BMW's "FIX" for the XM Antenna Issues -- 2023 RT

[Motor32]

My bike has been at the dealer for the last 17 days (600 miles service and XM/AM antenna issues). The dealer just sent me this photo of the "FIX" for the XM that BMW has them installing. It looks like a Sirrus branded XM antenna, on the right. They're rerouting the wire because it's shorter than the stock one.

Waiting to hear more about the AM issue from them.

Nothing was happening after complaining and talking/emailing BMW-USA countless times, until I sent my videos of the problems to BMW-HQ in Berlin, the next day BMW-USA agreed to take care of it.

Steve

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1S-LN-HogY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trnRnMsUIZ0

 

[strataj]

Steve, when you can would you please post part numbers of the original part and the replacement?

 

[Motor32]

Steve, when you can would you please post part numbers of the original part and the replacement?

Yes, I will. Hopefully it'll work.

Steve

 

[ericjansen]

I had the XM antenna replaced by the dealer and it works better than the stock one but not quite as good as the one I got off Amazon and mounted on the rear rack. I don't have the original part number.
New part number 65218521436
TSARA case ID 2227691

 

[Motor32]

My bike has been at the dealer for the last 17 days (600 miles service and XM/AM antenna issues). The dealer just sent me this photo of the "FIX" for the XM that BMW has them installing. It looks like a Sirrus branded XM antenna, on the right. They're rerouting the wire because it's shorter than the stock one.

Waiting to hear more about the AM issue from them.

Nothing was happening after complaining and talking/emailing BMW-USA countless times, until I sent my videos of the problems to BMW-HQ in Berlin, the next day BMW-USA agreed to take care of it.

Steve

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1S-LN-HogY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trnRnMsUIZ0

View attachment 91032

So far, so good with the new Sirrus XM antenna. No loss of signal for my 30 minute ride, before it was every few minutes. I forgot to check the AM, so that'll be on the next ride.

Steve

 

[Motor32]

Steve, when you can would you please post part numbers of the original part and the replacement?

This is the one they put on my bike, so far no-more (No Signal) showing up on the TFT. I haven't had any issues with it at all. The picture is the mushroom on its side and the BMW replacement.

Here's the replacement parts numbers from the dealer paperwork (why there's two, I'm not sure)???

Antenna for SDARS :

65211686626

65218521436

Steve

 

[strataj]

This is the one they put on my bike, so far no-more (No Signal) showing up on the TFT. I haven't had any issues with it at all. The picture is the mushroom on its side and the BMW replacement.

Here's the replacement parts numbers from the dealer paperwork (why there's two, I'm not sure)???

Antenna for SDARS :

65211686626

65218521436

Steve

View attachment 91125

Steve, 65211686626 is the original antenna that is new for the 21+ RT, 65218521436 is the previous one that works much better. Any update on how the AM antenna is working? I wonder if they kept the same location as the original antenna or if they installed it in the same location as on the Wetheads?

 

[Omega Man]

For AM reception it was common to have to adjust a “tuning slug” on the back of radios especially when AM reception was a factor. I don’t know if there has been an advancement in newer radios. If there was a manual supplement with the bike, it may indicate what is on the rear of the radio. It could be researched online if the model number of the radios were visible.

OM

 

[jono]

For AM reception it was common to have to adjust a “tuning slug” on the back of radios especially when AM reception was a factor. I don’t know if there has been an advancement in newer radios. If there was a manual supplement with the bike, it may indicate what is on the rear of the radio. It could be researched online if the model number of the radios were visible.

OM

My '22 RT gets zero AM stations with the stock antenna. Plug in a cheapo short rod AM antenna in the same place on the bike and bingo! All kinds of stations. I would conclude the radio is fine and either there are a lot of defective AM antennas or its just a poor design. I'll note that the stock antenna is labeled "AM/FM" even though BMW uses a separate FM antenna.

 

[Omega Man]

My '22 RT gets zero AM stations with the stock antenna. Plug in a cheapo short rod AM antenna in the same place on the bike and bingo! All kinds of stations. I would conclude the radio is fine and either there are a lot of defective AM antennas or its just a poor design. I'll note that the stock antenna is labeled "AM/FM" even though BMW uses a separate FM antenna.

Perfect test

An AM antenna should be as long as possible. Chances are “they” are fudging it for style concerns.

OM

 

[Motor32]

Steve, 65211686626 is the original antenna that is new for the 21+ RT, 65218521436 is the previous one that works much better. Any update on how the AM antenna is working? I wonder if they kept the same location as the original antenna or if they installed it in the same location as on the Wetheads?

They said the AM is working correctly, and the reason they gave was because my Skeene brake lights were interfering with the signal (BS). After three weeks at the dealer, I was beyond fed up and just wanted my bike back.

Steve

 

[easy]

This should give everyone an idea about what BMWNA thinks about customer service.

E.

 

[SteveAikens]

I don't have any idea if my '15RT has a radio. Guess I should go to the garage to check it out - just so I know.... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

However, I DID replace the antenna with a stubby one but did so because 1) the long factory antenna was ugly and 2) it was in the way when working around the right side of the bike.

If I want something to listen to, and choose not to use ear plugs, when I make a stop for gas, eats, whatever, I pull the plugs and simply use a USB with my selected music for boring interstate drones.

When I ride, I do so to get away from it all and generally wear Hearos ear plugs to shut out all the noise to just enjoy a peaceful ride.

 

[Motobob]

Part Number

My '22 RT gets zero AM stations with the stock antenna. Plug in a cheapo short rod AM antenna in the same place on the bike and bingo! All kinds of stations. I would conclude the radio is fine and either there are a lot of defective AM antennas or its just a poor design. I'll note that the stock antenna is labeled "AM/FM" even though BMW uses a separate FM antenna.

Jono,

Do you have a part number for the cheapo AM antenna?

 

[jono]

Jono,

Do you have a part number for the cheapo AM antenna?

I bought this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09KBV9SV4/
and the adapter: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07F2GWGCR/

 

[chrismiii]

I did purchase and try the antenna but having counted the fm stations available with the stock and the replacement, I still use the stock antenna. I did recently purchase a replacement off Amazon for about 20$ that I will use over the stock XM antenna.