AIO-6 and BMW - Everything you need to know

Introduction

In the summer of 2024 we unveiled an innovative solution – the AIO-5 Play for BMW. Its unrivalled integration and ease of use quickly won over BMW motorcycle owners.

Today the next flagship CHIGEE model is already available – the AIO-6. Like its predecessor, it can be plugged into the original BMW navigation cradle, read engine data and be controlled with the BMW WonderWheel.

AIO-6 is a more advanced system; among many new features it offers an option to install cameras. That changes the way it has to be installed. This blog explains how to connect the AIO-6 to a BMW depending on the chosen configuration.

Requirements for installing the AIO-6

Mounting the AIO-6 with the BMW module requires two conditions to be met:

1. The motorcycle must have the original BMW Nav Prep navigation cradle compatible with the 5th or 6th generation BMW navigation.

If your bike does not have such a cradle you can still obtain BMW-like functionality with the CGRC LIN adapter. In that case you are free to mount the unit wherever you like.

2. The motorcycle’s ECU must have the “Navigation Device Preparation” software package (SA 272).

If the cradle was factory-ordered your machine most likely already has this package.

If the cradle was fitted later at a non-BMW workshop you will probably need to add the package. Check with your BMW dealer.

The simplest way to verify compatibility is the AIO-6 Compatibility Table.

Installing the BMW Module onto the AIO-6 body

After unboxing the AIO-6 you will see that the BMW module and the main unit are separate parts. The BMW Module must be screwed to the main AIO-6 unit in accordance with the included instructions.

Specifics of installing the AIO-6 on BMW

There are three main options, each with a distinctly different installation process:

1. AIO-6 WiFi with the BMW module
2. AIO-6 LTE with the BMW module
3. AIO-6 with the BMW module and cameras (installation identical for LTE and WiFi MAX)

AIO-6 WiFi with the BMW module

If you opted for the basic WiFi version of the AIO-6, installation is incredibly simple: just place the AIO-6 in the navigation cradle. No wiring is required.

AIO-6 LTE with the BMW module

The LTE version of the AIO-6 offers many handy features that work even when the bike is switched off, thanks to an ultra-low-power mode.

Unfortunately, the original BMW navigation cradle cuts power completely when the ignition is off. If you do not run an additional wire to the battery to supply the device in low-power mode, the following features will be unavailable:

• Remote low-battery notifications
• Remote alarm notifications
• Remote viewing of location, tyre pressure and battery voltage
• Remote speed-limit alerts (optional)
• Remote geofence alarms (optional)

The extra wire is attached directly to the BMW module: lift the seal and fasten the wire with two screws (see the user manual for details).

The cable allows quick plug-and-play disconnection. A few centimetres above the module there is a quick-disconnect plug. Remember to cap the plug with the built-in cover when disconnected.

AIO-6 with the BMW module and cameras

Combining the AIO-6 with a dash-cam kit makes for a powerful duo packed with useful features, but installation requires connecting both the cameras and the power leads to the battery, as shown below:

BMW K1600, 1200RT (2014-2017), 1250RT (2020)

Owners of these luxury tourers may wonder how things look on bikes with an integrated navigation compartment. Those bikes have a housing designed for devices up to 5 inches, so the AIO-6 does not fit there on its own.

There are now three ways around this. On the R1200RT and R1250RT with the enclosed cradle, the RT extension bracket solves the clearance problem and lets the AIO-6 sit alongside the BMW module. On a K1600 or an RT from 2022 with the wide 10.25-inch TFT screen there is no recess at all, so the display goes on the 10.25-inch TFT adapter bracket. On an older K1600 with analogue dials the recess stays too small for the AIO-6, and an AIO-5 EVO on the nav recess adapter is the way to keep cameras in that cockpit.

For a perfect fit on these models, check out the proven and reliable AIO-5 Play for BMW.

BONUS – How to connect the yellow ACC wire?

Correctly connecting the yellow ACC wire is crucial to proper system operation. Wondering how? Here are some tips:

• Have a multimeter handy – it makes finding a wire that gets power with the ignition on much easier.
• Do not connect the yellow wire to the 3-pin navigation interface – this can cause electrical interference on the bike’s CAN bus.
• Check the fuse box – if your bike has one, it is often the easiest place to tap the ACC wire.
• The rear position-light harness – this wire perfectly meets our criteria (gets power whenever the ignition is on), is often easy to access, and being a separate circuit reduces the risk of interference.