Hey everyone, new member here. I've done A LOT of research the last few days about this issue I'm dealing with and out of all of the forums I've been to, this one seems to be the best, most informative one! That being said, I'll start with my main issue/question... Are the stock speakers in the new bikes considered "Stage 1" boom speakers? I've called 3 different dealerships and I can't get a straight answer. Heres where I am.. I picked up a 2019 street glide special this last September and the factory stereo isn't cutting it for me. Sounds nice and clear, but at speeds with a full face helmet I just can't hear it. I started checking out options and I really wanted to stick with Harley brand stuff. My local dealer talked me into some "Stage 1" boom bad lid speakers to add to my current system for a little more sound. I bought the speaker kit there, then ordered Harley color matched bag lids for throw them into. Here's where everything has gone downhill. I called about getting my stereo flashed to add the rear speakers, the dealer said that i HAVE to add an amp to both front and rear speakers before they can do that. Seems a little weird to me since I'm currently running no amp but whatever. I decide that I'll just have to wait until I have an extra $1000 for the 2 mediocre Harley amps in the far away future. The dealer tells me that I CAN NOT add an amplifier to any "stage 1" speakers.. impossible he says. So now he's quoting me for 2 amps plus 4 "stage 2" upgrade speakers. Now I know there's probably 20 companies that sell much better speakers and amplifier then Harleys stuff but I really want to stay plug and play here. I actually had the guy hang up on me because I asked "Why would you sell bag lid additional speakers to me that MUST have an amp to work, but will NOT accept an amp?" I might have been a bit harsher than that, but I was getting really frustrated at this point. So that's the long story. Now, how screwed am I really? Do I have what they consider "stage 1" speakers in my fairing already or something lesser? Can I actually have the stock head unit power all 4 speakers without an amp? Will these "stage 1" speakers actually accept an amp if I have to run a couple? I'm not going to be in a position to spend another $1000 on the bike for quite sometime and I'm only looking for a bit more volume here. After researching everything I realize now that I should have just gone with stage 2 speakers and an amp in my fairing but I'm now committed to using the rear speakers after buying everything color matched and non-refundable. Thanks for any information I can get here, and I apologize for the long read! I just wanted to clear it up the best as I can.

 

You are not going to find any love here for any audio from HD. If you have to stay with HD stuff most here will tell you that you are waisting money. And they are right but, to answer some of your questions... yes the 2019 SGS comes with what they call stage one speakers. All that means is they are a higher level of crap than other models come with. The flash you need for your current set up is the Ultra flash, 4 speakers no amp. I don’t see why they are telling you that can’t be done. Ultras have rear speakers and no amps. You may want to see if a different dealer can help you out.

What you you really need to do though is get over your position about only using HD products. The MoCo sure does like customers like you though.

 

Also have you tried a taller windshield? That helps more than you think.

 

Awesome. That's exactly the kind of information that I needed to know. My local dealerships have never been much help for me. Thats exactly why I went out of state to buy this particular bike. It seems like everything they "can't" do or get around here, other dealers have no issue as far as options and colors. I used to be really into car audio so I'm familiar with most brands but a lot has changed. I was attempting a budget upgrade for now though. I really wanted the harley brand bag lids only because I've dealt with aftermarket fiberglass work on custom bags and I was extremely disappointed. Plus the factory color match option made it easier. Speakers though, I have a real hard time altering ANY of my factory harnesses or wires right now. This bike is the first brand new big purchase that I've ever made so I'm trying to stick with all plug and play until the warranty and newness wears off. I'm sure in the future I'll upgrade to aftermarket speakers and a decent size amp, but if I can milk just a bit more from the stuff that I have now, I'd love to try. I also got the rear stage 1 stuff on clearance for just over $200, thats what started this whole ordeal of attempting to upgrade to more speakers instead of better ones.

 

Well if it makes you feel any better, there are several options out there for you to use the amp and speakers of you choice, keep your stock radio and never cut a wire. And for way less than the boom crap.

 

Also if you are dead set on Harley stuff there is PLENTY of it for sale used. Check this forum and FB Marketplace. Also give Biketronics a call they are very friendly and informative. They also have plug and play setups with a lifetime warranty.

 

Awesome. Good to know! I don't really care speaker wise about this boom stuff. The more research I do, the more it sounds like typical harley backed accessories... Over priced for the performance. I'm just glad that I can at least run what I've already bought until I upgrade down the road. I absolutely hate that I have to have a dealer flash my stereo every time I change something. This damn stereo has more functions than my entire pickup does, but they have features locked. Ridiculous.

 

You can still use your color matched lids with other speakers, but I’ll tell you now, you’ll never hear those bag speakers on the boom stuff, even with an amp, at speed. If you are dead set on giving Harley all your $$, you will come back here pissed cuz you spent all that dough on substandard crap when you coulda had a killer system for less.

just tryin’ to save you some pain and wasted cash dude, but if that’s what you are into, be my guest.

Oh, and welcome to the forum!

 

If you just want to open your rear speakers. A few threads back stated that biketronics sells a tool to you to flash your head unit, then send it back and they refund part of the cost. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTOOD, I could have misinterpreted it. You could always call and ask them about it.

Then you could just plug in what you have and run with it for awhile to see what you think.