The only reason to remove the tank is to run the USB cable to the back of the bike. Since it’s only used for Software updates. Just stick it up under the fairing, or even behind a headlight, for just as easy access if you ever need to access it.

 

Remove the front fairing.
Install all the junk that goes into the radio compartment
Remove gas tank.
Remove the top of the wiring tray you have just revealed when you removed the tank.
run the one longest wire with a USB connection down that tray and out the side of the bike. I let it come out just in front of the body panel so I didn't have to take off the body panel every time I updated the WHIM

Took about 2 hours mostly because that was the first time I'd ever taken the bike down that far.

 

This is exactly why I posted that HOW-TO

 

No need to remove tank, you can tie wrap the USB cable to the existing wiring under the tank, accessible without removing tank. Mine is under my seat.

 

Thanks for the replies related to tank removal.

 

. And you don't have to buy Harley's branded Sena!

Freewire

 

I've seen quite a few people talking about the freewire, but what exactly does that give you? for me with a 19 RGS, whim activated and mic disabled in the software, no whim. I run a shoei neotec II with the SRL setup. I have carplay when I plug in my phone and all the apps that go with it. I can switch the stereo between speakers on bike and in helmet, I can tap a button to answer phone calls inside my helmet. The only thing I don't have is voice control over navigation on the bike. No voice over the phone navigation if i'm moving.

 

You must have had the requirement for a wireless mic for CarPlay disabled like I did before H-D removed it from Digital Tech and you must have your radio flashed so that it thinks a WHIM is installed - as you do. Otherwise, if you had a WHIM, your CarPlay functionality would not even appear unless you were using an H-D branded headset and had it paired to the WHIM. Since the ability to disabled the mic requirement from Digital Tech has been removed by H-D, there is no way around this requirement if you are using a WHIM; that is where the Freewire comes in. If your mic is disabled I am pretty sure that you also do not have ANY voice control over your bike using the bike's voice button on the left handlebar. The other huge issue, using a WHIM with an non H-D branded headset is that the WHIM and the headset always fights for control of incoming communications, including phone calls. The winner is always the last device powered on and connected. Every time I stop for gas or to take a break and turn off the bike, I have to also turn off my Cardo PackTalk Bold headset. It then has to be the last device powered on after plugging in my phone to the bike and turning the bike on. This issue is eliminated with the Freewire.

I believe H-D could easily fix this with a firmware update to the WHIM but they will never do that because the want to suck every last dollar they can from you.

 

the way i ran mine, i didn't remove the tank, etc. i just routed the usb cable up around my right hand speaker. in order to get to it to do a firmware update (they are few and far between on the whim) i just have to remove the speaker grill. 30 seconds, tops.

 

The only problem I have with my non HD Sena is the audio is terrible. It pairs with my WHIM fine and allows Car Play to function. I don't use it for listening to the radio anyway, just for communications with other people. So I decided not to spend the money on the HD Sena.