Satelite Radio what's the best way to go?

[ChrisG]

I would like to have some tunes on my ride to work and have been thinking of getting a satellite radio. I have never had one and am unsure which way to go. XM or Sirrus? Ear buds or speakers? I would like to have as little wires to deal with as possible just to keep it clean. Is anyone producing a motorcycle specific kit? Or should I just buy an iPOD?

Thanks

Chris G

 

[dgfella]

XM is better IMHO, more variety, better quality. I've got helmet speakers but have also used ear buds. Everyone seems to like custom fitted ear buds the best.

dgfella

 

[zzkenoman]

+1 XM, I use it thru my chatterbox, however you can plug your head phones directly also, but I think you might have to amplify it.

 

[Shane Stump]

I would like to have some tunes on my ride to work and have been thinking of getting a satellite radio. I have never had one and am unsure which way to go. XM or Sirrus? Ear buds or speakers? I would like to have as little wires to deal with as possible just to keep it clean. Is anyone producing a motorcycle specific kit? Or should I just buy an iPOD?Thanks

Chris G

Chris,

If all you want is music, either one will be fine. If you want to listen to sports, you will need to check out each one and get the one that matches your interests the most. I have XM on my bikes because it was first. I recently got Sirrus for my car because of NFL Football & BIG 12 College Sports.

Best Regards,

Shane

 

[chickey191]

as usual - it depends.

depends on what you want to listen to.

Baseball - XM

Football (nfl) - Sirius

Howard - Sirius

on the other hand - you could do the ipod thing and have podcast recorded on it and listen to it via earplugs.

 

[Groo]

XM is better IMHO, more variety, better quality. I've got helmet speakers but have also used ear buds. Everyone seems to like custom fitted ear buds the best.

I agree that IMHO XM is better... but not that "everyone seems to like custom fitted ear buds the best". I had custom fitted earbuds, and for some reason, they never fit right. My Etymotic ER6is however fit wonderfully.

Note, XM also carries ACC sports... and some of the other college conferences, if that floats your boat.

 

[OhioFJR1300]

Just to show you that everyone has different taste......... I had XM and did not like it. Took it back and got Sirius. I love it. Go to both XM and Sirius web site and sample the programs to see which one you like best. Then talk to other bikers that have the one you decided on, and see how they like the reception they are getting. Xm and Sirius have different ways of sending out their signal, so one may be better in you location than the other. After all that, get an MP3 player and you will always have some tunes that you like. As for speakers or headphones, seems like that is a very personal choice and only you can decide what you are most happy with.

 

[bmwhd]

I've had Sirius for 2+ years. Also have XM in the Tahoe. I like the Sirius service much better. I'm a classic rock guy and they've got two good channels for that. The same stuff on XM is not as good IMHO.

I also kinda like how they have a lot of the original MTV VJs as DJs now. Kinda takes me back. Plus the NFL is good to have and Howard's a hoot.

 

[Shane]

IMHO,

The "best way to go" is to just get whichever one works for your setup the best, and make sure that you have figured out your post-receiver gear so that you're not frustrated trying to make it "work" when it should be rockin'.

My choice(s)?

XM Roady on a Hoon Holder (first generation, but shielded for use in close proximity with GPS)

Amplirider

Etymotic ER6i's

I have no other sound devices happening, but if I did, this might not be the best setup for other items.

YMMV,

Shane

 

[fjrchik]

Oprah is on XM. nuff said.

 

[twowheelnut]

Oprah is on XM. nuff said.

Well, there goes my fantasy right down the drain!

Currently, I have both XM and Sirius. Bought Sirius and got a free XM 3 month sub with the new car. IMO, a complete toss up between the two. Going with the cheaper service is your best bet.

Crap. Now I gotta find a Martha fan...

 

[HIGHLANDER]

Oprah is on XM. nuff said.

Yeah, but the horses ass no talent Stern is on Sirus!

 

[Woodstock]

Which is the one with the two chicks reading from Penthouse Letters?

I want the other one. That's way too dangerous on a bike.

 

[ChrisG]

Thanks for the reply's it gives me something to work with. Is there a map of coverage for ether the XM or Sirius? Kind of like a cell phone coverage map?

 

[Mogan]

You may also want to consider what you may do with cages down the road. Not all car mfrs offer both for built-ins. And, XM offers multi-unit discounts (6.95 for units 2-x).

In addition, if you get a high end GPS, XM has weather and traffic info that's pretty cool (but more money).

 

[Randy]

Thanks for the reply's it gives me something to work with. Is there a map of coverage for ether the XM or Sirius? Kind of like a cell phone coverage map?

neither works in most tunnels

both have intermittent signals when traveling in a very densely wooded area or when you're down in a valley

other than that, all over the US, afaik. remember, you're relying on satelites, not towers with repeaters.

I have XM, but, most rental cars that I get for work have Sirius. IMO - I prefer XM. Besides, Howard (Sirius) is a washed up boring tool and Opie & Anthony (and l'il Jimmy Norton) (XM) are an absolute riot.

 

[OhioFJR1300]

remember, you're relying on satelites, not towers with repeaters.

/quote]

Sorry but I disagree with you on that one. XM has towers/repeaters in many cities. I;m not sure if Sirius has any or not. XM 's sats are in orbit near the equator, so if you live in the northern US, your signal on a motorcycle may be dropped at times due to your body blocking the signal since the angle from your antenna to the sats is very low on the horizion. Sirius has their sats in a figure "8" orbit over the USA so in most locations you get a good signal on a motorcycle. XM added local repeaters to boost their signal in some cities for this reason. So where you are located does has some effect on how well the radio signal is going to work. This all has very little impact on a car installation as the car body acts as part of the antenna (lots of metal) where a motorcycle has very little metal. Your mileage may vary.

 

[Randy]

yippeee - I learned something today. guess it's time to leave work and go riding. thanks for the education - I wasn't aware of the towers/repeaters. Over 30,000 miles with XM and haven't found any areas where i didn't get reception with the exception of a very short blip here and there (mostly northeast driving and some miles down the east coast).

 

[twowheelnut]

I have XM, but, most rental cars that I get for work have Sirius. IMO - I prefer XM. Besides, Howard (Sirius) is a washed up boring tool and Opie & Anthony (and l'il Jimmy Norton) (XM) are an absolute riot.

Hmmm, I wouldn't mind being washed up with 500 million in my bank account. :****:

Honestly, I grew up with Howard on WCCC, in Hartford, back home. Followed him ever since. But with his new gig and being darn near completely unrestrained, his schtick ain't working for me anymore. He definitely lost something in the move.