Radio operation for slow learners

While admitting that I was never invited to the annual MENSA picnic and probably was forced to go to school on the little blue bus, I don't think I'm THAT dumb. I have yet to be able to turn on the damn radio on my 18' R1200RT. A friend of mine has a 16' and is quite handy and he said that radio operation is such a 5 alarm pain in the ass that he doesn't even bother to try using his.
The Facts as we know them:
1. The Krauts seem to be able to overcomplicate EVERYTHING
2. Anyone who says the radio is user friendly is lying or psychotic
3. Youtube tutorials are oversimplified and essentially useless
4. The rider's manual is useless

Ergo: HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As much as I love BMW, when they decide to go all in on an idiotic concept or function, no one can beat the Krauts.

I would really like to be able to use the radio , but as of this writing, it is useless, takes up valuable space and adds extra unneeded weight to the bike

I'm sure you found the on/off button, the other then that the speakers need to be turn ON. I don't have an audio manual for your bike but I did own a 14R1200RT, it came with an older audio manual, not the 4 button you have.

Kinda tough to read the rant. Try this thread and the associated links and PDF.

https://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?99567-2017-R1200RT-Quick-Reference-Guide

OM

I have a 2016. Try scrolling the wonder wheel to setup, select the radio, and check to see that speakers are selected, and not bluetooth (to a headset).

Also, make sure the radio is not set to mute with the on/off switch. And the volume...?

This may help. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpZkEGI7KZ4