Video : XM and AM Antenna Issue '23 RT

[Motor32]

The XM antenna keeps losing the signal, and is pretty much useless as an option to enjoy. The AM is just as bad and doesn't pull in but one station in Pheonix area. For the price you pay to get this bike, it's unsatisfactory.

Steve

[jr1250]

Same problem here! 22 RT. Dealer confirmed the issue. BMW told me to go talk to XM. Very unhappy with that response. I didn't buy the antenna from XM, I bought it from BMW and they should stand by it!

Strangely l, I've noticed the radio seems to cut out less when the windshield is down.

[CamII]

My 23 RT as well. Very surprised coming from a BMW. Owned a few BM’R cars and a 1600GTL and none had any glaring issues like this. Not the first to do it, but velcro’d a Sirius external antenna to the rear luggage rack and works like a charm. Sad that was the fix, but easy to connect and install.

Chuck

[Motor32]

I have a case opened with BMW, and it's supposed to be addressed at the 600 mile service next week, fingers crossed. On my 2020 RT, no problems with the ugly antenna next to the windscreen, my '23 looks pretty but doesn't function, lol.

Steve

[CamII]

Steve, please let us know if you have any luck with a fix. I’m most interested to see how they would repair it. Thanks

[Motor32]

Steve, please let us know if you have any luck with a fix. I’m most interested to see how they would repair it. Thanks

Will do.

Steve

[TNR1200RT]

The quickest fix is to add an external XM antenna. I mounted mine on top of the topcase and routed the wire along the same path as the power wire for the topcase. It is between the two shells that make up the case. 100% fix for dropped signal. Total cost was under 30 bucks. Sometimes it's easier to just apply the fix rather than to try and beat BMW into submission...

[Motor32]

My bike was at the dealer for 17 days (600 miles service and XM/AM antenna issues). The dealer just sent me this photo of the "FIX" (photo below) for the XM that BMW has them installing. It looks like a Sirrus branded XM antenna, on the right. They're rerouting the wire because it's shorter than the stock one, but fits perfectly into the mushroom.

Nothing was happening after complaining and talking/emailing BMW-USA countless times, until I sent my videos of the problems to BMW-HQ in Berlin, the next day BMW-USA agreed to take care of it.

Steve

[url]

[Doctor T]

The AM is just as bad and doesn't pull in but one station in the Phoenix area. For the price you pay to get this bike, it's unsatisfactory.
Steve

AM Radio? I haven't had a radio with AM for must be 25 years. I didn't even know you could still get a radio with AM

[AthurY]

My bike was at the dealer for 17 days (600 miles service and XM/AM antenna issues). The dealer just sent me this photo of the "FIX" (photo below) for the XM that BMW has them installing. It looks like a Sirrus branded XM antenna, on the right. They're rerouting the wire because it's shorter than the stock one, but fits perfectly into the mushroom.

Nothing was happening after complaining and talking/emailing BMW-USA countless times, until I sent my videos of the problems to BMW-HQ in Berlin, the next day BMW-USA agreed to take care of it.

Steve

[url]

Sorry to bring this old thread back to life ... as I am struggling to replace the OEM antenna.
Based on the picture above, looks like the wire of the OEM antenna is quite short and I am assuming it ends with a socket in the front of the bike?
If there are other pictures to install a 2rd party antenna, please provide.

Thanks.

[Motor32]

I don't have any other pictures, (the dealer sent me the picture). They told me they had to reroute the wire to use it. Maybe they have corrected the issue by now. The dealer covered everything under warranty, and works great w/no loss of signal since, FYI.

Steve

[DTS]

Thanks for sharing the info on the antenna fix.
I can't seem to see how to get off the bodywork to get to the "mushroom antenna" so I can do this myself. I tried looking around for the FAKRA pink plug that is illustrated in the picture. It can't be very far into the bodywork since it's short. I don't want to break any tabs getting everything off; and since I can't have a BMW shop manual (2023 RT) I don't want to go "exploring" by taking stuff off the bike to get to the mushroom and the wiring.

So I bought a 4" tall Sirius XM antenna and installed in on the furthest back point of the rack, and then plugged it into the XM radio; FAKRA connection (pink).

Problem fixed so far, but I haven't ridden the bike to test the reception quality while riding since the weather has been bad since I completed it.

I will re-post once the verdict is in.

I would rather try and fail than do nothing.