Tips on Audio System anyone?

[dbutton12]

My wife has suggested we put some sort of system on the bike for our longer trips. I'm not a fan of the front fairing (bat wing) so I'm not going that route. Has anyone fitted a windshield mount system? Motorcycle tunes and Twisted Audio are two that I looked into. I don't see why either wouldn't fit. I'm waiting for both outfits to get back to me on fitment.
The windshield mount at least will give me a way to easily remove both windshield and the sound system. I like to ride occasionally in the summer without it and if I don't have the windshield I'm satisfied with the pipes for my "tunes"

 

[CanberraR3]

If you wear helmets look into something like a Scala set. Handy intercom with a range up to a mile, radio and wireless connection to your phone, including music. The speakers are in the helmet, not your ears, so you still hear the sounds around you and from your bike. I was dead against having music on the bike but mostly because the only options seemed to be ear bud speakers for an iPod or speakers on the bars (which clutter the landscape and quite frankly impress no one). The Scala is great. A long trip down the highway can be mind numbing but is is much more enjoyable with Stevie Ray Vaughan and BB King. Being contactable on the move, but only if/when you want, is a bonus too.

 

[tdragger]

The Scala system is a great idea.

I had the Kury Sound of Chrome system on mine that was hooked up to Sat Radio. Worked great up to about 65 mph.

 

[vanguard138]

I agree with CanberraR3.

Last year I used my Motorola Droid with a RAM mount as my GPS. I have the Chatterbox bluetooth system. I could use the phone, MP3 in the phone, and GPS. Worked great.

I just replace that with a new Garmin 665 since it is waterproof. With it I can get satellite radio and weather if I choose. I did not leave the moint for the phone, but I have the phone linked through the GPS. I just do not have to have the alternate power for the phone since I am not using it for navigation meaning no serious power drain.

I have a Bluetooth ready helmet that was designed to hold the Chatterbox receiver. It is an HJC. I am happy with it, although I have never used Scala.

 

[R3Tex]

The boss and I both wear Shark Evoline 3 helmets with their Sharktooth system installed. Gives me tunes, intercom, and phone without any mods to the bike.

 

[dbutton12]

nice idea and no clutter!

If you wear helmets look into something like a Scala set. Handy intercom with a range up to a mile, radio and wireless connection to your phone, including music. The speakers are in the helmet, not your ears, so you still hear the sounds around you and from your bike. I was dead against having music on the bike but mostly because the only options seemed to be ear bud speakers for an iPod or speakers on the bars (which clutter the landscape and quite frankly impress no one). The Scala is great. A long trip down the highway can be mind numbing but is is much more enjoyable with Stevie Ray Vaughan and BB King. Being contactable on the move, but only if/when you want, is a bonus too.

Which Scala unit did you buy? I see several sites are pushing the G9, but the Q3 looks like it would do the job for me. The biggest advantage is that I can use it on any of my rides (and the snowmobile).

 

[Rocket Scientist]

I prefer the Maddog sound system. It always plays my favorite song

 

[tdragger]

Which Scala unit did you buy? I see several sites are pushing the G9, but the Q3 looks like it would do the job for me. The biggest advantage is that I can use it on any of my rides (and the snowmobile).

From what I can tell, both the Q1 Teamset (rider/passenger) and the Q3 Multiset (bike-to-bike) are both in pre-order status as of right now.

To just hear tunes, it looks like the Q1 will do what you want but is only available as a set of 2 headsets. The Q3 looks like you can order an individual unit.

 

[echoraven]

Another Scalarider user. I use the G4. I like that I can stream music wirelessly.

The biggest benefits to using an intercom based system is both of you can listen to your own music (wife is not a fan of Motorhead) and talk as needed.

I do plan on getting a handlebar (or windshield) mounted system, but only for longer rides when my G4 runs out of juice.

 

[Rocket Scientist]

Another Scalarider user. I use the G4. I like that I can stream music wirelessly.

The biggest benefits to using an intercom based system is both of you can listen to your own music (wife is not a fan of Motorhead) and talk as needed.

I do plan on getting a handlebar (or windshield) mounted system, but only for longer rides when my G4 runs out of juice.

My wife don't like Motorhead either, WTF ?