you will need to amplify all the speakers in play, unfortunately that is the way it works, sorry i didn't get back with my test, i will tonight but it will be late. I know 2 amps that play well with FM, the RF TM400x4ad and the Arc Moto 600.4. both are not cheap and I think that the RF might not have enough power, but that is relative. I really like the sound when i ran one. The ARC definately has the power, but it more expensive. I will test when i get home, but it wont be till like 10:30 or 11 before i can make that happen, sorry i dropped the ball. if anyone else can chime in on that it would help!!
m

 

No problem. I appreciate your help. As I said I am over 60, not dead by a long shot, but amazing how much **** I forget every day compared to 5 yrs ago!!!!

 

RKIDD: The real question is what is your budget?

 

Thanks for the response. Looking at $800.00 to $900.00 if possible. Looking at your description, I am looking at something similar to what have. Thanks.

 

rkidd as far as FM goes I am running the Arc amp right on top of my head unit and with the longer steel whip antennas from the 2008 and lower bikes I am using I get FM reception as good as I did before I even had an amp.

I don't know if it is in your budget or not but if FM is a priority I can vouch for that amp. Also I should add that I got some ferrite cores and put them on the power and ground wires at the amp in the fairing and that helped a bit too. I guess over time I found that little improvements here and there added up to a noticeable change. I also used copper tape on top of my amp mount and also wrapped the antenna cable in it as well.

Keep in mind this is all with the stock HK head unit. I strongly suspect with an Arc amp and a good aftermarket head unit you might get good reception. I have heard from others here that aftermarket head units pick up more stations than the stock units do.

Good luck.

 

well i just got back in from the garage and trying out FM station reception. i don't have a stock head unit, (kenwood BT702), but with the SD Evo 800 and the HU i was actually able to get more stations than i ever had before!! My bike being an older bike i also have the stock, long steel whip antennaes on the tourpack. So from a sitting still standpoint it seems ok. i'm hoping to ride in the next couple of days as soon as it drys out a bit here and i'll try to remember to follow up with an on the road report. 2 SD amps under the hood.
m

 

Thanks for the advice. I looked up that amp, and I am sure it is really good, but would like to find something less expensive for me.

 

Marcodarq, thanks for checking that out. Sure looks like a good option with the Pioneer hu. Mine is an older bike also, I did replace the whip with antenna with the HD shorty which works really well with the stock hu, but still have the whip if needed.

 

I really appreciate all of the input from everybody, and being retired have time to get online and really research all of the suggestions. Yesterday for the hell of it I called Crutchfield to get some prices and more advice, which my mind is already overloaded!! I was checking with them as the carried the Pioneer HU I want and some of the speakers that have been suggested and to see what they would have for what I wanted to do. Two things they suggested for what I wanted to do. 1 was the 4 channel amp they suggested was a MB Quart MA1-440.4 for $199.99. Looking at the specs,seemed to be in the ball park of what has been suggested. Would like to hear your thoughts. My only concern until I get the front of the fairing off to measure, is if it is a good amp that it will mount on top of radio size wise, like what I have in there now. Might be to big. They other thing they said they had which I did not know was a Harley hu mounting kit and the HBRHD 61A adapter for the handlebar controls to work. When buying hu from them these 2 things are less than $30.00! Buying say from Biketronics their kit for the same thing is $219.00! Just wondering if anybody has usesd the Crutchfield kit. That is a big difference in price. Would be great to hear your opinons on these 2 things.Thanks.

 

I would remember that most of the info that you are getting here is from tried and true sources that have done the job, where as as cool as Crutchfield is (and they are very cool) HD audio especially on older model bikes is not their specialty.
The BT stuff might cost a bit more, but it is worth it with their track record and SUPREME customer support, so if it was me that's where I'd make my purchase if i was not personally strong in this arena.
I would also avoid the MB Quatrz, no real torture testing results, and after looking at the specs it will be underpowered. not all watts/amps are created equal, Bates, Gann, Tailwind and BlackPearl can give great advise on the amp to choose if the Soundigital or Rockford Fosgate are out of your price range. Another choice (that i have used) is the Mmatts MD4100. Also don't forget to take into account that you will need the 6.5 speaker adapters for the fairng, but they are cheap. Feel free to PM me, and others if you have more specific questions.