Radio Amp - Harley Forum

HDDon · #1 08-01-2009, 05:05 PM

I'm looking for some help with selecting an amp for my 05FLTRI. I've seen the $200 to $300 Hog Tunes and Biketronicks, but I've also seen "Motorcycle amp" on Ebay for $30 to $60. Since the ones I'm looking at are 200W why is there so much difference in cost? Has anyone out there installed an aftermarket amp? Any problems? Help!!

shovelmike · #2 08-01-2009, 10:02 PM

I'll try to lend a hand. I studied some basic electronics many years ago and came away with this: The cost of building a given amp can vary quite a bit depending on the quality of the resistors, transistors etc. that the manufacturer chooses to use. The parts are allowed a variance from the specified value by a given percentage, the more you pay the closer the tolerance, this can have a dramatic effect on longevity as well as performance.
The manufacturers also play a wattage game the same as car and motorcycle makers play with horsepower figures. A maker can tell you, "This is a 200 watt amp", you need to know how they measured it, sometimes the figure is IPP, instantaneous peak power- short spikes to 200 which even a puny amp can do or RMS power which is a more reliable measure. A reputable maker should publish total harmonic distortion percentage which you want to be very low. Too much distortion will sound very bad and shorten the life of speaker cones a lot.
The adage holds true, you get what you pay for.
Most of my experience has, admittedly, been home audio with a little with automotive systems.

HDDon · #3 08-01-2009, 10:21 PM

Thanks for the input. What I know about electronics you could put in a thimble and still have room for your finger! Guess I'll start saving $ and buy the tried and true. Thanks again

Gas Man · #4 08-02-2009, 12:08 AM

I went with the front 902.2 Front speakers/amp from Hogtunes. 25yr warrenty and the sound is WAY WAY better than stock.

As said... don't go cheap. the hogtunes system isn't really that expensive.

HDDon · #5 08-02-2009, 03:50 PM

Thanks for the advice. Is the amp built into the speaker or a separate unit?
HDDon
94FLSTC
05FLTRI

Gas Man · #6 08-03-2009, 12:14 PM

Seperate unit, but it just sits on top of the stock radio unit.

botzman · #7 11-15-2009, 01:28 PM

Gasman,

Already have the 902.2 speakers but no amp. Does the amp make that much difference? Thanks. MIke

Gas Man · #8 11-16-2009, 04:19 PM

Yes it does. without the amp the head unit distorts at high speeds. With the amp you can turn it all the way up, no distortion. Without the amp I was constantly having the volume turned 80%+ up. With the amp mostly around 50%. Even on the highway.

The biggest change was cleaner sound at all volumes. Then there is also more volume. The head unit just distorts very badly.

I'm debating adding in the tweeter bar. Wondering how much advantage there is to that. According to Hogtunes it does a great deal.

http://www.hogtunes.com/techzone_fil...HF-1_Works.pdf

I have no reason to doubt what they say. They have been very truthfull with me on their products. Everything they have said has done just that.

aceharleywrench · #9 11-17-2009, 10:26 AM

For a very reasonable price,the Biketronics amp also has the added benefit of being American made & it has a lifetime warranty.The performance is unbelievable,I can even drown out my pipes if so desired.