Speakers
Novice
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Omaha, NE
Hey Slam I just went through a similar install on my 2017 Ultra Limited and can offer some perspective on the breakout harness. I thought I wanted the ability to fade but in retrospect I don't think it's all that important. When you tune your amp gains for the front / back they'll be balanced and you lose the TP speaks at speed anyway - I run a detachable TP with the Polks and can tell the speakers aren't back there when riding without them, but it's not something that moves the needle much. The main advantage to the breakout harness is not having to cut the rear OEM speaker wires on the main HU harness. If you're not willing to do that (and I wasn't) then you'll need to run your own independent speaker wires directly from the amp to the tour pak. Since I have the detachable harness, this would have meant I would need to make another quick connector for the new rear wires and add it to the suite of connectors that are already back there (speakers, lights, antenna, etc.). If you're not running a detachable TP or never plan to then it's not as big a deal. It's not a show stopper but just something to be aware of.
The breakout harness also makes putting the faring back on a bit of a chore. It doesn't look like much, but there are a lot of extra wires to manage in order to get the clearance you need. It's certainly doable, but will take a few tries to get all of the holes lined up and take care when tidying up the wiring. A note on your pricing, though - be aware that the $270 includes a set of the line levers, so the price of the breakout harness by itself is actually about $90. Of course if you run off your HU front speaker outs you'll only need one LL.
I went with the BT brackets and am glad I did.
The breakout harness also makes putting the faring back on a bit of a chore. It doesn't look like much, but there are a lot of extra wires to manage in order to get the clearance you need. It's certainly doable, but will take a few tries to get all of the holes lined up and take care when tidying up the wiring. A note on your pricing, though - be aware that the $270 includes a set of the line levers, so the price of the breakout harness by itself is actually about $90. Of course if you run off your HU front speaker outs you'll only need one LL.
I went with the BT brackets and am glad I did.
What amp are you using, how do you like it and how difficult was the overall install? What happens to the factory speaker disconnect at the tour pak after i remove those speakers?
Thanks, ive spent hours reading threads and finally found someone who did exactly what i want to do with the same bike setup. Consider yourself man-crushed haha
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 81
Likes: 4
From: Louisiana USA
Hey AV I will tell you that the breakout harness will save you some wiring with the detachable setup in that you are still using the same quick disconnect harnesses to connect your TP. In this case you will simply remove the stock TP speakers and drop in the Polks (I needed 1/4 spacers to make mine fit) using the same wires that you just unplugged. The BT harness “breaks out” the front and rear speaker wires from the main HU harness inside the front fairing, so from there back you’re tied back into the factory wires. If you’re comfortable reading wiring diagrams you can get yours for free on the HD website and you’ll see what I mean.
This was my first install and I didn’t find it difficult, it just took a while because I went pretty slow. My system wasn’t real budget friendly and I’m not 100% there with working out the kinks on my amp so I’m hesitant as a newbie myself to start giving advice or guidance. Shoot me a PM if you want to know more and I’ll be happy to share but also out of respect for the OP I don’t want to hijack his thread.
But definitely take the advice of the regulars on here, they’ll get you dialed in to the best system for your budget no matter what it is. Don’t be reluctant to start your own thread asking for help, just be clear about what your goals are along with your budget. There’s everything on here from mild to wild and folks here are very helpful and patient.
This was my first install and I didn’t find it difficult, it just took a while because I went pretty slow. My system wasn’t real budget friendly and I’m not 100% there with working out the kinks on my amp so I’m hesitant as a newbie myself to start giving advice or guidance. Shoot me a PM if you want to know more and I’ll be happy to share but also out of respect for the OP I don’t want to hijack his thread.
But definitely take the advice of the regulars on here, they’ll get you dialed in to the best system for your budget no matter what it is. Don’t be reluctant to start your own thread asking for help, just be clear about what your goals are along with your budget. There’s everything on here from mild to wild and folks here are very helpful and patient.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 376
From: Mississippi
Thanks to everyone for the comments. My friend sent me this system specs and I left going out of town, no computer or cell service. I will still have to give it some thoughts. He told me I would not need the fade option as well.
Thanks Rufnek for your comments as well.
I had already ordered the speakers for the tour pak. Since I was out of town, I locked my shop. The UPS man usually puts my parts shipments in the shop. He just left my package outside Friday and it is raining today. I opened the bos and the speaker box was mostly dry.
Got to give it a little thought, but I think I am pretty close to pulling the trigger.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 376
From: Mississippi
Another option:
Fairing speakers, DB MOTOS from Spork Customs $215 These speakers will require mounting brackets or other modifications.
Tour pack Speakers, Polk MM652 $150
Soundstream Amp pn4.1000d $149
J&M Amp Mounting Kit $120
Biketronics Speaker Mounting Brackets $270 (Could mod the speaker pods to eliminate this item) I am thinking I will get the brackets.
Biketronics Amp Wiring Kit BTBOC $270 Could eliminate this item and not have the ability to fade speakers. ????
Total: $1174 + amp wiring kit
A little more than I wanted to spend. Could cut the $270.
What do you think about this system?
Fairing speakers, DB MOTOS from Spork Customs $215 These speakers will require mounting brackets or other modifications.
Tour pack Speakers, Polk MM652 $150
Soundstream Amp pn4.1000d $149
J&M Amp Mounting Kit $120
Biketronics Speaker Mounting Brackets $270 (Could mod the speaker pods to eliminate this item) I am thinking I will get the brackets.
Biketronics Amp Wiring Kit BTBOC $270 Could eliminate this item and not have the ability to fade speakers. ????
Total: $1174 + amp wiring kit
A little more than I wanted to spend. Could cut the $270.
What do you think about this system?
Well, I bought all of my components and got up enough nerve to tear into the bike. Had a friend come over and help me take everything apart, fairing, tank, speaker pods, etc. and help me put it back together. Took apart one evening and then I completed the wiring the next day and put bike back together that evening.
Not included on the list are 18" RCA cables from Amazon and amp remote turn on connections from Biketronics. Donna at Biketronics was a lot of help for someone that knew relatively nothing.
I went ahead with the speaker mounting brackets and BOH. The system was relatively easy to install. I did not know how to adjust the amp and just added gain until I got the volume I wanted. My tech support help was off riding his bike. I have been advised to do a reset on my head unit to get it back to factory default setting, he provided the instructions, the then adjust the gain on the front and rear speakers individually with bike running. Maybe get that done today.
As I said, it was a little more than I wanted to spend, but it made it very simple and something that I could tackle myself. Going in, I really knew very little about all of this business. Really do not know much more now, but I can install an amp and speakers.
I am very pleased with the quality of the sound and I can hear my music when running at high speeds. I usually do not cruise over 80 mph, but the system has been tested at 95 mph+.
A big shout out to SBates on this forum. Shannon helped me with the specs on the system, where to order, etc. He provided answers to my many questions and all the technical support I needed for the installation. We have exchanged many texts and talked on the phone. I owe him and hope to make it up to him somehow.
I looked at Sturgis a couple of years ago to get an amp and speakers installed. The systems I saw there ranged from 1800-2500. Seemed a little steep for me, so.
Maybe this will help someone contemplating the same project.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 10,637
Likes: 1,246
From: Lake, Ms
Originally Posted by Grandslam
UPDATE:
Well, I bought all of my components and got up enough nerve to tear into the bike. Had a friend come over and help me take everything apart, fairing, tank, speaker pods, etc. and help me put it back together. Took apart one evening and then I completed the wiring the next day and put bike back together that evening.
Not included on the list are 18" RCA cables from Amazon and amp remote turn on connections from Biketronics. Donna at Biketronics was a lot of help for someone that knew relatively nothing.
I went ahead with the speaker mounting brackets and BOH. The system was relatively easy to install. I did not know how to adjust the amp and just added gain until I got the volume I wanted. My tech support help was off riding his bike. I have been advised to do a reset on my head unit to get it back to factory default setting, he provided the instructions, the then adjust the gain on the front and rear speakers individually with bike running. Maybe get that done today.
As I said, it was a little more than I wanted to spend, but it made it very simple and something that I could tackle myself. Going in, I really knew very little about all of this business. Really do not know much more now, but I can install an amp and speakers.
I am very pleased with the quality of the sound and I can hear my music when running at high speeds. I usually do not cruise over 80 mph, but the system has been tested at 95 mph+.
A big shout out to SBates on this forum. Shannon helped me with the specs on the system, where to order, etc. He provided answers to my many questions and all the technical support I needed for the installation. We have exchanged many texts and talked on the phone. I owe him and hope to make it up to him somehow.
I looked at Sturgis a couple of years ago to get an amp and speakers installed. The systems I saw there ranged from 1800-2500. Seemed a little steep for me, so.
Maybe this will help someone contemplating the same project.
Well, I bought all of my components and got up enough nerve to tear into the bike. Had a friend come over and help me take everything apart, fairing, tank, speaker pods, etc. and help me put it back together. Took apart one evening and then I completed the wiring the next day and put bike back together that evening.
Not included on the list are 18" RCA cables from Amazon and amp remote turn on connections from Biketronics. Donna at Biketronics was a lot of help for someone that knew relatively nothing.
I went ahead with the speaker mounting brackets and BOH. The system was relatively easy to install. I did not know how to adjust the amp and just added gain until I got the volume I wanted. My tech support help was off riding his bike. I have been advised to do a reset on my head unit to get it back to factory default setting, he provided the instructions, the then adjust the gain on the front and rear speakers individually with bike running. Maybe get that done today.
As I said, it was a little more than I wanted to spend, but it made it very simple and something that I could tackle myself. Going in, I really knew very little about all of this business. Really do not know much more now, but I can install an amp and speakers.
I am very pleased with the quality of the sound and I can hear my music when running at high speeds. I usually do not cruise over 80 mph, but the system has been tested at 95 mph+.
A big shout out to SBates on this forum. Shannon helped me with the specs on the system, where to order, etc. He provided answers to my many questions and all the technical support I needed for the installation. We have exchanged many texts and talked on the phone. I owe him and hope to make it up to him somehow.
I looked at Sturgis a couple of years ago to get an amp and speakers installed. The systems I saw there ranged from 1800-2500. Seemed a little steep for me, so.
Maybe this will help someone contemplating the same project.
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