Underground Journal

2 Different Ways to Mount a Motorcycle Radio

When it comes time to add some tunage to your motorcycle travels, you have 2 options for mounting a motorcycle radio to your bike.  You can either mount it directly to the handlebars, or incorporate it into your bike’s fairing.  Both are valid options, and each one has it’s pros and cons.

Mounting your motorcycle radio system directly to your handlebars is often considered the sleekest option.  The radio portion itself is often quite small, and it’s barely noticeable when looking at the bike.  These radios can take signals in from satellite radio, AM/FM, or an MP3 player through an auxiliary input, yet they are no bigger than a deck of cards in most cases.  Handlebar mounted speakers are also easy on the eyes.  They are bullet shaped and chrome, and easily fit into the design of any motorcycle.  Their small size doesn’t mean small sound though.  These are some of the most powerful speakers on the market, and are a great example of the harmony between form and function.

Fairing mounted radio systems are for a more laid back approach.  First of all, it’s much easier to install a simple car stereo into a fairing; you don’t need a special kind of radio.  The speakers, and amp can also be mounted in the fairing, and everything just sits right in there as if it was made that way.  The fairing itself makes long road trips much easier to bare because it blocks the wind so you don’t have to fight to stay on the bike at 70 mph.  The wind being blocked has the added effect of reducing wind and road noise which improves the quality of music experience.  You don’t have to blast your speakers loud enough for anyone within a mile radio to hear.  A fairing mounted radio is definitely the choice is you have a large cruiser that you use for longer road trips.

Either choice is a great option, and motorcycle radio systems keep getting smaller and more powerful as the technology improves.  You can buy custom systems made just for your bike, or you can do it yourself by piecing together parts from a motorcycle shop.  Whether you mount your system on your handlebars, or your fairing, a proper installation will ensure great sound, and proper planning and selection will ensure a great look.

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