So they are loading the original software onto the stereo for the first time when they recieve it. You would think the software would be loaded by HK when the stereo is manufactured. If it is in the radio when they manufacture it then you would only need to perform the upgrade.
Water, Roeder's Harley is loading a software revision on the radio. I'm told it does come from manufacturing with a base software load. There are specific revisions that must be loaded for the radio to integrate several of the Advanced Audio accessories available as well. But in normal circumstances that's all the dealer would regularly load.
The radio is (software) programmable as evidenced by the revision release currently on Harley's website. What Roeder's is doing is simply yet another software revision. This one, however, tweaks (or replaces) code to do whatever is necessary to make the radio play with the 98-05 year model bikes.
They
could supply it on CD. The choose not to. From their perspective I understand why. They are currently the only vendor with the product. If they sold it to me I could burn a copy and send it to PJ and anyone else interested in doing the job. The radio just reads and installs the software from the disk. So there'd be no limit. Until such a time as Harley itself does a consumer release of the same product Roeder's has the market to themself.
Were I simply buying a software product from them I'd have reason to complain about what they're doing. But they, in essence, gave me the software for free when I purchased the radio. I only paid their standard (discounted) price for the radio. No markup for the software load (parts or labor). So I really can't complain about not being supplied a product I didn't actually pay for.