Do it yourself audio

[gordorad]

As with so many things that are deemed for "motorcycles".......the audio world is included as to mostly overpriced crap!!!   And I come from a lot of AV experience....having done multiple installs on 12V systems as well as home theater.... 

I'd like to build my own system....only problem, finding some sort of marine/weatherproof speakers that havethe ability to add/or have some sort of handlebar mount.(that will fit on the bars).. ..There are plenty of "outdoor" speakers that have a thread for a mount...but most of these are too  large.....Add motorcycle to any speaker, and mostly what you find is once again overpriced junk!!  It's not hard to find a quality amp that will actually power speakers without distortion.....but my difficulty has been finding quality speakers!!  Anyone have any ideas on some quality speakers that can be easily mounted on the bars?? 

I've tried MH Instruments.....(good build quality, but lacking in OOOMMPH)....Shark Audio...(just really sucks)....

My only source will be an Ipod....Connected through the headphone out. 

[Fritz The Cat]

Got a friend who dropped 450 bucks on a system. saying it sucked was an understatement. The speakers looked good but he said he couldn't hear sh*t at speed with the volume cranked all the way up and sitting still they sounded like cheap computer speakers. Definitely not worth $450.

  To answer your question, I have no idea but know what you're up against. Good luck.

[PhredValk]

I had these on my GL1100, not bad with the 200 watt amp up to hiway speeds. Now has a 500 watt amp, so should be better at speed. The speakers were very good, and in chrome HD spotlight housings. Careful with the handlebar clamps. If you mark them with tools installing them, they will rust at the marks.
http://www.motorcycletunes.com/speaker-systems.asp
Fred.

[Davet261]

I am not going to say I am an expert on  audio systems but by trial and error (and a lot of wasted money) I found probably the best system for a motorcycle for the cost. 

I started out with a Shark 300 watt system, not a bad amp but speakers are poor quality, cheap plastic speaker housings that scratch if you look at them wrong.  They hiss, crackle, distort even at the low watt settings, and have very poor mounting brackets for the speakers.  The wiring on the speakers are poor quality, one very thin wire surrounded by a flimsy jacket that is used as a ground.  The cost for this system was $137.00.

I decided the upgrade the speakers and bought a set of Patriot speakers, better quality speaker but only 65 watts so I had to turn down the watt power to keep them from blowing (yes I blew one of them the day I installed them and they sent me a replacement)  The handlebar mount is a cheap one piece bracket that you have to open up and bend around the handlebar
The cost for the speakers was $90.00

After these fiasco's I did my research on the Kuryakyn Sound of Chrome but before I bought another system I was going to find someone that had it.  I started going to biker bars looking for the Sound of Chrome and I did not have far to look.  (The Kickstand Bar in Lancaster OH).  I asked questions, and I listened to it, good sound quality, but not a lot of volume, the brother had a Harley and he said at 55 mph it gets hard to hear, the system is only 50 watts and cost $300-$350.00 so my search was still on.

I ran into a guy at another bar (Jimbo's in Hocking Hills, they serve the biggest hamburger you ever saw) and he had a system called Uniq Cycle Sounds and listened to it.  I was sold on it.

Uniq Cycle Sounds system has Pioneer 2 way 300 watt waterproof speakers, an excellent amp, excellent 2 pc speaker mounts that are heavy, not some cheap flimsy bracket that scratches your handlebars.  The system has a plug in wiring harness, not a bunch of loose wires, just mount the amp, mount the speakers, plug them in secure the wires to the frame under the gas tank and its done.  There is no distortion, perfect stereo seperation at any speed and clarity even over 85 MPH.  I ride through downtown Columbus to and from work, almost everyone is on their cell phones in their cars and when I pull up beside them they wind up their windows because I drown them out. 

This system comes with a lifetime warranty, if it breaks they fix it.  The cost of this system is $300-$350.00 on their site but if you watch for them on Ebay they usually have a system on there to bid on and you can get it under $300.00.

I suggest not trying to buy different components from different suppliers and trying to make your own.  Buy a complete system, there are too many things that can and will go wrong, I have to disagree with the previous post about getting a higher watt amp, it will just blow speakers.  I am living proof of that..

I will take pictures of the system and post them here later on today.

One more tip - cover your speakers with plastic bags when washing your ride!!!!!!

[gordorad]

Excellent story....Many thanks.....I've gone through pretty much the same scenario in my head many times!!!

I've heard the same about the Kuryakn.....nice sound at 35mph...(but we all know that's just getting going)......

I will check into the uniq again!!

Gordo

[BIG COUNTRY 23321]

I have the Motorcycle Tunes System. I have two 4 inch Speakers on the handlebars and two 5 1/2 inch Speakers on the crash Bars. I also have a Pyle 1000 watt marine amp underneath the seat. The whole setup cost me around $275. I was at Richmond Internantional Raceway for the March of Dimes Charity Ride and was doing 115mph in the straights and 95 in the corners and could hear the radio with no problems. I have an Ipod hooked up to it and sounds great. I would recommend them to anyone. www.motorcycletunes.com

Davet261 : Jimbo's in Hocking Hills Does serve a Great Big Burger but not as big as the one below !!!!! They Dont Call me Big Country for Nothing!!!!!! 

[Westsider]

With some good comfortable stereo ear buds/plugs you kill the wind noise and will never be able to crank it all the way up...loooud    ...just my .02  and worth every bit..   (to me anyway)

[gordorad]

I've ridden with good quality ear plugs but don't like the effect of the isolation.  Need to hear what is going on with the cycle and surroundings.

[paps350]

Just to add to the discussion I ride with an I Pod in my shirt pocket and earphones in my ears. Not sure of laws in other states but here in Pa. I was told you can only wear an earphone in one ear but we have some weird laws here.

[Davet261]

Davet261 : Jimbo's in Hocking Hills Does serve a Great Big Burger but not as big as the one below !!!!! They Dont Call me Big Country for Nothing!!!!!!       

I'd say thats one big burger!!! and with a beverage to boot... I couldnt finish both so Im guessing I'd just take the beverage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dodis]

Well, I wasn't planning to post something funny, but I was browsing through some pics, and found this from the Lone Star Rally 2008. Just happened to notice it in the background of a pic this morning.

I guess some people can take shade tree engineering a long ways...

[gordorad]

Yep, those must be some outdoor speakers....Just might interfere with the field of vision

[blkvlk777]

I just purchased some Shark 100W speakers from gooddeals.com.   I think I paid $50.00.   Put these on my wifes valk - after reading the reviews - I thought i would role the dice for the low cost.   (there are various upgrades up to around $130 for different styles / wattages.   As the initial guy stated - they are kind of cheap plastic and the brackets were too flimsy.     I did have them sent me another set of brackets and I doubled them together - now they are pretty secure and do not move.

Not the best design and not sure of the durability but initial thoughts are the system is pretty freaking loud - just put them on last week so will not get to test them on the road this year but wife is happy for now (I just hope they last.)

I am not a big fan of the 4" speakers on the bars but then again - I can't listen to any tunes either......Will post a review after next year.   

[gordorad]

Making some progress....I found a manufacturer of a kit that is going to sell me complete housings with brackets  ...Ordered some Pioneer speakers TS-D1002R from Amazon,  and a mini Class T amp with cables from parts express.   Total cost about 155.00 and if all sounds well, should outperform the "kits" for less than half the cost!!  I will post pictures when it's all together!!