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Sound System and RAM Mounts

Joined Nov 2013
86 Posts | 0+
Long Island
Hey all I have installed a sound system to my hypermotard a few weeks ago. It is made by shark motorcycle audio, 3" speakers with built in amplifier with bluetooth. It cost me only $130 and I love the product. Im trying to get my cell phone mounted on the handlebar. I really want on the left side, between the mirror stem and the dashboard. I want to mount the phone horizontally. Have you guys any success with the RAM mounts? They have one that comes off the mirror stem, but I am unsure whether that will put the phone where I want it.

For those interested.. I made the bracket out of some steel I picked up from home depot. The bracket is bolted to the handlebar clamp and to 2 more handlebar clamps on the sides. The angle and location of the speakers are perfect where the are not in peripheral vision or interfere with the dashboard. You can hear most songs at 70 MPH (no joke).

I used a relay so the speakers switch on whenever the bike is running. No chinsy inline fuse used here; the fuse block behind the left side fairing has a vacant spot where you can install blade terminals and use a mini fuse.

Right now I am using a 3.5mm aux jack input to my phone, that is installed in my top case with a custom pouch I made to hold the phone. There is a USB charger back there also. To control the phone, I utilized the inline controls from my Galaxy S4's headset. The good thing is, my phone is away from the elements, but the 4 pin 3.5mm aux input wires keep crapping out on me.

I know, the paint looks terrible. Things have gotten crazy with college and work so I used brush paint to hide the rust. Eventually I will have it powdercoated.

Also, before any of you say it. I don't want to use headphones or a sena bluetooth! With that said, keep an eye out for a hypermotard in NY blasting country music :D

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Aside from the bracket paint, it's a clean install. I'm not a fan of loud stereo's at stoplights but to each his own. I see you live in the LI, are worried about them getting jimmy-jacked? And you said there BT but you're using a cord to connect...why?

The RAM mounts are most popular stateside. I went with Pro Handle Bar Mount setup from http://www.ultimate-mobiles.co.uk/
Takes a while to ship but I think it was cheaper and more versatile than RAM. I just pull the entire case off the mount and go. You can adjust to any angle you want on the ball mount and set the tension of ball joint movement.
 
I am not worried about my stuff getting jacked here. Only when I venture towards the city do I carry my helmet there. Never once did I worry about the speakers. They are actually mounted with studs, and you wouldn't even notice the nuts there holding them on unless you removed the plastic decorative caps hiding them. (I had them from a jet ski).

I connect by wire because for whatever reason the blue tooth volume isn't as loud as using the aux input. Full volume on my phone using the aux input is near the speakers blowing. They seem to be holding up fine though - only a false alarm from shifty input wires making them sound like ****.

I ended up getting a "S4 Gear Jack Knife" that's meant to mount a phone to a hunting bow. I saw it online and thought how close the mounting holes are to the mirror clamp. I went to dicks sporting goods this morning and I was right. After enlarging the holes a little it fits perfect. I will try to upload photos later on. It seems like it will last
 
If you just listen to news and talk radio, not music, I guess that's okay. Don't think you'll hear much bass out of those tiny things, especially at highway speeds. My solution (when I am on a long trip, not for weekend sport riding) is an ipod, some decent earbuds and this:

Scosche iPod Remote :: Aerostich/RiderWearHouse Motorcycle Jackets, Suits, Clothing, & Gear

The earbuds also reduce wind noise, and my cell phone is for emergencies, not chatting while I'm riding. I'm too old school!
 
Best I tested for tunes/news and noise reduction were these: OT Bluetooth Tags

Little tricky fishing them into your ear balls with helmet on (too bulky to pull helmet on with them in ear) but so worth it and just control via smart phone. They also have a mic for hands free calling but never used it at speed.

I went with Sena system when they died. In helmet is great for ease of use and phone calls but blow goat for everything else: sound quality, road noise attenuation the 2 big strikes. I even tried some low bypass db shooting earplugs with no good results. Just tinny- only way to get decent amount of bass is with ear buds.

My father-in-law wanted to mount a Jambox to his cruiser after hearing the sound that came out of that little magic box. Unfortunately, he went with cheap knock-offs and they just didn't compare. I would bet money that a standard size Jambox sounds as good as those speakers, if not better, and all you would have to do is charge it every other day. Oh, it's quite tiny, too. However, If somebody recognized it they would definitely jack it since they go for $150+
 
You can hear these speakers at 70. Also you can hear them with the face shield opened a crack
 
Ya well no fine:D
If I want music I go out in the car, the noise of the motor and the wind is joy enough for me;)
 
Ya well no fine:D
If I want music I go out in the car, the noise of the motor and the wind is joy enough for me;)

+1, But if I want to hear REAL music I sit in our living room. Vinyl still rules there, got as much as the Strada cost in that system!

The sound in our MX-5 Club sucks pretty badly at speed, too. Especially with the top down. But that's not why we bought it. :D