Everything to Know About Motorcycle Sound Systems
The Harley-Davidson Road Glide I recently tested surprised the heck out of me for how good the sound system was. Despite being only a pair of 5.25-inch Rockford-Fosgate speakers mounted in the fairing, the 50-watt system provided decently crisp, powerful sound, even when cruising along at freeway speeds.
Of course, there’s always room for improvement, and most bikes don’t have a system as good as the Harley’s, or any system at all. So, what’s a music-lover to do? As it turns out, there are a number of things an audiophile can upgrade for their listening pleasure while riding.
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Better Speakers
Quite simply, the easiest (and probably cheapest) way to get the biggest improvement is to upgrade the existing speakers on your touring bike. Better speakers use better materials in their construction (some even incorporate Kevlar), which result in a greater dynamic range, allowing for higher high notes, and deeper bass notes, giving a fuller, richer sound profile. Higher-end speakers may also be able to handle higher power outputs without distortion.
Of course, not just any speakers will do, and since motorcycles can be exposed to all sorts of conditions, weather-proof speakers are crucial for this application.
More Speakers, More Power
If you’ve ever seen show bikes that have the very high-end sound system builds, you’ve probably marvelled at the volume they can generate, plus the impressive throw of the bass and the clarity of their sound reproduction, even at those high volumes. To achieve this, a lot of high-end speakers are utilized. Adding speakers to the pannier boxes, plus more, or bigger speakers in the fairings can help generate an immersive audio experience, plus they can throw more volume. Several companies also offer motorcycle-specific subwoofers that mount inside the panniers and help dramatically bump the bass.
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More speakers added require more power to energize them, which is where an additional amplifier comes into play. These can also be mounted inside the pannier case or tucked into the fairing, and generate the wattage required to power all those extra speakers. Make sure the cabling and connectors between all components are up to the task, too, since cheaping out here will limit how effective or clean the audio reproduction will be.
Bluetooth Speaker
All of the above suggestions are fine for those riding large touring bikes with expansive, plastic cavities to mount speakers and accessories, but what about those driving naked bikes who want to rock out on their ride? There are several manufacturers who have created motorcycle-specific Bluetooth speakers that are self-amplified (sometimes up to 1000 W), and come with two-to-four individual speakers that can be easily mounted to handlebars or luggage bars on the bike. These speakers connect via Bluetooth to the rider’s smartphone and can stream all the favorite playlists.
Motorcycle Bluetooth speakers are weatherproof to sustain rain, dust, and UV rays that would ruin a typical Bluetooth speaker, while some systems like the Lexen S35 also feature a built-in FM radio tuner and integrated lights that can serve as additional turn signals.
Plug Right In
Finally, if mounting speakers and systems of any kind to your bike simply isn’t an option, a rider can still plug directly into their tunes through either a helmet-installed intercom system or headphones.
Companies like Sena and Cardo have been creating motorcycle intercom units for years, but recently they’ve strived to improve sound quality and feature functionality with their systems. Modern units from Cardo include upgraded JBL speakers mounted within the helmet and can connect via Bluetooth to stream music, take phone calls, or communicate with fellow riders who have intercom systems too. Plus, by being inside the helmet and closer to the user’s ears, there’s less ambient noise for the speakers to overpower. As a happy bonus, nobody else needs to hear the embarrassing taste in music you might have. While you’re at it, consider more smart technology integration with motorcycles and gear to improve the riding experience.
Riders who have no interest in communicating with other riders (or passengers), can skip the comm units altogether and simply invest in a good set of wireless earbuds. While it’s true they can reduce the ambient noises that might tip a rider off to impending doom, we certainly don’t endorse cranking them up to drown out everything around you, but rather to let you take some tunes with you while still letting you pay attention to your surroundings. You may find a decent set of earbuds more comfortable and require less volume to help you enjoy your tunes than a set of speakers mounted inside the helmet.
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Motorcycling is one of life’s great joys, and with the right technology, bringing music along for the ride can only make it better.
Jeff Wilson
