Video-In this video, I tell you everything you need to know about the Harley-Davidson Wireless Headset Interface Module (WHIM) for the Boom Box Infotainment System. Beware and be informed before you consider purchasing the WHIM. You may be throwing your money away.
The WHIM will only work properly with Harley-Davidson branded Wireless Bluetooth Headsets, which are made by Sena. That is the only way you will get wireless Bluetooth stereo sound from your WHIM. If you try to use a regular Sena Bluetooth headset, it will pair depending on the model, but you'll only get mono sound. You'll get the same issue if you try to pair other motorcycle Bluetooth headsets, such as Cardo Systems.
And this is what I call the “Harley Tax”. This is just one instance of Harley sticking it to their customers. The Boom Box should have originally come with Bluetooth headset connectivity and that was a big screw up by Harley-Davidson, who refuses to publicly admit it. Now, the company wants their brand loyal customers to spend upwards of $1000 to fix their mistake with the WHIM. If the continuing Boom Box operating issues have not already left a sour taste in many Harley owner's mouths, then this debacle certainly will.
After the WHIM is installed, you'll need to have your Boom Box system flashed at a Harley Dealership so it will work properly. Many dealerships charge anywhere from $50 to $100. No, you cannot flash your Boom Box yourself, as only dealerships have the proprietary software.
With the WHIM, you will get full wireless headset Boom Box Infotainment System integration such as voice commands, turn-by-turn navigation, and rider/passenger communications, but it's not the only device that can accomplish this.
Note: Owners of 2014 & newer Harley models with the Boom Box must purchase the WHIM on their own and install it as an “add-on”. 2018 & newer Harley CVO models with the Boom Box are coming already equipped with the WHIM out of the factory.
Better Alternative/Sena Freewire:
We here at Law Abiding Biker Media still believe the Sena Freewire ($250) is a much better option, as it is cheaper and you'll get stereo sound even with regular Sena headsets you may already own. And you'll get stereo sound with other brand wireless helmet headsets. With the Sena Freewire, you also get full Boom Box integration and rider/passenger communications just like the WHIM.
Note: With the single WHIM, you can run two Harley branded wireless Bluetooth headsets. With the Sena Freewire, you'll need one module for the rider and one for the passenger. You'll need to install a 7-pin DIN coms port for the Freewire and we have a free video on just how to easily do that.
What are we going to do? FREEWIRE OR WHIM?
We here at Law Abiding Biker Media will stick with the Sena Freewire. It gives all the functionality of the WHIM at a fraction of the cost. And best of all, it works in stereo with all the Sena brand headsets we already own!
Sena Freewire Videos of Interest:
If you choose to go with the WHIM, then this is what you'll need and what you'll have to pay: (part numbers and links)
- Wireless Headset Interface Module ($299)
- (Part Number 76000768)
- Wireless Headset Interface Module Harness ($49)
- Part Number 69201726
- Boom! Audio 20S Bluetooth Helmet Single Headset ($299)
- Part Number 76000736A
- Boom Box Dealership Flash ($50-$100)
- Dealership Install of WHIM ($200?)
- We will be releasing a free WHIM install video on our YouTube Channel
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OVERALL
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Harley Wireless Headset Interface Module-WHIM
Summary
We think the WHIM is way overpriced to fix a Boom Box issue Harley should have fixed for free for their customers. Further, Harley is going to make customers purchase their version of the Sena 20S headset stamped with their logo to actually get “stereo” sound. That's the “Harley Tax”. Those tons of riders out there with regular non-Harley stamped Sena headsets will only get “mono” sound and that's a deal breaker. Other brand headsets, such as Cardo Systems, will also only get “mono” sound with the WHIM. And after installing the WHIM, you'll need to have your Boom Box flashed at a dealership for it to work.
The solution is simple. Get the Sena Freewire, which will work with regular Sena headsets and you'll get “stereo” sound. The Freewire is a fraction of the cost of the WHIM. The Sena works out of the box and requires no “flash” by a dealership after install.
I don’t think the SENA work with the CB, do they?
With the Sena Freewire plugged into the 7-pin you can use the CB. Scroll to the bottom of the link page once there. Videos available. ==> https://shop.lawabidingbiker.com/collections/sena-headsets/products/sena-freewire-bluetooth-transmitter-for-harley-davidson-motorcycles
Ryan, I love your videos and really appreciate the time and effort you put into them. I have one correction for you on this article. Your statement “2017 & newer Harley models with the Boom Box are coming already equipped with the WHIM out of the factory” is incorrect. I just bought a 2018 Street Glide Special and it did not come with the WHIM, only the CVO’s are coming with the WHIM. You’ll see this listed under the STYLING + FEATURES for the CVO on the website and not for the Special. Keep the great info coming.
Yah, thanks Karl. You’re correct and I made the correction. Thanks to all that have reported this to me. Appreciate it, we want to help bikers and make sure the info is correct. Ride safe
Once again you are right on Ryan! I have used the SENA Freewire along with the 20s,on my 2016 CVO Road Glide Ultra since the first Freewires came out, with zero issues. I am a Harley guy but their proprietary bias will backfire on them. SENA flat out has good products that play well together.
With the Sena Freewire how can you set it up for the passenger to hear music if you don’t have an Ultra? When you buy the 7 pin kit for a Road or Street Glide you only have the ability to plug in one Freewire. Is there a harness available that will let you plug in two Freewires?
Unfortunately, we are unaware of a passenger 7-pin DIN kit for SG’s and RG’s to this day. Rider only 7 pin kits….That has frustrated many.
Ryan,
Buying 2018 Road Glide Special I have a Freewire for HD. Will this work on the new bike? I I remember it needs to be plugged into the 7 Pin, which the new HD doesn’t have? Any help on this is greatly appreciated.
Victor,
You would need to add the 7 pin connector.
Ride Safe & Ride Often!
~Lurch
2018 and Newer come with the WHIM installed.
In your Freewire video you stated your Cardo unit would not pair with the Freewire. However in the descriptive information for the WHIM video you reference getting stereo sound from the Freewire with other brands of headsets. I have Cardo headsets already and it would be great if they would work. Cardo tech support told me they “should” work but has not been tested. Can you advise?
Will the WHIM work with a Cardo Packtalk headset? We’ve had a lot of issues using Sena headsets with groups larger than 3. So much so we switched to Cardo and the Packtalk. Not perfect, but much better. I don’t want to have to go back to Sena again.
Not to our knowledge. The WHIM was designed by Sena for HD. They have become the industry standard. The WHIM will work with HD branded BT (made by Sena) or other Sena units.
I can confirm packtalk doesn’t work. I tried for an hour
Thanks for sharing the info TJ
I have (2) two Cardo Packtalk units and both are paired to the WHIM on my 2016 Ultra. I paired the WHIM to second bluetooth channel on the Packtalk with no issues, using GPS input instructions. My cellphone is paired directly to my HD. I can make phone calls, listen to text messages, GPS turn directions, CB and intercom with no issues. Make sure to update you Packtalk to latest firmware.
I have had the same success though I am experiencing some interference (crackling noise when listening to audio though the Whim to the Cardo. Have you had this issue? I have the phone paired to both the cardo and the WHIM, so perhaps that is my problem?
Will the sena freewire work with the scalarideer smartpack?
Head over to our store if you purchased or are interested in purchasing and shoot them that question. They’ll guide you ==> https://shop.lawabidingbiker.com/pages/contact
Can the WHIM support MULTIPLE H-D branded head sets on the Rider and on the passenger positions? Ie, have an open helmet and a full helmet My Freewire does for one person.
You can run two HD stamped Sena 20S headsets with one WHIM
Has anybody tried to hook up the scala rider Q3 headsets to a WHIM?
The H-D shop in Frederick can’t think of any reason it wouldn’t work.
Thanks
Robert
2015 Electraglide with the upgraded boom box
Does anyone have a problem with noise that resembles popcorn popping or sometimes a drum banging in the background when using the WHIM with Sena 20S or any other. This is very annoying. Sena blames Harley & Harley blames it on the Sena headsets.
I am having that same issue but with the cardo packtalk bold. I think it may be that I need to disconnect one of the pairings. I’ll let you know my results.
i just installed KIT 76000768 on a 2016 Street Glide and all the connection is right but when i try to update the software from 1.19. to 1.22 it doesn’t recognize the device when connected to computer and also when i tried to connect the flash drive with the last update id didn’t work and it gave me the error of the ISO captured image stuff What Should I DO Now ?
I would reset the radio to factory settings, then upload the most recent update.
Ride Safe & Ride Often!
~Lurch
I bought and installed my W.H.I.M. and have NEVER been able to get the “Rider” setting to pair with my (HD) SENA headphones. It shows only Passenger when I go pair it. No ability to pair the Rider. It has been reflashed and updated. Anybody else have this problem?
If you really want an effort in futility, get two other friends to spend the $1,100 with HD (give or take) to install the HD WHIM along with you. Travel about 4,500 miles of absolute frustration before giving up on it working. Then take it to HD and have them test it out only to say it is working properly. This is at least several BIOS upgrades or is a generation away from working right. Interface with the Boom Box is equally frustrating refusing to pair the driver and passenger. Then try to chain your fellow riders to be able to use the intercom. We could only get the chain to work without the Boom Box and phone through the Boom Box ever working with it. Then the microphone is keyed open all the time. You get to hear sneezing, nose clearing, heavy breathing, etc. in lieu of your XM radio. No answer from HD and very frustrating. HELP!!
Definitely frustrating and part of the ongoing 4 years of constant problems with the Boom Box in general.
He should to disable Vox from the audio settings.
Ryan,
Nice work on the videos. Thanks for the efforts. It’s been a while since these videos and I’ve got to say that, after being a long time Sena user, I (and my group) has switched over to Cardo. Their aggressive firmware updates to fix problems and (gasp) do the right thing for their customers and suppliers by unlocking a software crippled (smartpack) product didn’t sell well is refreshing. Basically they released a free firmware update that unlocked the smartpack (which was limited to 4 meshed riders and had no ability to bridge, etc) and makes it operate just like a Packtalk. You can now also mix Smartpacks, Packtalks and Packtalk bolds all in one mesh…..DMC is simply awesome and blows away Sena’s mesh stuff.
My group has one question (based on conflicting reports on the internet): Will the Freewire solution pair to the Cardo (smartpack,packtalk or packtalk bold) and allow the Mic to work with the CB and other phone functions of the bike?
I can’t find a solid answer out there. Hoping you will review the Packtalk Bold and put a solid answer to this as well as an honest review out there.
So far, I’ve found the Cardo Packtalk to be superior in every way to my Sena headsets (and the company seems way more engaged with the community than Sena also). Would be nice to get your take on it. Cheers brother.
I wish I could say for sure. I’ve not personally tested that setup. Sorry. 🙁
Do 2019 Harley SGs come equipped with whim?
Nope, except CVO models
I have a 2010 Ultra Limited. I have the HD SPH10 wireless headset. What are my options to get wireless through my bikes system? Thanks
Ron,
None that we are aware of. You need the Boom system for connectivity.
Ride Safe & Ride Often!
~ Matt Couchman
Law Abiding Biker™ Team
Helping as many bikers as we can worldwide!
Have you had any luck with FreeWire working with the Packtalk Bold? Hate to buy it if it will not work. Thanks
Sorry Jim, but we haven’t tried. I apologize but we can provide any input on that one.
~ Matt Couchman
Law Abiding Biker™ Team
Helping as many bikers as we can worldwide!
I have a 2015 Road Glide Special. I understand that the WHIM replaces both the rider and passenger controls for the 7 pin on an Ultra. If I install it on my RGS, and use 2 HD branded Sena 20s headsets will it give me the same passenger capabilities that I would have on an Ultra (I know volume is on the headset, but what about the select and PTT functions from the Ultra?)
Yes, you will get the intercom capabilities the same. You’ll set the vox for the headsets and you can talk to each other. No need to push to talk.
I really appreciate this post. I have been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You’ve made my day! Thanks again
Very cool!!!
Ride safe & Ride Often!
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Hi Ryan, love your videos, great insight! Question for you, will the Freewire paired with a non-HD branded headset unlock Apple Play?
You must pay up to Harley if you want that. Yup, the Harley tax $$$$$$$$$. They’ve now encoded it so you must buy an HD branded wired headset or an HD branded wireless Sena headset for Apple Car Play to activate. Yup. $$$$$$$$$ HD is pissing many off with this.
Ryan,
Your videos are awesome – Thank you. 2020 SGS, big fan of Sena Intercom, and frustrated there is no easy way to pair existing 2 ea. units to the bike. That said my Sena units are pretty old SMH-10’s, Black Rubatone finish all gummy, probably need a new pair.
Is it true if we spring for the WHIM, radio flash, 2 new units we lose intercom capability between rider & passenger And/ Or another motorcyclist ? My son sometimes rides w/ us on his own bike, and would like to be able to talk w/ him re. warnings, etc.
DOn’t use the Nav much so it looks like the only option for us is to invest instead in boosting the crappy two speaker stereo, and just keeping intercom separate from the bike.
No, you will not lose the intercom. That’s really the point of spending all the money for all the Harley-stamped stuff. It all integrates through the Boom Box and WHIM. Including intercom between rider and passengeer. You can also talk to other riders. We’ve tested this and all works.
Ok, So if in the market for 2 ea. new units, then could maybe justify the HD Branded ones to get stereo. Then purchase/ install the WHIM, flash the bike, and be good to go w/ headsets that truly integrate to the bike. Also considering a Audio upgrade of just 2 speakers, and a Amp, so hopefully the flash for that would not interfere w/ the WHIM flash ?
Ryan,
I have purchased a whim for my 2020 Ultra Limited. However it seems to keep losing connection between my 20S Evo sena head sets as most of the time it’s there but sometimes when I get on bike and go back to wireless headset settings it’s all blacked out and I have to press Disable and then Enable to get them back. The whim it’s self came with firmware 1.14.1 . Do I need to get and use another version of the firmware to fix this problem?
I’d make sure you are running the latest version of software both on the WHIM and Boom Box. ==> https://www.lawabidingbiker.com/harleysoftware
I already have a Harley SPH10 bluetooth headset. My bike is a 2017 Ultra with the 6.5. Will this headset work with the Freewire?
Bob,
According to Sena’s website, “The FreeWire only supports Sena Bluetooth headsets of 10
Series and above such as 20S, 10S, 10C, 10R, and 10U”.
Ride Safe & Ride Often!
~ Matt Couchman
Law Abiding Biker™ Team
Helping, connecting, entertaining, and inspiring as many bikers as we can worldwide!
I have already purchased and paid for all of the Harley taxes previous to finding out what a rip-off it all is, and the units I would rate 5 out of 10.
My 2015 Street Glide Special is not flashed for intercom, It just simply is not there, The only way I seem to be able to talk to passenger is if I press the button on the Sena s20 as linking to it without the bike, also the VOX setting does not seem to work at all. Is this a flash issue or am I just stuck with the frustration?
John,
Do you have the WHIM installed on your Boom Box system?
~ Matt Couchman
Law Abiding Biker™ Team
Helping, connecting, entertaining, and inspiring as many bikers as we can worldwide!
First Harley. Bought a 2020 Ultra Limited and have gotten conflicting info from salesmen, internet, and parts. In order to take wireless advantage of the infotainment system, will I require a WHIM and HD branded headsets? I’ve had a couple of inputs saying this bike already has the WHIM.
Once I’ve equipped myself completely, I plan to buy access to your tutorial.
Got a Harley Whim for my 2015 ultra and installed it like your video. Took to harley and now it shows up on my infotainment sys. I can not get my HD sena 20s to pair with it. I did a factory reset on the head set. updating but still wont. on the system I hit enable pair rider (or passenger) headset and it wont.
I thought about resetting the box but afraid that it wont recognize the Whim after.
Have you all heard of or seen something like this before? Any suggestions?
Thanks
C. Cranny
Ryan,
You do great work and provide fabulous information for all biker enthusiasts. Understand the whole Harley tax gig and have a follow-up question.
Own a 2020Road Glide Limited without a whim module. Would like to talk to my passenger and have everything come thru my infotainment system. Since I am not a fan of having a WHIM module installed on my bike Is my best solution purchasing two SENA Freewire units and two SENA HD branded wireless headsets in order to activate Car Play, music and navigation thru the infotainment system?
Thank you!
Jim in Virginia