Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Flienlow on April 16, 2013, 10:51:07 AM
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This is probably going to be a long shot, but has anyone had any success mounting external speakers to their Concours?
First, let me define success: Full face helmet on, 80mph on freeway and you are able to hear audible music that you can enjoy.
It doesn't need to sound like a quadraphonic stereo with a moon-rock needle, but worthy of spending the coin on doing.
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Your best bet is to mount a Sena SMH10 or similar in your helmet and use a Bluetooth MP3 player (phone or GPS) to stream audio to it. Done properly, you'll never even know it's there...
If that's not feasible, they do make motorcycle speakers and amplifier that mount to just about any bike. They are fugly and sound mediocre at best...
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I think MG had a video in another thread with speakers in his side cases. Not sure how that would work out.
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I'm sure there is an external radio system out there but I have no problems with hearing my Scala G4 or G9 at 80+ mph. Check out some uTube videos on the Scala G4 or G9. It does what you want and more!
I was using a Scala G4 Powerset which I was happy with but I upgraded to a Scala G9 Powerset that I found on the Internet for $385.00
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Speakers in your helmet is the way to go.....you're not a Pirat, you're a Kawasaki rider now..... ;)
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Your best bet is to mount a Sena SMH10 or similar in your helmet and use a Bluetooth MP3 player (phone or GPS) to stream audio to it. Done properly, you'll never even know it's there...
If that's not feasible, they do make motorcycle speakers and amplifier that mount to just about any bike. They are fugly and sound mediocre at best...
UGH >:( It seems like everytime I buy Bluetooth stuff, its over rated, cumberson, troublesome, and just a pain in the ass in general. But thank you, I will check out the SMH10.
My bike came with a Jensen Radio and speakers. They were not installed. I propted them on the bike last nigth and of course it sounds ok in the garage. It going down the road that I know will be the challenge.
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I'm sure there is an external radio system out there but I have no problems with hearing my Scala G4 or G9 at 80+ mph. Check out some uTube videos on the Scala G4 or G9. It does what you want and more!
I was using a Scala G4 Powerset which I was happy with but I upgraded to a Scala G9 Powerset that I found on the Internet for $385.00
I will check these out too.
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Speakers in your helmet is the way to go.....you're not a Pirat, you're a Kawasaki rider now..... ;)
+1... :goodpost:
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SENA all the way!!!!
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Your best bet is to mount a Sena SMH10 or similar in your helmet and use a Bluetooth MP3 player (phone or GPS) to stream audio to it.
That's my solution. SMH10 in my Shoei and Droid Razr HD streaming music over Bluetooth.
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I find that bluetooth music leaves alot to be desired. Is there a way to wire it to the Sena's?
I run a Canadian made comm. unit that allows this and the sound is better with a wire and my phone still bluetooths to the comm.
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I find that bluetooth music leaves alot to be desired. Is there a way to wire it to the Sena's?
I run a Canadian made comm. unit that allows this and the sound is better with a wire and my phone still bluetooths to the comm.
Yes. Sena has a jack to hardwire the music plaer, but it overrides the bluetooth on a GPS or other device. You can still receive phone calls, though.
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I find that bluetooth music leaves alot to be desired. Is there a way to wire it to the Sena's?
I run a Canadian made comm. unit that allows this and the sound is better with a wire and my phone still bluetooths to the comm.
You are right....I desire it allot.
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This is probably going to be a long shot, but has anyone had any success mounting external speakers to their Concours? First, let me define success: Full face helmet on, 80mph on freeway and you are able to hear audible music that you can enjoy. It doesn't need to sound like a quadraphonic stereo with a moon-rock needle, but worthy of spending the coin on doing.
Honestly, I can't imagine why anyone would want to do that. You really should either use earphones or put speakers in your helmet. All it will do to have speakers on the bike is to make more noise pollution (for everyone around you).
I gave up on helmet speakers- just don't sound good enough and I wanted to protect my hearing. To hear them required turning up the volume over top of the wind noise. Some simple $15 earphones did the trick perfectly. It does take an extra minute to get it correct, but it greatly cuts wind noise, makes the music nice (and doesn't have to be loud), plus no batteries or anything else to fail or fiddle with. I liked them so much, I bought a half dozen of them on Amazon for something like $9 each.
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I gave up on helmet speakers- just don't sound good enough and I wanted to protect my hearing. To hear them required turning up the volume over top of the wind noise.
I don't have that problem with my Oneal Blutooth helmet. I set it at a low volume before I even start the bike up and it stays at that volume- I can hear regardless of speed. The secret is to get a larger windsheild. I got the large CalSci shield and it makes for quiet riding/listening. With the stock shield ('11 bike) the wind noise got so loud on the freeway that I could only hear it if I turned it up to ear damaging levels. Oh, and i use to have to use hearos ear plugs on long trips or else my head would be ringing for hours after a long trip. The larger shield made ear plugs unnecessary.
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The secret is to get a larger windsheild. I got the large CalSci shield and it makes for quiet riding/listening. With the stock shield ('11 bike) the wind noise got so loud on the freeway that I could only hear it if I turned it up to ear damaging levels. Oh, and i use to have to use hearos ear plugs on long trips or else my head would be ringing for hours after a long trip. The larger shield made ear plugs unnecessary.
Although a larger windshield is an attractive idea for winter, for most of my riding, it would be far too hot. I need MORE air than the stock 2nd gen windshield can deliver (and will eventually get something shorter).
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For general purposes, my Bluetooth headset works great for communication and listening to music. It's always mounted to the helmet and I always have a spare plugged in. However, if I want higher fidelity or wind/noise cancellation for longer trips, I simply pop in a pair of in-ear sports headphones, run the wire under my t-shirt and put a small MP3 player in my pocket. My helmet has cutouts for the speakers, so I can use either/or at the same time.
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I have a Scala G9 and couldn't be happier. The sound quality is every bit as good as wearing ear buds, but I dont have to deal with a wire and I can safely adjust the volume and change songs and I am also able to communicate with the people I am riding with.
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Although a larger windshield is an attractive idea for winter, for most of my riding, it would be far too hot. I need MORE air than the stock 2nd gen windshield can deliver (and will eventually get something shorter).
Find someone who is selling a used gen 1 shield Max and cut it down a bit. It really does work well.
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Find someone who is selling a used gen 1 shield Max and cut it down a bit. It really does work well.
Haven't seen one for sale, might do it if I did (and it was in good condition)
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I use Senneheiser MM200. I love them. I am on my second set and I still have another set new in the box when these are dead. These pair up easily and really crank. I run them just a hair over 50%. I could use them at 100%, but I would go deaf and get headaches on long trips. These are in ear bud style (noise cancelling). They are very hard to find now that they are discontinued, but there are still a few sets out there.
SENNHEISER MM200 BLUETOOTH STEREO HEADSET REVIEW (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=121BoKbHj0Q#ws)
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My bike came with a Jensen Radio and speakers. They were not installed. I propted them on the bike last nigth and of course it sounds ok in the garage. It going down the road that I know will be the challenge.
There is a C14 for sale right now that has a Jensen radio and 80watt speakers. You can email him and ask him how it sounded.
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=13339.msg164187#msg164187 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=13339.msg164187#msg164187)
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I would have never felt the need to ride with external speakers, until my I took my brother's BMW R1200RT on a trip of several hundred miles to relocate it for him. I have a pair of Sena's that I use and love (they sound great), but it was nice listening that way, especially when parked under a shade tree to eat lunch. The other nice thing is that when I'm on a ride with my brother, he tends to keep the Sena's going all the time, he's pretty talkative. In my case, I can't listen to music, but he still can.
If someone found a nice set of high-power, waterproof speakers and amp that would all fit under the fairing, I'd consider doing it. There is a youtube video of a kid who shows his install on a C14, but I don't like the speakers he's using.
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I would have never felt the need to ride with external speakers, until my I took my brother's BMW R1200RT on a trip of several hundred miles to relocate it for him. I have a pair of Sena's that I use and love (they sound great), but it was nice listening that way, especially when parked under a shade tree to eat lunch. The other nice thing is that when I'm on a ride with my brother, he tends to keep the Sena's going all the time, he's pretty talkative. In my case, I can't listen to music, but he still can.
If someone found a nice set of high-power, waterproof speakers and amp that would all fit under the fairing, I'd consider doing it. There is a youtube video of a kid who shows his install on a C14, but I don't like the speakers he's using.
I know that feeling with a friend I ride with. I love the Sena intercom when coordinating where were going or comment on something interesting but when it becomes a constant stream of talk it defeats the whole reason I'm on the bike.