Tunes On The Road?
Harley BaggerDiscuss Tunes On The Road? in the Motorcycles forums; I have a bagger and am thinking of adding a sound system to my Harley. Anyone have any recommendations on a company or product for me to consider?
I've been ...
The first thing I would recommend, before going to all the trouble & expense of a stereo, would be to take a couple rides with an iPod and some earbuds. You may realize that you hate it, and the tune of the v-twin is enough for your ears.
Since I got my Electra, I've had one friend who was so impressed that he added handlebar speakers to his cruiser (Victory), and I've had other buddies ask me if it's really worth it, can I hear it on the highway, etc... It's all in the eye (or ear) of the beholder.
Having said that, give us some more detail on your bagger, what model etc, and I'll try to give some ideas.
When I got my 06 Ultra Classic I asked if they could take the stereo out so I can have a glove box. I never had a radio before either, been ridin' since 1980. they talked me out of removing the radio as it is part of the theft deterrant system or some such stuff. I listen to my stereo once in a while, but turn it off after a while when I remember why I ride. I don't like the idea of ear bud's either, you may not hear something out there in traffic that could save your life. But in all fairness, maybe borrow a buddy's bike with tunes, and see what you think.
good luck
__________________ Scott aka Unclepsycho
Redneck without a clue
Having said that...
I held off installing a deck on my Glide for a loong time. Thought it would take away from the ride. Put in a deck last year, tried it out.
I was right.
And then....I pulled over by some lake and cracked open a cold one, turned the deck on.
Oyeahbaby!!!
I've never turned it on while riding since. But whenever I stop..
Pete
__________________ "Is there finally and really anything to life other than food, $hit and sex?" Bubba HoTep
I have a '04 Road Glide with a Jim's 120" motor in that I have installed an Alpine iDA-X200 (Ipod controller) deck in. I decided to can my OEM deck due to skipping issues and not being able to here it while highway riding (70-90mph). After trying two different Alpine cd,mp3 decks I still had encountered skipping ocassionally and would have to eject and re-insert the disks to get them to play. Then Along came the Ipod Nano 3rd generation. This unit has no moving parts which means no more skipping. It was a no brainer for me.
I installed the deck and routed the usb plug and ipod adaptor to my glovebox, added a steering wheel interface from PAC Audio which allowed me to use my hand controls to perform as they would with a stock deck. I yanked out the 5.25" OEM speakers and replaced them with JL Audio VR525-CSi (discontinued) component speakers. I then sacrificed saddlebag space to install the Twister F2 130 amplifier and the crossovers from the speakers. Basically this saddlebag has become the tools, oil, and fuel additive bag. I'm still awaiting Alpine to release their new add-on deck (KTP-445) which is the size of a deck of cards and I'll try it out and mount in the fairing. The wiring from the the saddlebag to the deck has two Duetsch sealed connectors which I tucked up by the ECM. The only wires you need to remove are the power an ground from the amplifier and unplug the two connectors up by the ECM in order to remove the saddlebag.
As for protecting the deck from the elements I came up with cover that fits over the deck. I have had no issues with water and my audio system (speakers or deck). However, you have to realize after riding in torrential rain you should wait a couple hours before playing your system again to ensure you don't short out your speakers. I'm currently looking into Focal speakers. I've heard someone has seen a demonstration where the rep submersed the speaker while playing in a bucket of water and the speaker kept playing without shorting out. (very interested in these speakers)
Also, when an item is listed as marine audio it usually means that the unit can take getting splashed or misted with water, but not a constant long drenching of water.
I bought an '06 Standard [cop bike] and I love having the "glove box" instead of the radio. I took a small strip of velcro and attached it to the back of my i-pod and the other half I put on the flat space below my gas lid. Now I have all the tunes I need and for a lot less money. I've even got a playlist called Ridin' Tunes.
I have a '04 Road Glide with a Jim's 120" motor in that I have installed an Alpine iDA-X200 (Ipod controller) deck in. I decided to can my OEM deck due to skipping issues and not being able to here it while highway riding (70-90mph). After trying two different Alpine cd,mp3 decks I still had encountered skipping ocassionally and would have to eject and re-insert the disks to get them to play. Then Along came the Ipod Nano 3rd generation. This unit has no moving parts which means no more skipping. It was a no brainer for me.
I installed the deck and routed the usb plug and ipod adaptor to my glovebox, added a steering wheel interface from PAC Audio which allowed me to use my hand controls to perform as they would with a stock deck. I yanked out the 5.25" OEM speakers and replaced them with JL Audio VR525-CSi (discontinued) component speakers. I then sacrificed saddlebag space to install the Twister F2 130 amplifier and the crossovers from the speakers. Basically this saddlebag has become the tools, oil, and fuel additive bag. I'm still awaiting Alpine to release their new add-on deck (KTP-445) which is the size of a deck of cards and I'll try it out and mount in the fairing. The wiring from the the saddlebag to the deck has two Duetsch sealed connectors which I tucked up by the ECM. The only wires you need to remove are the power an ground from the amplifier and unplug the two connectors up by the ECM in order to remove the saddlebag.
As for protecting the deck from the elements I came up with cover that fits over the deck. I have had no issues with water and my audio system (speakers or deck). However, you have to realize after riding in torrential rain you should wait a couple hours before playing your system again to ensure you don't short out your speakers. I'm currently looking into Focal speakers. I've heard someone has seen a demonstration where the rep submersed the speaker while playing in a bucket of water and the speaker kept playing without shorting out. (very interested in these speakers)
Also, when an item is listed as marine audio it usually means that the unit can take getting splashed or misted with water, but not a constant long drenching of water.
I hope this helps you out.
sounds pretty sick!! any photos and video/audio? your bike must bump!!
__________________ AMERICAN by BIRTH, UNION by CHOICE
Tunes On The Road? 
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