XM Radio Reception

[chopin114]

This is add on bologna. Where is the " stock " receiver antenna located on the Wing ?

[kydriver223]

The stock antenna is in the fairing next to the GPS antenna. The xm radio receiver is mounted on the trunk lid integrated with the GPS system. Bologna it may be, but im tired of the dropouts and at this point I will do anything to have the xm work as it should. After multiple calls to Honda from myself as well as the dealer they still claim that they have heard nothing of this problem and mine must be an isolated incident even though theres at least 4 on this thread alone complaining.

[chopin114]

Originally Posted by kydriver223

The stock antenna is in the fairing next to the GPS antenna. The xm radio receiver is mounted on the trunk lid integrated with the GPS system. Bologna it may be, but im tired of the dropouts and at this point I will do anything to have the xm work as it should. After multiple calls to Honda from myself as well as the dealer they still claim that they have heard nothing of this problem and mine must be an isolated incident even though theres at least 4 on this thread alone complaining.

The complaints are very common, both here and other places. The little black pod that you find on vehicles mounted on the trunk surface are not there on the Goldwing ? I have the ((( XM ))) antenna pod mounted on my dashboard as close as possible to the windshield of my Ford E- 350 service van. The reception is fine except in areas where you would expect them to suffer. If I mounted it on the roof of the van I would suspect that I would not suffer from " directional " drop-out as I do, but mainly from environmental obstructions. My good riding buddy " Rapier " asked me to search my service manual to see if showed where the ((( XM )) antenna was located, and I could not find any info on it. I have an '08 so it wasn't an option.

[dburge]

Sorry it took so long to get back on here I have been swamped.
Her is Joy's contact information.
Joy Brown
Customer Service Specialist
Satellite Radio Superstore
An IBSM, Inc. Company
7213 Sandscove CT Suite 10
Winter Park, FL 32792
Area: 407-657-8777 x103
Toll Free: 1-800-513-8554 x103
Facsimile: 407-657-8177
jbrown@satelliteradiosuperstore.com
www.xm-radio-satellite.com
www.sirius-radio-satellite.com

Hope This Helps helps

[kydriver223]

Hey Deburge thanks for taking the time to research this and find a fix. I spoke to Joy Brown and have the antenna ordered and just waiting for it to arrive. So is it still working 200% better then the stock one? Are you still happy with the performance? Just want to double check to make sure its worth installing because my dealer stated that they were gonna charge 2hrs labor so thats like $160. Kinda sucks that I have to pay $200 for antenna plus labor that Honda should have researched and done right the first time. I guess what amazes me the most is that with everyone saying that they are calling Honda or taking it to the dealer with this problem they still state "This is the first we heard of it".

[dburge]

I am very happy with it now after the install. My dealer did it in 1 hour it cost me 85.00 If your dealer says 2 hours I might find a different dealer Let them know Cycle Nation in Canton Georgia did theirs in 1 hour. All they have to do is splice the wires. My dealer also told me if they have a recall I will get my money back so I highly suggest writing to Honda and complaining about their product.
$200.00 is steep I would even have to rethink that one as I was floored by $85.00. I live in Georgia in the mountains with lots of trees and covered roadways. It has been working well since the install but I do not want to tell you to do it and you not have the same results as I have i wouldn't feel right.

[kydriver223]

Many thanks to you dburge for finding the fix! I had the antenna installed by my dealer, 1 hr labor charge thankfully, and it works great. No more dropouts unless its under super heavy tree cover and then you kinda expect it. Extremely happy with it now, if only Honda would come out with some kind of fix so we can be reimbursed.

[Wingguy]

I just got a new 2010 GL1800. Love the bike but am also very disappointed with the XM reception. Thanks for posting all the information on the antenna. I will be discussing with my dealer. It would be great if one of you could post a picture of the new antenna installation.

[volfan615]

I guess I am one of the lucky ones. Now that I finally got the XM radio activated (dealer had to install new XM/Nav Unit) I've had great reception. I was really worried about it after reading all the stories but so far so good.

[ProfsTelescope]

Glad to see some of these posts that provide a "fix" for the problem, but as a Long time XM user (10 yrs) with a Car Based, Portable, and my 09 Wing there are several things to remember.
#1. It is satellite radio and your antenna in any type of unit is strictly "line of sight". As a professional driver I've found that the Northern States (above 40 degrees latitude) have a tendency to have lousy reception if your surrounding terrain higher than your level line of sight. This problem is more prevelent in the early and late part of the day. There is also consideration to the changing seasons related to the placement of the companies satellite orbits. They are Geo-Synchronus - they stay in the same place in space while the earth tilts with your radio! Granted for most of the folks around the world this is not a big issue but with the terrain problem added in it can be frustrating.
#2. Yes, the Wing Antenna is in the WRONG Place. I was told originally that it is a dual antenna mounted in the front fairing and cabled back to the control box in the trunk. I've experienced that even your own body is enough to screw up the signal. Try it some time while you are riding south to north, or west to east in the northwestern states in the hours between 4 and 8 pm. You'll find that you'll get a bunch of "lost signals" as you go along your way.
I agree that Honda should set up a "MAST" possibly mounted on the "CB Mount. Should solve a great deal of issues.