[flytrap]

So...music while riding is a whole new experience. I didn't think it would be so great, but I'll admit now that it is great. On my first ride, I used the Bluetooth to listen to Pandora on my smartphone. However, if you get a call while riding, the call function overrides the music and then you have to restart. Not good. And the storage pocket is not really big enough or padded well for a cell phone. So...I ripped about 10 cds and stored the music on a thumb drive. When connected through the USB, it plays great and automatically moves from track to track and from album to album. The automatic mute function, however, still needs work. I'm not sure but I think the manual is wrong. when set on "high" it mutes more and quicker than when set on "low". Anybody else notice this?

 

[sleepngbear]

Dammit, don't make me regret cheaping out on the standard model.

 

[dubbsrider]

+1 to this really! I had the chance to take mine out for about 70 miles today...and I didn't wear gear. I had a few questions about this on my channel so I figured I would give it a try. I tested at all speeds and even at 70 miles and hour with the tall windshield I only had the volume at about half way. I could hear clearly and it was putting out some good sound. As you said completely different experience I kinda like it!!

 

[bob]

The mute function is disabled by default. I dug through the owners manual and found where to turn it on. While digging I also found that when you press and hold the track button you'll hear a beep and it will jump to the next album if they are arranged in separate folders.

Oh, and Ed, so far I just listen to the radio built in to my scala q2 and not anything through the bike audio. I only used the bike audio to test it when I brought the bike home 2 weeks ago.

 

[firstime911]

Hi I'm thinking about upgrading the speaker..
I haven't got the bike yet. What is the dimension of the speaker? and do they have more space either increase the speaker size or stay with the OEM dimension.
For example on BMW k1600gtl the speaker size is 4" so they upgrade to Focal 4" 2 way speaker which produce much better sounds than stock.

Thanks for the information

 

[bob]

I would give a listen to the stock speakers before buying any new speakers for this bike. They're not that bad considering you are on a bike... traveling down the road... wind noise and all. When I installed my tall shield this weekend I did look at what those white blobs are just in front of the speakers under the front garnish. You'll see them in any photo with the garnish off. Found out those are, I think, custom sound boxes for the speakers. I didn't look close enough to see if the speakers themselves can be removed from those boxes but the cable to the speakers runs through a grommet into the box to get to the speaker. Not saying it cannot be done but I would carefully inspect the existing speakers before jumping in to buying new.

Of course I know you intend to do that anyway

 

[ShadowRider]

I've been using the speakers with a flash drive, too, because sometimes when the weather is really perfect you just want to play the music out loud and not through the helmet. I used to love doing this on the Gold Wing. And I have to agree, the sound is pretty decent. (I try not to be a jerk about it and cut it off before I enter any mostly residential areas, especially if it's late at night.)

I tried the auto mute function for a little while but found that I missed having that music at stoplights (and since I do a lot of city driving I hit a lot of them), so I turned it off. The speed-variable volume control works pretty well, though.

Ed, just remember that the audio system is an add-on option that you'll be able to get later if you really want it.

The only drawback I've found so far is that I can't charge my phone if I have the flash drive plugged in. So I'm thinking about reinstalling the charger I had on the Shadow so I can charge the phone separately. I just have to decide where to put the cable. Maybe run it into the left saddlebag?

 

[bob]

...I tried the auto mute function for a little while but found that I missed having that music at stoplights (and since I do a lot of city driving I hit a lot of them), so I turned it off. The speed-variable volume control works pretty well, though.
...
The only drawback I've found so far is that I can't charge my phone if I have the flash drive plugged in. So I'm thinking about reinstalling the charger I had on the Shadow so I can charge the phone separately. I just have to decide where to put the cable. Maybe run it into the left saddlebag?

Steve,
the auto mute does auto disable when volume is below 9. So if you turn down the volume at stops anyway that's one idea.

Also, when I had the bike apart this weekend I noticed there is (on mine) a 2 pin plug on a cable that is folded and taped together in the center under the seat. That is the 12v socket cable for non-USA models and does have a 10 amp fuse already in the fuse box. All it needs is the socket. That might make it easier to install your socket using that cable... no need to run any wire. I ran my own for a socket since I wanted 15 amps and didn't trust that the Honda wiring would manage more power than the factory intended. Later I may yet use the Honda supplied cable and add another one to my right saddle bag to charge gadgets. I am keeping the socket I added this weekend for "special" use only (my mini air compressor).

 

[cheeken]

speakers? the music is the engine

 

[ShadowRider]

...when I had the bike apart this weekend I noticed there is (on mine) a 2 pin plug on a cable that is folded and taped together in the center under the seat. That is the 12v socket cable for non-USA models and does have a 10 amp fuse already in the fuse box. All it needs is the socket. That might make it easier to install your socket using that cable... no need to run any wire. I ran my own for a socket since I wanted 15 amps and didn't trust that the Honda wiring would manage more power than the factory intended. Later I may yet use the Honda supplied cable and add another one to my right saddle bag to charge gadgets. I am keeping the socket I added this weekend for "special" use only (my mini air compressor).

I did use that exact connector to wire in my Skene Design lighting controllers and a connection to my alarm system. I had initially jury-rigged a wire into that connector but was afraid it would not hold in place properly, so I ordered a proper matching male connector from CycleTerminal.com. This is a Sumitomo MT connector, "Male MT090-2L" in their part numbering. I also ordered some of the pins to go INTO the connector; that was part number "HM/MT/HW - 090 Male". This is a much more solid connection and works great. All of my switched power taps off of the wires that come out of that connector.

Everything I have used so far draws very little power, so I'm not concerned about overloading it, even if I add the extra USB power adapter. My biggest concern is where to put the connector so that it can charge my phone in a place where the phone is dry, secure, and will not get bounced around. That's why I'm considering a location in the saddlebag. While it is not terribly convenient and would make for a little effort every time I leave the bike, that location meets all of my criteria. I may rig up a Pelikan case inside the saddlebag to protect the phone.

One advantage of this: if I pair my phone to the bike, I can play any music on my phone and control it using the buttons on the bike, because it's wireless.

 

[bob]

I just may have to order some male and female pins since the dummy plugs are only missing the pins. If I can find the rear option connector (didn't find it this weekend) then I'll have more connections to use that are already built in on the bike and won't have to run my own wire. I like it that this bike has a few unused plugs just waiting for something to be connected to them, and with the fuse already in the fuse box.
I just really don't like tapping into existing wires that are already used for something to power what I add (weakens or breaks the wire doing that and increases risk of overload on the wire gauge). That's why I usually advocate using a separate isolated fuse block and wiring. But if the wires and fuses are there already and unused I see no problem using those.

 

[bob]

I did use that exact connector to wire in my Skene Design lighting controllers and a connection to my alarm system. I had initially jury-rigged a wire into that connector but was afraid it would not hold in place properly, so I ordered a proper matching male connector from CycleTerminal.com. This is a Sumitomo MT connector, "Male MT090-2L" in their part numbering. I also ordered some of the pins to go INTO the connector; that was part number "HM/MT/HW - 090 Male". This is a much more solid connection and works great. All of my switched power taps off of the wires that come out of that connector.

Are you sure of that model connector? Is that the HONDA model numbering for the plugs or the CycleTerminal model numbering? I looked on their web site and after having one of the connectors apart on my bike I think it looks more like the DL 90 series, the same inner seal and release tab, etc. Also, looking at the pins for both the DL 90 pins look exactly like what I thought I could see in the stock plugs... especially the female terminals and also the wire seals. The MT90 series may fit fine and be the same size but I think the female pins looked different and the plug housing looked different.

I think I definitely need to order a few sets of these pins M/F and wire seals. I plan to redo the ACC connector I did for the GPS power feed and add another wire to that for my Gerbing heated gloves controller. Both devices only take 1.5 amps and this is a 10 am circuit. I will likely also replace the 10 amp mini fuse for this ACC with a 5 amp mini fuse. I am now planning to get a single Fiamm horn (similar to the AM80 or Freeway Blaster) and simply replace the stock horn since there isn't room in the fairing to mount something that big. Thinking I do still need to use a relay to switch power for it directly from the battery even though the single horn is only 6 amps. The stock horn fuse is shared on with something else on the bike so it's better to have a dedicated fuse for a loud horn.

 

[ShadowRider]

Sorry, I just saw this post. I looked back at my order and yes, I bought the MT series stuff. In fact I copy/pasted the part numbers in my post from my order acknowledgment. So I'm sure those will work. This made for a GREAT clean, watertight installation. I didn't bother to solder the wire to the pin, I just used some needle-nosed pliers to crimp it on really good.

 

[bob]

Sorry, I just saw this post. I looked back at my order and yes, I bought the MT series stuff. In fact I copy/pasted the part numbers in my post from my order acknowledgment. So I'm sure those will work. This made for a GREAT clean, watertight installation. I didn't bother to solder the wire to the pin, I just used some needle-nosed pliers to crimp it on really good.

I know that's what you ordered. I was just wondering if you found information to confirm which is the right item between the MT or DL series. I am guessing both would work.

 

[bob]

Well, tonight I did order a number of male and female pins and seals from the MT series. Hope they arrive soon.

 

[Jimmytootall]

This is my first bike with music and never thought I would like it BUT I love it, should have known as I love music and listen to it all the time...duh....why wouldn't I like it while I ride.

 

[V0X]

have you used the iphone's GPS function to hear turn by turn navigation (via bluetooth) over the speakers? I know that the latest update to iOS allows the navigation to speak, even when another app is playing something, at least it does in my Audi.

 

[V0X]

Well, I can attest to the fact that the iPhone can play streaming music (aka Spotify/Pandora) and provide turn-by-turn navigation through the speakers. I put my iPhone 5 in the USB pocket and connected it for charging purposes. I ran 400+ miles listening to music and when lost, Ms. Siri guided me back to my route.

I also learned that the CTX1300 is the first bike Honda implemented Bluetooth on, and I think they did a very good job. I was in the garage cleaning my headlights and it was streaming music from my phone across the house.

 

[Firenzen007]

Hey V0X: perhaps you should let Honda Marketing know! After all, a lot of guys are pretty serious about wiring their homes for sound. So you may have just helped call out, yet another selling point for the bike, that none of the usual suspects re Journo-Rider-Reviewers have, as yet reported on! Never hurts to get a "Two-Fer," right?!