Tunes for tour

[jdp]

Well I can't get any help with my other question maybe someone can help with this, I have a tour model which I traded an interstate for big mistake anyway I would like to put some tunes in the old girl and like to get some ideas out there, I travel a lot so would like to have a radio to hear news and weather, thanks.

[Promagnaman]

I had the Kuryakyn Sound of Chrome speakers on my 98 Magna that worked great. You can hook up an MP3 player, cell phone, gps, small radio, I pod, etc. with an aux. cable.

[jdp]

Thanks for the reply, I'll check that out,can you hear threw the speakers at highway speeds ok?

[Bighead]

Why not put a fairing on it?

[salty1]

Do you wear a helmet with speakers? I have J&M communications stuff in my helmet and use their Integrator for radio and tunes. The radio is part of the Integrator circuitry. I use a tank bag to house this equipment.

[BobB]

I use in-helmet ear buds to listen to tunes/whatever from a handle bar mounted Jenson Heavy Duty (JHD910) radio.  The AM/FM/WB radio has an aux input for an MP3/phone/whatever.  You may find this radio to be expensive, but it works great.

[Promagnaman]

Thanks for the reply, I'll check that out,can you hear threw the speakers at highway speeds ok?

I thought the speakers sounded great at highway speeds.  I had stock pipes...

[Icelander]

I use the Cardo Scala Rider G9x. It's helmet mounted, has a good boom mike that fits under my modular helmet. The only complaint I have is the speakers are weak. (I always use hearing protection)

I now ride with a set of ear-buds plugged into the speaker jack and keep the volume low enough that I can hear the bike.

It has FM radio, BlueTooth to your phone to handle calls and streaming music. Uses a micro USB so I can charge it directly from the bike if needed. It also has an intercom that you can pair with 8 other Cardo units.

Most importantly, I don't impose my weird musical tastes on anyone else.

Kendall

[ShiftHappens]

I have an interstate. I used to use the MP3 plug in. Earlier this year I bought a Sena headset/intercom and have not used my radio at all since I can feed music via Bluetooth from my smartphone. I can also make and answer phone calls if desired (which I rarely do).

If you ride with a helmet and have a smartphone, you may want to consider going this route.

I bought the Sena SMH 10

http://www.amazon.com/Sena-SMH10D-11-Motorcycle-Bluetooth-Microphone/dp/B0087NB0ZQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1417453468&sr=1-1

I ended up buying a pair and splitting with a fellow rider. We took a 12k ride to Alaska and were able to communicate the whole way (1/2 mile range). I have a modular helmet and bought the universal mount version. My helmet HJC MAX BT has a blue tooth option, but decided the Sena was a better way to go. It has really good reviews. I like that I can adjust the volume and change songs with the "Jog Dial" on side of helmet.

After I purchased, they came out with a newer model (more expensive too) that you may want to look at. It has a longer range.

http://www.amazon.com/Sena-20S-01-Motorcycle-Bluetooth-Communication/dp/B00KJGPN2K/ref=sr_1_5?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1417453338&sr=1-5

[Gryphon Rider]

I also have a Bluetooth headset system, a Scala Rider G9, which connects to my smart phone beautifully and has a built-in FM tuner that could be improved upon, plus, of course, communication with my passenger or other riders.  Only lacks an AM radio, although there is an auxiliary input that could be used if you have a radio with headset output.

[Hoser]

I use ear buds under my helmet and an MP3 player in my shirt pocket.  Hoser

[jimmytee]

A Woody's fairing, some Kicker speakers and a good amp, plus  a head unit and you'll be very happy. There are threads of my bike and others. Just ask if want more details.

[hmt81]

I have these http://www.vidsonix.com/vxmoto.html#moto chrome model VX-883HLC. They are 4" coaxials being pushed with a Blaupunkt THA-275 amp in my saddle bag and using my MP3 player with FM radio. Factory pipes & can hear on highway fine at normal speeds.





Here's a video I saw that helped me decide on these speakers. My amp is a lot larger but I already owned it, there are several small amps available to power them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YSPXQTrTVY


Good luck...

[Chrisj CMA]

I have had the system made by Two Wheel Tunes, that was generation1.  Now they are called Cycle Tunes and I just installed generation 3.  Larger better speakers, more powerful amp and better sound.

I have always detested anything at all extra mounted on handlebars so I modified the mounts to be able to attach to the ends of the windshield mount bracket.  The brackets are ugly and this hides them nicely.  The amp is supposed to be in the wind to keep it cool, so I fabbed up some stainless steel brackets to keep it tucked up under the trees.  Wiring is almost invisible.

I use an MP3 player that is on me at all times, so no player unit is mounted or ever left on the bike.

[Pappy!]

I had the Scala Rider G9 system for a long time. Worked well. No adding "clutter" to the bike. Everything is helmet mounted.
I have since changed over to the Sena 20S headsets. Better speakers! Can listen to radio, stereo music off of the phone or MP3 bluetooth, listen to directions from your GPS, communicate with other bikes or your sweetie on the back, etc. Does it all for less than what you will have in a system that you have to mount everything to the bike. Oh...goes from bike to bike as well since it is all in your helmet!

[BnB Tom]

I had the Scala Rider G9 system for a long time. Worked well. No adding "clutter" to the bike. Everything is helmet mounted.
I have since changed over to the Sena 20S headsets. Better speakers! Can listen to radio, stereo music off of the phone or MP3 bluetooth, listen to directions from your GPS, communicate with other bikes or your sweetie on the back, etc. Does it all for less than what you will have in a system that you have to mount everything to the bike. Oh...goes from bike to bike as well since it is all in your helmet!

   AND the people around you don't have to listen to YOUR choice of music 

[Chrisj CMA]

I use ear buds under my helmet and an MP3 player in my shirt pocket.  Hoser

That's great, but ear buds while riding are illegal in some states.  Now, helmet ear cup speakers are ok (at least here in FL), I have them and they work great. The speakers on the bike are for when my wife is with me.

[Chrisj CMA]

I had the Scala Rider G9 system for a long time. Worked well. No adding "clutter" to the bike. Everything is helmet mounted.
I have since changed over to the Sena 20S headsets. Better speakers! Can listen to radio, stereo music off of the phone or MP3 bluetooth, listen to directions from your GPS, communicate with other bikes or your sweetie on the back, etc. Does it all for less than what you will have in a system that you have to mount everything to the bike. Oh...goes from bike to bike as well since it is all in your helmet!

   AND the people around you don't have to listen to YOUR choice of music 

Oh, no problem, I don't play any RAP

[sixlow]

Beats Pill, great sound on stock pipes, o.k. till 65mph on my Dragon exhaust, test ride mounting is rubberbands to an old gps holder.

[Troystg]

I found this the other day...  Wirelessly connect a smart phone to the bike with an old fashion knob to tune up and down volume...

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_93090_Wet-Sounds-WW-BT-VC.html


With an amp similar to this:

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_71775_NVX-MVPA4.html


The only issue I foresee is finding decent speakers... 

[trout dude]

I took a marine radio and chrome cup holder (with a little rigging)  and and mounted between the gauges and mounted the amp under the seat with handlebar speakers her are some pictures.

[Troystg]

Do you mind me asking, hat handlebar speakers are those and where'd you get them?

BTW, that looks like a great installation... 

I took a marine radio and chrome cup holder (with a little rigging)  and and mounted between the gauges and mounted the amp under the seat with handlebar speakers her are some pictures.

[trout dude]

Do you mind me asking, hat handlebar speakers are those and where'd you get them?

BTW, that looks like a great installation...  




The speakers was on the bike when i bought it but i tweaked them also they had some kind of amp built in them but i removed the whole speaker and used the case. But to answer your question the name on the speaker was Blaupunkt  (Rumble Road)
 
 Thanks Dennis

[DK]

I use the Scala G-4 which I'm very satisfied with for my purposes but for the helmet speakers, both as to fidelity and volume. I am becoming hard of hearing, but not so bad that helmet speakers should not work.

Can anyone recommend a better helmet speaker that I can splice into the Cardo?

Also, exactly what is an "helmet ear cup speaker"?  I've searched the term & it comes up with a multitude of different designs / configurations / external / snowmobile / etc. Most seem too large to fit inside a helmet.

What about the safety considerations of wearing a speaker covering the ear?

My apologies for asking so many questions.

Thanks,

Dan

[Gryphon Rider]

Can anyone recommend a better helmet speaker that I can splice into the Cardo?

Also, exactly what is an "helmet ear cup speaker"?  I've searched the term & it comes up with a multitude of different designs / configurations / external / snowmobile / etc. Most seem too large to fit inside a helmet.

What about the safety considerations of wearing a speaker covering the ear?

My apologies for asking so many questions.

Thanks,
Dan

I suspect you'd have a lot of trouble splicing new speakers onto your Cardo headset.  What I suggest you do, and what I've done for my Scala Rider G9, is buy and audio/microphone kit for a Scala Rider G9X, which works with the G4 and G9 as well.  How it is better is that the speakers are not wired directly to the helmet clip, but plug in using a regular 90° headphone plug and receptacle.  This way you can use whatever speakers you want.  On trips I use in-ear buds, which have the bonus of blocking wind noise as well.



A helmet ear cup speaker is any speaker designed to fit in the recessed space at the ear in a helmet.  I find that I have to use a spacer behind the speaker to get it close enough to the ear to be heard well, and I also have to do a lot of fussing to get it located properly.

Safety-wise, I don't think it's any different than having the windows up and the radio on in your car.  What you can hear depends on the noise blocking properties of your helmet/speaker system and the volume of what you're listening to.  Some people and jurisdictions frown on helmet speakers, and others don't.  When I'm riding alone, I usually have music in my ears.  I usually have the radio on in my car too.

[Kunkies]

Sena Bluetooth, SMH10

I highly recommend, especially if you wear a full face helmet

[jdp]

Yeah the helmet set up seems the way to go and I really like the rig that trout dude has is that the radio the round thing in the middle ? And then the amp is under the seat ? , I’ve never seen a round radio that’s nice

[valkmc]

Sena Bluetooth, SMH10

I highly recommend, especially if you wear a full face helmet

I have the Sena SMH10. Bought a pair  when my wife and I took my 12 Wing from Ocala FL to Las Vegas. Worked great. I now use one sometimes on my Valkyrie when I'm going somewhere where I need directions. I can listen to music on my phone and use the GPS. The speakers are plenty loud enough but lack bass.

For around town I have an ATV velcro speaker holder that holds a JBL Flip tube speaker. It's Bluetooth and allows me to use my phone for music and GPS but it becomes hard to hear around 65 MPH. Holds the speaker on the flat part of the handle bars and I can still see the gauges.

[Bagger John - #3785]

This is relevant if A) You're a ham radio operator, and B) you can find one of these on the used market:

My '99 Tourer (now a TourerState) wears an I/S trunk, tank, radiator pods and radiator...etc. I managed to snag a Yaesu FTM-10SR (waterproof dual-band radio suitable for power sports applications) and installed it on the bike, Control head was mounted on the bars, between the risers - I got a pair of Hondaline chromed split top clamps from the 1100 Shadow series. These also use a 1" bar.

Chassis is mounted under the trunk, using a custom bracket that attaches to the OEM trunk rails. One could also mount a marine radio chassis in this manner. The radio I used has stereo output (12w per channel) and I connected the outputs to the armrest speakers.

Antennas: I have both an I/S CB whip (fed from a Hondaline Std/Tourer CB unit) and the VHF/UHF dual-bander (a Comet unit w/ PL-259 style base). The AM/FM antenna mounting stud was removed from the right-side arm and an SO-239 barrel (double female) was a perfect fit into the stock mount. Antenna screws into the top; a patch cable from the radio to the antenna screws into the bottom.

A Kennedy FRSet4 is used to integrate the Yaesu's audio into the Aux In port of the CB unit; it also allows me to transmit with the amateur radio . The helmet mic's audio modulates either CB or ham rig equally well. I designed a controller circuit for the radio which allows up/down frequency selection, band change, VFO/Memory selection and PTT all from the bars. Switches are housed in a set of Show Chrome auxiliary power switch mounts - they're perfect for this purpose.

The setup has been in operation for 12 years now and works great. I'll take and post pics of the various pieces if any interest.