Radio upgrade ? : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

onephsyco1 · 04-09-2007, 06:03 AM

I have A 92 ultra . I was thinking of upgrading the radio .
My question is , Does some one make A cover to protect it from rain ?
Or would I be able to use the existing cover ( Looks like it is attatched to the radio )
I would use Bikertronics retro radio kit !
TIA

Jack

Geoff of WA · 04-09-2007, 09:45 AM

Biketronics makes a cover.

Riding with friends,
Geoff of WA

THEStinger · 04-13-2007, 12:21 PM

True biketronics makes a splash guard...but alot of good it dose you in the pouring rain at 60mph all of a sudden, youd think someone would have come up with something better by now. I need to look into this there HAS to be a better way.
-S

route66paul · 04-13-2007, 02:35 PM

If you don't have the fancy handlebar controls, I would look at radios that are made for boats, those are well protected from water.

gw1550 · 04-14-2007, 07:41 AM

The Hawg wired kit claims to be compatible with the Sony marine radio, as well as the same Sony CDX decks that the biketronics kits are using, so my best guess is the wiring connections on the marine radio would be the same as the others. I am actually looking at getting the Biketronics Retro Radio conversioin, and then buy the marine stereo separately. I have seen them on ebay for around $150.

Gary

Eddy G · 04-15-2007, 10:55 AM

The biketronics prices seem high. I've seen the Decks on their site for a lot less on other sites.

What can be involved in the adapter harness that makes it worth $199.00?

They got you by the nads and they no it. I think it would be easy enough to recreate an adapter if you had one or just the diagram.

I'm thinking about going with the adapter and then buying the Sony some were else.

Eddy G · 04-18-2007, 01:21 PM

I've seen two rain shields so far but don't know how they work.

It looks like they flip up or down? I'm wondering if they get in the way or not?

Short of that how water resistant are the Sony car stereos?

And how or what do you guys do to protect them during cleaning and or rainy weather?

THEStinger · 04-18-2007, 02:23 PM

You can buy the kit minus the radio, as far as the rain shields the way they have you mount the radio its somewhat resessed in the opening...so the flip style rings dont have any room to travel. Cleaning and such...put the splash guard on it and fire away. If it starts to rain realy heavy..pull over and grab the splash guard outta the saddle bag. There really is no "good" way to do it. I have goten my 610 wet a few times and each time it craps out...so it dosent like being wet. Marine radio may be the way to go but then you sacrafice the thumb controlls if you have them. My bike is a old cop bike so I dont have them.
Back to where you started yet? LOL
-S

adlerx · 04-18-2007, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THEStinger

You can buy the kit minus the radio, as far as the rain shields the way they have you mount the radio its somewhat resessed in the opening...so the flip style rings dont have any room to travel. Cleaning and such...put the splash guard on it and fire away. If it starts to rain realy heavy..pull over and grab the splash guard outta the saddle bag. There really is no "good" way to do it. I have goten my 610 wet a few times and each time it craps out...so it dosent like being wet. Marine radio may be the way to go but then you sacrafice the thumb controlls if you have them. My bike is a old cop bike so I dont have them.
Back to where you started yet? LOL
-S

Not true! if you use the biketronics kit, there are a couple of different models of sony marine radios that will work off the hand controls.

As far as the decks, Biketronics is not the place to buy! You'll save alot of money just buying the interface kit from them and getting the radio elsewhere.
I just did this upgrade on my 01 RG last weekend and one thing that biketronics doesn't tell you. On many of the Sony models that will work with the biketronics setup and all of the current ones, you cannot see the display in full daylight! I will actually be buying a new deck right away because the display on deck I bought(GT510) can't be seen due to the type of display. Many of the older biketronics compatible decks do have an lcd display which CAN be seen in daylight....

allegedly...

Eddy G · 04-18-2007, 03:01 PM

One of the things that I don't like about the Sony's is the "blue / light blue" lighting.

The only Sony Marine unit I've seen is silver (not a big fan)

What deck are you going with instead of the GT510?

adlerx · 04-18-2007, 05:23 PM

Biketronics told me that the gt300 and gt400 both have the lcd readout and are alot easier to see in daylight. The Marine unit isn't very attractive looking to me either. I live in rain country and I will figure out somehting to keep tha rain out, we're well practiced at that kinda thing. One good thing about the stock unit, I have been through real deluges and the thing never missed a beat!
The Sony does sound great and the features are awesome!