2021 R1250RT XM WORTHLESS - reception issues

17174 Views 138 Replies 24 Participants Last post by dpickens, 8 d ago

eplerd

Discussion Starter · Jan 5, 2022

So I went ahead and spent the extra $500+ to get the Alpine radio module for my RT to have XM as an option for music.
However the RECEPTION IS HORRIBLE - I get 2-3 seconds of music followed by 15 seconds or more of silence as it loses signal CONSTANTLY.

Does anyone know of a BMW fix for this?
I know I can go SPEND MORE money to get an aftermarket antenna and relocate it to the top box, but I'd rather it be integrated like BMW meant it to be.

GS911 scan info of bike and that module is as follows (need 2112.04 GS911 software) :

Bike Information : -
VIN : WB10L0302M6E68754
Model : R 1250 RT (K52)
Factory I-Level : K001-21-03-505
Actual I-Level : K001-21-11-500
Backup I-Level : K001-21-03-505

UNKNOWN : -
Controller Type : Unknown
Controller Name : UNKNOWN
Controller : 0x0F8910
Serial Number : 0000611508
Manufacturer : Alpine GmbH
Manufacture Date (YY/MM/DD) : 21/06/01
Firmware Date (YY/MM/DD) : 21/06/01
Kilometers when programmed : 0.00
Number of FW configurations : 7
HW Electronics (HWEL) :
Firmware ID : 0x64DE
Firmware Version : 004.003.000
Bootloader (BTLD) :
Firmware ID : 0x0006
Firmware Version : 004.000.001
SW Memory Image (SWFL) :
Firmware ID : 0x7862
Firmware Version : 004.000.001
SW Memory Image (SWFL) :
Firmware ID : 0x7863
Firmware Version : 004.000.001
SW Memory Image (SWFL) :
Firmware ID : 0x7864
Firmware Version : 004.000.001
SW Memory Image (SWFL) :
Firmware ID : 0x7860
Firmware Version : 004.000.001
Coding Data (CAFD) :
Firmware ID : 0x64E0
Firmware Version : 003.000.014

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1 - 20 of 139 Posts

marcjlmd

· #2 · Jan 5, 2022

I had exactly the same issue. No fix from BMW. In fact, they initially thought it was a "faulty" antenna and replaced it. No change or improvement. Ultimately, I was told the issue is interference from the metal windshield support. I bought a $20 dollar antenna on Amazon, and attached it to my top box. XM works flawlessly now!

Marc

Reactions: 1

eplerd

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 5, 2022

marcjlmd said:
I had exactly the same issue. No fix from BMW. In fact, they initially thought it was a "faulty" antenna and replaced it. No change or improvement. Ultimately, I was told the issue is interference from the metal windshield support. I bought a $20 dollar antenna on Amazon, and attached it to my top box. XM works flawlessly now!

Marc

Yeah just trying to avoid a kludged together solution because if I mount the antenna on top box what do I do when I wanna ride w/o boxes??
Plus I've paid BMW almost $30,000 for a bike so it should work as marketed w/o me modifying it further...

If ya bought a 2022 M5 and then were told to actually USE the 600+ horsepower the car was advertised to have you needed to buy more parts you'd be less than happy , right?
Same applies here

Reactions: 2

marcjlmd

· #4 · Jan 5, 2022

I completely agree, but I really wanted an immediate fix. I really love having XM on the bike. I am satisfied with my decision, and I never ride without the top box, so it was an easier "fix" for me.

Reactions: 2

Mellow

· #5 · Jan 5, 2022

You could mount it on the front brake reservoir. Or, on top of a mirror housing.. That may still be too close to the oem position to help. Not sure if they make a quick disconnect for xm wiring so you could have one velcroed to the topbox then stick it on the luggage rack when removed.

Mellow

· #6 · Jan 5, 2022

If it were me, and I wanted XM that much, I'd find a way to fab up a thin bar to attach to the top box mounting plate - between plate and bike - then have it stick out just far enough to allow the top box to fit, maybe even angle it back a little but would allow the antenna with or without the top box. There are also CB antenna mounts for license plates that might work, just not sure how the reception would be as it would be lower than the top of the top box.

eplerd

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jan 5, 2022

Mellow said:
If it were me, and I wanted XM that much, I'd find a way to fab up a thin bar to attach to the top box mounting plate - between plate and bike - then have it stick out just far enough to allow the top box to fit, maybe even angle it back a little but would allow the antenna with or without the top box. There are also CB antenna mounts for license plates that might work, just not sure how the reception would be as it would be lower than the top of the top box.

Yeah it's best if it is at the highest point on the bike
I'll just tow this with the bike

Sky Wheel Vehicle Cargo pants Tire

:

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Reactions: 5

Mellow

· #8 · Jan 5, 2022

oh come on, that's unrealistic, I was thinking this:

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Reactions: 1

eplerd

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jan 5, 2022

Mellow said:
oh come on, that's unrealistic, I was thinking this:

Amazon.com

In all seriousness I DID see a GM replacement fin-style antenna that might look good if color-matched and properly centered on top box lid:
biggest issues I see with it is sealing hole on top lid of box and getting extension cable to proper length so as not to have excess cable coiled up

OEM GM Fin-antenna

Mellow

· #10 · Jan 5, 2022

The hole would be pretty small, silicone sealant would be good enough.

Mellow

· #11 · Jan 5, 2022

A bulkhead connector would allow you to connected it only when using it, kinda like admore does their lighting kits.

alegerlotz

· #12 · Jan 5, 2022

The XM on my 2016 R1200RT works great. Some people have had issues with poor reception on bikes like mine and found that the antenna (which is mounted high up in the fairing, but under some plastic) wasn't oriented correctly.

Have you checked to see whether or not the antenna is in the correct place and oriented correctly (horizontal vs vertical or at an angle)?

Reactions: 1

eplerd

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jan 5, 2022

alegerlotz said:
The XM on my 2016 R1200RT works great. Some people have had issues with poor reception on bikes like mine and found that the antenna (which is mounted high up in the fairing, but under some plastic) wasn't oriented correctly.

Have you checked to see whether or not the antenna is in the correct place and oriented correctly (horizontal vs vertical or at an angle)?

That I have NOT done.

Guess I need to figure out what plastics need to be removed to get to the actual antenna as it sits in a mushroom-like "pod" just behind the fairing on the 2021 model....
I'm thinking you may be referring to a pre-2021 bike as they used to be under the fairing plastics
See below (Stole pic from another site - not my bike) :

Hood Automotive tire Automotive lighting Vehicle Automotive mirror

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SvFiat

· #14 · Jan 5, 2022

I had the same problem with my GT absolutely horrible reception for the XM radio. My solution was to move the XM antenna from under the windshield and console cover over the Garmin GPS unit to the top of my front brake master cylinder. Never had a problem with reception after that.

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Reactions: 2

eplerd

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jan 5, 2022

SvFiat said:
I had the same problem with my GT absolutely horrible reception for the XM radio. My solution was to move the XM antenna from under the windshield and console cover over the Garmin GPS unit to the top of my front brake master cylinder. Never had a problem with reception after that.

Yeah but as you know the antenna is in that mushroom-like protrusion now - not sure how/if it can be pulled out of there....

Fun times to commence once I have enough time to tear bike apart - and without BMW service info as my DVD is for the 2020 and prior model RTs since they pulled THAT CRAP on us.

Reactions: 1

Mellow

· #16 · Jan 5, 2022

eplerd said:
Yeah but as you know the antenna is in that mushroom-like protrusion now - not sure how/if it can be pulled out of there....

Fun times to commence once I have enough time to tear bike apart - and without BMW service info as my DVD is for the 2020 and prior model RTs since they pulled THAT CRAP on us.

I believe @marcjlmd has a '21 so should be able to state what he did to at least connect a different one.

eplerd

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jan 5, 2022

Mellow said:
I believe @marcjlmd has a '21 so should be able to state what he did to at least connect a different one.

OH connecting a NEW antenna is easy as the radio connectors are all readily seen under pillion seat.
Moving existing antenna (as suggested above) is much more difficult as it is inside that mushroom like plastic now.
Given that an antenna is only $20 or so it's FAR EASIER to buy new than move....I think the suggestion to move it was for older bikes as it was under side or front plastic..

Reactions: 1

Mellow

· #18 · Jan 5, 2022

eplerd said:
OH connecting a NEW antenna is easy as the radio connectors are all readily seen under pillion seat.
Moving existing antenna (as suggested above) is much more difficult as it is inside that mushroom like plastic now.
Given that an antenna is only $20 or so it's FAR EASIER to buy new than move....I think the suggestion to move it was for older bikes as it was under side or front plastic..

Gotta love a cheap and easy solution - although it would be better if it worked as designed... but sounds like it's been a long standing issue - they probably thought putting it in that snorkel thing was a fix... guess no one tested it... doh!

Reactions: 1

SvFiat

· #19 · Jan 5, 2022

Mellow said:
Gotta love a cheap and easy solution - although it would be better if it worked as designed... but sounds like it's been a long standing issue - they probably thought putting it in that snorkel thing was a fix... guess no one tested it... doh!

There's no XM satellites flying over Europe so the only solution for them is an XM app and blue tooth to what ever and the XM app will work just about every where. There's also an FM antenna in that snorkel as well. Maybe one interferes with the other.

Mellow

· #20 · Jan 5, 2022

SvFiat said:
There's no XM satellites flying over Europe so the only solution for them is an XM app and blue tooth to what ever and the XM app will work just about every where. There's also an FM antenna in that snorkel as well. Maybe one interferes with the other.

Really? I never knew that. I figured everyone had XM. Definitely India since that's where all the customer service is.

Reactions: 2

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