I'm thinking about getting an aftermarket Batwing this winter an adding a stereo an amp to replace my Memphis shades bullet fairing. I figure the radio without an amp wouldn't be loud enough to hear on the highway so an amp will be needed....my concern is overloading the electric system. If I go this route I will prob replace the H4 halogen with a plug in LED bulb that draws about half of what the halogen does. I know some touring bikes had radios but I don't know if they had an amp or if they came with a larger charging system. any input?

 

Larger charging system. There is a 32-amp upgrade that many people like. When you replace everything just remember two drops of red loctite.
When you get there you'll know what I'm blabbering about.
Tom

 

I have a 97 ultra with stock charging system 32amp?
I run a 300watt amp and push the stereo when I ride . I have never had a issue

 

Replace all of your lighting with LED's. I used custom dynamics for everything except the headlight and passing lamp. I went with truck lite for those three. It freed up some power and I can see and be seen better.

I also went with Sumax heavy duty battery cables. The stock ones are tiny in comparison.

I replaced my battery with a 720 cranking amp lithium ion battery. Stock is 300 cranking amp AGM battery.

My goals were different than yours but just mentioning these as improvements to the electrical system.

It seems like I remember some years or models having a higher output charging system than others but I can't remember the specifics about that.

 

I've been running an amp(lifier) since about 1990 on the stock 23 amp(ere) charging system. I currently have an Alpine 445u amp. I think I am speaker limited with the 4" speakers.

 

Would be worth asking this in the Audio section as well. But in my case with my '91 EG with stock 32 amp charging system, I have changed out the entire system with biketronics module, Alpine stereo, Cerwin Vega 600w amp and also added the 6.5" rear speaker pods (Infinity Kappa) in conjunction with the 4" fairing BT Titan speaks. No indicated issues whatsoever, my volt gauge shows no more draw now than it did before. Heads up now tho to run your Ground from amp all the way back to the battery and not on the trip tree somewhere. And make sure you absolutely have a good ground to frame at battery. I actually added an extra ground to mine, and also have a set of new Sumax battery cables to install just because. Just haven't gotten to it yet. Good luck!

 

I might suggest you try the stereo without an amp first, to see if you truly need an amplifier. I have an aftermarket Sony stereo in my '86 FXRD without an amp. I'm limited to 4" speakers in the FXRD fairing, so adding an amp seemed a waste of money. The stock head unit does pretty well on it's own. Given, that bike has a pretty quiet air pocket behind the faring, but I can her the stereo just fine at highway speeds. If you do decide to add an amp, I agree with the advice above on changing all your lights to LED equivalent. With a headlamp and 4 turn signals, you're probably saving between 6-9 amps going LED.
Good luck with your set-up

 

Might be the case with the stock mufflers. But with my Supertrapp or probably any aftermarket mufflers that are LOUD. An amp was indeed necessary.

 

My super Trapp with 24 disc closed cap was quieter than stock. I couldn't stand it.

 

thanks for the input.....My exhaust is loud when you get up into the rpm's but it isn't bad cruising, the wind noise is worse than the exhaust noise at 70.

I forgot about the audio section of the sight LOL. I'll have to do some reading in there.