Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Twolanerider]

Have had the "standard" HawgWired upgrade speakers and the HogTunes upgrade speakers installed (was able to compare because one set was given to me for free).  They're both very good.  Certainly much much better than anything we started with.

Should anyone see the new component speakers that HawgWired has just released, however, first impressions are that they are a significant step beyond the roughly comparable level of performance that either of the previous upgrade speakers offered.  If you consider them here the quirks of the install in our bikes.

First off is that it's very likely the case that HawgWired has only tested the speakers on bikes they've already done their amp installs on.  I say this because their amplifier installation instructions suggest you remove the support bracket that goes to the outer edge of the fairing.  The new speakers little install sheet makes no mention that the new speakers won't clear the bracket.

I was actually using the bracket for other mounting purposes so always left mine in.  It's a simple fix, just a little body and fender work on the bracket.  But if someone not terribly familiar or comfortable with working on their own equipment started this and ran in to fitment issue it might concern them.  Here is the right speaker in with the support bracket "adjusted" for clearance.

[Twolanerider]

Here is an original bracket as it just barely clears one of the upgrade HogTunes speakers.  So a comparison of the brackets before and after can be seen.

[Twolanerider]

Here's why the new speakers don't fit without the extra bending.  Somewhere on the site there is a picture of a HogTunes or HawgWired upgrade speaker sitting next to a stock OE speaker.  The physical difference was incredible.  This is the new HawgWired component speaker (on the right) sitting next to one of the "big" HogTunes.

[Twolanerider]

When I actually noticed that the manufacturer's instruction page didn't mention the bracket issue was later, when I was wondering where to stick the crossovers.  That's when I noticed how generic the install page was.  All it said (basically) was "stick them where they'll fit."

Trouble is, at least on our bikes, there's not a lot of places inside the fairing where you can stick them down.  Just not a lot of unoccupied flat surface.  This is even worse if you happen to be using HawgWired's other amplifier kit as the area on top of the radio is already occupied.

Finally after 15 minutes of poking, sticking, cussing and wondering I settled on sticking the crossovers up above the speakers.  The speaker mounts have a decent surface area up there that actually works ok.  It could be better.  But it's ok.  No interference came from the crossovers to either of the antenna mounted inside the fairing (XM or AM/FM/WB).  So all is good (enough).

After shoe horning the HK radio, XM module, that systems big harness, the amp kit and now this stuff inside there, however, I don't think anything else is getting stuck inside the fairing.

[naitram]

don't see yourself short, i give it 6 months before you have shoe-horned something elese in there

[JCZ]

Nice review Don.  That photo of the two speakers side by side would have been even more dramatic if you'd of had a stock Harley speaker up there, too.

[hd-dude]

Don;
Good pics of the install. I did the same thing with the brackets and it really was not that big of deal. For future reference the crossover will fit very cleanly on the back side of the amplifier mounting plate. Another note that with the new 2 channel amp kit there is only the one unit that mounts on top of the radio. The external amp blocks are now only used for the 4-channel setup. The improved sound quality of these speakers is very much worth a little tweeking.

[bigdog257]

I bet that system rocks. Can't wait to get some money saved up and get this for my bike.
 Not to get off subject but that back rest looks great Twolane.

[Twolanerider]

Don;
Good pics of the install. I did the same thing with the brackets and it really was not that big of deal. For future reference the crossover will fit very cleanly on the back side of the amplifier mounting plate.

Agree Dude, not a problem at all.  I only mentioned it because the vendor's data sheet did not and didn't want someone who'd just gotten up the courage to take their fairing off for the first time to be surprised.

It's weird but I couldn't (comfortably) shoe-horn the crossovers on the back side of the amp plates on mine.  Between harnesses being slightly troublesome and things just being in the way it wasn't impossible, but it was a chore.  The right side would've been no problem.  The left side would've taken a fair bit of rearranging though.  Fortunately the places up high are actualy going to work ok and are easy to get to.

I'd seen the new model of the amp with the first two channels fully integrated in the main unit.  Since mine's already in there I'm not changing it short of a unit failure of course.  But it's nice to know there's a smaller solution out there should it ever be necessary.

The speakers do sound great though.  It was a surprising amount of difference in quality of the system's output.  Well worth the change.

[Twolanerider]

don't see yourself short, i give it 6 months before you have shoe-horned something elese in there

I'm probably not above trying it Neal.  Right now just not sure what else it might be though.  The HD Nav unit for the radio is underwhelming.  I really don't have any desire for the CB (after initially considering it).  Don't need any more speakers anyplace on the bike.  Really don't know what else I'd stick in there anyway.

[Twolanerider]

I bet that system rocks. Can't wait to get some money saved up and get this for my bike.
 Not to get off subject but that back rest looks great Twolane.

It actually does work very well BD.  I've gotten to be quite pleased with how it's evolved.  For my needs it's as good as it's going to get.  Others will no doubt be stepping beyond it with the lower fairing mounted speakers working additionally or other things.  But for what I want it to do this is proving to be a really nice setup just as it is.

[Fired00d]

Here's why the new speakers don't fit without the extra bending.  Somewhere on the site there is a picture of a HogTunes or HawgWired upgrade speaker sitting next to a stock OE speaker.  The physical difference was incredible.  This is the new HawgWired component speaker (on the right) sitting next to one of the "big" HogTunes.

That is quite a difference in magnet size. I thought the difference from stock to Hogtunes was astonishing, but this is just amazing. Good thing I'm getting good w/taking the fairing off, I might have to add these to my wish list.

 [smiley=pumpkin.gif]
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 [smiley=fireman.gif]

[Garznhogs]

Agree Dude, not a problem at all.  I only mentioned it because the vendor's data sheet did not and didn't want [highlight]someone who'd just gotten up the courage to take their fairing off for the first time to be surprised.[/highlight]

OK, you just flushed me out.  Never had an Electra Glide before, I am a total virgin [smiley=anxious.gif].
Just a little off topic...  ALL YOU EXPERTS, just how tough is it to take off that fairing? Where do you start?  I want to put an antenna in there and I should change the stock speakers out. Maybe a horn.  Peed my pants just putting in the Clearview shield.  [smiley=nervous.gif]
WHAT AM I GOING TO BREAK? :-/   AAGGGHH!   All helpful hints will be mucho appreciated!  

Garz   [smiley=smoking.gif]

[bigdog257]

Hey Garz give me a call and I'll help you with the fairing. You know how to reach me.    [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]

[Garznhogs]

Hey Garz give me a call and I'll help you with the fairing. You know how to reach me.    [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]

Hey Cookie, waazzzaaapp!  Yah I know how to reach you.  Saaay...you're not just wanting to experiment on MY pumpkin, are you?  [smiley=nervous.gif]
Just kidding!  I'll take you up on that. Thanks!

Garz   [smiley=smoking.gif]

aka Studley Ironbutt