Intercom set up?

[520fd]

Over the years of motorcycling, I've used the Harley brand wired com unit's. We normally wear half helmet's, so I usually have to "Jury Rig" the speaker sets. I would like to go to a Bluetooth set for music and intercom. I get real tired of my wife saying "What!" all the time. So we want to go back to a com system. Need some input. So, for all you riders that wear intercom's. What brand do you use? What models? Thanks. Jerry

[ray3187]

My wife and I both use Sena 20 bluetooth headsets. I also us a Sena Freewire on the 2015 Tri-Glide to be able to use the features of the Boom Box wirelessly. If you have a 2014 or newer Tri-Glide Harley has come out with a bluetooth hardware to add to the Boombox so that you can use the features of it wirelessly and your passenger can also use the intercom and hear the music. I am not sure if it is bluetooth manufacturer specific or not. I just saw it recently as a new product when Harley announced the 2018 line up. I hope this helps.

[MDF48]

I don't know if you are aware of it or not, but HD has recently released a new BT module that mounts in the fairing and passes all audio etc to a wireless BT headset. It seems to be made by Sena and HD is offering the 20S for sale also. Couple of big threads on several forums. It requires the BT unit and if you have a 14-17 model you also have to order a separate wiring harness. The harness listed below is for the 14-17 models. The WHIM module includes a harness, but it is just for the 18 models.

Wireless Headset Interface Module-76000768 Wireless Headset Interface Module Harness-69201726

[520fd]

Well, I guess I do now. Thanks for the heads up. More stuff to purchase. I looked up the kit on the Harley site. Looked at the instructions. I have 2017, so the harness that comes with the kit, is supposed to be discarded and purchase another harness. Looks like I don't have to remove the tank for the new harness?? Looks like it doesn't go passed the fairing. More Money, More Money, More Money. Looks like I'll go a different direction. I thought it was Crappy that Harley Davidson didn't include a CB with cost of this expensive ride. Shame.

[MDF48]

Well I went ahead and ordered one. The harness needed for the 14-17 models is on back-order until at least 8 September. The WHIM module kit seems to be readily available and it includes a harness that works with the 18 models. There seems to be a little uncertainty about the length of the USB cable. Some pictures show it being fairly short which makes you think it would stay inside the fairing and you would have to open the fairing up to upgrade the WHIM unit firmware etc. Of course the instructions for the WHIM shows it being run under the tank and back behind the right side cover. It is a HD product but was evidently designed with help from Sena and is probably made for HD by Sena. Supposedly it will solve the problems the Sena Freewire unit had with some HD bikes and you don't have to worry with mounting it outside or in the tour pak. You also have to have the latest Boom Box software update and then the dealer has to flash the unit and the boom box also. Some of this is not totally verified yet because most HD dealers are not up to date on the new WHIM module.

[Tuccandler]

I use a Sena Headset with Sena speakers in a half helmet. Its the old SMH-10 and it works really good. Any music coming out of the radio will be sent to a Sena BT adapter that I put in the tour pax. The adapter has a wire input from the 7 pin DIN plug on the pass backrest armrest. Use a 5pin DIN to 3.5MM audio adapter ($10)and plug it into Sena BT adapter in tour pax. This gives you all the music thru the HD headset radio position. The Sena unit has an easy to use Comm as well. I bought these a while back but believe the Sena BT unit was $110. You do not need any special wire harness to use this set up.

[ray3187]

For those considering buying the Harley bluetooth interface you might want to see this video first:

[KJB]

Interesting video. I'm considering going BT but mainly because I have an occasional issue with my wired J&M headsets. When working they work awesome but once in a while when riding 2 up, one or the other doesn't work right. Example, the passenger can hear all functions but can't transmit on the intercom. Then sometimes that same issue is reversed and the rider can hear but not transmit. Sometimes after riding a few miles for whatever reason everything works fine. I don't think it's the headsets because if the passenger one isn't working I can plug it into the rider receptacle and it does work. I know from experience that when I plug the headsets in I have to give the passenger plug and extra push. I have done the software updates when released. If my wired headsets worked all the time I would be content to stick with them.

[hardwickbv]

I have the same issues with my wired HD headsets that KJB is having with his. I believe it is mostly connector issues.

I am thinking I will live with it for the rest of this season as we only use them while riding 2 up on longer trips.

If I do switch I will buy just the headsets and wait a while for the WHIM to let the dealers catch up and for the bugs to be worked out some.

I believe the WHIM will be a better option than the Freewire since I would have to have 2 Freewires for my purpose and connecting and mounting them would not look as good.

Bob