Simple audio upgrade

Darkdx · Sep 16, 2015

All,

I'm still new to the forum, although I've been lurking for a while.

I've been reading through the audio forum on a simple cheap upgrade to my 2011 RG custom. I'll admit I'm a little overwhelmed as I really don't have any knowledge about audio.

So I'm reaching out to you guys about suggestions to get a simple cheap upgrade as far as speakers and an amp to get a little more sound out of the glide. I'm on a budget since I have other improvements that I plan over the winter. So any CHEAP suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jeff

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RGUrider · Sep 16, 2015

you should post what your budget is, will help the audio gurus guide you. I spent about $800 for RF amp, Hawgwired speakers in stock position and pioneer speakers in the inner fairing. Also swapped HU to a sony and biketronics harness for controls.

the88virgnian · Sep 16, 2015

Jeff,

My response will simply be my .02 cents. If you want a lower cost upgrade that will be a huge upgrade over what you have, check out the soundstream amps (ST4.1000D/PN2.350D/PN4.520D). These will run you about 100 bucks on ebay. Run that to two after market speakers and you will be golden. You'll see tons of guys on here who are running the Infiniti Kappa 62.11i and they love them. I, personally, am running the Digital Designs 6.5 CXS and absolutely love them. Both speakers will cost you about 100 bucks a pair, depending on where you buy them. Since you have the 2011 HU, you'll need the PAC SNI-35 Line out converter to hook your amp to the stock head unit. All in all, you'll be in for just over 200 bucks, without install.

Another option is the Rockford Fosgate Kit which includes their amp and two speakers which will also run you about 200 bucks. I've talked to a few guys on this forum that have it and like it as well. End of the day, just about anything you do is going to be better that what you currently have.

I'll leave you with this disclaimer. The audio gurus on here will tell you to save up and do it right the first time. They are absolutely correct! I swapped out all four speakers, new amp and HU on my 13 RGU. Ran me 600 bucks. Am I happy with it? Damn right. Super loud audio that I can hear every lyric and note, even at highway speed. However, if I could go back and do it again, I'd probably wait a few more months and bought all pro-audio speakers and horn tweeters pushed by two amps. Later down the road, that's probably what I'll end up doing. But at the end of the day, I'm super stoked with my new system. My wife hears the music before I pull in the drive, and people at stop lights give me thumbs up whenever I'm playing a song they like.

1extremeskier · Sep 16, 2015

Cheap is relative if you have to replace later like I did
Do it right first time!!!!

Change deck first (kenwood, sony or alpine) $200
Maintain controls on handlebars
$100-200 with kit (I have Biketronics)
Get decent amp and speakers (Rockford PBR is cheap and maybe infiniti kappa 6.2ii)
But if you have someone else do the work cheap is not always best if components fail
Better is the Biketronics 7.1 & BT2180 with forum discount (maybe $500-600, lifetime warranty
Mine jams :grin::wink:

Darkdx · Sep 16, 2015

Honestly not trying to sound like a total cheap a$$ but no more than $250... I'd rather put my $ elsewhere in the bike...?

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Big_gary · Sep 16, 2015

Darkdx said:
Honestly not trying to sound like a total cheap a$$ but no more than $250... I'd rather put my $ elsewhere in the bike...&#55357;&#56833;

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What bike you got ? What is your expertise ? Can you install stuff yourself , can you rewire plugs or do you need plug and play ?
If you can't do anything, save your $250 . Paying someone that little to buy & install ain't gonna be worth your time.you will be disappointed.

12fltrx · Sep 16, 2015

even just changing out the Speakers to a 2 Ohm speaker like the kappas is a good start. ive seen them on Amazon for around 100, if you local Best buy carries them they will price match them. also check out cycle sounds, they have an amp in there that would also do tou some good for cheap. Look around, stay away from the RF amps, they run really hot if your on a long ride, it will burn out on you. Did to me twice, and they would not warranty them because its on a bike, there isnt enough air flow. If you want good system. look at biketronics, they have life time warranty on their products. shop around, you will find some great info, even if oyu change out the speakers, you will notice a big improvement, save up. last... contact Chris Lowe at Garage bagger stereo, he can set you in the right direction.

Darkdx · Sep 16, 2015

Big_gary said:
What bike you got ? What is your expertise ? Can you install stuff yourself , can you rewire plugs or do you need plug and play ?
If you can't do anything, save your $250 . Paying someone that little to buy & install ain't gonna be worth your time.you will be disappointed.

2011 RG custom, in Sedona orange

I definitely am not afraid of wiring or anything of that matter, I prefer to do my own work on my bike. I'd rather make sure something is done right.

All good advise above.. Now time to start looking around and purchasing items! I'm sure I'll be asking a ton more questions as I really start to dive into the glide in the next month and change things out..

Glad to be a part of this forum!

Thanks,
Jeff

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rlaf75 · Sep 16, 2015

Someone already mentioned this and I did this myself when I bought the bike new. Simply changing your speakers will be an improvement over the stock junk. My RG is an 09 and I just did speakers and they were great. Last winter I went in and painted the inner fairing so I decided it was time to swap HU, add an amp and speaker lids. Sounds pretty impressive. Is it the "best"? I don't really care because I'm happy with it. Upgrade to 6.5 with an adapter and for roughly $100 it will be better

Darkdx · Sep 16, 2015

So with the infinity kappas I would need the adapter correct?

Do I have to order that through hog tunes? Or is there another option?

I'll probably go with those speakers and a soundstream amp... I would assume I would be ok with a 2 channel amp?

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Big_gary · Sep 17, 2015

Darkdx said:
So with the infinity kappas I would need the adapter correct?

Do I have to order that through hog tunes? Or is there another option?

I'll probably go with those speakers and a soundstream amp... I would assume I would be ok with a 2 channel amp?

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Since , you do your own work , then the SS pn4.520 matched to the Infiniti kappa 6.5 would be a great choice. You should come in right under your $250 goal.
Yes you will need adapters. Don't buy the cheap adapters, I use Hawg wild and they fit perfectly.

Darkdx · Sep 17, 2015

Big_gary said:
Since , you do your own work , then the SS pn4.520 matched to the Infiniti kappa 6.5 would be a great choice. You should come in right under your $250 goal.
Yes you will need adapters. Don't buy the cheap adapters, I use Hawg wild and they fit perfectly.

Sounds like a good option for the price... Now where do I get those adapters? Are they hog wired? Got a link?

Again, the info is greatly appreciated! And sorry for the noob questions! ?

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Big_gary · Sep 17, 2015

Darkdx said:
Sounds like a good option for the price... Now where do I get those adapters? Are they hog wired? Got a link?

Again, the info is greatly appreciated! And sorry for the noob questions! ?

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Hawg Wired

Sorry, I meant Hawg Wired. No need to apologize, that's what this forum is for.

Darkdx · Sep 23, 2015

So I received the SS pn4.520 amp. Now I haven't opened the fairing yet but where are you guys mounting the amp?

Anyone have any pics?

I ask because it's larger then what I anticipated...

Thanks,
Jeff

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RGUrider · Sep 23, 2015

Not sure ths will work , but here goes my album when I put in audio. Amp is mounted to right using a bracket from Hdonut I bought. Road Glide Forums - RGUrider's Album: Audio

Darkdx · Sep 23, 2015

RGUrider said:
Not sure ths will work , but here goes my album when I put in audio. Amp is mounted to right using a bracket from Hdonut I bought. Road Glide Forums - RGUrider's Album: Audio

That link just took me to the main page.. Still learning the forum. Where do I go to find the album?

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Big_gary · Sep 23, 2015

What year bike ?
PS. Brain fart.
I and a lot of folks use industrial strength velcro to mount it on the side of the inner fairing, behind the glove box .

Darkdx · Sep 24, 2015

Big_gary said:
What year bike ?
PS. Brain fart.
I and a lot of folks use industrial strength velcro to mount it on the side of the inner fairing, behind the glove box .

2011 RGC

That industrial Velcro is that strong huh?

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Big_gary · Sep 24, 2015

Big_gary said:
What year bike ?
PS. Brain fart.
I and a lot of folks use industrial strength velcro to mount it on the side of the inner fairing, behind the glove box .

http://www.roadglide.org/53-audio/170146-going-aftermarket.html

I have the front mounted to an old Hog tunes mount using a home made L bracket. The rear is attached using velcro. I really don't even need the L bracket because the velcro holds so well.

Big_gary · Sep 24, 2015

Darkdx said:
2011 RGC

That industrial Velcro is that strong huh?

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Products:*3M? Hook and Loop

Yep, this is the stuff I used. You can buy it at Home Depot or lowes.

Simple audio upgrade

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