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[Mr John DEUFF]

As I was telling in a previous post I have changed my Harman system which was starting to have sound problems for a brand new modern Kenwood KIV-700. I have chosen this model for many reasons :
- no CD player,
- no removable or mobile parts on it,
- really good to read all usb device and specially ipod,
- usable with gloves on,
- you can choose the color on the illumination to match the one of the gauges,
- it can play videos,
- there is a remote controller for my passenger.   
I've used the Hawg-wired kit to put it on the bike. For the speakers I have mounted Kicker 6.5 using special rings for the front and Focal 5 1/4 for the rear.
After a first try  I needed more power to hear the music properly so I also put the small Alpine amplifier KTP-445 with the universal wiring adaptor.
But as someone could say:
 
So here we go:

Here are the speakers:


The old and the new stereo:



The amplifier:



The amp is fitted:



Just need to close the fairing if it's still possible:



This is how it looks:



I also bought a cover for the rain:



And this is how it looks at night:



But this is not the only thing I made
In fact the focal speakers couldn't fit because of the size of the magnet so I needed to put ( I don't know the english word for that) a ring of Plexiglas between the pod and the speaker:



Then I've installed led lights inside of the rings:



And now this is how it looks once it's fitted on the bike:





And at night:



So that's all!
I'm waiting now for your comments!

[Twolanerider]

Doux!


The LED rings are a great touch . 

[Mr John DEUFF]

Thanks! And it's a cheap easy thing to do!

[StevesCVO]

Nice system. So how does it sound?

[Mr John DEUFF]

it sounds good but I think  I'll need to put a bigger amplifier because it's not enought powerfull for my passenger on highway use (80 miles per hour).

[1sharprdkg]

Radio looks nice. The LED's around the rings are cool!

[rrussow]

Are you able to use the handlebar controls with the new head unit?  That is my biggest fear about going away from the the Harmon Kardon stereo.

[Twolanerider]

Are you able to use the handlebar controls with the new head unit?  That is my biggest fear about going away from the the Harmon Kardon stereo.

The "Hawg-Wired kit" mentioned in the gentleman's original post includes physical mounting bracketry and an interface module that lets the aftermarket radio work with the handlebar controls.  Many radios are designed with an interface for a wired remote.  It lets them work with a car's controls on the steering wheel if it has them.  That same control function is used by the bike interface module to let the handlebar controls work.  Have used three or four them.  They work without a hitch.

[Mr John DEUFF]

Twolanerider is right, the Hawgwired system works perfectly and allow you to control the head unit functions with the 3 handlebar controls: you can of course change the volume level, but you can also change the source (radio/Ipod/aux/standby), you can move through the menu, change song, stop the music (pause), and fade it.
The KV-700 head unit is really easy to use it with the gloves (even better than the HK) because most of the time you just need to push the button menu then you can do everything with the handlebar controls or the big round button(turn it to move/push it to select).

[Chains]

Great job, love the speaker spacers out of Plexiglass and the LEDs 

[gmills]

how much do you want for your old unit I have one that does not work at all and at least I'd have something

[Mr John DEUFF]

@ Chains: Thanks 
@ Gmills: For the moment I am not decided to sell it, first I have to make it fixed so I will send it to Iron Cross. I guess you could find one on Ebay easily and closer than mine.

[Pbody]

Mr. Deuff,
(I don't mean to hijack this thread, just ask a question about why the choice of the aftermarket head unit.)
 
My CUSE2 also has an HK failure, and am trying to decide whether to send my original unit to Iron Cross for repair (with the iPhone upgrade) or switch to one of the many aftermarket units you guys have been discussing on this forum. It's not completely about cost differences--as you know, repair of the HK unit, with iPhone adapter is about $500 where an aftermarket unit, with the interface, is maybe $300.

What pushed you to go the aftermarket route, rather than the repair route (yes, I read you're getting your HK repaired, but you still installed the aftermarket..)? Iron Cross has a great reputation on this forum and I'm not worried about the quality of repair or upgrades. I'm just not sure it's smart to throw money at the old HK unit (having failed once) vice buying a newer model head unit with the same functions built in.

I'd appreciate any opinions from anyone who's had an HK failure and why they chose to either repair or replace. Thanks everyone and I hope you're all having a Merry Christmas.
Charles...

[timo482]

i have been sticking with hk because i cant hear the speakers at all - too many straight pipes in the late 70's - so i use the headset exclusively, i can hear the music and i can hear my wife.

so if i have "more" problems with it ill have no choice but to send it hk [several features dont work any more]

basically im over the barrel

to

[Mr John DEUFF]

@Pbody: don't worry, you're not going to hijack this thread. This is the purpose of this forum, sharing experience.
 Basically, changing the unit is not the cheapest solution because you need to change everything : unit, speakers, amplifier then buy the adapter system. It costs approximatively 3 times more! I have changed it because I wanted to have the pleasure to control the Ipod so I can enjoy my music however I want and navigate through the playlists and song easily, I also think that the HK unit doesn't have enough bass and sound adjustment.
I must admit that I am not totally satisfied with the power of my installation : I will increase power and add more speakers as soon as possible (and I will put it in this thread).
If you are satisfied with the sound quality of the HK, don't hesitate and make it upgraded!