| Upgrading or installing a motorcycle stereo takes | | | | the area above the radio usually works best. |
| special considerations. Understanding what is involved | | | | Mounting it directly to the radio can cause additional |
| with the configuration and demands of your stereo is | | | | heat, excessive vibration, as well as extra stress on |
| the first step. | | | | the radio and it's mount. |
| When replacing factory components, a wiring harness | | | | The wiring of the amplifier is fairly straight forward. |
| adapter is always recommended. This will allow you | | | | The connection from stereo to amplifier can be made |
| to put your stock components back in, and more | | | | with a standard hi-lo converter installed. The ground |
| importantly it won't void your factory warranty. | | | | wire should be attached independent of any other |
| When harness adapters are not available, they can | | | | ground wires (to neg. terminal on battery). The amps |
| easily be made. | | | | "remote power on" wire can be attached to an |
| A simple speaker upgrade is generally more involved | | | | accessory wire in the fairing, make sure this power |
| than one would think. Most stock motorcycle stereo | | | | supply is switched to be off when the ignition is off. |
| systems operate at a different impedance level than | | | | Running the power wires will take the most time and |
| your common aftermarket speaker. Installing a pair | | | | care. The wires must be routed cleanly to the |
| of 4 ohm speakers in a system that requires 2 ohms | | | | battery with a fuse placed inline within 8 inches of |
| will do damage to your stock radio and/or your new | | | | the pos. terminal on battery. The speaker wires are |
| speakers. Another thing to keep in mind when | | | | attached in a standard fashion. |
| replacing speakers, is the available power to drive the | | | | This brings us to the rear speakers. If your bike |
| speakers. Although it is possible to add larger | | | | came equipped with rear speaker it probably has a |
| speakers with the use of speaker adapters, your | | | | factory amplifier as well. This will make upgrading |
| factory radio may not have enough power to run | | | | easy. Simply upgrade the amp and speakers with the |
| them. Lastly but equally important, when selecting | | | | factory wiring. If you plan to add rear speakers there |
| your new speakers be certain they will be able to | | | | are several options. You could replace your bag lids |
| withstand the elements. A paper cone speaker will | | | | with aftermarket speaker lids which have the |
| not last long when exposed to any water. For this | | | | speaker openings molded into them. The other option |
| reason, marine grade equipment is always preferred. | | | | is to place the speakers in the bags. This will work |
| The addition of an aftermarket head unit or receiver | | | | well only if the bag is ported. We generally port them |
| will generally provide more power to your speakers, | | | | on the tire side of the bags. |
| provided your speaker impedance matches your new | | | | When installing rear speakers,adding an amplifier to |
| stereo. The major down side of replacing that stock | | | | power your speakers will net you the best results, as |
| radio is that in most cases you will also lose the hand | | | | the stock head unit will not provide enough power to |
| control functions for the stereo. | | | | drive the rear speakers. All of the connections are |
| For these reasons, we have found that the best | | | | similar to that of the front amp and speakers. If the |
| way to to achieve better sound quality and more | | | | head unit is only a 2 channel system you will need to |
| volume with the least amount of headaches is with | | | | connect the speakers to a hi-lo converter that will be |
| the addition of an aftermarket amplifier and upgraded | | | | attached to the stock front speaker wire. It is also |
| speakers. Using this configuration makes it easy to | | | | possible to add speakers and/or an amp to the rear |
| match your speaker impedance to your amp, retains | | | | tour pack. This is done in the same way as side bag |
| the use of your handlebar controls, keeps the stock | | | | speakers. |
| appearance, as well as adding plenty of power for | | | | Now that we have covered the basic concept of the |
| larger speakers. | | | | stereo upgrade, it is important to mention the risks. |
| The installation of an amplifier consists of two key | | | | Poor installation can cause damage to the bike's |
| steps, mounting and wiring. With very little room to | | | | electrical system, damage to the stereo equipment, |
| spare inside a fairing, a small amplifier will be needed. | | | | and even damage to the bike it's self. With that in |
| Stay away from digital amplifiers, as they generally | | | | mind, if you are not extremely confident in your |
| provide more distortion than power. It is also | | | | ability to get the installation done properly, |
| important that your bike's electrical system is able to | | | | professional installation is recommended. The money |
| provide the extra power that is needed. | | | | you will pay to have the job done right will be way |
| Fabricating a mount that holds the new amplifier in | | | | less than repairing a poor installation job. |