Okay, so I have to say, as someone who has been working in technology for over 25 years, I’m one that actually likes to lead a simpler life when I can. My wing is a basic model without all the fluff, I own a 1986 Jeep CJ7 where my analog watch has more tech than my Jeep, so moving to Bluetooth on my bike was a move I never thought would come.
As it goes though, things change and as products start to rely more and more on advanced tech and less on simpler concepts, sometimes you have to make the move. So, now the question…
What’s the best way to upgrade a 2016 GL1800 to Bluetooth?
Well after trying to first understand Bluetooth more than just earbuds to my phone or a mouse to my computer, I found the best way is to simply go for products that are made for this upgrade and not try to “rig” something because it costs less. Let’s face it, almost anything for the Honda Goldwing seems to cost a premium, but I think we all knew that we were buying a premium bike to begin with.
All that aside I settled on talking to several Honda mechanics and almost all pointed to Sena and the Freewire Bluetooth “hub” for the Goldwing. I decided to pair my purchase up with a helmet replacement since I have had my old Arai helmet for about 8 years. Preferring a 3/4 open face helmet and wanting an integrated tinted visor, I settled on a Shoi helmet that provided for the Sena SRL Mesh integrated headset.
Installing the Freewire was pretty straight forward. The minimum connection would consist of plugging the device into your 5 Pin DIN connector where you would normally plug in your helmet and that’s it. The device has a battery that provides for 7.5 hours of talk time so all you need to do now is to pair it to your helmet.
On my bike I tucked the 5 Pin DIN cable and connector all under the top shelter and ran the wire up through the Aux hole in the bottom of the left pouch to keep it all clean and tucked out of the way. I also installed the power cable into the power port and ran that cable down the aux hole and then back through to bring just the first 6 inches of the power cable into the pouch. This kept the pouch clean and tidy.
This unit, along with my phone and helmet provided me with all my Goldwing audio features and the ability to pair to my phone as well as use the mesh feature to talk with others who may not have CB but do have a Bluetooth Mesh device. The only drawback that I see is that using the Goldwing intercom causes a delay between transmitting and hearing yourself over the intercom which would mean that your co-rider would need to also be on Bluetooth and intercom would have to be via helmet-to-helmet Bluetooth or Mesh connection. With the set up I have put together; I doubt that you could use intercom and have one on Bluetooth and a co-rider using a wired headset.
