Hey Guys-

Im debating the logic of upgrading my speakers while at Gettysburg Bike Week. I have heard people say never get work done at rallies, but it does present an opportunity to get some upgrades done. So has anyone done a speaker upgrade and amp addition while at a bike week. What brand did you go with? I have seen Hogtunes, Sounz and Hertz all at other bike weeks. Does anyone have insight on these brands vs RF or even Boom. Price vs quality etc. I have a 22 RG with the BoomGTS

 

Most here would advise against it. Not a good bang for your buck.

That said, I’m sure there are some companies that do quality work. I know soundz is a popular company at the rallies.

Its a matter of convenience and whether or not you are willing to do it yourself over a period of time.

 

Get your credit card ready.

 

More than having a dealer do it or another local shop? Whats the parts vs labor break down? I'm really new to bike weeks and Harley. If bike week parts are like the equivalent gun show accessories.... then I'll stay away and DIY a system over the winter. But if these are a chance to get the same products I'd end up anyway instead by professionals at a discounted rate then I'd rather do it now!

 

It will always be cheaper to diy. Its not too bad, just assemble the parts you want, set a weekend aside and get to town.

Start with what you want. Do you just want more volume over stock? 2 speakers, 4, lowers, tour pack and so on. Once you have an idea all the guys here can get you set up with a good system. Have a budget in mind.

 

Fairing speakers and amp $750ish

 

For 750ish you're looking at a stinger 700spx amp and mmat 601cx speakers...or maybe an SD800.4 evox and GZ speakers. First would be cheaper and still sound very good. Second is a bit more and sound even better. Both speakers will require some modification to your speaker pods for them to fit.

Either way, much better sound and prices than those WAY over prices, under performing canned systems you see at rallys.

 

I have a stinger amp, Sony deck, mmatts in the fairing and prv’s in the lowers and I’m happy. DIY and you will be proud of what you did. I have around 1100 dollars in my system. Woulda been 3x that paying for a system at a rally.

 

The issue isn't so much that you are getting it installed at a rally. The issue is "what you are getting installed"!
If you know what brands that are good, then where you get them installed is less of an issue.

The problem is that most stuff at a rally is overpriced, and mediocre at best. They sell you with the idea of Plug and Play wiring, waterproof, warranty, customer service, and that it is way better than what you currently have.
All those things are great......but remember the main goal is it needs to sound good, and be LOUD! That's where most rally systems fall short.
The brands most of us recommend
Decent amps:
Euphoria, Sound Digital, Mmats, Stinger, Cicada.Decent speakers:
Euphoria, Beyma, Faital, Ground Zero, DB Moto, Mmats, Hertz, Diamond Audio, Cicada.
Now part of the issue, is I have now given you some brands to choose from, but you still need to know which speaker and amp models are the diamonds in the rough.

I am trying to save you from spending $2000 to $4000 on overpriced, mediocre audio at a rally. Save your money, and save yourself the grief of spending that money twice to get it upgraded again. Anyone who says these rally brands sound great, have not heard the brands I have recommended. Like most of us on the forum we speak from experience. I have tried 11 different speaker brands on my bike, including a majority of the rally brands.

The brands you see at most rallies are the brands that we recommend daily to avoid:
J&M Rokkers, Hogtunes, Rockford Fosgate, Sinister, Soundz, Boom.
Are these brands better than your stock system, yes.
But they are either way overpriced, or mediocre, or both.
There is way, way better stuff available, by great shops, with great customer service.
A salesman is a salesman! Everyone of those brands I recommend to avoid, sound great in a parking lot, but will fall short out on the highway at 80 mph in the wind.

Fairing and lower speakers at 80 mph:
100 watts per channel is not enough to get the job done.
125 watts per channel barely gets the job done.
150 watts does a decent job of holding up in the wind
200 watts is plenty depending on the speakers
200 watts plus, is more than enough, but is needed for some speaker brands to really shine.

Speaker lids:
150 watts barely noticeable.
200 watts your getting there
300 watts, now your talking
300-400 watts should get the job done
Rock on and play it LOUD!

 

Avoid Soundz, Boom, Rockford, Hogtunes, J & M.
Overpriced......and more importantly, they won't get the job done. It sounds good in the parking lot, but will fall short at 80 mph.
The brands to consider are Beyma, Cicada, Euphoria, Mmats, Hertz, Ground Zero, DB Moto, PRV.

If you are looking for a system for your 22 RG........
here are a few great options.
a set of Mmats PA601.4cx coax at 150 watts.
a set of Hertz SX neo coax along with 200 watts per channel.
a set of Ground Zero GZCF coax at 250 watts.