1. Kuryakyn 2720 MTX Road Thunder Review
If you are in search of a stylish-looking speaker sound bar, then I have some great news for you! There is one high-quality motorcycle sound bar available on the market! The Kuryakyn 2820 MTX Road Thunder is a 4.1 Bluetooth sound bar that can be easily mounted to motorcycle handlebars. It generates a peak power of 300 Watts and you can charge it with a 1.0 Amp USB charging port. The product offers IP66 rating, which means it is weather-resistant.
Inside the device, there is 4-channel amp that powers two 2″ x 3″ full-range speakers and four high-frequency 1″ silk dome tweeters. These powerful speakers are very loud and they will ensure crystal-clear sound at any level of volume. The music can be streamed wirelessly from your smartphone or similar device. All you have to do is connect both devices using the Bluetooth technology and start the music player. Alternatively, you can also connect older devices with the standard 3.5 mm connector cable.
The Kuryakyn 2820 MTX Road Thunder has received an outstanding customer feedback and it is one of the best-selling motorcycle speaker systems on Amazon. In my opinion, it is a good all-around product that you simply can’t go wrong with. The only small downside is its mounting mechanism. If you have 1″ handlebars, the clamps may be too loose and you will have to add some rubber strips for improved grip.
Pros: Stylish Design, Weather-Resistant, Powerful Amp & Speakers, Bluetooth 4.1 Technology
Cons: Mounting Mechanism
2. BOSS Audio Systems MCBK470B Review
The BOSS Audio Systems MCBK470B is a 1000W motorcycle Bluetooth speaker system that can be used on all 12-volt vehicles, such as motorcycles, scooters and ATVs. The speakers are available in two different color versions, so you can choose the one that suits your motorcycle. The MCBK470B comes in black, while the MC470B has a beautiful chrome finish. With the BOSS Audio Systems MCBK470B speakers, you will be able to stream music directly from your smartphone or MP3 player and enjoy your music library during a ride. The device is weatherproof and it can withstand light rain, wind and other elements.
When you buy the system, you will get four 3-inch full-range speakers and a class D amplifier included in the box. Each of the speakers comes with an adjustable bracket that can be mounted on handlebars. Thanks to its high adjustability, you will be able to direct the speaker system at your face and enjoy the music as much as you can. Additionally, there is also a wired volume control that you can install anywhere on your motorcycle. So, once you start riding fast and the music is not loud enough, you can easily reach the control and increase the volume.
Overall, I would say that the BOSS MCBK470B is a phenomenal motorcycle speaker system. It will look great on any type of bike and is much louder that most other speaker systems available on the market. On top of that, it is super-easy to install and the inline volume control is very handy. The only thing that could be improved is the build quality. These are relatively affordable speakers, so don’t expect them to last for a very long time.
Pros: Two Colors Available, Weather-Resistant, High Adjustability, Inline Volume Control
Cons: Not Very Durable
3. BOSS Audio Systems MCBK420B Review
Another popular motorcycle speaker system from BOSS is the MCBK420B (600W). If you like the MCBK470B that I reviewed earlier, but you only need two speakers, this system will be the perfect choice for you. Two speakers might not be as loud as four speakers and there will be no surround sound, but they won’t take as much space on your motorcycle handlebars and the price is much lower.
The BOSS MCBK420B system comes with the same 3-inch speakers that are both equipped with an adjustable bracket. The speakers are weather-resistant and you will be able to use them with any 12V vehicle. You can mount these speakers on handlebars or any tubular racks ranging from 0.75” to 1.25”. They are very easy to install, and thanks to the bracket system, you can easily adjust them and point them in any direction.
You can either connect the speakers to your smartphone using Bluetooth technology or simply insert a cable into the classic 3.5 mm connector for a wired connection. As with the MCBK470B system, you will also receive an amplifier and volume control, which will let you change the music volume on the go.
Pros: Two Colors Available, Weather-Resistant, High Adjustability, Inline Volume Control
Cons: Not Very Durable
4. GoHawk TN4-R Stereo Speakers Review
The GoHawk TN4-R are affordable motorcycle stereo speakers that are much cheaper than all other speakers I have reviewed. For a price of around $50, you will get a quality product that won’t hurt your wallet. They are great for all touring bikes, but you can use them for other types of motorcycles as well.
The GoHawk TN4-R motorcycle speaker system is equipped with a performance 2-channel 100W amplifier and two 4” full-range stereo speakers. Thanks to the provided cable, you can easily connect them to a standard 12V motorcycle battery. The speaker units are IP56 water-resistant and they can be mounted to all 1 – 1.5″ handlebars.
The system comes with Bluetooth 5.0 technology, which is much faster and more power-efficient than Bluetooth 4.1. So, you will be able to enjoy a super-fast connection between the speakers and your audio-streaming device. The connection has a range of up to 15 meters, which is very handy when you get off your motorcycle.
Pros: Water-Resistant Speakers, Bluetooth 5.0 Technology, Easy to Install, Very Affordable
Cons: Poor Build Quality
Reasons to Buy Motorcycle Speakers
There is a couple of reasons why you should choose a motorcycle speaker system over a Bluetooth headset or wireless earbuds. Choosing the right type of audio device mostly depends on your riding style, type of motorcycle helmet, and category of motorcycle. Motorcycle speakers might be an ideal option for some riders, while for others, buying these speakers will be a very bad decision.
Speakers Can Be Cheaper than Bluetooth Headsets
While some of the high-quality speaker systems can cost up to $500, most of them are only around $100. Buying an affordable speaker system can be a better idea than buying a cheap Bluetooth headset. The difference in build quality and sound clarity is not that great in motorcycle speakers and you can save a lot of money for a marginal loss in overall quality.
You Can Listen to the Speakers Off the Bike
When you are touring on your motorcycle, you often make breaks to take a rest. A good thing about these speakers is the fact that you can listen to them even when you are not riding your bike. You can simply pull off the road, park your motorcycle, have a meal, and enjoy the music.
You Can Use the Speakers on Other Vehicles
This, on its own, is a pretty good reason to buy them in my opinion. You are not limited to your motorcycle, but you can mount the speakers to any tube or rack, as long as you have a 12V power connection. You will be able to install the speakers on an ATV, UTV, Car, Boat, Snowmobile, etc. So, a motorcycle speaker system is without a doubt a much more versatile option compared to other types of audio receivers.
Factors Affecting Motorcycle Speakers
Each of the speaker systems comes with different specifications and features that affect the usability of the device. Some of the speakers are bigger and louder than others, but they will take up a lot of space on your handlebars, which can be used for mounting a motorcycle helmet camera or phone mount. These speakers will also drain a lot of electricity out of your motorcycle, so you should be careful and avoid connecting too many devices to your battery. Compact systems might not be as loud and they may lack basses, but you can mount them to a smaller bike and they are not that visible.
Wattage & Loudness of the Speakers
Wattage greatly affects how powerful and loud the speakers are. There is a simple rule: the higher the Wattage, the louder the speakers. And vice versa: – The lower the Wattage, the quieter the speakers. If you want to hear them at speeds above 50 mph, you should look for speakers with at least 100-150 Watts or more. On the other hand, if you only plan on using these speakers for street commutes, you will be fine with most of the systems available on the market.
Connectivity & Volume Control
Connectivity is also an important aspect of every motorcycle speaker system. All modern devices come with Bluetooth technology, which will let you make a wireless connection between the device and your Apple/Android phone. The speakers will be able to receive music signals without any wires connected to them. All you need to do is activate Bluetooth on your smartphone and let it pair with the speakers. Alternatively, you can also use the classic 3.5 mm cable connector, which has been the industry standard for decades.
Durability and Weather-Resistance
None of the speakers are truly waterproof, but thanks to their IP rating and water resistance, they will be fine in a very light rain. On top of that, you will be able to use them in dusty conditions. So, if the weather is nice and there is no storm coming your way, you can use these speakers with no worries. Furthermore, most motorcycle speakers offer increased durability compared to indoor speakers. They are designed to withstand wind, heat, and other elements. Although, I wouldn’t recommend using these speakers on a dirt bike, as they would probably survive only one or two rides at most.
Conclusion:
As you can see, motorcycle speakers can be extremely useful. If you haven’t been sure whether to buy them or not, after reading this review, you should now be more confident about your decision. But, keep in mind that using these speakers is a bit controversial and some people in your surroundings might not like it. They can be relatively loud and annoying at times. Therefore, you must be tolerant and avoid using them in public places or wild nature. Or, at least keep the volume down to avoid any potential problems.