Stereo Systems

[gsanborn]

Looking for recommendations on stereo speaker systems. I will only be hooking up my ipod to them and also any recommendations on amplifiers would be greatly appreciated. Would love to see some pics of what some of you have installed on your bikes.
Thanks

[nomadbehappy]

Here is what I had on my previous bike for 2 years, and then I moved to my Nomad when I got it until I bought the fairing. http://www.gooddeals18.com/product/SHKMSC22050/motorcycle-yacht-marine-audio--2-speakersamp--volume-control.html I paid $68 for it when I bought it 4 years ago and now you can get it for $42. I figured for that price I would take the chance on it. I found it to be more than adequate even when I moved it to the nomad with V&H dual bagger pipes. On the Nomad I put the amp in the front fork tool bag (don't do this, I ended up scratching my fender paint - put it in the left side cover), ran the power to the battery and the speaker wires to the speakers on the handlebars. I kept my Ipod in my windshield bag or my pocket as I bought a cheap ($15) wireless remote for the Ipod that I strapped to my left handlebar so I could adjust he volume, switch to another song, playlist etc.

They have a number of other systems now that are even more powerful and still inexpensive. If I hadn't bough the fairing I would still be using it today.

I know some people want a bigger, more powerful system, but I never found it to be underpowered and lets be serious if you are an audiophile, no system on your bike is going to compare to what you listen to at home. For the price I think it is a great system.

[voyager]

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee302/voyagerkbc/DSCF0833.jpg

Here's what I have on mine. Fusion marine stereo that's Ipod ready. Ipod slides inside unit and outer buttons and knobs handle controls.

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee302/voyagerkbc/DSCF0297.jpg

[ve3hzz]

I too had the shark stereo system from good deals 18 dot com

It was the 250W (yeah right!!) system with built in FM. I had it mounted in to the space behind the windshield below the handlebars. I had the power connection into the windshield bag I had and the remote that comes with it on my left handlebar to turn it on/off mute and volume control. I hooked it up via the Aux input to either my MP3 player or my GPS which had GPS built in. It worked fine on highway speeds, a bit underpowered from the speakers at 70 mph but still not bad!!

I replaced it when I got my fairing with a 4 speaker system

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z244/ve3hzz/DSCN0596.jpg
This radio has USB, aux input and SD card slot on the front and came with a remote. It was from Canadian Tire (can't remember the brand exactly) it was for my car, but works fine for the bike, and it's cheap enough but sounds OK with the 4 marine speakers. Radio cover makes it pretty well water resistant. Besides now I can shop for a bluetooth enabled radio for the car http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

Scott

[blackdogbrian]

I've got a sony marine radio...
I think the main suggestion is to hold out and get a marine unit for the extra protection from the elements. Other then that, it's just a matter of what you want to plug into it (Ipod, gps, sat radio, etc)

[chucks1911]

What risers do you have in the top picture?



http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee302/voyagerkbc/DSCF0833.jpg

Here's what I have on mine. Fusion marine stereo that's Ipod ready. Ipod slides inside unit and outer buttons and knobs handle controls.

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee302/voyagerkbc/DSCF0297.jpg

[bogatyrs]

I like my Kuryakan (sp) speakers they work very well even at highway speeds. Since I don't have a Fairing this is a good solution.

Mike

[voyager]

The risers I'm using are HD 4"pull back, with 1" spacers underneath. Otherwise, most risers hit the stereo units on Reckless fairings on a Nomad.

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee302/voyagerkbc/DSCF0311.jpg

[mobandy78]

First question for you is... do you have a fairing? You are going to get different opinions from guys with fairings and guys without. If you don't have a fairing, I'd check out the link to gooddeals18.com, from what I hear, the systems they sell are pretty darn good, especially for the price. There are several videos on YouTube on installations and sound tests.

If you do have a fairing, then I would most likely get a marine stereo head unit and speakers to mount in the fairing. Many options there.

[Idaho]

No fairing on my bike. I installed a J&M CB radio and plumbed in an XM Satelite radio to it. Have a good quality J&M headset/microphone wired into my full face helmet. Perfect stereo. Any channel I want to listen to. Can talk to other bikes or trucks. Can listen to music or news or old radio shows. Have 10 weather channels. Best of all, I don't have to be concerned with bothering other people near me by having the volume up loud enough for me to hear over my bike.

[gsanborn]

Thanks to everyone for the great information. I have decided to go with the Kuryakan speakers that mount right on the bars and Ipod will mount right next to them. Will post pics once I have them installed.

[bogatyrs]

George,

Good choice I love mine.

[gsanborn]

Bogie,
Do you have any pics of your set up?

[bogatyrs]

The middle picture shows them on my bars. Since that picture was taken I moved the iPod up beside my GPS. I can see if I have a better picture for you.