I don't usually listen to Am or Fm on my bike but lately I've noticed I can't get reception when my father was on his 07 Classic. My bike is a 2015 FLHTK, just updated to the latest version, and actually seems worse than before the update. Anyone having issues like me?

 

Have you modified the antenna in any way (shorter, hidden, etc)?

Radio reception will probably be more affected by a lose cable connection somewhere and/or antenna modification.

I don't listen to the radio much, but the reception seems to be about the same as when I had my '11 Street Glide.

 

Stock antennas. I looked on the tour pack and all is good. Might be inside the fairing at the radio where the antenna might be loose.

 

2014 FLHTCU, stock radio.
The standard reception is horrible.
Swapping out the "shorty" antenna makes it horrible * 2
Swapping that out to the powered inside-the-fairing antenna makes it horrible ^2

The reception is crap. Flat out crap.

 

Ah, one other thing....on mine, I did have a loose connection at the connector near the back of the seat. Every time I'd hit a bump, the radio lost signal but usually came back. Once I re-connected that one, then it just sucked the whole time.

 

This post explained the science on why reception is crap.

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...l#post13819244

 

Yep, sums it up. The bad part is that HD already has you $70 before you open the package and read the note that clearly tells you that your reception may be worse in some areas. No kidding, right?

 

When I got my '14 SGS, I got AM and FM reception. With each update to the head unit sowftware, it got worse. Now I have to be within 2 or 3 miles of the transmitter to get anything.......

 

What with these bikes having LED highlights as OEM it makes me wonder if there isn't an interference issue with them - there are filters you can buy or make to reduce the issue - I wonder if anyone with reception problems has tried this. Mine is fine with a J&M passive antenna.........HD is powered. The thread above suggests that a powered antenna only make the problem worse.

 

My dad's 8 year old bike gets better reception than my 2015 boom! It's not acceptable for the price we pay.