I could be wrong about this because I have never had speakers in the bag lids but I just don't think you are going to hear much at 70 from speakers that are behind you. I would think you would be better off adding speakers up front either in lowers or in the fairing. If you are looking for sound around town then the lids might be OK.

 

Honestly, I changed my speakers to J&M Rokkers and it made a world of difference. I did not need to add an amp, the improvement was that good and they are clear at highway speeds. No problem hearing them at all. The improvement was so good and I was satisfied, I decided not to get an amp.


Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App

 

I think nobody really get saddlebag lid speakers for playing music @ 80+ mph for the rider to hear. It's more for show @ tell. IMO, the best sound for 80+ mph for the rider are ear buds.. That's my method.


Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App

 

After about 45-50 mph the saddlebag speakers are more for the passenger than the rider. To me it's worth it, but I have 6 speakers up front between the fairing and lowers that provide a lot more sound.

 

Get yourself some of them lids that hold 2 or 3 sets of speakers, a couple big-azz amps and TURN THEM MO-FO'S UP!!!!
The more stereo noise you make, the less attention they'll pay to my pipes.........

 

I agree about the statement that said the sound from the rear is hard to hear at 70 MPH.
I was not happy with the radio output when riding at Freeway speeds. Even with Tour Pak Speakers. So I took it in steps.
First I upgraded my speakers to J&M Pref 7.25" Speaker Kit. With this, I could now hear the radio when at full volume riding Freeway speeds.

That was OK, but I wanted to be able to really "Rock" some songs through the Fairing speakers.
So I looked at Amps. When I looked around I was shocked at the prices for the speaker/amp systems. (I am very cheap)
But I was at last year's Shark Week II. Low and Behold, some of the Forum Sponsors donated several systems.
I was lucky enough to win a Hawg Wired system. It was a "Plug-N-Play" with 6.5" speakers and 140 watt amp.
I installed the system and WOW!!! When I turned it up, It was LOUD, but clear.
Now when I want to listen to the radio using my Fairing speakers, I only need half volume. Even at 70+ (Of course I don't speed )

So, in my opinion, any money you would spend on saddlebag speakers should be spent on Fairing speakers and amp system.
You will be money ahead with a much better sound system.

 

I was lucky enough to win a Hawg Wired system

way to leave us hanging on the DCS/ZX review, they don't even make that one anymore, glad it's jamming

get ready to cash in your IRA

I would if I could, tax penalties are what will kill ya

re: speaker lids, maybe not worth a grand, unless you already have a good setup and want to add some passenger tunes, but nice to have

 

I would try the Hertz High Output. Good speakers that will not break the bank...

 

Looked at doing the Bag speakers but after you do the bike nights and listen to guys that have them i opted for putting another amp up front and doing the inner fairing up grade. Keep them in front of yourself. No problem with having two amps and four speakers in the fairing . Its clear and sounds great, i would say that i have the 8 inch KW sheild. If you had a little biger sheils that would make a big differance at 80mph. Me i like to have the wind and tunes at the same time. Another option you might look at is in some lowers. Keep it in front of ya

 

You thought you have peer pressure @ Bike Night!!! It can't compare to forum member pressure.... I'm seeking professional help for that right now.. LoL get ready to cash in your IRA... Lol


Sent from Motorcycle.com Free App

 

Can't take it with ya so you might as well spend it...

 

Thanks for the help everyone ill just focus on the front really didnt wanna spend 1,000 on lids and speakers to have really no improvement.

 

Rear speakers are worth it whether tourpak pods or saddlebag lids. If you ever had any doubt, take off down the road then fade all the way to the front. Albeit the rears become more of a "fill" speaker at speeds, you WILL hear the difference.

The Cycle Sounds lids are $359 (mine were $559 painted vivid black). Custom colors, I think I'd take to a painter but it's kinda hard to screw up black so I let them paint them. Should be here in a few days. A little creative wiring, a good set of 6x9s, and CS lids will be quite a bit less than $1000.

 

I'd recommend the CVO speakers over the boom. I can hear mine clear as day at speeds much higher than I can legally ride


Sent from Motorcycle.com App

 

I would reccomend, dishing the 'Boom' stuff, and replacing w/Hawg-Wired Amps!
Whether you can hear ur stereo, 2 blocks away, or if someone else can,...If ya want Clarity, and all these things, you've posted, well,....you'll just have to make the sacrifise!
I'd go 6x9 saddlebag lids, the new quad lids, or just the single pair lids, if it was me.jmho

 

I'm waiting on my speaker lids right now from Harley. I'm not putting them on so much to hear my tunes at 70+, most of my riding is rural, as I like the looks of the Harley system, and I think the wife will like them. I also did the Boom front speakers and the amp. I can't tell you how it sounds, the lids should be here about the 2nd week of March. I looked at some other lid kits they didn't go with the shape of the bag like the Boom kit does, they look like you chopped a big hole in the top of the bag and stuffed some speakers from your local junk yard in them.

 

Hey Zakmando since i got candy orange too i could always test out those speaker lids before you go through the time of putting them on lol

 

Hey stang9986 sounds good, but I already have the fairing, handlebars, fuel tank off with the wires run, amp installed, so I'll just put them on, thanks for the most kind offer never the less. I will sell you my stock lids, handlebars, windshield, speakers, air cleaner, exhaust, headlight if you want them.

 

Lol just trying to help you out. You don't happen to have the I pod interface also do you? I have heard there isn't enough room in the fairing for amp and I pod interface.

 

I have two amps and the interface in there, Plus FOUR speakers.

 

No I don't have an ipod, thought about the gps interface. I can't find much info on that, even the dealer didn't know enough about it, to get me to buy it.

 

what sucks about using the GPS for MP3s is you have to control the playing of your MP3s through the GPS interface and you still need to plug the audio out of the GPS into the Aux in on the stock radio.

 

Got these from Sidecar

Going in to this I new that I wasn't going to have a competition level system and that lid speakers wouldn't be that effective at highway speeds, but I am OK with that. With the Sidecar system they modify your existing your lids eliminating the need for any paint work, although their black grill cloth is gonna force me to paint the bike black.

 

although their black grill cloth is gonna force me to paint the bike black.

you can get different color grill cloth.

http://www.speakerworks.com/speaker_grill_cloth_fabric_s/25.htm

 

Think im going to go with a set has anyone with the Harley boom lids had water leaks when riding in the rain? Sidecar looks like your setup would be better for keeping water out.

 

Sidecar also included their drain system for me to install, it is essentially a pocket that attatches to the front of your bag under the speaker and funnels water through a tube to drain out the bottom of the bag. You do have to drill a hole for the tube in the bottom, no big deal.

 

I went hawg-wired/ Alpine and it's not just for show. It's clear as a bell at 80+ at less than half volume.

I don't see why there would be an issue hearing speakers behind you. It's probably more an issue of poor placement/angle.

Sound travels at 768 mph, I doubt that any of us have a Harley that goes that fast, so you do not outrun the sound.

 

I don't see why there would be an issue hearing speakers behind you. It's probably more an issue of poor placement/angle. Sound travels at 768 mph, I doubt that any of us have a Harley that goes that fast, so you do not outrun the sound.

well it really has nothing to do with how fast sound travels but moreso the effect wind has on the sound. The sound is still there and moving at it's theoretical speed, but the wind carries it away from you.

 

I have a 2013 CVO and it came with the saddle bag lid speakers. I love 'em. I have no issues hearing them over my loud pipes at any speed. I have an additional amp mounted inside my left saddle bag. If you're going to do the saddle bag speakers you should consider removing a couple of gauges on the faring and adding some tweeters.

 

I'm looking to get the sidecar cycles/vtwin audio mod done to my bags next January. They look a lot cleaner than the HD setup, and I have NEVER heard a set of 5x7 speakers that really sounded good.

+1 on the gauge tweeters! They make a huge difference. I have Alpine SPR-60C component speakers in my dash and they ROCK!

 

I have the Hawg Wired 6 Pack with the HW Tweeter Grilles and love the sound.
I also want to get speaker lids for mine.
I'm caught between the HW Lucky 13 Lids, The Sidecar Cycles; modify your stock ones, and The HD Boom Audio Speaker Lids. Decisions, decisions, decisions.
Time will tell.
Mike U.

 

I think the Lucky 13s and the Sidecar Cycles/vtwin audio lids are the same. If not, they are VERY similar.

 

Sidecar (V-twin Audio) does the mods for HW