Opinions on fairing-mounted radio and speakers

[brider]

I know this sounds old-school like something from the 70's, but I finally decided after years and years to add a modern radio with AUX input and small speakers to my Calafia Eliminator fairing on my Cal 2. Think of it as the same as a vintage Vetter, same idea.

I KNOW they must make some pretty small and lightweight units these days, and I DON'T need a CD (or cassette!) player, just an AUX input, and I DON'T want one with a GPS screen. AM/FM, that's it. I also don't want it handlebar-mounted. There a big, flat open area on the fairing right where an in-dash unit should go, with space on either side for small (do they make 3"?) speakers.

Anybody have any operational opinions? Or should I just go to the Rider's Wearhouse catalogue?

Oh, and I won't wear earbuds, that's why I need to mount external speakers.

[PJPR01]

Depending on how much space you have, how you could anchor it and the quality of the music you want, consider a Bose Bluetooth speaker...here are a few options:

https://www.bose.com/en_us/products/speakers/portable_speakers/soundlink_mini_ii_club.html?mc=25_PS_SP_PL_00_GO_&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnqH7BRDdARIsACTSAduyWj7WeFWrRuB6HlTl6HtEpRrsMawdCN6sOImM-xrAzVHosKoCyDEaAnmREALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds#v=soundlink_mini_ii_special_black_copper

https://www.ebay.com/i/363055438162?mkevt=1&mkcid=28&chn=ps

The only thing I'm not sure of is how well they would do with road vibrations.  The second option here is what I use in the garage or backyard to move music around with me...very high quality sound, nice to have when camping...I think I brought this one to Cedar Vale a couple of years and it was good music around the campfire.

[PeteS]

You won't be able to hear much above 30 mph. Best setup is get a bluetooth receiver and speakers for your helmet.
Minimal wind noise, no ear buds and no wires. We have some older Sena 10s and the battery is good for about 10 hours.

Pete

[Gliderjohn]

From PeteS:

You won't be able to hear much above 30 mph. Best setup is get a bluetooth receiver and speakers for your helmet.
Minimal wind noise, no ear buds and no wires. We have some older Sena 10s and the battery is good for about 10 hours.

Pete

I agree, plus you won't annoy those around you at stoplights, etc. Last extended ride I was on twice at gas stops, other riders pulled in with fairing systems blaring.
GliderJohn

[brider]

From PeteS:I agree, plus you won't annoy those around you at stoplights, etc. Last extended ride I was on twice at gas stops, other riders pulled in with fairing systems blaring.
GliderJohn

No, I'd shut it off around town. I cain't stand listening to someone else's music either. I was only thinking of the endless highway runs. And the mention of the effectiveness above 30 mph seems valid, but I was hoping for a pair of really efficient speakers that might be listenable at higher volume, since they'd be aimed right at me.

I guess there's no getting around the Bluetooth tech these days, but I would just rather not. I have a portable Bluetooth player I use around the yard/house, but i just really, really, find it more of a hassle than manually tuning to an AM or FM station. And I have an ipod stuffed with 16G of my old vinyl recorded to CD and uploaded to iTunes for music. I'd rather plug that into an AUX plug. I'm an analog animal, baby.

Thanks for the ideas, gives me a baseline to consider my options.

[PeteS]

I only use the Sena Bluetooth helmet on my Goldwing. One reason I can say the speakers aren't much use at speed.
Sena makes a box, half the size of a cigarette pack that converts analog to bluetooth. You can plug it into anything with a phone jack. I use it with the Goldwing radio and iPod. It has multiple inputs if you use a cell phone (mine is off when riding) but if you use one it will interupt your music when you get a call.

Pete

[PJPR01]

There are also AUX jacks on the back of the speakers I listed above.... so you can use the IPOD with a cable...but I agree you’re not going to hear much when riding at speed with earplugs, helmet and wind noise...that’s why earbuds are my choice...but I get that some folks don’t like that option....

[kingoffleece]

Opinions?  It's total rubbish.  Can I be an honorary Aussie now?

[Wayne Orwig]

Been there, done that. Don't waste your time.

Get a Sena setup with speakers in the helmet. It works.

[Kev m]

No, I'd shut it off around town. I cain't stand listening to someone else's music either. I was only thinking of the endless highway runs. And the mention of the effectiveness above 30 mph seems valid, but I was hoping for a pair of really efficient speakers that might be listenable at higher volume, since they'd be aimed right at me.

I guess there's no getting around the Bluetooth tech these days, but I would just rather not. I have a portable Bluetooth player I use around the yard/house, but i just really, really, find it more of a hassle than manually tuning to an AM or FM station. And I have an ipod stuffed with 16G of my old vinyl recorded to CD and uploaded to iTunes for music. I'd rather plug that into an AUX plug. I'm an analog animal, baby.

Thanks for the ideas, gives me a baseline to consider my options.

You don't have to use Bluetooth to connect to helmet speakers.

My kids listen to their Ipods through a cord to the auxiliary jack on our helmet communicators/speakers. It automatically drops out of someone speaks and returns when that disconnects.

[Furbo]

I've had great luck with an old MP3 player and a set of 'Shure' ear phones. No blue tooth. The earphones have a longer rubber piece that acts as an ear plug for noise cancelling. I can listen to jazz at 100mph. They aren't cheap tho - $120 a few yrs ago. Very reliable tho!

[brider]

I've had great luck with an old MP3 player and a set of 'Shure' ear phones.

How small are those earphones? Are they like earbuds?

This is all in the conceptual stage, and since I am old and stubborn and an engineer, I have a feeling I may end up installing a proof-of-concept system to my liking and prove to myself that it isn't practical.

Thanks again all for the insights and suggestions!

[garbln]

Myself I'd probably go with some noise canceling ear buds.  As an aside I've always had this dream of having a mega powered sound system on my bike so when some SH pulls beside me at a stop and thinks I will appreciate his poor taste of music, I can crank up my system and blast him out with some really bad opera.  Of course  a few will possibly like it but I'm betting most won't.

[GeorgiaGuzzi]

Wind noise at 65-70 mph is in the ballpark of 90-100 db. So you would have to make sure your head unit
was capable of pushing enough wattage so that you would not have terrible distortion coming thru your
speakers when you’re at speed. Then you would need to make sure you had high end speakers so they
could handle the wattage coming thru from your head unit. Otherwise you’re just going to have a garbled
mess that will annoy you.

Personally I use Isotunes pro earbuds. If I forget to charge the battery after several rides I just wear
foam earplugs.

I would say Sena in helmet would be the way to go for you.

[PJPR01]

I've posted these before, but what the hell, will post it again.

In the event you do decide to go with earbuds, the most comfortable, non protruding, high quality music buds are called Slimbuds.  They are flush with your ear, so they don't stick out and create pressure like any other ear bud once you put your helmet on.  They work via bluetooth, and you can get a remote bluetooth controller to put on your bike to control volume and advance songs.  Eventually Slimbuds will also release their own version of a remote control, but that isn't a good solution for your Ipod unfortunately and there's no way to plug in using a 3.5mm jack. 

All other earbuds I have tried stick out to much so that after an hour, the pressure build up is intolerable, maybe a flat pair of Ipod earphones might work??

Speakers inside the helmet are a decent alternative, but the music quality is not great compared to ear buds...I had a Cardo Scala system, have listened to SEna as well, but none come close in terms of providing music quality and wind protection at the same time as the Slimbuds.

https://www.byeaos.com/pages/slimbuds

[kingoffleece]

Agree.  Slimbuds work really well.  And, they don't kill the side of your head 3 hours into a ride.

[bigbikerrick]

Here is what you need! My buddy mounted this on his  victory motorcycle fairing,and it really cranks! Its got a built in amp and everythings waterproof. I am thinking of installing one in my sidecar. The speakers are probably too big to fit in your fairing, but the radio part is very small, and there are alot of that style out there. I bet you can find smaller speakers too.
Rick.
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-1pWnp7DZNmv/p_104M350W6/Boss-MCKGB350B-6-White-speakers.html?XVINQ=GLX&awkw=270376933582&awat=pla&awnw=g&awcr=164559838513&awdv=c&awug=9030190&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1PXA_5396wIVJQnnCh3CewmvEAQYBCABEgKkpvD_BwE

[Bulldog9]

More a comment on the 'principle'  I always THOUGHT I wanted this until I had it on the MGX.  Highly over rated, and uncomfortable, borderline obnoxious if riding in a populated area.  Decided it wasn't my cup-a-tea. This from the guy who had the louder on the outside than inside 1000 watt killer system with 4 6x9's and 6" door speakers back in the day. **Insert flashback of 38 Special "Hold on Loosely'**     But YMMV, good luck with the project.

[JJ]

Opinions?  It's total rubbish.  Can I be an honorary Aussie now?

IMHO, there is nothing on this planet worse than some "POSER" on a large motorcycle blaring  LOUD, obnoxious music at volume 15+!!!   Talk about destroying the "WAA" of a good ride!

[brider]

IMHO, there is nothing on this planet worse than some "POSER" on a large motorcycle blaring  LOUD, obnoxious music at volume 15+!!!

Yeah, I agree, I said that earlier. I would NOT be that guy.

[brider]

Here is what you need! My buddy mounted this on his  victory motorcycle fairing,and it really cranks! Its got a built in amp and everythings waterproof. I am thinking of installing one in my sidecar. The speakers are probably too big to fit in your fairing, but the radio part is very small, and there are alot of that style out there. I bet you can find smaller speakers too.
Rick.
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-1pWnp7DZNmv/p_104M350W6/Boss-MCKGB350B-6-White-speakers.html?XVINQ=GLX&awkw=270376933582&awat=pla&awnw=g&awcr=164559838513&awdv=c&awug=9030190&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1PXA_5396wIVJQnnCh3CewmvEAQYBCABEgKkpvD_BwE

THIS is EXACTLY what I was thinking of, although I was imagining something more rectangular, but whatever. Yes, smaller speakers would be a must. I'll have to research to see if the head unit is available separately. How in the heck can they get 20 WPC out of that tiny thing? My guess is they're not "clean" watts, but if I can discern music or sports-talk-radio, that's all I need.

[gfritzmeier]

IMHO, there is nothing on this planet worse than some "POSER" on a large motorcycle blaring  LOUD, obnoxious music at volume 15+!!!   Talk about destroying the "WAA" of a good ride!

I'm really old school. Almost have to be at my age, over 3/4 a century,.  If I ever bought a bike that had a sound system on it I think I'd remove it.   Nothing like sounding hideous while riding.

[kingoffleece]

RPC is one of the most misleading specs ever published.

[JJ]

I'm really old school. Almost have to be at my age, over 3/4 a century,.  If I ever bought a bike that had a sound system on it I think I'd remove it.   Nothing like sounding hideous while riding.

My 2014 Victory Vision has a factory radio.  I turned it on once, just after I bought it, and have never turned it on since, in >12,000 miles!

[Perazzimx14]

In dash 8 track & Molly Hatchet

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

IMHO, there is nothing on this planet worse than some "POSER" on a large motorcycle blaring  LOUD, obnoxious music at volume 15+!!!   Talk about destroying the "WAA" of a good ride!

its always one of the terrible classic rock radio songs you've heard 75,000 times too

I dont get it.  When you are hiking off the BRP you can heard all the Harley baggers blasting ACDC and Foreigner before you even hear the pipes...  or worse, pop radio 'country' music

[ozarquebus]

Personally I am against motorcycle stereos. Sound is terrible when underway.  If used as a campground stereo, a pair of small 'audiophile' type speakers with no booster amp should do it. Forget about effective bass unless you want to build wooofer trailer. A correct internal volume capacity sealed or ported enclosure is very important for even mid bass.

This is the type of speaker I would recommend, but probably higher fidelity than needed.
https://www.parts-express.com/tang-band-w3-1878-3-full-range-driver--264-902

For a compground stereo, Sanjean makes some nifty little units.
ie: with mp3 usb input
https://www.sangean.com/products/product.asp?mid=125&cid=5