When we say we work on anything with a battery and can move, that includes motorcycles. We have never run into a stock Harley Davidson system we were happy with the sound of, and it seems like most bike owners have not either! So what is a rider to do when the tunes do not sound as good as the pipes?

Power

Harley Davidson with fairing cover removed showing amplifier and speaker upgrade.

Amplifier and 6.5" Speaker Upgrade being installed.

When most people try to upgrade their stereo, they think the radio is the place to start, we like to start with the power – amplifier power. Most modern radios or “decks” sound OK, but they all lack in power and when your music is competing with wind, road noise and traffic they just can’t keep up. Fortunately we can integrate a power amplifier into a motorcycles audio system easily, and without affecting your bikes warranty, how your system operates or looks. Sounds pretty perfect doesn’t it.

The amplifier solutions we offer fit inside the front faring often with no modification required, or in a saddle bag depending on application and the power you require. Some offer specially design EQ circuits to enhance the bass and sound quality of the smaller speakers that are often used on motorcycles. They are also extremely efficient so they will not present a heavy load to your bike’s electrical system. The best part is that your handle bar controls, radio display & pretty much everything on your bike stays looking the same.

We have a complete selection of amplifiers from Arc Audio, JL Audio, Rockford Fosgate and more, so come in and let us help you select the right power solution for your ride.

Speakers

Once we have addressed the power problem, we tackle the speakers themselves. These are critical in any upgrade to a bikes stereo system. The stock speakers that come with all bikes old or new are pretty much the bare minimum that was required to pass the “floor” test when you purchased your bike. That is a pretty easy task to achieve in a show room, and really how many of us give the stereo a full “test” when we are taking the bike we fell in love with for demo ride. Sadly those stock drivers just don’t cut it when your out on a ride.

Choosing the right upgraded speaker to match your needs is actually easy when you know what to listen and look for. First off ensure that the speaker you are looking at will handle the extra power of the amplifier you selected. Then check to see if the speaker will handle the type of riding conditions it will face. If your a all season rider this is more important than if your a fair weather rider who enjoys getting out for a cruise when time allows.

Lastly, and most importantly listen to the speakers with a few different musical tracks – select a few that you know, and as us to play a few that maybe you don’t know. Try to pick tracks that are different from each other in the volume and style of music. That way you can get a sampling of what the speakers can do for you and your bike.

Often stock speakers are between 4″ and 5.25″ inch in size, we specialize in being able to increase the size of the speakers on your bike up to 6.5″ or 5×7″ where possible. Why upgrade? The two biggest reasons – efficiency (how loud the speaker will play with the power you have) and frequency response (mid-bass and bass response) are both better with a larger driver. When we do these upgrades they are done with the integrity of the bike and mounts in mind. No hacking and cutting here we use specially designed and fabricated brackets ensuring the best performance all while maintaining the integrity of your bike.

Radio, iPod, MP3, XM, Sirius, HD Radio, Navigation, Bluetooth and more

Harley Davidson motorcycle with aftermarket stereo & Handle bar controls

Aftermarket iPod Radio installed in Harley faring, with integrated stock handle bar controls.

Remember earlier we said that the radio’s that come on modern bikes are “pretty good”, to be clear that is certainly not “great” when your looking for the best performance from your system, replacing the radio is advised. The source unit or deck in your bike is where the signal starts, and when you want to get the best performance from your bike, replacing the radio allows you to get the purest music signal you can to deliver to your amplifiers and speakers.

The biggest area of concern for motorcycle owners is ensuring that the unit will work with their bikes handle bar controls for volume, track, mode & seek. When we replace any radio we ensure those controls still work (and can add them if your bike didn’t come with controls!).

Weather and the elements are always a concern when replacing electronics in an open air vehicle, doubly so on a bike. We offer weatherproof covers that seal out the elements from your radio and help keep wandering eyes from seeing your upgrades.

We also specialize in integrating the latest technologies with your bike – iPods, Smartphones, MP3 players, Satellite Radio and GPS navigation can all be incorporated – with your new stereo, or the stock radio on your bike. Should you require a mount for any of these options we offer quality mounts that are designed specifically for motorcycles, and often are made specifically for your bike and to reduce the impact of road vibrations on the electronics of your gadget.

More, Give me more!

Great to hear! We are not always happy with just an upgrade either! When you looking for more than the norm, we can deliver.

Harley Saddlebag with custom speaker mount and grill in lid.

Bag Lid on Harley, stealth look with wicked sound and bass, no repainting required!

We offer specially designed bag speaker upgrades from www.sidecarcycles.com that allow you to add an extra pair of speakers to your bike in a unique way that keeps them stealthy hidden, and takes up barely any room in your bags. This upgrade dramatically improves the overall volume that your stereo can achieve and delivers a massive upgrade in bass output and quality. We have systems specially designed for Harley Davidson baggers – ElectraGlide (FLHTC), StreetGlide (FLHX), RoadGlide (FLTRU) and Ultra Classic (FLHTCU) models. We can also customize a solution for most any bike.

Looking for more up front? Add speakers in your lower pockets with our machined mounting plate solutions, available in black & chrome, or get them color matched to your bike.

Want to add a dedicated subwoofer for real bass output? We do hidden installs of subwoofers in bags and packs that deliver solid kick to your system that will have heads turning and your ears smiling!

So from a mild upgrade in speakers to a full blown refit and replacement, or a complete custom audio system for your motorcycle we have what you need, and the technicians to do it right. What are you waiting for?