Speakers in bags.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
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Speakers in bags.
Alright guys, I am having radio envy, and want some advice/tips. I have a rk custom, with 18" apes. I have not tried a detachable fairing, so I don't even know how well it will work with the apes. They are not cheap, so I would hate to make a pricey mistake. And there is no way I will be getting rid of my bars, ain't going to happen. 
So, I have seen where people have added speakers and a amplifier to their bags, and play tunes through their mp3's. I think this would be a great solution for me. The question I have is this, I have the hard leather bags that come standard on the rk custom. I have grown fond of the bags, and feel no need to replace them. So, can I add speakers and a amp in my bags, run it off my mp3. Has anyone seen it on the leather bags? They are only a plastic inner shell, would there be any heat issues to the bags? Should I add some sort of brace for the speakers? I know the engine gets a lot hotter than an amp would, but I am curious. I know I will loose some bag storage, and that is ok.
If it would work, does anyone have an idea as to what amp and speakers I should buy? Obviously the amp need to be small, and the speakers should be waterproof, but I have no idea what to buy. How doesa mp3 plug into an amp?
I am sure someone has seen them, even if it is just on the hard bags. I am looking for any suggestions. Thanks.
So, I have seen where people have added speakers and a amplifier to their bags, and play tunes through their mp3's. I think this would be a great solution for me. The question I have is this, I have the hard leather bags that come standard on the rk custom. I have grown fond of the bags, and feel no need to replace them. So, can I add speakers and a amp in my bags, run it off my mp3. Has anyone seen it on the leather bags? They are only a plastic inner shell, would there be any heat issues to the bags? Should I add some sort of brace for the speakers? I know the engine gets a lot hotter than an amp would, but I am curious. I know I will loose some bag storage, and that is ok.
If it would work, does anyone have an idea as to what amp and speakers I should buy? Obviously the amp need to be small, and the speakers should be waterproof, but I have no idea what to buy. How doesa mp3 plug into an amp?
I am sure someone has seen them, even if it is just on the hard bags. I am looking for any suggestions. Thanks.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
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RE: Speakers in bags.
I once saw some speaker pods that would work great on the top of the hard lids. I debated for awhile and decided not to do it but if I had, the lids are pretty easy to replace later on. The way the were designed, they would be facing forward like little hood scoops than taper off to the back.
The Pods I saw were for the 5-1/4" speakers but it would be awesome if you could find some for the 6x9 speakers then throw a Rockford Fosgate amp in the bags. Not sure the 6x9 speaker pods would face forward tho, maybe straight up then be rain catchers.
The Pods I saw were for the 5-1/4" speakers but it would be awesome if you could find some for the 6x9 speakers then throw a Rockford Fosgate amp in the bags. Not sure the 6x9 speaker pods would face forward tho, maybe straight up then be rain catchers.
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Elite HDF Member
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RE: Speakers in bags.
I did a little looking on ebay. What I came up with is this. They make several small amps that can be mounted in the bags. Apparently I can use a RCA mp3 plug to have it work off my ear phone jack on the mp3 and wire it to the amp that way. Hook the amp to the battery, then get some speakers. I was thinking that since I have leather bags, and not real sure how this would work, I could mount the speakers on the bags facing the bike. The bags are not leather covered there, and if I decided to remove the speakers, I could use some diamond plate (or something) to cover the hole, and no one would be the wiser. I figure that water proof speakers are the way to go, and I could seal the opening with some kind of flexible sealant. Seems like it would work. From what I found, I could get the whole set up for under $100. It may not be the highest quality parts, but if it does work, I could always replace the lesser parts with the good stuff. What do you guys think?
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,582
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From: North East
RE: Speakers in bags.
The one question I get all of the time is "can you hear the stereo when you are riding? I always want to answer "no just looks good and I didn't have anyhting else to do with the $20,000+ I paid for the bike" LOL. I don't have any doubt you can mount speakers on the top of the bags with an amp inside but at highway speed what quality of sound areyou going to get. My only experience is with my Ultra with rear speakers and I can hear them but without the front speakers I don't know if I would be happy with the sound. Just my .02.
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2006
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RE: Speakers in bags.
My Buddy has a Set of 6x9 facing inward towards the Wheels and 5 1/4 in the Front face with a 400 watt Amp Pushing the His IPOD and Riding next to him with both of are Thunderheaders going at 80 i can still hear his Music
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Stockbridge, GA (Atlanta)
RE: Speakers in bags.
you are going to have to have 200 watts minimum to hear clearly at highway speeds.
Mount the 6x9 speakers inside the bags facing the wheels---from my expirience and observation this works the best.
I have never seen this utilized on soft bags --- many of my riding partners have four 6x9s and alpine digital slim line amp in the bags.
The sound is outstanding --- most not all are louder than my SG with four 6x9s, two 5 1/4s and two 6 1/2s (I have a tour pak) I have a 4 channel MTX 250 watt amp. I need the alpine amp.
What ever you do --- do not waste your money on the handle bar system IMHO it sounds and looks like chit.
Mount the 6x9 speakers inside the bags facing the wheels---from my expirience and observation this works the best.
I have never seen this utilized on soft bags --- many of my riding partners have four 6x9s and alpine digital slim line amp in the bags.
The sound is outstanding --- most not all are louder than my SG with four 6x9s, two 5 1/4s and two 6 1/2s (I have a tour pak) I have a 4 channel MTX 250 watt amp. I need the alpine amp.
What ever you do --- do not waste your money on the handle bar system IMHO it sounds and looks like chit.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,118
Likes: 26
From: OOB, Maine
RE: Speakers in bags.
ORIGINAL: PapaTravis
Alright guys, I am having radio envy, and want some advice/tips. I have a rk custom, with 18" apes. I have not tried a detachable fairing, so I don't even know how well it will work with the apes. They are not cheap, so I would hate to make a pricey mistake. And there is no way I will be getting rid of my bars, ain't going to happen.
So, I have seen where people have added speakers and a amplifier to their bags, and play tunes through their mp3's. I think this would be a great solution for me. The question I have is this, I have the hard leather bags that come standard on the rk custom. I have grown fond of the bags, and feel no need to replace them. So, can I add speakers and a amp in my bags, run it off my mp3. Has anyone seen it on the leather bags? They are only a plastic inner shell, would there be any heat issues to the bags? Should I add some sort of brace for the speakers? I know the engine gets a lot hotter than an amp would, but I am curious. I know I will loose some bag storage, and that is ok.
If it would work, does anyone have an idea as to what amp and speakers I should buy? Obviously the amp need to be small, and the speakers should be waterproof, but I have no idea what to buy. How doesa mp3 plug into an amp?
I am sure someone has seen them, even if it is just on the hard bags. I am looking for any suggestions. Thanks.
Alright guys, I am having radio envy, and want some advice/tips. I have a rk custom, with 18" apes. I have not tried a detachable fairing, so I don't even know how well it will work with the apes. They are not cheap, so I would hate to make a pricey mistake. And there is no way I will be getting rid of my bars, ain't going to happen.
So, I have seen where people have added speakers and a amplifier to their bags, and play tunes through their mp3's. I think this would be a great solution for me. The question I have is this, I have the hard leather bags that come standard on the rk custom. I have grown fond of the bags, and feel no need to replace them. So, can I add speakers and a amp in my bags, run it off my mp3. Has anyone seen it on the leather bags? They are only a plastic inner shell, would there be any heat issues to the bags? Should I add some sort of brace for the speakers? I know the engine gets a lot hotter than an amp would, but I am curious. I know I will loose some bag storage, and that is ok.
If it would work, does anyone have an idea as to what amp and speakers I should buy? Obviously the amp need to be small, and the speakers should be waterproof, but I have no idea what to buy. How doesa mp3 plug into an amp?
I am sure someone has seen them, even if it is just on the hard bags. I am looking for any suggestions. Thanks.
Adam