We have received a ton of emails and comments on our YouTube Channel, so we thought we would address this for all you Bikaholics out there!
You may have come across items on eBay and Amazon labeled “Wireless Microphone for 2014 & up Harley Davidson” at a cost of around $45. Basically, it is nothing more than a flexible stick microphone that plugs into your Harley Davidson 7 pin headset port on top of your gas tank on full touring Harley models. It has a foam wind screen over the mic to cut down on wind noise.
UPDATE HERE-BEST HARLEY-DAVIDSON HEADSETS!
- Check out the BEST WIRED Harley headset-Full Boom!™ Box Integration
- Biker Boom: Give voice commands, use intercom, CB radio, GPS, hear and play music
- Check out the BEST WIRELESS bluetooth Harley Headset-Full Boom! Box Integration
- Give voice commands, use intercom, CB radio, GPS, hear and play music
The claim is, you can sit up straight, ride on down the road, and give voice commands to the Harley Boom Box System without the use of a “wired headset.” I submit that this is a wired microphone (minus ear speakers) as it plugs directly into the 7 pin connector. After giving voice commands, the voice within the Boom Box will respond through your stereo speakers.
The Boom Box Infotainment System is capable of voice commands such as navigation, making phone calls, changing radio stations, finding songs/artist by name on your paired smartphone or MP3 device, skipping to the next song and so on.
Related Article:
We obtained one of these microphones upon numerous requests by our audience and we put it to the test. Of course, we put it all together for you in a free informational video. You make your own decision on whether you want one of these microphones for your Harley Boom Box.
As usual, we tested this microphone in a real world environment and not in a controlled setting. We want to know how things work for the average everyday biker out there on the road.
Testing Overview:
- Tested on a 2015 Harley Davidson Ultra Limited with a Harley Boom!™ Box Infotainment System
- 12″ windshield
- Multiple Days
- No wind
- Multiple roadways
- Multiple speeds
- Only slip on aftermarket mufflers on bike
- Just a bit louder than stock
Test Results:
- With bike stationary and engine at idle
- Voice commands/recognition worked well
- Phone calls could be made and the party on the other end could understand
- Riding at 25 mph
- Voice recognition/commands only worked 60% of the time even with a raised voice
- Had to raise voice quite a bit for party on other end of phone call to hear
- Riding at 60-70 mph
- Failed on all levels at these speeds
- No voice recognition/command capabilities at all
- Person on other end of phone call could make out nothing that was said
- Rider even yelled, but it did not help
- Rider also leaned down with mouth right above mic and it did not help
- Failed on all levels at these speeds
Summary:
Our opinion is that this may have an use for bikers, but with obvious limitations. A biker might use this at very low speeds around town or at stops during the trip. One might give voice commands to set GPS destinations or make a quick phone call before heading out at higher freeway speeds.
Our personal opinion is there are more reliable items on the market for giving voice commands to your Boom Box system that will work in all conditions. And those particular headsets also have great headset speakers for hearing the built in voice respond back to your commands.
Join the Free Email Club!
If you appreciate this free information make sure to join the thousands of law abiding bikers that have already joined the free Email Club! You will be notified of new useful motorcycle content and techniques as we put them out. Join the Community now!
I have a 2018 anniversary Edition and I am looking for a good bluetooth headset wireless if possible if not what would recommend? for communicating. Thanks ,,,,,Larry
Larry,
We currently recommend installing the HD Wireless Headset Interface Module (WHIM) and purchase a HD Branded Sena 20S EVO or 30K. We suggest the 30K.
You will have full boom box integration this way.
Ride Safe & Ride Often!
~ Matt Couchman
Law Abiding Biker™ Team
Helping, connecting, entertaining, and inspiring as many bikers as we can worldwide!
Have a 2021 Harley tri ke and the microphone will not work. Keep getting message that microphone not connected. Getting in touch with their customer service is a nightmare.