2018 Harley-Davidson Wireless Headset Review and Tips
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- čas přidán 17. 05. 2018
- H-D Riders have long awaited the arrival of a wireless solution to the communications headset. In 2014, with the launch of the Rushmore Project, Harley-Davidson introduced the new Boom Audio Infotainment system that had blue-tooth capabilities. The only problem a lot of riders had with the system was the fact that you still had to run a cord from the helmet to the bike. Here is the solution to that issue.
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I priced out the full setup today. The WHIM, wire harness, the headset, and the radio flash is ~$550. I'm riding a $30k motorcycle what doesn't have this included. What a load of crap.
yeah...they do offer it if you were to spend 40K+ on one of their bikes though...but only one head set...go figure.
Great informative review Matt, you are one of two motovlogs I regularly watch.
Looks like I'll need to get this model. Thanks Matt.
Great job providing the setup details!
Great video Matt, I am just getting the WHIM installed this week on my 17 Ultra limited and cutting the cord. this was great!!! thanks
The infotainment system is really good. The Voice Recognition works really well for music, phone, navigation, etc. Even Siri. Thanks for the vlog Matt!
Thanks Ryan
Up early and had to watch! As always great videos Señor Laidlaw!
Thank you
Thank you Matt looks like a real good product thanks for the video take care
Thanks Matt,great video
Pricey system but seems to work well. Informative as usual Matt.... and that sweet, sweet bike of yours.Keep em´coming sir!
i just picked this up last week at my harley dealer installed one in my helmet still have to do wifes sounds real good with music from boom thanks for pros and cons i think it works real well my dealer has a discount club i belong to with 20% off cheaper than sena thanks again great video as always your bike is really sweet
Hey Matt, i use the same battery tender adapter to charge my phone. Works great. On another note, i just rode 1500 miles, NH to VA and back with a wire to my helmet. While not ideal, it's not the end of the world either.
What a nice bike Matt!
Answer to a couple questions,I own the Harley wireless and Sena wireless.you can use either without Boom system and just Blootooth phone and both have FM radio.the Harley is in stereo.and my Sena is MONO.both work very well
Thanks Matt for the video and for posting the helmet you have. These systems are great ....Matt for me it’s like this, on a bike your part of the scenery and I just want to enjoy it ....less is more :)
works pretty good with 3 guys so far, we are doing a Laconia trip next month we should have 5 headsets, I'm excited to use it for that trip. in our experiences in does not go 1.3 miles in distance like the package claims. you have to be pretty close in a pack together, which is fine because we all ride pretty close,. but its definitely nice to chat on rides that are 6 hours..
good info on the infotainment system perhaps a Crushed Ice Pearl with Bonneville Salt Pearl 2 tone with orange laidlaw logo custom surfboard
Thanks Matt. As someone commented - they will keep their wired unit for now vs about $700.00 for this option (WHIM, headset, cable, dealer flash - let alone install price if you have that done). Not only overpriced BUT the HD unit is a Sena. To use anything else you have to have the HD WHIM but only get MONO sound because of HD programming. The Cardo units - see FortNine (goofy but good) review - "Cardo vs Sena .. 2018" - are waterproof, have constant on voice recognition so you don't have to push buttons and have MESH which puts multiple riders in order if they move fwd or back in the group or leave. And even re introduce them in order if they return. They are way ahead. The Cardo also has a very good JBL upgraded helmet speaker option.
Did you repost this with some updates? I’m having some serious Déjà vu. Great video thanks for all the details.
Thanks for the good info!
Matt, who do you recommend for an exception custom paint scheme for a Harley in the Riverside, CA area, or at the very least, a reasonable distance from Riverside??? Thanks in advance!
Thanks for the great content. HD priced themselves right out of the market for me on this one. I explored this option a year ago and the “proprietary” nature of this had me give Sena 100% of my money. Even now, it seems HD would be more negotiable to retro-fit existing 20S, etc. for a small fee. Oh well- again, really informative and love the charging hack- I’m totally stealing that- just received the battery tender converter, so thanks for that Matt!
Will this talk to other brands of headsets like the SENA?
Hey Matt, I have a 2018 CVO Street Glide and it came with the headset. Do I still have to get my bike flashed at the dealer?
Hi Matt...great video and information.Just a question for clarification based on this video and one of your others...Riders are able to use sync BOTH, headset and phone, at the same time. For example, as you demonstrated in a previous video, I can use my phone to stream music to the Boom system and listen via the bike speakers, AND, if I have the WHIM installed, along with the new HD Harley 30K helmet, I can have the helmet connected to the BOOM system to receive phone calls/navigation etc. through the helmet via the selected communication settings? If that's correct, I'm getting my helmet and the WHIM installed ASAP! Thanks!!!
Hey Matt, thanks again for posting this. Can I ask you on how the audio quality is of the speakers at speed zero? That would give me a gauge at speed 70 with my helmet. I would like to run music thru the phone on Pandora.
I had the Sena Freewire with the Sena Calcary half Helmet This set-up was ok in the side streets and around town not so much on a an interstate highway My complaints about the freeware is that sometimes you have to reset it went your are off your ride That's annoying at least to me The cost of the WHIM and everything else iS JUST CRAZY So for me I went back to a corded system with an Arai Helmet with the J&M headset installed \
Matt, sort of off topic but do you know any helmets that work with the wired headset without carving chunks out. The wired headset speakers are larger than most cutouts on helmets. I've already had to modify my helmet and I'm still have issues with it.
Will it communicate with other systems? I.E Sena? Communicate with others who have Sena while riding
So I have a 2019 RGU, do I NOT need the wire harness??
Matt do you know if the WHIM will work with an inbuilt system in a Schuberth c4?
Love your handle bars,,,where are they from
Matt, thoughts on the 30S? Is it worth upgrading?
Love mine. Yea it’s not cheap but either was the XM module which I love too. I had mine for a about a month and use it every ride. The music is much better than listening through the speakers on my Ultra Limited. Volume is great at 40 or 80mph. Like you mentioned you do want to get the speakers very close to your ears. Mine is set up in a very quiet Schuberth C3 Pro modular helmet and I do have a taller windshield , 11 inch recurve. The only negative I would say would be the battery life. I get around 10 hours of use before the 20s EVO needs a recharge. That is running music the entire time. I have the battery fender adapter as well and will use that during trips.
Motorcycling Adventures maybe you can help. I have the same bike as yours but at 60 mph the sound is poor. What kind of set up? Audio boost? Vox off?
Wowowo Rider Make sure that speaker is right against your ear. Very important. Audio boost is off , VOX voice is on, smart volume control is off. From there just adjust your bike for bass and treble.
Question...hubby has a WHIM and we both have the HD Boom Audio Expand Bluetooth Headsets. We each are on our own bike. When hubby is using the CB with friends, it cuts out as soon as I connect to him via the intercom on the headset. Is this a known problem?
On the boom mic, which side faces the rider?
I chatted with somebody at Sena they said you can not have CB radio and the Sirius XM radio on at the same time I never heard that before. It’s called Function Priority.
The corded system that came with my 2017 Ultra Classic didn't work. It had some kind of short or something. I wouldn't have minded the plug in system, if it would have worked.
I'm really torn between basically not using most of the infotainment features and just using a smart phone/BT head set, or pony'ing up for this whole system. What might make me go the smart phone direction is that I finally have a helmet that I really like but the slide for the inner visor is were most would mount the 20S to the helmet. Even more than the high cost of going with the WHIM/H-D BT headset, I really like the Schuberth E-1... which wasn't cheap either and Sena has a system that integrates into the helmet's insides.
In quite a few ways Harley/Sena let owners down with all the proprietary restrictions along with not having the WHIM capabilities built into the Infotainment system at the factory. Charge a bit more for it on the bike at purchase and it reduces our bitching later. My take on the subject.
I have a 2017 ultra limited low without the WHIM. I have used Bluetooth Comms for years and bought the Harley branded 20s Sena headset. Before I decide whether to install the WHIM or use the Sena freewire option I thought I would try the wired solution into the 7 pin DIN however it doesn't seem to work properly; very bad sound and low volume in one speaker (mono). Does the wired option work with these headsets or only with specific other headsets?
Do I understand correctly that if I have a Tri Glide Ultra Classic 2018 (FLHTCUTG) with the Boom Box system 6.5 GT, the purchase of a WHIM will not be necessary for the use of the harley davidson 20s evo headset? Thanks a lot. English not being my mother tongue, I preferred to make sure I understood
Considered Sena, but just went with an amp system for the Boom Audio. We'll talk when we stop....lol
This just might be the best solution that I've heard.
Hi Matt, I have just installed the WHIM and have SENA S20 EVO headsets. One issue I have is that the volume settings on the boom box for the passenger headset are cleared back to zero everytime I power down the bike. Any idea if this is something that may have gone bad when the Boom box was flashed. 2018 Road Glide Ultra. Thanks, Wullie
Do you connect the Sena to the GoPro? And how do you do that?
No, there is no connectivity there.
Hey Matt, where do I get one of those USB Battery Tender hacks?
Well. We sell them. I’m sure you can probably go online and find it somewhere too. Maybe amazon? I haven’t looked.
What is VOX phone?
Love your videos.
Feedback:it would have been nice to see you connect to others. Trying to connect to a) another HD headset b) a headset that's non HD c) with you initiating the network d) you joining someone else's network
Also is this the new "mesh network" like the Sena 30?
Another question I have is why don't you connect the voice to your rides? It would be great to sometimes hear you talk whilst riding.
Yea, if I knew more people with the headset I would like to set that up. You're right though, it would be a more helpful video if I included that stuff. I'll do some video in the future of connecting my voice to the ride. The audio is usually bad and that is actually one of my complaints about most moto Vlogs is people's thoughts are all over the place and the audio is bad. I'll do some in the future.
Matt Laidlaw you're right. A lot is all over the place. Perhaps record it and use some parts and do voice over on the other?? Not sure...there has to be a fine line in there somewhere.
Either way keep up the good work.
Mr. Laidlaw, I have a 2015 ultra. I bought the whim, harness and
Sena / Harley 30k. After Harley installation nothing worked.
We called Harley tech in Milwaukee . After do this , do that, flash and reflash, the tech told us from 2014 to 2016 the 30k was not compatible.
So I have to settle with this 20k evo.
I guess I am just venting, I am very upset at Sena.
My ? For you is will I be able to talk to another bike? I am buying a trike and want to speak with her from my ultra with no issues
Is this possible with the 20 evo?
Thank you.
The WHIM looks good but you have to buy the Harley Davidson sena 20s to make it work properly, I have upgraded to the Sena 30k and find the mesh system is 100% better for group conversation for 4 or more riders, but Harley Davidson do not sell a branded sena 30k
That’s good feed back. I haven’t used the 30s. Yes, it’s always best to just get the HD branded stuff with the WIHM to ensure compatibility.
@@MattLaidlaw I always buy HD gear but in this case I had no option, so I Just installed the HD 7 pin din cable to boom box and installed sens freewire and works perfect with my 30k. I should have been able to buy Harley Davidson products to doo this operation but they are way behind in technology and need to catch up
I have a set of Harley branded 30K headsets . Maybe came out later as I haven’t had them that long . I haven’t got the whim yet and may just buy another corded headset for my wife and forget this whim nonsense . I get a lot of wind noise with them , like Matt says . I have just been using them as intercom on Bluetooth or mesh . Not to sure if I’m crazy about them and wouldn’t have bought them if my Streetglide had 2 headset receptacles . I bought a new Tri Glide so don’t have that problem now .
It’s possible to make CarPlay in this radio? 6,5
Got the 30. Just got sick of the cord!!
Hey Matt, will this system work just off the Bluetooth of your phone? If you have a sportster without the fancy radio system.
05Tacoman , Sounds like your better off with just the Sena 20s and not the (HD) Sena.
The 20s Bluetooth connects to my phone.
Yes, as the other commenter said, you might be better off just getting a less expensive Sena that connects directly to your phone and doesn't need the Wireless Headset Interface module.
What does Harley generally charge for installing the WHIM on. Road Glide Ultra?
I think it’s about an hour of labor. Most CA shops are around $100 an hour.
Thanks
Good video Matt. I have a 17 Street Glide CVO . H/D put the whim on and put this headset on my modular helmet , but I loose the SiriusXM. Radio when I turn the seana on . It will go from 3 bars to 1 bar shortly after turning it on sitting still. I like music through fairing speakers.Its been this way since I got it . I added C B radio it works great. I was really liking Sirius it still works if I turn the helmet off Thanks anybody else seen this ?
Weird. I don’t have much experience with the SiriusXM radio with the wireless headset. I wouldn’t be able to offer any help. Where did they mount the CB receiver. I thought the Satellite radio receiver took its place under the fairing.
Matt Laidlaw I do not know , I thought they put it in the fairing I will ask next time I am up there.
Are you saying almost a grand for a bluetooth headset is Harleys answer?
Hi Matt or anyone else that may be able to help. To update the boom box I just use a USB memory stick, plug it into my 2014 FLHTK to update simple. However, If I get the WHIM and Harley headset system do I need to get a laptop to plug the Whim USB cable into to do any updates. I have a standard tower home computer and I don't think the bike will fit into my house nor the cable long enough to go into the garage. Any advice is welcomed.
You use a flash drive and plug it into the USB in the juke box port on the bike. You don’t have to run a cable from the computer.
@@MattLaidlaw Thank you
I think I would like the Whim or even the Freewire setup on my 15 SGS .. But for my wallet and needs I decided on the Harley wired setup and added the plugin kit to the bike on the gas tank... It works great but the only two issues I have had is the headset plug at the helmet sometimes needs fiddling to get a good connection.. and....Don't do what I did on a 500 mile road trip and that is take the helmet off and unplug from the bike and leave the coiled wire hanging on the right side of the bike when you set the helmet on the seat to get melted all over the pipes... "lesson learned" :(
Darn. Yea the wired headset works great. It basically costs you an extra 400 bucks to remove the wire.
I just bought this and paired it but can't figure out how to use it with my boom stereo
Did you get the WHIM installed? What bike do you have ?
Matt Laidlaw yes. Just installed a few days ago. I have 2018 road glide special
At least an option, but for $700 or so total cost, will keep my 'wired' headsets for a while.Harley again over pricing their equipment.
Going to pack a surf board on the Street Glide ? lol
Why is it it such a monster size peice of equipment?
HD is the only company that doesn't allow Sena headsets to work in stereo with it's bikes. Nothing to do with licencing. It's got to do with paying the Harley tax. For those who have already bought Sena, there is a work-around to get stereo sound. Check out Ryan's (law abiding bikers) channel.
i would love to know what this workaround is. where can i find it?
matt I will stay on the cord this is not cost effective for me , looks like a great day to ride thanks
Honestly the Cord provides most all the functions (without the bike to bike). Nothin' wrong with the cord setup and it's definitely a lot less expensive
Hot!
You can just use the bike speakers if you can’t here the earbuds that’s what I do.
Yea, that's not a bad idea. I usually just have my music coming through the speakers and phone / prompts in my helmet speakers.
I’m going to sell my bike for this head set
lol, na don't do that
White bike. Smart. Safety first.
Haha. Well safety wasn’t the objective but if it’s a byproduct then I’m all about it.
Harley tax ridiculous
The setup is expensive that's for sure.
Matt Laidlaw Thanks for vid Matt. Also thanks for staying humble and classy it shows but I do get tired of people knocking Harley Davidson when it comes to price. I just had all Anderson windows installed in my home . It was pricey just like anything else that is nice. Keep up the good work and stay humble sir.
Knocking? Never said I wouldn't pay for it. Regardless of it being nice I have a Sena 20s myself that I paid 215 for not 600+ just for all the hardware to use it with a bikes nav or direct line radio to your ears. Aside my father who has a 17 road glide special still bought this non sense. Aside from that congrats on your windows.
Collin Andrew Harley tax ridiculous??? Hmmm and in my comment I never said that you wouldn't. My point was you won't find alot of high end items at wal mart. Not just harley or the Harley tax. I like the system you have and was thinking of maybe going that route.
The problem here isn't the quality its the fact harley is charging up charges for products they have made already money on for licencing.
Don't waste your money. Brought to you by the people that charge $400 for an XM module. Ridiculous.
Spend $24k on a Harley you would think you should use any Bluetooth headset. Nope not HARLEY... They want you to spend more and more money for otherwise over priced bike .for 24k my bike better need nothing !!!!
nothing like having a wind drag noise maker stuck to the outside of my $700 helmet. come on Harley, helmets in this decade come with integrated bluetooth
Wow, that is crazy the money you have to spend to have it wireless. Overpriced HD. You would sell more if the price wasn't so overpriced.