TK-890 Motorcycle Installation

[capturecom]

I have a couple of TK-890s, and I would like to install one of them on a 2009 BMW R1200RT-P. Has anyone completed such an installation?
I have the RF Deck, RF Deck Mounting Bracket, KCH-11 Control Head, DC Power Cable, and Microphone. What will I need to mount the control head on the handle bar center mount on the RT-P? I assume there is a compatible control head mounting bracket. KRK-5 remote mounting kit? KCT-22M2 Control Cable looks like what I'll need for the interface. Are there any specific cables/schematics for interfacing the TK-890 to the Code 3 Electronics for PA functionality? PTT? Has anyone interfaced the Kenwood with the PVP in-helmet headset?
Any ideas, data, or related experience would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ramal121]

Looks like you have the radio covered. You will need the KRK-5 remote kit plus a control cable. The KCT-22M2 is 17 feet (excess to stow away) or the KCT-22M which is 8 feet (probably a hair short). If the bike has the power control module, you'll want to set the radio up for ignition sense with a KCT-18 cable and hook that to the module.

Use the head bracket from the KRK-5 to determine how and where the control head will be mounted. You may have to contact BMW for a specific mount that you can put your bracket on.

What about a speaker? Mounting a KSC-5 is tough on those. BMW has an option to provide an internal speaker with a pigtail you can hook into. You can program the radio for speaker A/B to switch between the external and the helmet if you wish.

There would be no interface from the radio to the siren as it doesn't support radio rebroadcast. I think that's what you are talking about. The PVP system handles the PA function from the helmet and ties directly to the code 3 siren.

The PVP headset system is relatively straight forward to connect to the 890. You will have to make sure the correct jumper is set in the radio for external mic though. Also if you plan to have the palm mic connected I would strongly urge you to do the hot mic mod to it, otherwise you will get a lot of road noise going out with the transmissions. PVP has excellent technical support. Don't hesitate to call them.

Lastly, crank the transmit power down to 15 watts. That is the maximum you will want to run on the bike for rider safety.

To be honest, I've never done an install as BMWs contract up-fitters do this before the bike is delivered. But I've torn plenty apart for repair work.

 

[capturecom]

Thanks, ramal121, for the feedback and the heads-up on configuration selects.. I'll check with LGB BMW to determine if the KRK-5 control head mount will install directly on the RT-P. The plan is to use one of the two BMW OEM comm speakers, and to not install a Kenwood speaker.
RRB functionality would be preferred, but it sounds like that isn't an easy option. I was also wanting PVP interface to the Code 3 electronics for the PA functionality, and it sounds like it will work.
I'll post once I have this installation complete. I recall seeing a new motor unit being delivered by LGB BMW to some city agency with some model Kenwood installed. I'll check with Paul in their shop and see what it will take to have them do the work. Thanks again for your help.

 

[capturecom]

TK-890 Motor Install Complete

Kenwood TK-890 Install on 2009 BMW R1200RT-P


It’s taken awhile to dedicate sufficient time to this project, but the TK-890 is now mounted in the radio box and is fully operational. I want to thank “ramal121” for his sage advice along the way. Once I decided to go with the PVP Communications solution for a wired interface with the PA function, I was well on my way. The only critical element remaining was acquiring the PVP ADAPTER CABLE, SPECTRA TO KENWOOD ($45.00) from PVP. Using this adapter cable eliminates having to invent the interfaces, and makes for a very clean and straight-forward install.

The install requires the TK-890 UHF Radio with Mounting Bracket, KCH-11 Control Head w/Bracket, KRK-5 Remote Kit, KCT-22M2 17’ Control Cable, KCT-18 Ignition Sense Cable, PVP Adapter, PVP Headset, and PVP Electronics Box. You’ll also need the Radio PTT Switch and PA PTT Switch. As with every install, you’ll want to have the entire system operating properly on the bench, ensuring all functionality is verified, before engaging in the installation.

The Remote Head Mounting Bracket requires two slots to be elongated in order to use the BMW handlebar post extensions. This install also required a 3-hole button mount for the Siren Control (which is disconnected), Radio PTT, and PA PTT. Things get pretty tight under the left grip and clutch handle with the bigger bracket, but driving a few miles while using the new features eventually makes things more comfortable and automatic.

A discovery on bench was that the Radio PTT didn’t work. It turns out that the PVP Adapter cable is wired for Function Port AI5 for the external PTT function, but my version of the TK-890 and programming SW only allowed for Function Port AI1 to be programmed for the external PTT. That discovery required a quick re-wire of the adapter to accommodate AI1. Again, it is much easier to resolve issues on bench than after installation.

No attempt was made to try to squeeze in a Kenwood external speaker. The BMW pre-wired left speaker was used, and even with the radio being programmed for the normal audio output level (not 13 watts), the audio from the speaker is substantial and very clear. The Radio PF5 was programmed for Speaker Int/Ext, and since there is no internal radio speaker with the KCH-11 Control Head, PF5 allows the BMW speaker to be muted, while leaving audio in the helmet headset. PA PTT works great, once the audio level adjustments are made using the PVP level set pot. The PVP headset works great even at high speeds, providing more than enough audio, and the noise cancelling works great on transmit, as reported by numerous radio checks.

The broad-banded Maxrad PC Tel UHF antenna keeps with a low profile, while easily providing good performance and SWR from the 70 cm ham band up through 469+ MHz.

I’ve included a few pictures just to show what it looks like after completion. Not very exciting, but pics nonetheless. The PVP solution is the absolute best way to go. Their products are designed and manufactured for the demanding motorcycle environment, and the performance is outstanding. This is not an inexpensive solution, but it is by all standards, the best solution.

 

[ramal121]

Congrats on completion! Funny but after our last exchange I wound up doing four new BMWs (Motorola Astro Spectras/XTL5000s with PVP's). All fresh in my mind now but looks like you slogged through regardless. All looks great. Assume the headsets work also. I see the radio chassis is missing the cable covers, lose those?

 

[Rt169Radio]

The result looks pretty cool, if you don't mind me asking what do you use the radios for?

 

[capturecom]

ramal121: The PVP headset works great. I went with the wired solution (versus Bluetooth), but have the plug coming up just right of tank center where the seat meets the tank, and I left about 2" of cable. I like having the headset cable going straight down and out of the way, instead of having the plug up on the bars by the control head. And the KRK-5 only had one cover in the kit, so I closed out the control head end appropriately, leaving the need for two covers at the radio in the radio box. Things stay dry and clean under the cover, so there's time to order the 2 needed covers. Thanks again for your advice along the way.

Rt169Radio: The TK890 UHF radio is used for amateur radio, GMRS, public safety, and scanning. The RT-P makes for the perfect commuter bike, and adding a radio makes the ride even more enjoyable.

 

[mmckenna]

Very nice looking installation. I like the radio box, always considered adding one of those on the back of the ATV.

 

[Rt169Radio]

What kind of mount is that for the antenna? And that motorcycle looks nice, I think CHP use's that kind of motorcycle.

 

[cabletech]

Nice looking setup, just like a normal law enforcement bike.

I do have to ask, if this is a personal bike, are the lites in the box still workable and do you use them?

I ask because the box/lite combo is the standard BMW law enforcement package and in the Northwest
if these lites are seen to be workable,then they need to be changes to amber.

rt169 I would say that the OP made a bigger antenna plate out of alumam, but in a normal cop setup, there was a plate that was a little small that was used in the same location and a side plate was also available.

 

[capturecom]

Yes, this motor is the police version of the R1200RT, and designated an R1200RT-P. This one never saw law enforcement service, as it was the 2009 demo bike from Long Beach BMW Motorcycles (CA). It had 8K miles on it when purchased new. It is used for civilian rides, and it was my commuter vehicle until I retired earlier this year. The daily commute was 166 miles round trip, so it only made sense to find a bike that is used daily for as many freeway miles (like CHP use). The thought being that the bike has already proven to be a performer and comfortable. And then there is the increased bike visibility in traffic, yielding increased driver awareness......drive like you are invisible, but always appreciate when drivers actually see you.

Prior to delivery, the only component removed was the shotgun mount/release rack (right rear). All red and blue LEDs in the Code 3 pods were changed to high-intensity ambers. The Code 3 electronics remained. The siren activation/control was disconnected within the Code 3 box, but the electronic air horn tied to the horn button remained. The Code 3 Optix lights on the rear were removed from the Code 3 electronics control circuit, and added to the brake light circuit, making for highly visible brake lights. The blue ID lights were changed to the LED reds. The LIDAR holder on the right engine guard remained, and it holds a water bottle just as well as a LIDAR gun.

The antenna mount is a standard part from BMW. As long as you are using a low profile antenna like you see in the picture or smaller (like 800 MHz), the mount works good. It you use a larger antenna, and especially a VHF low-band antenna like the CHP, you'll need the BMW-provided struts that run from the mounting plate you see down to the rear protection bar (crash bar). The struts add substantial strength to the mount, and help it survive the vibration and wind loading.

If you never carry a passenger and enjoy having traffic get out of your way occasionally, then this is the perfect bike. And with a Kenwood radio onboard, the ride only improves.

The only go back I have on this install, is that I should have been thinking more about how to enclose two RF decks (VHF/UHF) in the radio box, and then cable up for a single control head/Dual radio configuration. Maybe next time.