Communications 20s or 20s EVO

[NC Triker]

I just recently purchased my 1st HD, a 2017 Tri-glide Ultra. My owners manual says you must have a HD head set for the communication system. Is that true? If it is true I don't know if I should purchase the 20s or the 20 EVO. I was going to buy the 2 pk 20s. at $ 550 + tax and then found out it's not linked to the Boom Box without another $350 device and then another $50 for a wire harness. Is there a less costly setup that will work just as well? I love my Tri-Glide but I'm not too impressed with mother HD.

[ray3187]

You can purchase either the 20S or the 20 Evo and then a Sena Freeware device. If you purchase the hardware from HD to attach to the Boombox then you will have to purchase the headsets from them if you want stereo. These two links will explain what you need to do and a cost comparison.

[KJB]

I'm waiting to hear some real world experience with the WHIM. Although I haven't checked recently the last time I talked to my WI and my FL Harley dealers they didn't have anything to offer. I would consider it but I don't want to be a guinea pig. I'm using wired J&M headsets right now and I still have occasional interruptions in intercom communication. I haven't determined if it is due to the headsets or to the Infotainment system.

[hardwickbv]

I have the Harley branded 20S EVO headsets and they work great without being connected to the sound system.

We bought them while out on a trip and we got tired of the wired units cutting out.

I will be having the WHIM system installed on my 2017 Tri Glide next week when I take it in to get it ready for the upcoming season.

Won't be able to really check it out with 2up riding until it gets warmer but will ride 1up sooner than that.

One note: I did have one of the EVO units quit working about 4 months after we bought them and the dealer replaced it no problem.

It wouldn't turn on or charge.

When riding with them we were able to make and receive phone calls and the people on the other end state that unless we told them they did not know we were running down the road on the trike.

Bob

[lightnin]

that guy who Ray posted is Law Abiding Bikers and he is pretty dang sharp. I purchased his GPS videos and they are helping this old fart figure the thing out.

[ultrafxr]

Pretty good video explaining this. Thanks for the link. I did some checking and learned on the H-D website when I checked fitment for the WHIM Harness, 69201726, it listed model years 2014-2017. Wondering if the 2018s already come with the harness in place. I'm thinking that may be the case since the WHIM was just released about the same time.

Also wondering about the battery life on the headset and how long it takes to charge it.

[MDF48]

I just recently purchased my 1st HD, a 2017 Tri-glide Ultra. My owners manual says you must have a HD head set for the communication system. Is that true? If it is true I don't know if I should purchase the 20s or the 20 EVO. I was going to buy the 2 pk 20s. at $ 550 + tax and then found out it's not linked to the Boom Box without another $350 device and then another $50 for a wire harness. Is there a less costly setup that will work just as well? I love my Tri-Glide but I'm not too impressed with mother HD.

OK, you should have received a coiled wire headset with your purchase of the Trike. That is what HD gives you to use with the Boombox. This plugs in on top of the gas tank and passes music and info etc. from the Boom to the headset.

Now, here is where it gets a LOT different! If you want to go wireless and communicate with the Boom and your phone etc, you basically have two options. You can go with the Sena Freewire system or the new HD WHIM. The WHIM stands for Wireless Headset Interface Module. Either one of these two routes is going to cost you a good bit of money. Remember, opinions are like (use your word) everybody has at least one. The Law Abiding Biker is pushing the Freewire and he sells them. That is all I am going to say about that.

Now, one thing you will hear about the WHIM is the cost and the Cable that is included with the WHIM. The WHIM comes with a cable that is used under the fairing to connect the WHIM to the HD system. The INCLUDED CABLE will only work with the 18 model year bikes. For those of us with the 14-17 model years, we have to buy a separate cable that is not included. Yes, you can keep the included cable or throw it away.

The next thing you need to keep in mind is the difference in the Sena Bluetooth headsets. There are several big threads on several forums about the entire WHIM saga, and you might want to read some of them. Basically remember this. If you want true high quality stereo music the Harley Davidson branded 20S EVO headset will provide that. NOW *****the Sena sold 20S or 20S EVO will work fine with the WHIM***** BUT you will not get the so called High Definition stereo and ***** you will not get the actual MENU to make changes to the HD branded headset via the Boombox if using the regular Sena models. You can still make changes to the regular Sena models and upgrade the firmware etc using the Sena device manager program. You can even use the HD device manager to make changes to the regular Sena units, ***but it will not give them the HD stero and Boombox menu. We are all hoping that one day HD might allow that and make the older Sena units totally compatible. I doubt that will ever happen!

So,you decide which way you want to go. I went with the WHIM about 2 weeks after they became available and also bought a HD branded 20S EVO headset. I love it. I paid $244.00 for the WHIM, $254.00 for the HD branded 20S EVO and $42.00 for the cable required for the 14-17 models. I did the install myself, very easy. Dealer charged me $40.00 to program the bike to activate the WHIM. The activation by the dealer is required and there is no way around it. Some dealers don't charge for the activation. So, I have $580.00 in the system counting the $40.00 the dealer charged me to program it. There are a lot of other questions I know some of you will have and you are going to get a lot of opinions. READ some of the long threads and you will learn a lot. BTW, i usually get 8-10 hours of use with the HD and regular Sena 20S headset on one battery charge listening to XM the entire time I am riding. I also still have a regular Sena 20S and it sounds fine for me with music, but I have high frequency hearing loss anyway and am not as demanding as some are.

Please, these thoughts are just my thoughts and others will not agree, so let the back and forth begin. To quote, "that is all I got to say about that". Have a nice day.

[ray3187]

Here is another downside to using the Sena Freewire. Only one headset can connect to it and with the WHIM both rider and passenger can connect for music and intercom. So it just matters what you want to do. The only reason I went with the Freewire was because it was the only option available at the time. Besides my wife rides her own bike.

[Tadgh45]

I currently use the Sena Freewire with a Sena Cavalry Bluetooth helmet and it works great. At the time I bought them it was the only system around for full wireless integration in to the HD Boom box. I am however not wild about the coiled cord plugged into the tank mounted din socket or having to remove and stash the Freewire every time I leave the bike. At $250 I don't want to tempt anyone to steal it. I am tempted to sell it and pay the "Harley Tax" and install the Whim and get the Harley branded Sena 20S headset. The unit is safely ensconced inside the fairing and will work for rider and passenger. The Freewire requires one unit for each person.

As far as Law Abiding Biker goes- He does indeed sell and recommend the Freewire (as he has since it first came out) but he also likes the WHIM system a lot. He has a self installation video for the system and an in depth how-to video on programming the 20s headset to the Boom system. He leaves it up to the viewer on which system works for them. I appreciate that he spells out the pro and cons to each system and the costs involved with each.

[NC Triker]

I purchased a set of two HD branded Sena 20S EVO headsets. I found them on Ebay for $400, brand new in unopened box. Local HD dealer has same set for $550. I believe I will go with the Whim as the Sena 20S EVO will not link to the Boom without the Whim. Check Ebay and Amazon and you might find one and beat the HD dealer price.

[MDF48]

I purchased a set of two HD branded Sena 20S EVO headsets. I found them on Ebay for $400, brand new in unopened box. Local HD dealer has same set for $550. I believe I will go with the Whim as the Sena 20S EVO will not link to the Boom without the Whim. Check Ebay and Amazon and you might find one and beat the HD dealer price.

Good buy! If the rumors of HD bringing out a 30S EVO this Spring are true, there will probably be some good prices on the HD 20S EVO models. Well 30S or 30K whatever it will be called.

[Jthubbs]

Pretty good video explaining this. Thanks for the link. I did some checking and learned on the H-D website when I checked fitment for the WHIM Harness, 69201726, it listed model years 2014-2017. Wondering if the 2018s already come with the harness in place. I'm thinking that may be the case since the WHIM was just released about the same time.

Also wondering about the battery life on the headset and how long it takes to charge it.

The 2018 CVO comes with the WHIM installed. All others need the whim installed. The cable that comes with the whim is for the 2018 model only. The 2014-2017 needs a different cable for $50.