radio installation

[todd.triplett]

Can someone suggest some how-to directions, a how-to video, an installation kit, or just offer advice. I have been thinking of installing a radio for longer trips - what do ya'll think?

[litnin]

Well, if you want a radio, that's all good, but if you are going on a long trip,
might I offer you a suggestion in getting an MP3 player.

You can load hours upon hours of music that YOU like and not what
a given radio station that you are listening to plays.
It's also something less that you have to fool with as you travel and
radio stations bleed in and out as you ride.

If you really want a radio, what I would do is build a pouch radio.
Get something along the lines of a tank bag, a small portable radio
(like a walk-man style), a could of small speakers and mount it all in
the bag... use a lighter style plug for power or some other form
of quick connect that you can attach to the bike some how.

[todd.triplett]

are you talkin about an ipod and ear speakers, or external speakers. I didn't think it was a good idea to have earphones in during travel. Thanks for the idea.

[litnin]

Originally Posted by todd.triplett

are you talkin about an ipod and ear speakers, or external speakers. I didn't think it was a good idea to have earphones in during travel. Thanks for the idea.

No, not ear buds.

Take something like a fork tool bag or a windshield bag and mount some
speakers in it, an amplifier if needed, and then an input for a radio or MP3 player.
Attach the fork back or windshield bag where it's convenient for you.

[Bubba1954]

I have found that the XM Radio Roady works great on my Shadow. It never looses my favorite stations no matter where I ride.

To mount it, I ordered a tech mount from JCWhitney that attaches to the handlebar. Then I used Velcro to attach the XM Roady base to the Tech mount. The Roady has a magnetic sattelite antenna that sits on top of the handlebar and gets perfect reception.

I have an auto accessory power port (from WalMart) attached to my windsheild and the Roady power cord plugs into it to power the radio. I mounted a simple Radio Shack volume switch on my left handlebar switch housing to allow me to adjust the volume when needed then the speaker cable runs from there under my gas tank and it comes out just under my seat on the left side. This is where I plug my stereo headset into. I ware a low profile Sony headset under my helmet and can hear just fine.

I also use this same setup for my GPS that comes with a built-in MP3 Player. It's mount attaches to the Teck Mount using velcro also.

Here is a link showing pictures of my setup.
http://www.fototime.com/inv/6A2285BD279DB11

[PainterD]

If you want to make your own system, you can get a cheap 100w-300w($15) amplifier from Ebay that works perfect for motorcycles. Use 4" speakers or larger. That will give you enough to hear a radio/mps player out on the open road. I use a 150w amp with 5-1/4" speakers to power a Sony Walkman and it works very well.
If you just want to buy a system already made for bikes, the Rumble Roads amplified speakers work well. The speakers have little amplifiers inside the housings. All you have to do is hook them up to a 12v power wire and plug in your music source. I've had those on my Shadow for the past 6 years and they've never let me down.
The reason I use the Walkman, is because it's one of the highest rated radios for good reception. They run about $30 and are easy to mount in the handlebars.
The speaker choice is probably the hardest part. You will want to find ones that mount on the handlebars, or some where on the front of the bike. I made my own speakers housings out of plastic using 5-1/4" speakers for a fuller sound. I mounted them to the back of my windshield. The system works better than I could imagine. No need to run at high volume as the speakers are right there facing me.
It's just nice to be able to hear news, weather and music on my ride to and from work each day.

[violette]

If you can wait about a week, I can share with you how my installation of the Kuryakyn Sound of Chrome goes and how it sounds. I just received the package at work today. They look great.

I got the set up new on eBay for about $280 including shipping, so I wouldn't buy it direct, as that's $120 more.

I'm probably going to do a post about the set up and installation of it on my blog. I can link it here when I do it.

Mike

[CPTRICK3]

I use this http://cgi.ebay.com/Cardo-Scala-Ride...3A1%7C294%3A50

Plug in my Ipod, bluetooth to my phone and gps and full duplex communication with my wife. It doesn't get any better than that.

[violette]

As promised, here's my post about the Sound of Chrome system.