Need Harley sound system advise re elect. requirement

[Rooster57]

I have a 2016 Harley Tri glide.

Last winter I had the dealer install a Stage II sound system (the system using 2 amps = 1 amp for front speakers and 1 amp for back speakers)

....It cost me a big fat chunk of money, but the system is much better than the stock = incredibly louder and clearer at HWY. speeds) (not perfect, but is BIG improvement).....no additional voltage regulator, stator, or anything else was added to trike power system.

Dealer said I could still add 2 more speakers (and 1 amp) to the trike to give me a 6 speaker sound system.

Question: Would I need to add a stronger electrical output change to anything as my manual says I already have a 50 Amp system? Have any of ya'll already installed 6 speaker stage II system?.....What do you recommend?

 

[Thomas L]

re - sound

Lots of talk - about sound and the systems. Actually, thats why I ride a motercycle (TRi-Glide ) is to get away from all of that.

Just me, the air, the motor, and the "Feel".

 

[GARYD]

I think 6 speakers is way overkill, but that's just my opinion. I don't want to give up any more storage that I have to.

With all the stuff I have on my 2014, the dealer said I was at the threshold of needing an update to the charging system. So far with all my heated gear and the Stage II audio, I don't have a problem. I'm sure I would if I added another amp.

Good luck

Thomas, I can only take listening to the engine/exhaust for so long before I go bonkers. I need that musical rhythm to keep me sane on looong trips. The drone of the exhaust doesn't do it for me.

 

[1dn5up]

Depends on the mood- Some days I’m the bug - Others I’m the windshield orag:

 

[Rooster57]

Yeah....I just dont know if I should mess with another 2 speakers anyway..........what peaked my interest was when I was at a local Harley Dealer and saw them mounting 2 more speakers on the water cooled radiator farring portion of a bike....the speakers were placed where the pull off plates go....they chunked the plates and installed a speaker on each side of trike....I didnt actally hear them ....but they said it could be done to mine as well which would then give me a 6 speaker system............They were unclear about any further upgrade to my electric system and I didnt follow up

...but I do wonder what a 6 speaker stage 2 system would sound like?

 

[Rev J]

Turned the radio on once...by accident. :laugh: Personally my wife and I prefer the sound of the engine, road noise, etc. Spent a chunk of change on that sucker and I want to hear that Harley sound.

 

[GARYD]

Like I said earlier, Harley sound OK for maybe an hour or two, but not for 10 to 12 hours...........boring.

I don't listen to the radio. I make my own music of just songs I like.

 

[midiwiz]

I have a 2016 Harley Tri glide.

Last winter I had the dealer install a Stage II sound system (the system using 2 amps = 1 amp for front speakers and 1 amp for back speakers)

....It cost me a big fat chunk of money, but the system is much better than the stock = incredibly louder and clearer at HWY. speeds) (not perfect, but is BIG improvement).....no additional voltage regulator, stator, or anything else was added to trike power system.

Dealer said I could still add 2 more speakers (and 1 amp) to the trike to give me a 6 speaker sound system.

Question: Would I need to add a stronger electrical output change to anything as my manual says I already have a 50 Amp system? Have any of ya'll already installed 6 speaker stage II system?.....What do you recommend?

Personally I can't stand the Boom systems. and having 6 speakers is overkill, especially when for 2 up riding the factory rears aren't even considered as HD designed them they are only for 1 up riding and not even effective at that due to the crappy porting.

Based on that I went with Wild Boar at Biketoberfest - HUGE improvement over stock, we have never had any issue hearing the system with the stock original, now at this point I run the radio at half and that can be a bit much at times. So I dumped in less than stage II and end up with something better (sorry studio ears here..... HD sounds like crap on all levels) but you can only get so much out of 6.5 rounds..... Wild Boar has done a pretty good job stretching the range of such a disabled 6.5 basis.

 

[RickDeVon]

The only change I have made is the rear speakers started sounding bad so I replaced them with Hogtunes...very nice stock upgrade...

 

[GARYD]

I love my music and can't live without it. Am I a fanatic about it - not really, but close.

I do get a kick out of "audiophiles" that can hear every nuance in music and can tell the difference between one premium system from another - even with tons of traffic passing by, cars, trucks, Harleys and everyday noise all around them as they travel down the road with their straight pipes bellowing out excruciating noise. - -

Over the years I've had the standard H-D system, then two HogTunes systems then the H-D Stage I system and now the H-D Stage II system and I've enjoyed them all. This last time I went with the H-D system because I didn't want to experiment with aftermarket stuff with the new Rushmore electronics. I also like it being under warrantee in case something goes wrong - which it has a couple of times.

I would have no problem with any of the aftermarket systems out there if I had to do it all over again.

 

[MikeyTX]

Yeah....I just dont know if I should mess with another 2 speakers anyway..........what peaked my interest was when I was at a local Harley Dealer and saw them mounting 2 more speakers on the water cooled radiator farring portion of a bike....the speakers were placed where the pull off plates go....they chunked the plates and installed a speaker on each side of trike....I didnt actally hear them ....but they said it could be done to mine as well which would then give me a 6 speaker system............They were unclear about any further upgrade to my electric system and I didnt follow up

...but I do wonder what a 6 speaker stage 2 system would sound like?

Fixing to do that to my '17 tri. That will give me 2 in the batwing, two in the lowers, two in the tour pack speaker pods. Still requires a third amp which sucks.

 

[PosseRider]

Would like to see how they did that.

 

[consitter]

Going at highway speed, the only speakers you'll hear anything from are the two up front. It doesn't matter how loud the rear ones are, you will not hear them because the sound is basically left behind you. Now if you ride 2 up a lot, your passenger will benefit from the suped up speakers. Or you will hear them very well if you sit in traffic, or at red lights a lot.

 

[MikeyTX]

The problem now Scott is that Harley has reprogrammed the system so that in order to install the front stage two speakers and amp, one must now install the rear speakers and amp. The dealer cannot reflash the system otherwise. That's why I had to do a full upgrade so I could hear the system at highway speeds with my full coverage helmet on. The dealers are pissed now because they can no longer use aftermarket components from Hog Tunes or J&M. Harley will eventually find a way to lock out aftermarket tuners. Just watch.

 

[consitter]

The problem now Scott is that Harley has reprogrammed the system so that in order to install the front stage two speakers and amp, one must now install the rear speakers and amp. The dealer cannot reflash the system otherwise. That's why I had to do a full upgrade so I could hear the system at highway speeds with my full coverage helmet on. The dealers are pissed now because they can no longer use aftermarket components from Hog Tunes or J&M. Harley will eventually find a way to lock out aftermarket tuners. Just watch.

Figures.

 

[PosseRider]

Rooster57, what were they using on the lower fairing ??

 

[PosseRider]

Never mind . Just found them & will not fit "Twin cooled" bikes.

 

[MB1953]

The problem now Scott is that Harley has reprogrammed the system so that in order to install the front stage two speakers and amp, one must now install the rear speakers and amp. The dealer cannot reflash the system otherwise. That's why I had to do a full upgrade so I could hear the system at highway speeds with my full coverage helmet on. The dealers are pissed now because they can no longer use aftermarket components from Hog Tunes or J&M. Harley will eventually find a way to lock out aftermarket tuners. Just watch.

Yes, they have their hands in it for everything. They use the SENA hardware for their bluetooth headsets, Freewire interface and WHIM bluetooth modules. Talked to the SENA rep at Biketoberfest; the Freewire and WHIM will pair with any bluetooth headset BUT you will not get stereo or full range fidelity unless you use the HD rebranded SENA hardware end to end.

HD wants to get its cut no matter what you do to the bike!

 

[MB1953]

Actually looking at this from both perspectives; GaryD makes the point about the factory Stage II and warranty, and I already have a dog in this hunt since I have the CB module installed, and don't want to mess with that. On the other side of the coin, Midiwiz is talking about the Wild Boar system; never even heard of them but sounds very interesting and I will have to research. Did you change just the speakers, or was it a full system?

EDIT found them... Hogtunes.

Thanks

 

[Rooster57]

Sorry for late reply here....been away from forum for a few weeks......none is likely interested in this thread I started a couple of months ago......BUT, I have since been to my local Harley dealer and discussed and priced installing the lower front fairing speakers.....Yes, I know the book says not much about trike installing....

......but heres the scoop: Yes they can install these speakers and 1 more amp just as if it were any other twin cooled bike! The only problem is where to install the 3rd amp...,...so, they would combine the wiring kits with 2 different application wiring sets, then solder wires for a longer wire harness and install 3rd amp on the front upper inside area of rear trunk..................of course you must increase your electrical system with Heavy duty system for added voltage requirement.....................

The speakers are the Harley 4" or 4.5" (cant remember...but they are the smaller ones from Harley stage 2)

....got a price to get all of this done at dealer for appx. $3600.00

..............this bone jarring price will require much reconsideration before I could justify such a cost............(and I aint never heard a really good 4" speaker yet)

...Harley is really vague about this on trike.....but can certainly be done!:xzqxz:

 

[PosseRider]

Wow, they are really proud of that system.. Too much for my blood. Slow down to 70, you will hear just fine, Rooster. :clapping::clapping::clapping:

 

[Texan]

LoL !!!

Have a young Canadian friend who is big into sound. He had a 2016 CVO StreetGlide with speakers in the fairing, lower fairings and saddle bag lids. While at Sturgis he decided he wanted to put on a set of Reinhart exhaust, $1000.00. On the way back to Sturgis from Rapid City he decided he couldn't hear his tunes good enough over the pipes......so back to the dealership vendors and put in 6, more powerful, speakers, $1200.00. Could hear his tunes just great.......BUT now he didn't like the way it covered up his muffler rumble.... Can you say vicious circle. I went to Dollar Tree and bought him a set of ear buds, cut off one side. Told him to put it in one ear so he could hear his tunes and his exhaust out of the other ear. A great case of too much $$$$ not enough sense.

Don't know what he'll show up with this next year. Probably a new DuraMax truck with a Bose system.

8~\o

 

[Rooster57]

Yeah....The price has me wincing too! ...so, I decided to "Piss" my money off on something else for now....and I just ordered a set of those 14" pro-action shocks with the comfort lift kit from DK Customs yesterday....................am thinking about going with the oil filter relocation kit and Outlaw oil filter too.:xzqxz:

 

[PosseRider]

Yeah....The price has me wincing too! ...so, I decided to "Piss" my money off on something else for now....and I just ordered a set of those 14" pro-action shocks with the comfort lift kit from DK Customs yesterday....................am thinking about going with the oil filter relocation kit and Outlaw oil filter too.:xzqxz:

Not trying to discourage you on the filter kit, but check with dealer, HD likes to void warranty on aftermarket engine stuff. Just a heads up Randy. I remember meeting you & saying you r new to HD. They can be hateful at times.

 

[Rev J]

Lots of talk - about sound and the systems. Actually, thats why I ride a motercycle (TRi-Glide ) is to get away from all of that.

Just me, the air, the motor, and the "Feel".

Yeah I agree. Think I may have turned on the radio by accident one time. I ride to escape the social media, internet, ect. If I want to listen to music there's a nice sound system in the garage. Having hearing loss, especially tinnitus, engine, wind and road sounds drown out the ringing, Rev J.

 

[Burnerboy]

I have to agree with you, as I love my music also while riding, the music just realizes me.......... I ride a Goldwing, with four speakers... BUT I have to admit, I can not hear the rear speaker when I'm riding at highway speeds..... (and I do ride speed limit/not a crazy wild man) so whatever speed you ride, on highways, the rears are actually a waste of money, I can hear them at slower speeds, but again, really can't tell the sound is actually coming from the rear's..(not trying to be a buzz kill here) cause music is also my "thing"... it's not like a car, where the four/six speakers is like an auditorium..

My 2cents here!!

Ronnie

 

[DamnYankee]

Any thoughts about piping your tunes into your helmet? Many do this, many don't like it. Just a thought.

 

[Rooster57]

reply to PosseRider

Hey PosseRider!

...yep I remember you too.....thats why I now have the DK Customs Pro Action 14" w/ custom Lift shock kit sitting on my dining room table pending my soon garage installation! (waiting till the weekend for better temps as it was 9 Degrees here last night)....really looking forward to the install and ride!

........Now, as far as the oil relocation filter kit: .....Yep, I considered the possible warranty potential problem very carefully as i really cant afford any warranty issues should they arise.............But, in the end my decision was......."Screw it! I want it! ....make those oil changes cleaner and oil just a little cooler!

......I'm not riding a Harley without taking some chances anyway or I would just take the pick up on rides! ....so far this 2016 tri glide fatty has hummed like a well oiled machine for 17K miles now...(Damn near nothing is stock on it anymore anyway and i change oil and filter every 2500 mi)....maybe I'll go down in flames and eat these words........but for now = "ME WANT!"

....Of course, my wife does not share my cavalier attitude but leaves it up to me! (with the understanding that I better no what I'm doing!) (I dont exactly but thats just between you and me)

 

[Rooster57]

Hey Damn Yakee!

Yep, considered piping music to helmet and I have the stuff to do it which came with the Ultra TriGlde last year (think i still do anyway).................BUT, I really hate wearing the helmet and I like feeling the music when possible...............and so it goes....yes I know I should wear helmet.......but not required here in Texas.

.....and , I cautiously drive like everyone on the road in a cage is out to kill me!

...so far so good....crank up the tunes!

............Ride Safe!:wave4:

 

[Rooster57]

Hey Burner Boy!

Hi Ronnie!

......I agree that the sound is MOST IMPORTANT to my ride as well...........never cut it off!

......I have A tri glide with the HD Stage 2 system sound ( 4 speakers 2 amps)....and its pretty awesome at most speeds....of course 70 mph and a cross wind depletes the sound substantially............The Harley Dealer here and my trusted HD mechanic all say the added 2 lower front speakers on bikes definitely makes a great sound even better!...thus creating a 6 speaker system.

..of course THIS IS info coming from the Harley Dealer.............(sooooooo, maybe its good advise or just expensive advise from the welcoming hungry dealer.)

.......just dont know.......a lot of "JACK" for sound improvement! (maybe)

....Later Dude!