I don’t mean to start a fight over amps for our radios, but here’s what I came up with.

Some of my riding buddies say they can hear their radios just fine at highway speeds, this I don’t understand because I can’t even recognize songs at highway speeds, let alone enjoy listening to it.

Here’s been my problem: Speed limits are mostly 70 mph in Texas (except for the local speed traps). If I stayed at 65 or slower I don’t think I would be having this problem…………and the fact that I live in a small rural area full of rednecks, so I don’t have anybody to go to for help with upgrades. So it’s all, try this and try that and see if it works on my own.

The stock HK radio’s sound lever output is different for all inputs.
1) X-M radio is the lowest output and this is what I use all the time. (I am hooked on satellite radio)
2) FM is the next level up but the reception sucks (I live in the middle of nowhere, I guess) Plus I don’t think the HK unit is the best reception radio anyway.
3) CD’s out put is the loudest, but I quit buying music after they changed from 8-Track tapes. So don’t even bring up buying songs for the iPod at 99 cents per song. 1000 songs is $990 dollars LOL

Let’s all understand that the stock radio is 20 watts per channel.

So I tried the Hawg Wired 75 watts per channel amp and speakers and I still couldn’t hear it worth a damn at highway speeds. When riding at 70 (unless I had a tail wind) I basically turned the radio off most of the time. $800 shot to he$$

I thought well maybe the speakers weren’t big enough, so I put in the 6 ½” speaker upgrade and this did help.

Now here is what I ran into with a normal style amp. You have to adjust the “gain and frequency” to get it just right. To do that, you have to take the front of the fairing off. I had that sucker off at least once a week all last summer and fall trying to get that freakin amp dialed in. Basically, you have to turn down the base to get more volume for highway speeds. Then it sounds like crap at any another speed.

When I traded bikes, I told my service guy don’t put the amp in the new bike, it is no better than the stock crap speakers. But I did keep my 6 ½” speakers, but I don’t think the 20 watts is enough to run them at highway speeds.

So after hearing an interview with Toby Keith and him saying he had a 360 watt amp (180 per speaker) in his Road Glide, I knew something better was out there. So I broke down last week and called Biketronics http://www.biketronics.com/index.html . After a short discussion, he recommend to me their 180 watts per channel amp, because I already had the 6 ½” speaker upgrade. What sold me was, he said you had to be careful with the unit because it is loud enough to cause “ear damage”. I said then that’s the puppy I want then. LOL

I installed it myself, I’m no genius but I can turn a wrench when I want to. THERE IS NO “GAIN AND FREQUENCY” DIALS TO MESS WITH. Just put the sucker in and turn it on. I took a short ride yesterday and right now I am happy.

Here are some results (I did all tests both direction, in case there was any head or tail wind):

Half Helmet: I could hear it fine at highway speeds. I did not have to run full volume at all, a little over half on the bars. I even ran up to 85 and still could hear if fine.

Half Helmet with ear plugs in my ears. The quality of the sound was much better, because it was cutting out the wind noise, but I had to run at full volume. I could hear it fine though.

¾ helmet with the shield up or down I could hear it fine. Once again the quality was better because of lower wind noise in my ears.

It worked fine with the AVC. The quality of the sounds was fine at all sound levers too. Not like those amps with the “GAIN AND FREQUENCY” bull crap.

So far I am pleased, but then I did say I did a short test ride. This weekend I should have a full report. Hopefully I have a good amp, that provides good quality sound, at all speeds. That’s all I want, is to hear my music while riding. I’m in no pi$$ing contest, on whose is bigger and better and louder. I’m just a simple guy and wanted a simple hookup. I think it this is going to work. If it doesn’t work, then the next step is a radio head unit swap.

I know, sorry for the long post. But this has been a year long ordeal for me. Thanks to all the guys who have been trying to help me to get a better system, but like I said I’m alone around here and I’m not doing another amp with that “GAIN AND FREQUENCY” bull crap.

 

And the cost was ????
Amp model and name?

 

Biketronics setup.

http://www.biketronics.com/touring.html#RRPackages

BT480: Titan UcD Expandible Class-D Amplifier System

•Tiny enclosure packs 180 Watts RMS per-channel.
•Hi-Tech High-Efficiency Switching Amplifier.
•Biketronics famous Plug-N-Play with factory connectors.
•Powered by patented "UcD" technology.
•Protects charging system with StatorGuard™ technology.
•Famous Biketronics Reliability (Lifetime Warranty).
•Works on most touring bikes.
•Designed and manufactured in the USA.
•Price: $499.95 (kit)

Biketronics step it up a notch with the smallest, clearest, most powerful mobile amplifier system available. At 180 watts per channel of super clear audio, the new Biketronics Titan Power- Block180’s get the job done. The system is expandable so you can start with two channels and add additional channels as needed. The Titan PowerBlocks easily accept additional speakers on each channel (supports one-ohm loads!) PowerBlock180’s use patented Class-D technology called UcD - a Biketronics exclusive. Titan protects your bikes charging system with StatorGuard™ technology and features famous Biketronics Plug-N-Play simplicity using factory connectors. Titan also comes with our lifetime warranty and is designed and integrated in the USA.

 

Here's the speakers:

http://www.biketronics.com/index.html

Suddenly.
Other Speakers Seem Small...
TitanXL 6.5" Speaker Upgrade
For over six (6) years Biketronics has set the standard for high-performance audio on Harley Davidson touring bikes. The TitanXL 6-1/2” speaker upgrade takes touring audio to the next level with a significant increase in bass, mid, and high range sound. Performance improvement is due to a 153% increase in speaker surface area, powered by Biketronics renowned Titan-Hertz speakers and a patent-applied speaker adapter that allows the huge transducer to tuck tightly inside your bikes fairing.

Simple bolt-on installation. Fits 1996-2009 Harley Davidson Touring Bikes. Made in America. Lifetime Warranty. Call Today for Details: 800.735.2419

 

Here's a thread on install from Gas Can:

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/elect...s-part-ii.html

 

I have the Hawg-wired 80 watt 2 ch amp and their speakers. I never have to go over 3/4 of the volume. I have had cagers tell me at pit stops that were riding behind me that they did not have to have their radio on they could hear mine. I looked at them and said WTF. I didn't know if they were serious or they were being a smartass.

I listen to the CD player and the radio and ride with a half helmet and sometimes earplugs.

25K miles later I had one speaker go out and they sent me a new one at no charge the next day.

So unless you are wearing a full face and have really bad hearing, or you did not use their speakers something had to be wrong with your setup.

But hey if you found a system you like better nothing wrong with that.

 

Thanks for the write-up and pics. To help me with an apples-to-apples comparison: (1) what size windshield are you using; (2) what type helmet do you wear--1/2, 3/4, etc.; and, (3) what handlebars are you using?

 

As I stated, if I used the CD player it would have been close to fine. The XM radio isn't as loud for some reason. Yes I used their speakers and called them about my concerns, but recieved no help at all from them. They didn't care. I was just asking if anyone else had complained or if it was just me. I have since read on the forums here that other people aren't any happier than me. It was a fine system up to 70, or if I ran with my huge Halfmoon windshield.

I too have had people say they could hear my radio riding around me. Hear noise and enjoying listening is two different animals.....and yes I could hear the Hawg Wired setup better with ear plugs and or a 3/4 helmet. Just not good enough running 70 mph.

I'm glad you are happy with yours, I wasn't.

 

I'm 6' and am using a Clearview 9 1/2" with recuvre windshield. I have tried many windshields and found a couple that were more user friendly for the radio (12" Halfmoons and 10 1/2" Klock Werks) but my Clearview 9 1/2" with recuvre is the best for head buffering....and I need to see before I need to hear the radio.....and the 12" Halfmoon is just a huge windshield (non sporty).

I use a 1/2 helmet mostly, sometimes with ear plugs but mostly without, unless I'm going on an all day ride, unless I'm doing a long trip then it's the 3/4.

The handlebars are Wild One Chubby w0575 Bagger Bars. Not sure what that has to do with the radio unless you think my hands being in front of the speakers is the problem.

 

Thanks for writing that up.

Don't have tunes on my current bike, but may on the next one. If going with tunes, I'll likely go the same route as you. Just like to hear high fidelity sound, if I'm listening to it at all...