If you’re a fan of a little “wind therapy,” then having some great music to listen to while you you’re riding your motorcycle starts with a great audio system. Sure, BMW, Harley-Davidson, Kawasaki and Honda include radios and speakers with their touring bikes, but so do Toyota and Hyundai cars and SUVs. All of them could use an upgrade or two to put a smile on your face when a great song comes on. Let’s take a look at five great upgrade options that will make your motorcycle audio system sound better.

Upgrade 1 – Upgrade Existing Speakers

If you’re a regular reader of BestCarAudio.com, then you know how important speakers are to the performance of any audio system. Imagine a high-end home audio system with an amplifier, preamp, CD transport and stand-alone digital-to-analog converter. It isn’t hard to spend $10,000 on this equipment, and you’d be surprised how easy it is to spend more than $500,000. When it comes time to choose speakers, you need something amazing to accurately convert those electrical signals into sound.

High-quality speakers transform electrical signals into sound more accurately than poorly designed solutions. Better speakers offer a smoother frequency response so your music will sound more realistic. Finally, great speakers can handle more power and play much more loudly than an inexpensive solution. All of these criteria are important for motorcycle audio upgrade.

Another important factor in choosing new speakers for your motorcycle is whether they’re designed to be specifically suitable for the application. Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun can damage some car audio speakers and cause the cones and surrounds to fail very quickly. Likewise, if there’s even the slimmest chance the speakers will get wet, choosing a solution with integrated weatherproofing and water-resistant materials is mandatory to ensure reliability.

Upgrade 2 – Add High-Power Amplifiers

When it comes to playing music loudly, your speakers will need lots of power. Upgrading your motorcycle with a high-power, high-efficiency amplifier is the only way to make your music loud enough to drown out wind and exhaust noise.

Size is a top priority when it comes to choosing an amplifier for your motorcycle. You want something that will fit inside the front fairing or not take up too much space in a saddlebag. Many companies make compact powersports amplifiers that will fit nicely above the factory radio in a Harley.

You also want an amplifier that is efficient. Efficiency refers to how much of the power that is drawn from the battery and alternator or stator is converted into energy to drive the speakers. More efficiency means the amp will run cooler and your audio system can play louder without overloading the bike’s electrical system. The best motorcycle and powersports amplifiers on the market are over 93% efficient. That’s about 10% better than the typical car audio amplifier.

Upgrade 3 – Add More Speakers

Aside from using great speakers and providing them with lots of clean power from an amplifier, another great upgrade you can make to your motorcycle audio system is to add more speakers. Sure, the task isn’t as easy as cutting a panel in a car door, but it can be done. Many companies offer handlebar speakers, motorcycle-specific speaker pods that attach to the lower front fairing, and saddlebag lids with options for 6.5-, 8- or 6×9-inch speakers.

Upgrade 4 – Source Unit Upgrades

Every great audio system starts with a great source unit. If there’s distortion in the original audio signal, no amount of processing or tuning can remove it. Companies like Rockford Fosgate and Aquatic AV have created motorcycle-specific source units for 1998 through 2013 Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

Another option is the cool Sony XAV-AX7000 multimedia receiver. Several motorcycle enthusiasts have integrated this double-DIN radio into the fairing of their bikes. The radio has a weather-resistant front panel and buttons. It’s not water-proof, but it can handle the occasional light sprinkle. If you want Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on your bike, then this radio is a perfect choice.

Upgrade 5 – Proper System Configuration

The perfect speaker, if it were to exist, would offer flat frequency response across the entire audio spectrum. The reality is, no speaker can deliver that. Likewise, where we install speakers can have a huge effect on how they sound. To get the most out of your motorcycle audio system upgrade, it needs to be configured to optimize the output of each speaker for the environment. You aren’t going to hear a bass drum or synthesizer riff at 65 mph on the interstate, so crossovers and equalization will let your speakers focus on the frequency ranges where they work best.

Just as in a car audio system, a concert venue or a theater, using an equalizer to optimize the response of a motorcycle sound system is important. Compact digital signal processors include multiband equalizers that can be configured with a calibrated microphone to deliver smooth sound, so your music sounds realistic.

Upgrade Your Motorcycle Audio System Today

The options for making the stereo system on your motorcycle sound better are nearly endless. Drop by your local specialty mobile enhancement retailer today to find out about the audio upgrades that are available for your bike. As always, remember that proper installation and excellent craftsmanship are as important as the products you choose. Be sure to work with a retailer that has the skills to execute your upgrade reliably.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

If you own a 2014 or newer Harley-Davison touring bike, then there are a few things you need to know before you decide to upgrade your stereo system. We know that the Boom! Box radio has a reasonable set of features with navigation, an AM/FM tuner, a USB port for digital audio files, and support for phone calls with a compatible helmet headset. Where the system falls short is in the speakers they have chosen, the power of the amplifier in the radio, and the way the system is tuned. Luckily, many companies offer amazing upgrades. Let’s talk about upgrading the stereo on your Road Glide, Street Glide or Electra Glide.

Harley-Davidson Boom! Box Radio Tuning

For reasons that escape us, Harley has chosen some unique tuning parameters for the equalizer built into the radio on their cruisers. The specific tuning depends on the option level on the bike and varies depending on the number of speakers installed. While the tuning may sort of work with the factory-installed speakers and the limited power from the amplifier, once your local specialty mobile enhancement retailer starts to upgrade things, those equalization settings make your new speakers sound terrible.

If you’re going to upgrade the audio system on your Harley, your installer will need to deal with this tuning.

Add a DSP to Your Harley-Davidson

One of the best options for dealing with the tuning built into your Harley radio is to add a digital signal processor to the audio system. There are two reasons why this is the best choice if you want truly amazing sound on your bike. When used with a calibrated microphone, your installer can tune the audio system to sound great with any high-quality speaker solution. You aren’t left at the mercy of the radio and the response curve of the speakers. Second, the front and rear speakers can be tuned to deliver the same response. Ensuring that each speaker on the bike sounds the same will make your music sound more realistic.

A second and very important benefit of implementing a DSP on your bike is to enable the person tuning the system to accurately limit the bass information sent to your speakers. Face it; you aren’t going to hear the 40 Hz fundamental of a kick drum on any motorcycle audio system when you’re cruising down the freeway. Since it takes a lot of power to produce bass frequencies, a high-pass filter can go a long way toward making the rest of the system play much louder and last a lot longer.

Motorcycle Radio Reflashing

Another very common solution is to reflash the factory radio to a different, flatter equalization curve. Many shops have invested in hardware from companies like TechnoResearch to perform this task. Harley radio reflashing is a simple process that doesn’t take much time. While the output of the radio isn’t perfectly flat in terms of frequency response, it’s a lot better than leaving things untouched.

Image Caption: Radio Flashing Options.jpg

Which Upgrade is Right for You?

If you want a simple radio upgrade that offers good performance, then having the radio on your Harley reflashed in combination with the installation of new speakers and an amplifier is a great starting point. Just as with a car audio upgrade, proper tuning is crucial to delivering smooth and natural performance. The only way to achieve this is with the use of a multi-band equalizer. Concert venues, night clubs, movie theatres and even something as simple as a smart speaker include powerful digital signal processing components that, when configured properly, ensure that your music sounds as good as it can. Your motorcycle audio system should, of course, be the same.

Drop by your local specialty mobile enhancement retailer to find out about the options available to upgrade the performance of the audio system on your motorcycle.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

It’s the middle of the summer, and motorcycle enthusiasts are on their way to the Sturgis Rally for 10 days of music, food and motorcycle fun. One of the fastest growing categories in the mobile electronics industry has been motorcycle audio upgrades. In this article, we’ll provide a few tips and suggestions to ensure that your investment in new audio equipment for your bike will last you for years and sound great.

Where to Buy Motorcycle Audio Upgrades

We can’t even fathom the number of audio system upgrades we see installed at big meets and rallies like Daytona, Sturgis, Laconia and Myrtle Beach. While leaving your pride and joy with the guys in a booth or trailer to upgrade your stereo while you grab lunch or dinner sounds incredibly convenient, occasionally long-term issues dramatically reduce the value of this purchasing option.

After-Sale Service

Whether you buy a new radio, a set of speakers, an amplifier or a complete audio upgrade solution, those products are backed by a manufacturer’s warranty against failure due to defects. In most cases, if you get a little overzealous with the volume control and damage a speaker, these manufacturers will typically provide you with a replacement. You will need to provide a receipt showing that the products were purchased from and installed by an authorized dealer to get that replacement.

If you have questions or concerns about the system a week after the show, who is going to help you out? What if there is a buzz or rattle from one of the speakers? Is it the installation? Is it a damaged or defective speaker? Working with a store that you can go and visit for help can save a lot of headaches.

Audio System Tuning and Configuration

In the case of any worthwhile motorcycle audio upgrade, you are going to need an amplifier to drive the speakers so that they will play loudly enough to drown out your “loud pipes save lives” exhaust system. Unless the amplifier is specifically designed for the exact make and model of bike you own, it has to be set up properly to ensure you won’t damage your new speakers. Mobile electronic specialist retailers operating from a brick-and-mortar location typically have tools like oscilloscopes or a distortion detector to make sure the system is configured properly. Setting up an amplifier is a very important step and is often overlooked. If you can’t turn your audio system up to at least 85 percent of the maximum volume, it wasn’t set up correctly.

Motorcycle Care and Protection

When you pull up to a shop to have your motorcycle audio system upgraded, you can be assured that the bike will be treated like royalty when it’s in their possession. A quality shop will have a storage rack covered in carpet or a blanket for your fairing, saddlebags, windshield or any other delicate parts that need to be removed to upgrade the bike. Many shops apply protective films over painted surfaces like fuel tanks and bumpers. We’ve heard stories where a scratch on a CVO Harley gas tank cost more than $1,000 to repair. Working outdoors doesn’t always provide the space to protect your bike from damage.

Depending on the components you choose for your audio system upgrade, the shop may have to fabricate a mounting bracket or adapter. With your bike in their installation bay, they can go back and forth between the wood shop or fabrication area, so they don’t have to “build” parts near your bike.

Wiring and Hardware Attention to Detail

Motorcycles produce a lot of vibrations while cruising down the interstate or idling at a traffic light. This intense motion can wreak havoc with electrical connections that aren’t both mechanically secure and properly protected. Look for a shop that ensures each connection is made in a way that offers a solid physical joint between the two wires. Twisting and taping electrical connections is not recommended, and quick-connects like 3M Scotchloks can cause wires to break and systems to malfunction. Most shops choose to solder connections and wrap them in high-quality vinyl electrical tape or protect them with heat-shrink tubing. Once the connections are complete, the wiring is bundled together neatly and made into a harness with zip ties or automotive grade cloth and fleece tapes. If the audio installation doesn’t look like it is something that rolled off the manufacturer’s assembly line, you’ll want to get it checked.

Two other important factors when it comes to motorcycle sound system upgrades are reliability and serviceability. If speakers need to be to screwed into mounting adapters, the shop should be using stainless-steel hardware so that the fasteners won’t rust. If you have added speakers to a saddlebag, there should be a service loop or electrical connector in the system so that you or your mechanic can remove the bag for service without having to cut or undo any wiring.

Choosing Motorcycle Audio Equipment

There are hundreds of brands in the mobile electronics industry. About a dozen of them produce speaker solutions designed specifically for motorcycle applications. When you go shopping for speakers, you will want to choose a solution that not only sounds great, but that will last. Motorcycles aren’t like cars or trucks. The speakers are directly exposed to the harsh UV energy from the sun and, if they aren’t constructed from the right materials, will dry out and crack. Look for speakers with water- and UV-exposure compatible materials, so you know your investment will last.

Factory Radio Integration Options

The 2014 and newer Harley-Davidson Boom! Box infotainment system has a lot of features. It also happens to have an elaborate equalizer built into it that changes based on the number of speakers and the exact features of the audio system you choose. When you upgrade the factory H-D speakers to something that sounds better and handles more power, that factory-selected equalization curve works against you and in most cases, the system sounds worse instead of better.

There are two options for dealing with factory-installed Harley source units. The installation technician in a quality shop will have a module that allows them to reflash your radio to an EQ option that offers a smooth and natural response. A second option and one that offers even more flexibility regarding the final performance of the audio system is to include a compact digital signal processor (DSP) in the system design. The installation technician can compensate for the factory EQ curve AND fine-tune the performance of your sound system to suit your listening preferences. If you opt for the DSP route, the installer will need to set up a microphone to tune the audio system. The background noise at a meet or rally would make this process impossible.

Spend Your Money Wisely

One last thought on audio system upgrades for any application. We have different budgets and different listening preferences. With that said, better products almost always sound better. This doesn’t mean you have to spend thousands of dollars upgrading your speakers and amplifiers, but we recommend avoiding stop-gap purchases that will “last until you can afford something better.” Spend your money once on good equipment and it will serve you for years and years.

We hope you have learned something from this article. Now, get off your phone or computer, hop on your motorcycle and take a ride over to your local mobile enhancement retailer and ask them about upgrading your audio system. If you plan things properly, you’ll have a great audio system to enjoy on the ride TO the next meet or rally.

Sturgis photo By Chris Heald (Sturgis) [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0) or CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.

Now that the weather is great all across the country, motorcycle enthusiasts have a chance to get their bikes out and go for a ride – but many riders complain that the factory audio systems on their bikes don’t sound as good as they’d like. There are several reasons why, and a few relatively easy ways to upgrade these systems. A proper motorcycle audio system upgrade will include at least two components – an amplifier and a new set of motorcycle audio speakers. This article highlights a few things to look for when shopping for new motorcycle speakers.

Mother Nature is a Challenge

Unlike in a vehicle, when you are riding your motorcycle, your speakers are exposed to the elements. Sun, water, sand, dirt and debris are natural obstacles that can harm your speakers. When you are shopping for a new set of motorcycle audio speakers, you want to look for ones that are completely weather-resistant.

Water-resistant – Most speakers are made of plastics and metal. Within the motor structure of the speaker are ceramic or neodymium magnets bonded to ferrous metal plates. These metal plates must be protected from exposure to water. When it comes to coaxial speakers, there has to be a seal between the woofer cone and the tweeter post. If this seal does not exist, then water can get into the motor assembly and cause corrosion. In the marine speaker market, a test known as ASTM B117 exposes speakers to a salt fog spray to test for corrosion or material failure. If your speakers have this rating, you know you will have the reliability you are looking for to last for years.

Dust-resistant Design – Following the same theme as the requirement for water resistance, a motorcycle audio speaker should be able to operate reliably when dusty or dirty. A few specks of sand wedged between the voice coil former and the tweeter post of a coaxial speaker can wreak havoc on the performance of the system.

UV Exposure-rated – You want to look for a speaker that is constructed with materials that can withstand UV exposure. These plastics will not chalk, fade, crack or degrade, even after years of direct sun exposure. Having your speaker cones or surrounds fall apart after a few years on your bike is a frustrating experience. To confirm that the speakers you want to use are up to the challenge, look for ASTM D4329 testing. This test exposes the products to years of UV and heat exposure in a short amount of time. If they pass this test, you can trust they will work will on your bike.

Motorcycle Audio Systems Need Power

To reproduce your music at a volume level that can drown out the wind and overcome the noise of a loud exhaust, you need power. Adding an amplifier to your bike is a necessity to achieve adequate performance. Your new speakers have to handle the power from your amp.

The voice coil is the motor of your speaker. It converts the electrical signal from your amplifier into a magnetic field that pushes or pulls the speaker cone forward or backward. If you are sending a lot of power to the voice coil, it has to be physically large enough to dissipate the heat that is generated. Look for large-diameter voice coils; they act like the radiator in your car.

Can Looking at the Tweeter Tell Me Anything?

There are some strong stereotypes associated with hard- and soft-dome tweeters. Many say that hard, metal dome tweeters sound harsh and that soft-dome tweeters sound smooth and laid back. After listening to thousands of speakers, we can tell you that as many examples of each type of tweeter confirm this theory as oppose it.

No one single material selection can determine what a speaker sounds like. Every component in a speaker works as part of a system. The cone, surround, spider, voice coil and magnet structure all have an important role in determining the resulting performance of a speaker. The only way to know how a system sounds is to listen to it. That said, choosing materials that offer weather resistance and long-term reliability is crucial.

Where to Buy Your Motorcycle Audio Upgrades

We have seen many people buying bolt-on audio system upgrades at shows like Bike Week or Thunder Beach Fall Rally. The people selling products at these events may even offer to install them right at the show. Convenience and instant gratification are wonderful, but what happens when it comes to after-sales support? What if a speaker fails? What if you take the kit home and something doesn’t fit? You will have to track down the vendor and, unless they are local to you, pay someone to remove and replace the failed component.

When you deal with a dedicated retailer with a “brick and mortar” storefront, you know you will have the after-sales support that you want and deserve. If you have a question or concern, or decide you want additional upgrades, your retailer is there to support you every day.

Stick to the Big Names

If someone approached you at a cruise and said, “Hey, I designed these cool tires in my basement, do you want to try them?” – what would be your response? Unless this last person’s last name is Dunlop or Pirelli, you are going to be skeptical. That is a good thing.

You bought a Honda Goldwing, BMW K1600, or Harley-Davidson Road Glide or Street Glide because you are confident in the process that those manufacturers have put into developing and testing their products. Decades of engineering, design and innovation produce increasingly reliable and higher-performing products each year. Audio components are the same. A small company can go to Asia and have its name put on an order of speakers, but does anyone know what you are getting for your money?

Dealing with a reputable brand ensures that you will have product support long after the sale is complete. You are getting the latest technologies for incredible performance. FEA design analysis, Klippel testing, fanatical quality control and continued research are all hallmarks of dealing with a premium brand. Why take a risk with your audio investment?

Upgrade Your Motorcycle Audio System Today

When it is time to upgrade your existing audio system or add a new system to your motorcycle, visit your local mobile electronics specialist retailer. They have the products and experience to design an audio system that will sound great and be reliable for years to come.

This article is written and produced by the team at www.BestCarAudio.com. Reproduction or use of any kind is prohibited without the express written permission of 1sixty8 media.