installing speakers and audio equipment

[stanleyman]

Hi ...

I own a new 2008 R1200RT what a dream machine!!! I would like to install speakers, xm radio and be able to play back thru an ipod and or cd.
After many hours of research I have had little luck with wiring and general instructions for such a job. I seemed to have located a good source for the hardware, it was a marine supply place so everthing is weather proof, however I do not even have the speaker sizes I would need for the pre made mounts in the ferring! Any help would be appreciated.

regards ...stanleyman..........

[mptpro]

Nice bike! My dad just bough a 2008 R1200RT yesterday! I have a 2006 RT.

I can think of two options.

One, have all your audio stuff (Zumo, XM, mp3, radar etc) run through an intercom system, then into your helmet (all via cables). This is the way I have.

If I could do it over, I would use my Zumo 550 with mp3 and XM exclusively, and connect wirelessly through bluetooth to a bluetooth enabled hradset.

Enjoy your new dream machine!

[hopz]

Be aware that the bluetooth from the Zumo is mono only. There are additional parts that can be had to make a stereo system but it requires a good bit of $tuff.

In addition XM does not play bluetooth to a headset.

Check in your owners manual on the Zumo.

[mjordans2000]

I'm struggling wih the same issues. I fiqure adding speakers will wait until I can pick up a used stock radio kit otherwise in addition to the wiring and hardware mounting issues I'd have to squeez in a suitable audio amplifier somewhere. Not sure why there is so little info on the subject here, perhaps there is less interest in this type of mod among RT owners as opposed to our LT's. I have found a little more help at www.bmwsporttouring.com but even there info is limited.

[stanleyman]

Hi Mjordans ...

The following may be of interest to you and others. I am finding that marine audio places have what I think I will need.

regards ...stanleyman

Hello Stan

Thank you for contacting the Marine Electronics Center.com

The units I suspect you are interested in are probably the Jensen MSR2007 - JBL MINI BLACK BOX and the JBL BLACK BOX SERIES 219 or 319'S. To answer some of your questions : XM would not work with the sirious ready radio. The speaker power ( watts ) should be more than enough for your intended use. As for inputs:

Jensen MSR2007 will work with all, sirious, ipod and cd - according to the owners manual ( can be seen at www.asaelectronics.com ) has specific connector for sirious and on for ipod, then has the aux remaining for cd.
JENSEN MSR2007 AM/FM SIRIUS READY STEREO is currently in stock Sale Price $159.95 USD.

JBL MINI BLACKBOX will work with all, is sirious ready, has specific cd control and aux port for the ipod.
JBL MINI BLACK BOX STEREO is currently in stock Sale Price $169.95 USD.

JBL BLACK BOX STEREO SILVER or CHROME (MBB319) -- will work with all , has cd control, ipod , sirius radio ready , plus 1 GB hard drive and usb port
JBL BLACK BOX STEREO SILVER or CHROME is currently NOT in stock Sale Price $269.95 USD.

JBL BLACK BOX STEREO SILVER or CHROME (MBB219) -- will work with all , has cd control, ipod , sirius radio ready .
JBL BLACK BOX STEREO SILVER or CHROME is currently in stock Sale Price $189.95 USD.

Hopefully this helps.

Patrick ( Owner of www.marineelectronicscenter.com )


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Contact Form Notification
From: <gaylej@sympatico.ca>
Date: Sat, March 22, 2008 8:03 pm
To: <support@marineelectronicscenter.com>

Notification for C.T. ENTERPRISES
Log on to your account (2018379) for the details of the order.

Date Sat, 22 Mar 2008 21:03:16 MDT

Name
Stan Jakaitis

Email Address
gaylej@sympatico.ca

Message / Comments / Questions
Hi ...I am interested in the Jenson and or JBL series which allows for the "brains: to be located in a secure place. I plan to install this on a motorcycle. Your products seems much better then what many bike shops offer. The units I am interested in indicate that they are sirius ready, can I use an XM unit as I already have one? Can these units handle three inputs, ipod, cd changer and sat. radio? Most of these units seem to offer about 40-50 watts per channel for four speakers. A home stereo with a "real" 40watts packs a lot of punch. I expect that most boats will be louder then my bike, mine is whisper quiet and the power these units offer should be suffient to get a good clear volume? Your comments whould be appreciated. thanks much .......Stan

[mjordans2000]

Thanks Stan, sounds like a good option. All the car stuff I have looked at are either too big or subject to moisture damage.

[gened12]

Hi,

I traded my 05 GS for a 07 R1200RT this August. I simply love this new bike. I did not pick the radio option, first because it was not available on any of the bikes in stock, and 2 because most people say it is not worth the 1300 $ or so charged for it.

So I decided to spend several months on the net, in the forums to see how I could install the followwing ( AM-FM, CD, IPod, XM, Navigator 3, passenger coms and bike to bike) without resorting to a tankbag wire jungle and not having any wires (except the Autocom helmet leads) show.

Because of your help I managed to find my perfect (read anal) solution. I wanted the set up to look as stock as possible inside and out. That meant that I wanted to be able to fabricate wire harnesses that would unplug should the bike need servicing. I also liked the neat tape that BMW uses to bundle the wires and protect the wire harnesses. After investigation I found out that this tape is simply cloth hockey tape ( I am from Montreal so I know about hockey tape...)

The first step was to wire the bike for power. I chose Eastern Beaver for the quality of their harness and purchased the relay kit with CANBUS protection and the smallest 6 fuse box that I managed to install neatly under the rider seat. It has 5 outlets connected to the relay ( activated through a neat tap of the rear auxiliary 12VDC plug (switched power) and a single circuit that is un-switched,

I settled for a Sony Marine radio CD unit ( http://www.xplodsony.com/marine/headunits/CDX-R30M) and a Sony Ipod controller and a Sony remote controller unit (http://www.xplodsony.com/marine/accessories/RM-X11M). The remote control unit fits perfectly on the little plastic tab that hides the BMW controls on the left side of the fairing. In addition it has orange backlighting (same as the BMW controls backlighting) I wanted to purchase the devices for the XM but decided against it because the whole kit would not fit in the radio box. Instead I plugged in a Pionneer XM portable.

I purchased the Autocom Super ProAVI combo with the right leads to connect the radio, GPS radar detector and eventually connect the bike to bike radios. I purchase the R1200RT radio antenna ( for a stock look) but have not received it yet. I am looking for info on how to mount it on the bike.

I purchased a low tone horn from the BMW dealer and plugged it in (now I have horn!!!) Might as well since the Tupperware was off... and also installed small switch to control my garage door opener (I modified an existing remote control and added a 12-9VDC converter so that the whole installation could be hidden (except a small switch).

I added automotive plugs everywhere to ensure that the system could easily be disconnected for service ( again parts from Eastern Beaver).

I am very pleased that I now have a versatile audio set up without the tankbag medusa and a very clean installation.

Cheers Denis R1200RT :rotf:

[stanleyman]

Hi Denis ....if you were not so ugly I would give you a big HUG!!!

Your information is much appreciated .....

thanks again ....stanleyman

[mjordans2000]

I like your setup. Add the Garmin Zumo with the optional XM antenna and a blue tooth phone that is compatible with the Zumo and you've got it all.

[gened12]

Hi Denis ....if you were not so ugly I would give you a big HUG!!!

Your information is much appreciated .....

thanks again ....stanleyman

Glad to have been of some use. As for the ugly part, well that is why I wear a full face flip up helmet when I ride.... :histerica

You might want to check the rest of the posts about my farkling project (it offers a few additional answers on how I installed some of the components)

http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=hex&Number=976866&Searchpage=1&Main=976866&Words=farkling&topic=&Search=true#Post976866


cheers

Denis

[Kaybee40]

I see that the Sony Marine Radio CD unit is mounted vertically in the right hand fairing box. Does the CD unit play OK? Sony advise that the unit should be mounted at less than 45 degrees to the horizontal otherwise the CD may "jump".

Keith
Cheshire
UK

[mjordans2000]

I see that the Sony Marine Radio CD unit is mounted vertically in the right hand fairing box. Does the CD unit play OK? Sony advise that the unit should be mounted at less than 45 degrees to the horizontal otherwise the CD may "jump".

Keith
Cheshire
UK
I have considered this possibility but since I haven't used the CD on my LT in a long time I personally don't care if the CD performs well or not. I'm more interested in XM radio and Ipod. If I get this and the ability to have speakers I'm happy. I plan to proceed with my install.

[gened12]

I do not care much for CD's as well. I wanted the AM-FM radio (but they pretty much all come with CD players these days. I use FM, XM and IPod about 99.987% of the time.

My choice for the Sony was A) weatherproof, B) could accept an Ipod and XM radio and C) it had the perfect little remote (size wise and with orange backlighting)


cheers

Denis R1200RT

[Kaybee40]

Thanks for the info on CD's. I can see that I am not missing out on something. With all the solid state music players and the ability to play through a radio aux input I guess there is little or no need for CD's.

Re the radio, and here I am not sure whether the Stateside broadcasts are "digital", has anybody tried the PURE Highway DAB? This appears to be a small, compact unit, receives AM/FM as well as digital and can be used as a personal radio on or off the bike, via headphones. If powered from the bike 12v supply either an FM transmitter or aux out plays through a radio receiver. To avoid having to install a radio I am hoping to play the aux out, via an Autocom, to a headset. Note it appears that the headphones cannot be used if the unit is powered from a 12v supply.

With compliments from the UK (spring is nearly here at last!)

Keith
Cheshire

[gened12]

Digital broadcasts are slowly becoming available in North America. But that being said it is still a long way from being the viable option as a main source for radio programming. The main use of the AM-FM radio i weather and traffic info since there are literally 1000's of stations. For remote areas the subscription based satellite radio services (XM Sirius) are the way to go. And when you rely can't find anything to your liking then there is the Ipod.

I know it does not answer your question but it is the best reply I can provide.

Cheers

Denis

[ArthurKnowles]

Just an FYI, I gave up on XM & Sirius. I don't like the programming on any of them. It really torqued me off that I couldn't find a good station that played a mix of music form the 60's to current like I can find on public radio.

I plan to stick with public radio when traveling. When that fails, well I do have my Window Mobile 6 Pocket PC phone. It holds my entire music collection. Since it takes SHDC memory. The 8 Gb module will be replaced with 16 or 32 as they come out and my music collection grows.

I just wich XM had of maintained their price and grown to provide a better music selection. My only other complaint were it is line of sight. Over passes, tunnels, bridges, hills, etc. all caused reception problems. More so than public radio.

[mjordans2000]

Hi,

I traded my 05 GS for a 07 R1200RT this August. I simply love this new bike. I did not pick the radio option, first because it was not available on any of the bikes in stock, and 2 because most people say it is not worth the 1300 $ or so charged for it.

So I decided to spend several months on the net, in the forums to see how I could install the followwing ( AM-FM, CD, IPod, XM, Navigator 3, passenger coms and bike to bike) without resorting to a tankbag wire jungle and not having any wires (except the Autocom helmet leads) show.

Because of your help I managed to find my perfect (read anal) solution. I wanted the set up to look as stock as possible inside and out. That meant that I wanted to be able to fabricate wire harnesses that would unplug should the bike need servicing. I also liked the neat tape that BMW uses to bundle the wires and protect the wire harnesses. After investigation I found out that this tape is simply cloth hockey tape ( I am from Montreal so I know about hockey tape...)

The first step was to wire the bike for power. I chose Eastern Beaver for the quality of their harness and purchased the relay kit with CANBUS protection and the smallest 6 fuse box that I managed to install neatly under the rider seat. It has 5 outlets connected to the relay ( activated through a neat tap of the rear auxiliary 12VDC plug (switched power) and a single circuit that is un-switched,

I settled for a Sony Marine radio CD unit ( http://www.xplodsony.com/marine/headunits/CDX-R30M) and a Sony Ipod controller and a Sony remote controller unit (http://www.xplodsony.com/marine/accessories/RM-X11M). The remote control unit fits perfectly on the little plastic tab that hides the BMW controls on the left side of the fairing. In addition it has orange backlighting (same as the BMW controls backlighting) I wanted to purchase the devices for the XM but decided against it because the whole kit would not fit in the radio box. Instead I plugged in a Pionneer XM portable.

I purchased the Autocom Super ProAVI combo with the right leads to connect the radio, GPS radar detector and eventually connect the bike to bike radios. I purchase the R1200RT radio antenna ( for a stock look) but have not received it yet. I am looking for info on how to mount it on the bike.

I purchased a low tone horn from the BMW dealer and plugged it in (now I have horn!!!) Might as well since the Tupperware was off... and also installed small switch to control my garage door opener (I modified an existing remote control and added a 12-9VDC converter so that the whole installation could be hidden (except a small switch).

I added automotive plugs everywhere to ensure that the system could easily be disconnected for service ( again parts from Eastern Beaver).

I am very pleased that I now have a versatile audio set up without the tankbag medusa and a very clean installation.

Cheers Denis R1200RT :rotf:
Denis,
What did you use for mounting bracketts for the radio and how did you route the cables out of the radio pocket? Also, what did you use for speaker boxes.