My brother has a 2010 Ultra with the stock HK head unit and J&M speakers, no amp. He is having issues with the sound completely cutting out, but the radio display is still on. If he shuts the bike off and restarts the sound will come back for a bit but will cut out again. If it cuts out and he rocks the speaker switch on the dash the sound will come back for a bit again.

After a little research it sounds like this is a pretty common problem with the stock head unit. So question is....Does he send it to iron cross audio for $250 plus shipping and hope that is the permanent fix or replace it with aftermarket.

If aftermarket, what are some recommendations for head unit, wiring to keep bar controls, mounting brackets?? He would probably add an amp at the same time and swap out the speakers too.

What is the most cost effective? Or is now the time to go all in and be done?

 

Most "Cost Effective" is Iron Cross. However,When finished he's still going to have the same unit he started with, which lacks all the high tech features of an aftermarket unit. It becomes a question of personal preference. To upgrade or not to upgrade. If he upgrades it's going to cost a little more but he will be a happy camper. Better sound, Bluetooth, and much more user friendly with an amp.

 

Update: We found a friend with a stock radio from out of a 2010 street glide, will this work on his ultra? I am not sure if the radios are exactly the same or if the replacement needs to be updated that it now has 4 speakers connected to it.

 

It will work but you won't have any fader control unless you get the dealer to activate it.

 

if you send any Harley HK radio to Iron Cross, while they are servicing it, they can also activate the front/rear fade control, the Cb and the intercom features while they have it on the bench ,,,,,,,,,, that way when you get it back, it is ready for whatever you want to do ,,,,,

 

Thanks for the help. I think we are just going to throw the street glide radio in for now we have a 4 day trip coming up and don't have time to do a full system..He does want to replace everything this fall so does anyone have recommendations for a complete ultra set up for under $1000??

 

$1000? Man, if you did your own work, you could build a MONSTER system for that amount of coin....if you go aftermarket components.

 

Many of HK issues are attributed to riser bolts making contact with bottom of HK radio. I'd check that area for rubbing and change bolts when replace radio. Here's link to service bulletin M1289.

https://app.box.com/shared/hsq6z6an9f
__________________

 

I 'd check with Iron Cross Audio to see what they can do for you. They serviced my HK in a week. For a long trip I'd want full functionality - CB, Intercom, rear outputs, fade control, etc.