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[Ironhorse]

After 100,000 plus miles, I think the radio on my '06 CVO Ultra is on the fritz. It started with the volume becoming unresponsive. Now it just squeals a high pitched whine whenever its on, regardless of what mode it is in.

Other than sending it to Radio Sound in Kentucky, are there any other "plug-n-play" direct fit drop in replacement units. Is there one that adapts to the CB radio?

Thanks

Mark

[skratch]

for cb integration, i think you're stuck with oem.  however, it is possible that you may be able to fit an 07-13 hk in place of the radio sound hu.  the abc would not work, but from what i understand, everything else should.

i would give iron cross audio a call.  they don't work on the older radio sound units, but they should be able to give you some good advice on moving forward.

[Cvostu]

You can try Iron Cross radio.  They are in North Carolina I believe.  Stuart.
info@ironcrossaudio.com

[Twolanerider]

After 100,000 plus miles, I think the radio on my '06 CVO Ultra is on the fritz. It started with the volume becoming unresponsive. Now it just squeals a high pitched whine whenever its on, regardless of what mode it is in.

Other than sending it to Radio Sound in Kentucky, are there any other "plug-n-play" direct fit drop in replacement units. Is there one that adapts to the CB radio?

Thanks

Mark

Radio Sound made the earlier radios Mark.  They won't be able to help with the radio in your bike.  For yours it's the Iron Cross company mentioned in the other posts.  They do a good job.

http://www.ironcrossaudio.com/

[Jock]

After 100,000 plus miles

ATTA BOY!  Ride Captain Ride!

[Ironhorse]

Radio Sound made the earlier radios Mark.  They won't be able to help with the radio in your bike.  For yours it's the Iron Cross company mentioned in the other posts.  They do a good job.

http://www.ironcrossaudio.com/

Thanks, I'll reach out to them. I surfed their site, and they can add BlueTooth to the head unit!

Mark

[BigLew55]

Don't forget to check the speaker switch on the dash.  It has caused many hours of consternation on its own.

[Ironhorse]

My research is over, and it looks like my two options are,....

IronCross: Audio repair and upgrades $535
Biketronics: Complete replacement Aquatic AV AQ MP radio $549

The Biketronics radio comes with all the upgrades IronCross would do. It is plug-n-play and uses the handlebar controls. The downside is I would lose rider/passenger intercom and CB radio.

Anyone running the Biketronics system?

Mark

[rayson56]

No experience with that particular head unit but they are a great company with great products.

[Twolanerider]

My research is over, and it looks like my two options are,....

IronCross: Audio repair and upgrades $535
Biketronics: Complete replacement Aquatic AV AQ MP radio $549

The Biketronics radio comes with all the upgrades IronCross would do. It is plug-n-play and uses the handlebar controls. The downside is I would lose rider/passenger intercom and CB radio.

Anyone running the Biketronics system?

Mark

I've installed two of the Aquatic radios Mark.  Don't hate them at all.  They are, however, an intended replacement for a stock bike rather than a CVO.

The CVO bikes or your/my vintage have auxiliary harnesses for all the extras.  That is a second auxiliary harness connector on the back of the radio from which the rear amp, the speakers, and other bits are all run.  The Aquatics unit does not support that.  It only has the one standard audio connector on the back of the radio.

You can use that.  But you'll power the front speakers and do so through the "stock" speaker connectors that are currently in the fairing but unused.  Nothing that you currently run through the auxiliary audio harness is used when using the Aquatics radio.

[Cvostu]

The one big complaint I had with the aquatic AV was the difficulty reading the display during the day.. Just wasn't bright enough.  At night its fine.   Stuart.

[SIKBIRD]

My research is over, and it looks like my two options are,....

IronCross: Audio repair and upgrades $535
Biketronics: Complete replacement Aquatic AV AQ MP radio $549

The Biketronics radio comes with all the upgrades IronCross would do. It is plug-n-play and uses the handlebar controls. The downside is I would lose rider/passenger intercom and CB radio.

Anyone running the Biketronics system?

Mark

If you’re losing intercom and CB anyway with the Biketronics Setup, you can get a MUCH better radio and amp combo for about 1/2 that price, albeit not a plug-n-play but very easy to set up! You can also retain you handlebar controls with just about any headunit with a steering wheel module (I used Scosche (sp?) brand) but there are others.

[Ironhorse]

The CVO bikes or your/my vintage have auxiliary harnesses for all the extras.  That is a second auxiliary harness connector on the back of the radio from which the rear amp, the speakers, and other bits are all run.  The Aquatics unit does not support that.  It only has the one standard audio connector on the back of the radio.

Very good information to know, thank you. Losing CB and intercom isn't that big of an issue, but I want to keep the rear amp and speakers.

[Twolanerider]

Very good information to know, thank you. Losing CB and intercom isn't that big of an issue, but I want to keep the rear amp and speakers.

Those desires being so your only easy option is to send off the original radio then plug it right back in.  Anything else gets really really complicated. Iron Cross is an easy solution, you can add the bluetooth option (one way to radio only), and their work seems to survive well.

[Twolanerider]

Hey Mark, I just remembered one other potential alternative.  It's expensive but Rockford Fosgate makes a radio that's a direct replacement also.  It has the big second connector for the accessory harness.  I'd (probably) still just get the factory head unit fixed at Iron Cross but this is another option to look at:

https://www.rockfordfosgate.com/products/details/pmx-hd9813/

[SIKBIRD]

Twolane’s Post reminded me of another Plug n play: Jensen HD1BT.  It’s a little cheaper ($367 on Amazon) but I cannot speak to the quality of it.  It has been out for several years so I’m sure there are plenty of reviews on it..may be worth looking into as well.

[Ironhorse]

Twolane’s Post reminded me of another Plug n play: Jensen HD1BT.  It’s a little cheaper ($367 on Amazon) but I cannot speak to the quality of it.  It has been out for several years so I’m sure there are plenty of reviews on it..may be worth looking into as well.

I looked at that too. However like the Aquatic it's not a true drop in replacement plug n play. I'm too old to be dealing with that. I literally want to drop it in, hook it up to the existing plugs and go. And since IronCross Audio can add BlueTooth to it, that seems like the way to go for me.

Mark

[Twolanerider]

I looked at that too. However like the Aquatic it's not a true drop in replacement plug n play. I'm too old to be dealing with that. I literally want to drop it in, hook it up to the existing plugs and go. And since IronCross Audio can add BlueTooth to it, that seems like the way to go for me.

Mark

That's not a bad way to go Mark.  Rebuilding the original radio is the only way to just R&R a unit and have everything work as it did without having to do a damned thing extra.

Their Bluetooth upgrade is a one way connection only.  So be aware of that.  It takes signal from phone, GPS unit, whatever in to the radio.  It will not send audio from the radio back out to headphones or earbuds.  The Bluetooth connection does occupy the aux input but it does so only while the Bluetooth connection is hot.  Disconnect the phone or whatever else is Bluetoothed to the radio and the aux connectors works like normal again.

[YELLOWBIRD]

There's a member on the HDForum that is selling a OEM radio that Iron Cross work on for $250.00




YB

[Ironhorse]

I appreciate all the advice, but I’m just sent mine to Ironcrossaudio for repair and upgrades.

[Cvostu]

 I think you did the right thing. 👌. Stuart

[Ironhorse]

I think you did the right thing. 👌. Stuart

I heard from IronCross Audio today.

The main board in the radio had micro cracks in it from vibration. There was evidence of the bottom front of the radio hitting the handlebar top mount bolts. Per a service Bulletin HD upgraded to shorter Torx heads instead of the Allen bolts. I'll have to buy those at the dealer. They updated the radio, made the screen red and cleaned the LCD display. I had a BlueTooth installed for streaming, along with a rear coax plug for the GPS.

I should get it in a week.

[Cvostu]

Good for you. I think you will be very happy. I remember years ago about using the shorter bolts. Stuart

[Twolanerider]

I heard from IronCross Audio today.

The main board in the radio had micro cracks in it from vibration. There was evidence of the bottom front of the radio hitting the handlebar top mount bolts. Per a service Bulletin HD upgraded to shorter Torx heads instead of the Allen bolts. I'll have to buy those at the dealer. They updated the radio, made the screen red and cleaned the LCD display. I had a BlueTooth installed for streaming, along with a rear coax plug for the GPS.

I should get it in a week.

That's all good news.  They've proved to be good at what they do for years now.  So you really should be fine.  Well done and ride on.

[kevin_n]

We sent Kathy's radio to iron cross 3 or 4 years ago cause the radio would play for awhile and then there would be no sound but everything would still function. Got the same assessment with the board being cracked. Earlier this week her radio is starting to act up again. Reception fades in and out and with her phone or iPod hooked up when she hits a big bump she said the sound goes away and then comes back.

I think this time we might go with the Rockford or aquatics radio. Nothing wrong with iron cross would recommend them to anyone, just going to try something different. Hers isn't a cvo so it will be no problem just plugging a new radio in.

[Ironhorse]

We sent Kathy's radio to iron cross 3 or 4 years ago cause the radio would play for awhile and then there would be no sound but everything would still function. Got the same assessment with the board being cracked. Earlier this week her radio is starting to act up again. Reception fades in and out and with her phone or iPod hooked up when she hits a big bump she said the sound goes away and then comes back.

I think this time we might go with the Rockford or aquatics radio. Nothing wrong with iron cross would recommend them to anyone, just going to try something different. Hers isn't a cvo so it will be no problem just plugging a new radio in.

If I didn't have all that "stuff" that comes with the CVO Ultra, I would have gone aftermarket. I got it reinstalled today and it seems to be working well.

[skratch]

I think this time we might go with the Rockford or aquatics radio. .

i had the aquatics on my 2013.  wasn't an issue with the rear speakers as they had already blown so i wasn't using the saddlebag speakers anyway.  but they did tell me how to wire it up so that it would work, and although not plug and play, it wouldn't have been difficult.

but, my post isn't about that.  while the av sounded good, and the bluetooth was flawless, the display was virtually worthless in daylight.  didn't even have to have the sun behind you shining on it, if it was bright out, you couldn't see it. 

just wanted you to be aware.

[Cvostu]

That was my only complaint about the aquatic as well.  . Stuart

[kevin_n]

Was that the color screen radio or the cheaper one with the white screen?

[Cvostu]

Color screen.    I will tell you that it really sucks when you can't see the display. I would not buy that radio again. My. 02. Stuart.

[Ironhorse]

Final update. I had to change out the thumb activated volume control switch as it was broken. I never really thought about it but next to the ignition switch, (which I replaced last year) the volume control and turn signal switches get the most use.

[OBB]

Final update. I had to change out the thumb activated volume control switch as it was broken. I never really thought about it but next to the ignition switch, (which I replaced last year) the volume control and turn signal switches get the most use.

Always thought the ignition switch was at the top of the forks. Dunno if yours has the power locks for that year but on all my HDs, the volume lever switch has been on the clutch side away from the kill switch on the throttle side. Did they do something different on yours?

Sent from my boring Droid phone.

[Ironhorse]

Always thought the ignition switch was at the top of the forks. Dunno if yours has the power locks for that year but on all my HDs, the volume lever switch has been on the clutch side away from the kill switch on the throttle side. Did they do something different on yours?

Sent from my boring Droid phone.

You're right. Sometime last year I had to change out the ignition switch at the top of the forks, no power locks it's an '06. In addition to that, the radio and the thumb operated volume control on the left side of the handlebar broke.

The bike has over a 100K on the clock, so now it's experiencing a lot of nagging things wearing out. Nothing major, just stuff like the shifter lever, the rubber horn isolator, and now radio and switches. I'm kind of glad I don't have power locks, I can see those being the next thing to break.

Gonna keep the bike, but my next one will be the new GoldWing.