Satellite Radio

I have recently purchased the XM satellite radio system for my truck. Now I would like to know if I can take it with me on the bike. I know this is the place to find the answer. Thanks.

Sure, why not?

Maybe I should have been more specific, what do i require to get the system on the bike. In the truck the satellite signal is processed and sent through the tuner in the deck. Being that I have no FM tuner on the bike I would like to know, if anyone not on a Goldwing has been able to do this. Thanks.

Let�s start with what model of XM receiver you have.

Can you unplug it from your truck and move it to the bike, or is it permanently installed in the truck? If it's the latter then you won't be able to. If you ask me, the easiest way to get XM on the bike is to get a Zumo. Then all you have to do is buy an antenna and plug your head phones into the Zumo and you're good to go...

I've used both a SIRIUS and an XM radio on the bike. Both of which had an earphone jack on the back of the radio but not all are equipped with one. I used an inline amplifier(Mix-It, Ampliryder, etc.) to get the sound to my helmet. I have a cig-lighter adapter wired into my tankbag so all I had to do was plug in the radio, toss it in/on the bag and find a place for the antenna. XM seems a lot pickier about antenna placement. I've since scaled back to just an mp3 player but it's definitely possible.


Here's a shot of my first setup. This trip I had my camelbak inside my tankbag so everything had to go on top thanks to industrial strength velcro. Also, this radio got extremely hot so keeping it inside my bag was not an option.

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e81/Dutch9090/VFR%20Misc/Arkansas003.jpg

Saw a few Gold wings when I was in Banff running around with SAT radios using this mount from RAM

http://www.gpscity.ca/g/gps/s/4/ram344.jpg

You just have to put all your other parts on it.

GPS City RAM mounts

Hey not to highjack the topic but why did you go with XM? Did you not hear that Sirius bought out XM in the US, and because XM Canada just licenses the programming from the US parent company and is not owned by XM USA, most of the special programming (i.e. Baseball / Hockey) will most likely disappear from the Canadian radios over the next few years as it moves over to Sirius.

Before I let the XM sub. cancel. I had the XM MIFI by Delphi. I bought the car kit, which you wired to the batt. for the power. Ran that up to my JR Manta bag, between seat and tank. The ant. I had 3M double sided tape on the fairing just to the rear of the seat. With the wire ran under the seat to the tank bag. That seemed to be the best placement I could find. When I tried to place it up by the tank, (ant) it would get spotty reception. But with it on the back of the bike.....It never lost signal, unless I was in a canyon or something...either way in a cage or on the bike you would lose reception.

How you get it all hooked up on the bike depends on what unit you have. There are many different mounts for each radio or unit. I don't really like the cradle type radios. I have worn out one Roady2 and am on my 2nd one now. It just works for me. Here's how I have mine mounted up on my ZRX. I modified a mount from cyclegadgets to mount the Roady2. The orginal way mounted it up way to high for my liking. I have a set of disassembled headphones installed in my helmet with an inline volume control. I have the XM unit cranked all the way up and use the inline control for volume. I also wear foamie ear plugs and find it just about right. Not perfect, but it's the best set up I have found for me.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j304/dragrex/rammount002.jpg