I've saved enough, and I'm ready to buy my radio...I think. I'm going to purchase the radio from M&M cycles, and as it turns out, they have an additional 5% off until May 1...good for me. But when I went to the HD site to find out what the part number is, I find out there are actually two radios. One is the ampliefied radio, which shows a 60 Watt radio, the other doesn't have any specs.

The difference in the two radios is more than $300...it's 712.50 for the regular 1038.83 for the amplified radio.

I don't want to spend more than $700 and not be happy, I would rather spend the additional $300 now, vice trying to sell a radio that sux...

Here is the question, for those of you that have these radios whaddaya think? Is the standard radio that comes in the Classic/Ultra enough? Or is the one that comes in the SE that much better and worth 1/2 again as much?

Thanks for the feedback, I'm planning on pulling the trigger on this order by Saturday.

Mac

 

I'd leave the radio as-is and instead go with the mp3 player and speaker upgrade with amplifier. That's what I did and love it.

Mike

 

There is no substitute for power, even with amps. At highway speeds youll find that almost always you need more volume, so the bigger the better. My question would be whats the difference between HD radios, and conventional car stereos? For the money, I think you could do better with a car stereo. I would buy one that is xm ready or at least has an input jack on it. My .02.

 

I have the stock radio in an 05 Ultra...BUT, added Hogtunes speakers. I think the radio has enough power (40 watts/ch), but the speakers HD installs suck! The Hogtunes bolted right in as advertised and I installed tyhe lefts, both fron at rear, first and compared...speakers make the difference!

 

Another idea that comes to mind in the way of price would be to add an amp to the stereo. You can pick up a 240 watt 4channel amp for $100. You wouldnt have to spend as much on the radio but you would have to mount the amp. How much room is in those batwing fairings?

http://www.electricalconnection.com/audio/audio_amp.htm

 

I don't know if there is enough room in the fairing or not.

txHarleyMan - I don't have a radio now, and I'm trying to decide which one to get...

As for the XM, I have the Delphi portable system in my truck, and I never listen to it as i ride the bike all the time, truckssits there until I need it. The plan is to add the Delphi system to the radio, I thought that I could plug it into the AUX jack, one of these threads shows the system attached to the windscreen, in the center, just above the batwing. That was the plan.

As for the car radio, I've looked a little bit, and I can't get over the looks. I saw one on a bike like mine a month or two back and it looked, "funny" to me. I think the colors were the problem, they were kind of bluiesh or greenish, I don't remember. Either way, it just didn't look "right".

Thinking again about the batwing, maybe I coudd eventually fabricate something up there...I don't have the tour pack so I can't mount it back there which leaves me with something like you have, Sincecrazy.

Mac

 

Pilot,

I looked into it and found out that my Screamin Eagle was wired for the Ultra radio only. Even though I only have two speakers and no intercom. So I would have to go with the Radio/Amp setup, which is why I am still running the stock radio w/cassette. I've also heard really good stuff abut the Hogtune speakers. I put the upgraded speakers from Harley on my bike last summer and didn't even notice a difference. With the shorty windscreen and Rineharts, anything over about 55 mph makes it pretty hard to hear anything. Since most of our bikes deem to idle at about 80??????????????


Terry

 

Mac, I think you'll be happy with the stock classic radio. Adding a set of Hogtunes is really all you'll need and it'll sound great at 70+ mph. It'll look good and has the Aux. jack for the XM and/or mp3. I'm into car audio and find the stock system on the EG to be just fine. Just don't use the stock speakers... they're junk.

 

Mac,

Here is my take. The 60 watt system is standard on the SE Editions, and I think on the Ultra, but the Ultra has 2 extra speakers to run.

My 40 watt radio on the EG is satisfactory most of the time, even with the shorty windshied, but there are times when it could use a little more volume. I listened to J&M upgraded speakers while in Laughlin, and they made a considerable difference for 99.00. I would have got a set, but they were out, so I am going with Hog Tunes.

I would probably do the 40 watt radio, and then speaker upgrades instead of the additional bucks for the 60 watt radio. I have a friend that upgraded on his new classic, and he said that he didn't think it was that much better than the radio on his previous classic. He has had both and should have a pretty good feel for it.

As far as a car stereo, I would probably go with the HD unit. They are made for inclimate weather where the car unit might not be. Also, they have automatic volume control that adjusts for your vehicle speed and noise.

Just an opinion. Hope it helps.

Regards,

Bill

 

The stereo on my ultra is ok. If I need more like when wearing a full face I have the intercom. I would get the regular stereo and a good set of speakers.