Audio systems have come a long way since the first speakers were fitted to Harley Davidson touring motorcycles.
There are now plenty of options on the market to upgrade, so you have the best sound quality, style, and fitment to suit your motorcycle if you aren’t a big fan of the stock speakers your bike came with.
Here we have picked the best speakers available, followed by a short guide so you know what to look for before purchasing.
Here are our top speaker upgrades for Harley Davidson motorcycles.
Rockford Fosgate Power 6.5″ Speakers
Excellent Audio Quality, Easy Installation
Easy upgrade for improved audio and excellent durability
BOSS Audio Systems
Flexible Mounting, Excellent Audio
Non-model specific easy mounting and brilliant speaker quality with built-in amplifier
Rockford Fosgate Power 6.5″ Speakers
The Rockford Fosgate speakers use factory mounting hardware and wiring, so installing them is a breeze, with no extra accessories needed.
They are brilliant speakers with excellent audio quality and are loud enough to perform well even at speed. They have also been built to be weather-protected and water-resistant, so they will endure the road conditions when riding.
They are 6.5 inches with a power handling of 55 watts RMS and 110 watts Max power which is more than enough for what you need on your motorcycle.
The speakers come with the mounting hardware needed if you want to fit them into Tour-Pak locations as opposed to the front fairings, and they also come with new grilles.
Rockford has been making vehicle audio equipment since the early 1970s, so they know a thing or two about what their customers want and expect.
Pros:
- Direct fitment into fairings and Tour-Pak locations
- Use factory mounting hardware and factory wiring
- Reinforced carbon fiber cone
- Excellent audio clarity and volume
Cons:
- Model specific
BOSS Audio Systems Speakers
BOSS is one of the leading audio equipment manufacturers and is synonymous with quality.
These 2 x 3-inch speakers mount to your handlebars; they have a built-in amplifier system and will connect to any 12-volt system. You need to be aware that they will only attach with the supplied mounts to a handlebar between 0.75″ and 1.25″ wide.
The sound quality is outstanding and loud, given the size of the speakers, but obviously, they are not as powerful as much bigger units.
They are Bluetooth compatible, so you can play music off your phone wirelessly; alternatively, they have a built-in aux port.
Pros:
- Waterproof speakers
- Bluetooth connectivity and AUX input
- Waterproof
- Handlebar mounting
- Excellent value
Cons:
- Not suitable for all handlebar widths
Kuryakyn Road Thunder Speaker Pods
The Kuryakyn Road Thunder Speaker Pods are similar to the BOSS speakers. They are 3-inch speakers which mount to your handlebars and are weather-resistant.
You connect to the speakers via Bluetooth with hassle-free auto-pairing and a simple five-touch control panel.
They have a peak power rating of around 100 watts and a low current draw of 5 amps, so they won’t take too much juice out of your battery.
Included are two adjustable bar mounts, and you can buy the 11/4″ Kuryakyn mount if needed for wider bars.
Pros:
- Weather-resistant
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Simple controls
- Low power draw from battery
Cons:
- Expensive
Hogtunes 5.25” Front Speakers
The Hogtunes speaker kits come with everything you need to plug and play. This particular set has been designed to fit the Harley Street Glide; however, you can get different versions for specific models if required.
You can also easily expand if desired to add a second amplifier for louder sound and more power.
The system is specifically designed for Harley Davidson motorcycles to draw the correct amount of power from the battery when in use, so there is no risk of draining your motorcycle’s battery.
The speaker system will fit the Street Glide and Street Glide Special from 2014 onwards and the Electra Glide Ultra Classic and Ultra Limited from 2014 onwards. You can use the factory grills or purchase the Hogtunes grills separately.
Pros:
- Perfect fit for Harley Davidson Street Glide
- 225 Watt speakers and amplifier
- Excellent sound quality
- Premium durability
Cons:
- Pricey
- Model specific
Polk Audio DB522 5.25″ Speakers
The Polk Audio speakers stand out from the pack as they are reasonably priced and have marine certification, so they are weather protected for harsh riding conditions.
They come with an IP55 rating for water and dirt resistance and have been tested for the impact of salt, fog, UV rays, and humidity,
If you need to ride all year in all different weather conditions, then the Polk speakers might be suitable as they have the durability factor.
Not only do they have their quality construction going for them, but they produce crisp, clear sound which exceeds the factory speakers.
Pros:
- Great Value
- Marine certification
- Simple installation
- Good audio quality
Cons:
- Won’t universally fit all models or mounts and will require some adaptation.
Buyers Guide
When upgrading your Harley speakers, there are just a few key things you need to take notice of to make sure the upgrade is worth doing and the speakers will be better than those that come stock.
Weather and Ride Protection
Unlike in other vehicles like cars and trucks, you need your motorcycle speakers to be protected from the elements.
Even though they are often tucked into your fairings, they are very much exposed, so you must ensure they are encased in waterproof surrounds.
It is important that the speakers are also protected from road debris and can withstand riding conditions such as bumps in the road, vibrations, etc. Therefore, speakers in metal or rubber casings are the better options as they are solid and secure.
Power
When upgrading anything electrical on your motorcycle, you need to consider the power the component needs and the voltage it will draw off your bike’s battery.
Most speakers are between 12 and 14 volts. The higher the voltage, the louder the sound output and the clearer the audio quality.
You will want to avoid speaker systems that draw too high a voltage as this can drain your bike’s battery or overload the system, particularly if you run other electrics off the battery like heated grips, GPS systems, etc.
For example, if your Harley is an older model from the late 80s, you will likely need a separate wiring harness for modern speakers to ensure everything runs smoothly, separate from other electrics.
Fitment and Size
You will need to ensure the new speakers can comfortably fit on your bike and that they are the right size to replace your stock speakers.
Some speakers can be mounted separately on brackets and are up to more hardcore riding, including off-road duties (suitable for the Pan-America). Others are smaller to fit into the onboard pockets.
You must consider the installation process to ensure the speakers can be securely mounted to best serve their purpose.
Benefits of upgrading your speakers
There are 3 main benefits of upgrading your Harley’s speakers:
- Improved audio quality
- Better, more personalized styling
- Increased reliability and durability
When it comes to audio systems, if you want the best, then you need to go to manufacturers who specifically produce quality audio products as that is their specialty, much like motorcycles are Harley’s.
Verdict
There you have it, the best speaker upgrades on the market for your Harley, and everything you need to know when searching for the right upgrade.
The Rockford Fosgate speakers are of undisputed quality for a direct replacement for your factory speakers offering durability and excellent sound quality with minimum fuss for installation.
If you are looking for a more flexible speaker system with built-in Bluetooth to make playing your music as easy as possible, then the BOSS Audio Systems speakers are also brilliant.