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[RGlideKid]

I've bought an Escort Passport and the optional Direct-Wire SmartCord so I can hard wire the unit into my '15 RGU.  I'm looking for the safest and most cost effective method to direct wire this into the bike to a cold lead.  I do not want it connected to a hot lead for obvious reasons.

I am considering this accessory:
http://www.harley-davidson.com/store/touring-electrical-connection-update-kit
which does work with the '15 RGU. 
Here are the installation instructions for it:
http://www.harley-davidson.com/app-content/service/isheets/-J05769.PDF

Questions:
1)  Is there a better/cheaper/safe way to do this?
2)  If not, will the above system work OK for me?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Chains]

I usually go into a hot lead behind the fairing for things like radar and GPS.  Been known to jumper into cigarette lighter as well as gauge light wires.  Never had a problem and its free.

[grc]

The 2014 and later Touring models have HD-LAN (CAN bus) electrical systems, thus the need for that harness to connect accessories.  It looks like a pretty straightforward installation, you will want to run the power lead for the Escort to the violet/blue lead of the connection harness, and you can either splice the ground wire to the black lead of the connection harness, or just connect the ring terminal on the Escort harness directly to one of the chassis ground studs.  Don't use the red lead of the connection harness, that is hot all the time, whereas the violet/blue is switched with the ignition.  If you don't want to use the special connectors in the Harley kit, and want to make it easy to disconnect, you could just use good quality bullet male and female crimp on quick disconnect connectors on the wires.  The connectors Harley includes have to be heated to make the built in sealant flow, and if making a permanent connection they are the most reliable way to go.  On the other hand, I've got the simple quick disconnect style on my bike for a couple items and they've been completely reliable for ten years.

Jerry

[RGlideKid]

The 2014 and later Touring models have HD-LAN (CAN bus) electrical systems, thus the need for that harness to connect accessories.  It looks like a pretty straightforward installation, you will want to run the power lead for the Escort to the violet/blue lead of the connection harness, and you can either splice the ground wire to the black lead of the connection harness, or just connect the ring terminal on the Escort harness directly to one of the chassis ground studs.  Don't use the red lead of the connection harness, that is hot all the time, whereas the violet/blue is switched with the ignition.  If you don't want to use the special connectors in the Harley kit, and want to make it easy to disconnect, you could just use good quality bullet male and female crimp on quick disconnect connectors on the wires.  The connectors Harley includes have to be heated to make the built in sealant flow, and if making a permanent connection they are the most reliable way to go.  On the other hand, I've got the simple quick disconnect style on my bike for a couple items and they've been completely reliable for ten years.

Jerry

Thanks a lot, Jerry.  Yeah, I knew the CAN bus system came into play, that's why I figured the harness was the way to go and would work since the fitment was for the '15 RGU.  Thanks for the tip on the red vs. blue lead also.  I'll use quick disconnect connectors.  I like the idea of wiring to the bike and not the fairing as I didn't want to have to jump the wiring across from the fairing to the handlebars.  The hot lead on the Escort direct wire already has a 2A fuse so I'm all set.  Just need to order the harness.  Good tips, guys!  Thanks again!

[RGlideKid]

Greg K. - I put this in the RGU section because our fairing and windshield are a much different configuration than the batwing, and this isn't so much about electronics gizmos as it is the mount that works and is more specific of an application for our bikes.

Pictured is a RAM mount 3 piece 'ginned together' setup consisting of 1) a standard control mount (their handlebar mount puts the detector way too far inside and behind the windshield, rendering it useless for laser detection with a smoked windshield), 2) a 6" long RAM clamp, and 3) a 2" x 4" top RAM plate to which you affix your radar detector with velcro and some black hair ties for additional protection (not shown). 

The RAM mount was the only setup I could find that put the detector outside the left edge of the windshield.  Notice that I replaced the plastic tightening knob on the 6" clamp with a nylon nut and an additional washer.  I can really get that sucker tight this way, plus the arm and mounting plate are less likely to go "missing" when I'm away from the bike that way.

This is what I'm considering to be a temporary fix until I can think of or find something more appealing to the eye.  In the long run, I've thought about getting the control mount and the arm chromed if I can't find a better setup.

It was either this or find a way to mount something directly to the inner fairing, which was not an option for me, as I'm sure it won't be for most of you guys.

See the next post down in this thread for additional pictures.

If you need part numbers, shoot me a PM.

[RGlideKid]

Second set of pictures below.
Click on image to see larger JPEG.

[CVODON]

Looks efficient but is the hardware metal to where it could be chromed? I just could not go the black. I had intended to use the HD 660 Road Tech handlebar mount for this purpose. I did that once before, I just tigged a flat alum plate to the the plate that was supposed to mount the GPS and turned it horizontal instead of vertical and had it chromed. Looked slick but was costly.

[RGlideKid]

Yes, it's all metal, or at least where I'd have it chromed it is. 
Like I said, the black will do for now so I can start using the detector. 
I will continue to research other mounting systems and also chrome houses in the area.
Expensive makes sense in some areas for the bike, but not for a detector mount.  I want functionality and safekeeping for my detector, then looks, then glam...but I won't junk up the bike in the process. 

[GregKhougaz]

Greg K. - I put this in the RGU section because our fairing and windshield are a much different configuration than the batwing, and this isn't so much about electronics gizmos as it is the mount that works and is more specific of an application for our bikes.

Very nice! But as you can see, i dont make up the rules. I just follow them!

[Bubba]

Harry can you not hide that thing in your bird catcher device thingy vent like Velcro it to the side of the wall or something.  I would want to make it as sheath as possible if it was me because every time I've been stopped with a detector I automatically got a ticket and the cop would grin and tell me that he was faster than my detector....
 
If I was going to run one I would want it hidden where no one could see it.....

[RGlideKid]

Harry can you not hide that thing in your bird catcher device thingy vent like Velcro it to the side of the wall or something.  I would want to make it as sheath as possible if it was me because every time I've been stopped with a detector I automatically got a ticket and the cop would grin and tell me that he was faster than my detector....
 
If I was going to run one I would want it hidden where no one could see it.....

Aw, c'mon, Mike!  I've been looking for a good idea for something to do with that mail slot and now I've found it!  It's just wasted space anyhow...right?   

So tell us...how many tickets are we talking about here with you...5?   10?   More?       

Ha ha! 

[SDCVO]

I am having the the wires run in the handlebars this week for my detector and I hate how it looks up there but after getting that ticket a few weeks ago I think I have to do it. I also looked into hiding it but did some research and 20% of the radar tickets given are from behind and if you don't give the detector a clear path behind you it will not work.

[garya1]

I posted photos and description on December 12th 2014 under electronics for an Adaptive radar detector fairing mounted. Sorry, I do not know how to place the link here but it came up under a general search for Radar Detectors.

10 months or so later, I still love it, especially the BRIGHT LED to notify me of detection in progress. Has already saved me countless tickets.

[JCZ]

I posted photos and description on December 12th 2014 under electronics for an Adaptive radar detector fairing mounted. Sorry, I do not know how to place the link here but it came up under a general search for Radar Detectors.

10 months or so later, I still love it, especially the BRIGHT LED to notify me of detection in progress. Has already saved me countless tickets.

Couldn't find anything from Dec. 12th but did find this.....   http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=99403.msg1288558#msg1288558

Just an FYI Gary.... it looks to be shooting through the windshield.  On the radar/laser detector forums you'll see that as tested, you're loosing some of the effectiveness for distance detection.  That's why RGlide Kid went to lengths to mount on the outside of the windshield.  And, he's got an aftermarket windshield that's wider than OEM.  Hope this helps.

[RGlideKid]

I posted photos and description on December 12th 2014 under electronics for an Adaptive radar detector fairing mounted. Sorry, I do not know how to place the link here but it came up under a general search for Radar Detectors.

10 months or so later, I still love it, especially the BRIGHT LED to notify me of detection in progress. Has already saved me countless tickets.

Thanks for the post reminder, Gary.  That looks great with that LED.  But JC's right.  I had to go outside the windshield on mine, as I talked with Radar Roy (see his website), who I would consider to be much more of an expert than me (he also owns a CVO, by the way!) and he said you lose most or all of the ability to pick up laser thru a smoked windshield, and the regular non-glass windshields do cut sensitivity some due to distortions.  Maybe you haven't had that problem and if not, that's great.

I bought the accessory hardwire Escort Smartcord for $20-something and I now have an LED right above my speedo/tach assembly in addition to the bright red display on the detector which is well within my peripheral vision, plus the cord has a mute button on it, which I though was handy.

See the next post below for a pic of that unit.

[RGlideKid]

Check out the right hand side of this picture, attached to and above the speedo/tach nacelle.  It's more in the shade down there (or at least sometimes in the shade I hope) and a lot more in my direct sight, plus it does have the mute button.  The light works even if you have the detector screen in blackout mode.

[RGlideKid]

Two things I did have to play with when mounting the unit this way.  First was the spacing between the unit and the mirror, and second was when the handlebars are turned all the way to the right, I had to be careful to give clearance between the windshield and the left side of the unit where the cord plugs into it!  I take it for it's first test ride today and will let you all know how it worked.