Do I need an amp?
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
Do I need an amp?
Hello All, been lurking and reading here for a couple of weeks after having picked up a 600 mile used 09 FLHX. I had three requirements when I was looking for a new road bike...ABS, Stereo, and CC. This has it all. My first Harley and I really like it... and great forum too!
Two complaints though..one is the buffeting and the sound level/quality of the stereo. The buffeting I am going to work on by getting a triple tree baffle and deciding on a new windshield.
I have Rinehart slip ons on it and at speeds of 50-60 with a full face helmet (visor open) and a 10" windshield (dont like the looks of it) I still cannot hear the stereo very well. Some of it is buffeting and what I do hear does not sound very clear. Im not an audiophile, but I do like to listen to the radio when I am riding. I have looked at the threads on the different speaker upgrades and then the package deals with amp/speak ie Hogtunes. I dont feel like I need to spend a ton of money since I really only want to hear things at a decent quality. The speaker only upgrades talk about 20-25% more volume and then the least expensive amp/speaker combo boosts the amps from 20 to 32 but at quite a bit more money.
So, I am asking if I need an amp or would speakers like Hogtunes 902.2's work well enough?
Thanks!
Dave
Two complaints though..one is the buffeting and the sound level/quality of the stereo. The buffeting I am going to work on by getting a triple tree baffle and deciding on a new windshield.
I have Rinehart slip ons on it and at speeds of 50-60 with a full face helmet (visor open) and a 10" windshield (dont like the looks of it) I still cannot hear the stereo very well. Some of it is buffeting and what I do hear does not sound very clear. Im not an audiophile, but I do like to listen to the radio when I am riding. I have looked at the threads on the different speaker upgrades and then the package deals with amp/speak ie Hogtunes. I dont feel like I need to spend a ton of money since I really only want to hear things at a decent quality. The speaker only upgrades talk about 20-25% more volume and then the least expensive amp/speaker combo boosts the amps from 20 to 32 but at quite a bit more money.
So, I am asking if I need an amp or would speakers like Hogtunes 902.2's work well enough?
Thanks!
Dave
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
Oh I did before I posted and there are lots of threads...I try and search before I post...problem is sometimes you get so much info it is hard to sort through...I guess I should rephrase my question to look for people with the same pipes and full face helmet. The problem with the threads were that most of them didnt give the spec on how their bike was set up.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 577
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
A lot of the decision of what to do with the sound upgrade has to do with what you like. I don't like wearing a full face helmet unless it gets below 35 degrees, so i can hear my stereo pretty good. However im going to put the lower fairing speakers and amp from hogtunes. I have the hogtune speakers in the fairing and while and improvement over stock, the quality of sound such as bass is not great. If you can afford to buy amp and speakers, its worth it. Hope this helps some.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,647
Likes: 11
From: Stockbridge, GA (Atlanta)
you need an amp
now do just want to hear the stereo Titan, Hawg Wired or similar amp with 6 1/2 speakers in the fairing
or do you want them to hear you from two blocks away https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...-the-bags.html
now do just want to hear the stereo Titan, Hawg Wired or similar amp with 6 1/2 speakers in the fairing
or do you want them to hear you from two blocks away https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...-the-bags.html
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 577
Likes: 4
I wear a full face helmet, and can hear my stereo fine up to 75 or so (stock radio on an 07 Road Glide). I do have lowers and a larger Cee Baileys windshield to eliminate the buffeting. Also, I do not have loud pipes.
My buddy has a similar bike with noise makers, and he can't hear anything, even with an upgraded amp.
Perhaps earplugs would make more sense if you want to keep the loud pipes?
I'd work on the buffeting first, since it might affect the sound.
My buddy has a similar bike with noise makers, and he can't hear anything, even with an upgraded amp.
Perhaps earplugs would make more sense if you want to keep the loud pipes?
I'd work on the buffeting first, since it might affect the sound.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From:
I have a FatCat 2 into 1 on my 08' Ultra and just went with the J&M's with the built in tweeters with my stock stereo. I have had the hogtunes and the J&M's seem louder and clearer at least to me. I hear it going down the road just fine.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
I wear a full face helmet, and can hear my stereo fine up to 75 or so (stock radio on an 07 Road Glide). I do have lowers and a larger Cee Baileys windshield to eliminate the buffeting. Also, I do not have loud pipes.
My buddy has a similar bike with noise makers, and he can't hear anything, even with an upgraded amp.
Perhaps earplugs would make more sense if you want to keep the loud pipes?
I'd work on the buffeting first, since it might affect the sound.
My buddy has a similar bike with noise makers, and he can't hear anything, even with an upgraded amp.
Perhaps earplugs would make more sense if you want to keep the loud pipes?
I'd work on the buffeting first, since it might affect the sound.
Dave
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
I have a 08 Ultra with true duals and Rush mufflers, currently have hogtunes amp and had the speakers, did some research, found a company called Bazooka.com and they have speakers and amps for Harley, I got their speakers with the hogtune amp, little better, but will be putting the the Bazooka amp 4 channel on the bike when I get back from Afghanistan. Their customer service is great and they have quality products. Not saying the other companies don't. Arc Audio is the only one that I have seen that is close to Bazooka's stuff. I haven't seen much on them here on the forum. Just my thoughts, others will have theirs. This is in no way knocking other company products, just my opinion, and I do not work for Bazooka.
You are going to have to spend money to get quality, same stuff for a car is not as cheap as for the bike, don't understand it.
You are going to have to spend money to get quality, same stuff for a car is not as cheap as for the bike, don't understand it.