My article on the Autocom Active-Rider that was published in BMW ON magazine (February 2008) can be found here.

Problem:
How to get all my audio inputs into my helmet. On my RT I have the following audio inputs: V1 Valentine radar detector, Kenwood FRS radio, factory installed AM/FM/CD, Garmin 2820 which internally supports XM radio, MP3 player and Navigation voice prompts. Since I am a single rider, I do not have a requirement for rider to passenger communication.

Solution:
I installed an Autocom Active-Rider. I choose the Active-Rider because I never have a passenger and rarely talk with other bikes using FRS/GMRS radios. However, I liked the Autocom in that the kit included noise cancelation technology that eliminated the engine whine when using bike power. My configuration of the Autocom called for supporting four inputs including a connection for a Kenwood FRS/GMRS radio. In my humble opinion the Autocom is an expensive solution and I am not sure why simple technology should be so expensive. Here is a copy of my bill, minus the extra $65 splitter I required on my second configuration due to the poor Autocom design.

Installation:
I installed the Active-Rider under the passenger seat and supplied 12 volt bike power from the Bluesea power box. For the passenger headset and extra Autocom plug, I placed both plugs in plastic bags and then sealed with duck tape to ensure no excess water or dirt damage.

You can download the Microsoft Visio file that documents my design by clicking here.
You can view the Microsoft Visio file by clicking here.

Installation of Part 1321:
The following is the install of the Autocom 1321 part that connects the factory speakers to the Autocom.

I installed the 1321 because the 1319 connected to the factory radio and using the 'rear speakers' did not provide the audio quality that I expected. I elected a clean installation thus I removed the right side plastic to run the Autocom 1321 wires against the frame. I did find that it was cleaner and easier to remove the speakers and connect the 1321 than cut into the factory wires as the Autocom PDF states to do. I also found the color codes different on the Autocom PDF and the Autocom 1321 instructions.