Recommended Stereo upgrades
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 192
Likes: 2
I see you have a RGC too. I have a few questions for you.
1. Which Alpine did you go with?
2. What do you do if you get caught in the rain?
3. Which speakers?
4. Where did you mount the amplifier?
5. How hard was the install?
6. Do you only have the speakers in the front? What actual size are they?
Sorry for all the questions and thanks in advance!
-Paul
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 324
Likes: 1
From: Northern CO
I would recommend an amp and speakers. If you're just looking for a little bump in sound it wont matter which ones.
I installed my own mini amp and paired it with a set of speakers I found cheap. Guys are getting good results with mid-priced speakers from phosgate and Polk, Alpine is another favorite. I like the marine rated speakers from Polk audio, and am hoping for a set for Christmas.
I installed my own mini amp and paired it with a set of speakers I found cheap. Guys are getting good results with mid-priced speakers from phosgate and Polk, Alpine is another favorite. I like the marine rated speakers from Polk audio, and am hoping for a set for Christmas.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
I spent $340 for an amp (Elf E2125X) and speakers (Biketronics-Hertz 6˝") which were added to my existing setup (HK head unit and Hogtunes Tweeter Pods). The combo produces an excellent sound that can be easily heard at highway speeds, and IMO is a great bang-for-the-buck option. The amp I purchased was a refurb and I see none of these on Ebay currently, but new ones are around $200. They are apparently the same design and componentry as the Arc KS 125 Mini, as explored in this thread.
I decided against replacing the HK head unit, as it is designed for MC use, is water-resistant, and fits the bike cosmetically. Going with an amp and speakers is all that many of us will need, IMO. Be careful to judge that the amp will fit inside the fairing, as there isn't much elbow room in there. Most larger speakers marketed for MC's will have adapters in the kit for easy installation.
As a caveat, the Hertz speakers I chose weigh >3x that of stock speakers (40 oz. vs. 12 oz.), and that will put added stress on fairing brackets that are marginal already. The newer replacement brackets sold by HD are better designed and should last longer, but I fabricated a second bracket for each side that hopefully will relieve some of the stress on the stock brackets. I posted pix of the setup in this thread.
I decided against replacing the HK head unit, as it is designed for MC use, is water-resistant, and fits the bike cosmetically. Going with an amp and speakers is all that many of us will need, IMO. Be careful to judge that the amp will fit inside the fairing, as there isn't much elbow room in there. Most larger speakers marketed for MC's will have adapters in the kit for easy installation.
As a caveat, the Hertz speakers I chose weigh >3x that of stock speakers (40 oz. vs. 12 oz.), and that will put added stress on fairing brackets that are marginal already. The newer replacement brackets sold by HD are better designed and should last longer, but I fabricated a second bracket for each side that hopefully will relieve some of the stress on the stock brackets. I posted pix of the setup in this thread.
Last edited by iclick; Sep 18, 2011 at 02:21 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,727
Likes: 6
I spent $340 for an amp (Elf E2125X) and speakers (Biketronics-Hertz 6˝") which were added to my existing setup (HK head unit and Hogtunes Tweeter Pods). The combo produces an excellent sound that can be easily heard at highway speeds, and IMO is a great bang-for-the-buck option. The amp I purchased was a refurb and I see none of these on Ebay currently, but new ones are around $200. They are apparently the same design and componentry as the Arc KS 125 Mini, as explored in this thread.
I decided against replacing the HK head unit, as it is designed for MC use, is water-resistant, and fits the bike cosmetically. Going with an amp and speakers is all that many of us will need, IMO. Be careful to judge that the amp will fit inside the fairing, as there isn't much elbow room in there. Most larger speakers marketed for MC's will have adapters in the kit for easy installation.
As a caveat, the Hertz speakers I chose weigh >3x that of stock speakers (40 oz. vs. 12 oz.), and that will put added stress on fairing brackets that are marginal already. The newer replacement brackets sold by HD are better designed and should last longer, but I fabricated a second bracket for each side that hopefully will relieve some of the stress on the stock brackets. I can post some photos of the system and brackets if anyone is interested.
I decided against replacing the HK head unit, as it is designed for MC use, is water-resistant, and fits the bike cosmetically. Going with an amp and speakers is all that many of us will need, IMO. Be careful to judge that the amp will fit inside the fairing, as there isn't much elbow room in there. Most larger speakers marketed for MC's will have adapters in the kit for easy installation.
As a caveat, the Hertz speakers I chose weigh >3x that of stock speakers (40 oz. vs. 12 oz.), and that will put added stress on fairing brackets that are marginal already. The newer replacement brackets sold by HD are better designed and should last longer, but I fabricated a second bracket for each side that hopefully will relieve some of the stress on the stock brackets. I can post some photos of the system and brackets if anyone is interested.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
I edited my post above after you replied. Here is the link again to the thread where the photos are posted, Post #10, third photo. The first two photos were taken before I added the bracket. I don't know if it will help but it would almost have to, as it is very stiff. OTOH, in hindsight it would probably be better to extend the bracket to the farthest top speaker screw as with the stock bottom bracket.
Also, here are two more threads on this subject:
Thread 1
Thread 2
Also, here are two more threads on this subject:
Thread 1
Thread 2
Last edited by iclick; Sep 18, 2011 at 02:40 PM.
Novice
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
I had originally added the Boom Audio Speakers. Sounded ok standing still, but to much distortion at speed. I just added the new Harley Road Glide Amp Kit and it was worth every penny. The sound is great, fits under the faring and easy to install.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 502
Likes: 0
From: lone grove, oklahoma
the simplest upgrade would be replace the front speakers, I use hogtunes and they sound really good at speed, I've got the hogtunes amp also but can't tell much of a difference with it or without it. their speakers are super easy to install and make a noticeable improvement.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
I can't speculate on how these speakers would sound without an amp, as I've never heard them in any other than my present environment, but when driven with plenty of power (125w x 2 in my case) they really do make a big improvement in sound quality and volume. They can easily be heard at highway speeds at half-volume, and although window-rattling bass is something you won't ever get in a batwing speaker, you can actually feel some decent bass getting through when it never did before. FWIW I also have the Hogtunes Hog Pods (tweeters) installed for a total of four speakers. The 6Ω Pods and 3Ω Hertz speakers run in parallel for a final output of 2Ω, the minimum for this amp.
Last edited by iclick; Sep 19, 2011 at 02:29 PM.
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