexpensive rain cover. You can still hit the buttons but like most can't rotate the knob but with 10 presets 1 touch away and another 20 2 touches away it's no big deal.

The fifth photo shows what I don't like about this setup......it obstructs your mirror view somewhat even with the offset. I would like the offset to be about 4 more inches to the right then it wouldn't obstruct the mirror or BC.

Randy

[pieceofficer]

Thanks Dick, and the rest of you.

I have a BMW version of the SPIII it has voice though. However, it was installed on my dash, they basically took my dome light out and mounted it right there. I was kind of wanting to go to the RCU shelf and then have a couple little "wings" on each side to mount extras. However, the way it is done, it makes it difficult to even fathom a way to mount anything else up there.

Is this the factory install of the GPS?? If so, it is seriously LACKING!!

I have tried to upload pix of this, and it says invalid file, but they are both .jpg images, not sure

[pieceofficer]

Yea, it is definitely a functional setup. I am seriously OCD though, I have to have mine more invisible...or I will look at it and follow wires and such as I drive....haha. I have to see my unit and that's it.. I am going to attempt the handlebar mount for the antenna under the plastic. I will bite the bullet and shell out the extra benjamin for the mount, hardwire, rainfly, and direct connect mod. I will however be grinding off the antenna mount portion on the Mount to hold the unit. I do not want that lip hanging out. unless....I can get another gadget there.....maybe mount a ram ball...a small arm...and....??? hahaha.

My battery will be here tomorrow, so I will go ahead and while I am wrenching a little tomorrow, I will do a little exploratory surgery on Infinite and see what I find.

[surfran]

Bill,

If I were to do it over again I would probably buy a Ram mount that would allow me to adjust it over further. I wanna say that I saw a unit without the antenna mount while searching so you may want to look further if that is your desire.

I believe there is plenty of room to mount the antenna under the handlebar covers so that is a good idea.

I swap mine between vehicles at this time so that i why I went this route. Also was testing if I would like the XM or not. So far I think I will continue with it and am considering another unit so I can more permantely mount mine.

The other issue I had was that my unit popped out of the cradle at 30 when I hit a manhole cover. Luckily it ended up on the yellow line and by the time I got back to it and dodged the traffic it was still in mostly 1 piece. The adj knob popped off so I put it back on and tested it and it worked. That is the reason for the rubber band. I think I am going to also add some velcro on the bottom so that it helps hold it.

The rain cover is the best, I keep it in the oddiments box and install if necessary. Doesn't take up much room an d is very functional. Used it going to Americade a couple weekends ago when it rained off and on lightly most of the 4 days. No heavy downpours yet, but I would just remove it for that probably.

Good luck on your install and make sure you post pics on your solution.

Randy

[Lonewuff]

I haven't heard how it is working for him yet, but the dealer here put his antenna on a metal tab that sticks out right above the headlight inside the nose cone. It would point the antenna a little forward, so I am not sure how it receives, but the whole thing is completely out of sight. Anyone else ever tried this?

[pieceofficer]

Wolf,

You reallllly need to post your name...hahaha.

Yea, there are some pictures on here somewhere of that very thing. It also had a Garmin Antenna mounted there.

Which brings up another question....WHERE IS MY GARMIN ANTENNA??? haha, I just noticed tonight that it does not have the portable flip up antenna, it is a plug. I may trace it down, and try and put the XM there.

Thanks for reminding me about that....I just need to figure out how to get all this plastic off... I haven't tried yet.

Waiting to see if Adam, Jon, and another are wanting to get together to do all of this together that way we can make all the mistakes on mine and theirs can be pretty when they get to that point...haha. :D

I am also thinking resevoir Ram mount(80bux though) to offset it. However, I need to mount the IPOD next to it. So that would be mounting the IPOD on the Plastic part of the handlebar next to the resevoir...is this possible? Has anyone mounted ANYTHING on the plastic part besides the custom fit cup holder?

Randy,
I don't see how anyone can go back to listening to free FM once they have had satellite. I have been a diehard Satellite fan since 2K.

Do you think if you put Velcro on it that it would hold it? Everyone on here uses Dual-Lock from Radio Shack right? Or the Superlock 3M product?

Once mine is mounted, it will remain, no removal...unless by thief.

[surfran]

Bill,

The duallock is what I used to mount my 12 Volt power outlet and it works great. My concern with using it would be that I wouldn't be able to get the unit off when I wanted to.

Of course as I am typing this I realized I cannot do either as it will no longer go into my boombox if I do so the rubberband gets to stay.....or maybe I will get some hair bands like someone else posted that are black and will probably hold up longer.

The XM is nice which is why I am considering get the free Roady XT they offered me with a 6 month commitment as a second unit. May put that on the bike and let the wife have the SkiFy2 for her car, home, lake etc. Then I can keep XT on the bike at all times and mount more permantely.

So many things I need to do........but interfacing my music to my intercom is the next endeavor. Then FRS/GMRS radio to intercom.......then something else etc. etc. etc.

Wish I had the money to support the habits I would like to have :D

[pieceofficer]

My wife is in Iraq, and so, I do not have the little voice of reason on my shoulder whispering..."is thissss a neeeceesssity"

Alright Alright....that YELLING VOICE..."YOU DO NOT NEED THAT!!!"

haha.

No typically I get stuck. I find something that I want to do, get the price jump on it, then spend more to make the initial purchase functional.

It gets frustrating.

SO the wife gets the dropped one with the rubberbands and you get the shiny new one???

[Lonewuff]

Randy,

Thanks for that link. I just ordered the Skyfi2 car kit and boombox combo for $99. That was the price of the radio after fooling around with the rebates etc. and the price of the boombox alone. So it essentially saved me $99 bucks and a lot of time and paper. Now to order that FM modulator from Cyclegear, the shelf and components from BMR, and get it all mounted.

I currently have my Escourt mounted on a mirror mount bracket that blocks the mirror unless I raise it up all the way, which really looks stupid, so I am going to mount the radio and Escourt up on the shelf. I am assuming there is room for both up there. Probalby make the radio hard to reach, but at least it is out of the way and my mirrors are clear.

[surfran]

Bill,

Yeah that's the voice, but mine seams to be coming from behind me more than in my head :eek: Yeah the SkiFy2 does have a few battle scars, so she will probably take the new one unless I sell her that the features are not as good. ;)

Jerry,

Yeah the SkyFi2 boombox combo was what I bought from Sams Club Auctions and paid $120. Of course that did come with two remotes the vehicle and the ability to hook into home with only adding an RCA to headphone patch cord. I have that at the lake and just mount the SkyFi2 in it when I get there. I have a home dock here at the house for the same plan (although I have not hooked that up as the room doesn't allow easy antenna mounting/pointing). I have two vehicle vent clips for each vehicle and I have one clip mounted to the bike. I only have one unit now, but am set up to use everywhere. Oh and I can take the bike mount on the boat if I desire or take the boombox.

Wow what options..........