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Sirius Sattelite radio

beemeup

2009 R1200RT
I have a Sirius satellite radio (Starmate 4) that I purchased for my car sometime ago and I really like Sirius radio, so I'm hoping to be able to set up my 2009 R1200RT so that I can play it on my bike too. My bike does have the am/fm radio/cd player with an accessory plug. Has anyone out there added a Sirius radio to a set up like mine and what does it take to set it up? How hard is it to do yourself?. I realize I'll need a holder for the radio, but what connections will I need to make in order to make Sirius play through my system. Thanks, any feedback would be appreciated. Don
 
My Starmate had an FM broadcast feature. (Till it died.) Doesn't the Starmate 4 also have this feature? You select the broadcast freq on the starmate and then just tune to that freq on your FM radio.

John
 
What I did -

1. Mount - Go to Cyclegadgets - they sell an integrated mount that accepts the radio and accomodates the magnetic puck anntena.

2. Power - used the cigarette lighter power cord and a plug

3. Weatherproofing - Cyclegadgets sells a rain cover. It's difficult to operate the keys behind it, but possible. You do not want the reciever to get moist.:hungover

4. I ran the output cord to a Boosteraroo which amplifies (2x) the audio output, and then ran this to sound dampening earplugs - with an inline volume control (this is very important). I used the Comply http://www.complyfoam.com/Product/NR{48}1-High{48}Performance-Noise-Reduction-Earphones earplugs... their foam tips, significantly reduce ambient noise and allow you to play the radio (or iPod) at lower levels.

This rig worked well for me on my Alaska trip last May - the satellite signals reach well North - I think I lost it about the Yukon Territory.
 
Beemeup--If your radio has an Aux input you may be able to hook it up through there. I'd check all the various forums in search of someone who's done it successfully. There are a couple of gotchas to point out. One has to do with ground loops. Those cause annoying buzz when your radio and sat. receiver both are powered by the bike. The other problem I've had on my Starmate Replay (very old model) is that the audio out volume is very low. There's a way to adjust this through the menu setting, but it's still not enough.

Good luck!
 
Take a look at these two places. You should be able to get everything you need from them.

Antenna

http://www.myradiostore.com/sirius/sirius-antennas/

Connection from the Sat radio to the FM radio

http://www.myradiostore.com/sirius/sirius-fm-mods/wifmmore14.html

A kit that has all the above and some more

http://www.myradiostore.com/sirius/sirius-kits/starmate4kits/

Mounting system

This may not be exactly right so you may want to call them, but they have great stuff.
http://www.ram-mount.com/SearchResults/tabid/38/searchBy/WizardResults/criteria/ignored/Default.aspx
 
I can help with XM

The satellite is in the Southern skies. I was able to pick up XM in Nova Scotia and PEI as long as I didn't have an obstruction to my south. If I was running west on an east west road and met a semi it would not get the signal when beside the Semi. It worked that far north, but with shortcomings. Labrador I can not directly help you with.
 
If I was gonna use Sirius on my bike...and by the way, I will not, getting away from technology is one reason I ride!... I think I'd go with the plug-wired connection to the 'auxiliary' plug on your radio...In my cages, I use Sirius broadcasting to my vehicle unit, and often, I have to adjust the frequency because of interference...I live in SoCal, and that's an issue, but I also travel to the Eastern Sierra, but in a car, it's relatively easy to change frequencies on the fly...not so easy on the scoot.
 
The farther north you go, the satellites get lower on the southern horizon. That's why the semi's were blocking the signal. This means lower obstructions and more outages farther north...
 
The satellite is in the Southern skies. I was able to pick up XM in Nova Scotia and PEI as long as I didn't have an obstruction to my south. If I was running west on an east west road and met a semi it would not get the signal when beside the Semi. It worked that far north, but with shortcomings. Labrador I can not directly help you with.
The same is true in other locations(even far south of NS) too,esp., if there is a steep bank at the side of the road you are traveling...
 
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