Why use the radio speakers
- brian.peters
- Posts: 87
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Why use the radio speakers
How many use the speakers and why? Just curious. I turned it on once and with a full face helmet it was pretty pointless. I use a BT helmet and just stream all my music, I'm in my 50s but completely embrace technology, so we don't really see the point in the built in system anymore.
Am i missing something?
Am i missing something?
- 823JIM
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Re: Why use the radio speakers
I am 66 and not into all the tech stuff. My cell phone is a pre pay Trac phone, so not enough data time to stream music. The phone is used as a phone to call home in the evening or to use for emergency and not used as an entertainment center. I ride with an open face helmet to enjoy the sites and sounds of the ride, don't have the radio on 50% of the time but when I do I can hear it just fine. I shut the phone off while riding, don't want or need to be connected and have it pumped directly into my ears while enjoying a ride.
I know I'm old and pretty set in my ways but that's what I like and everyone is different. I have a guy that rides with us some (in the back) whose bike is so loud I can't believe he could hear anything else and wears ear plugs to boot, but that's how he likes it.
I know I'm old and pretty set in my ways but that's what I like and everyone is different. I have a guy that rides with us some (in the back) whose bike is so loud I can't believe he could hear anything else and wears ear plugs to boot, but that's how he likes it.
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Jim King
Jim King
- Mag
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Re: Why use the radio speakers
I use the speaks on my bike, always have. Why? Do not want anything directly in my ear so I can hear what is around me if needed. That being said, I should turn it down a bit....maybe 

- mterraci
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Re: Why use the radio speakers
I like using my radio speakers. My stereo automatically increases the volume as I speed up and decreases it when I slow down.
I wear a full face helmet; the speakers work very well for me.
I wear a full face helmet; the speakers work very well for me.
- Viking
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Re: Why use the radio speakers
I use the speakers anywhere close to home, and on longer trips, I use ear buds. Probably illegal in 38 out of 50 states and 9 out of 10 provinces, but I like the music to sound like music. This is also why I upgraded my speakers to Polk Audio.
- 823JIM
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Re: Why use the radio speakers
Are your ear buds connected to the bikes radio system or an outside source? Do you use an adapter to hook to the bikes audio cable? As I said earlier I'm not much up on the tech stuff.themainviking wrote: ↑Mon Feb 19, 2018 8:29 am I use the speakers anywhere close to home, and on longer trips, I use ear buds. Probably illegal in 38 out of 50 states and 9 out of 10 provinces, but I like the music to sound like music. This is also why I upgraded my speakers to Polk Audio.
Friends don't let friends do stupid stuff (alone)
Jim King
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Re: Why use the radio speakers
I have a tracphone only for phone calls also. I was too cheap to pay close to $1000 for the Goldwing CB setup. Mounted a Midland hand-held CB with a ram mount, and run a connected wire into my modular helmet. I receive, and talk just fine, but it negates the Honda headset. I use mostly the front speakers, and I hear the music just fine, even with the modular helmet closed.
- brianinpa
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Re: Why use the radio speakers
I always use the speakers. Can't stand to have buds in my ears, and for the times I don't wear a helmet
, it makes the built in speakers useless.

Brian
If you aren't having fun doing it, find something else to do.
If you aren't having fun doing it, find something else to do.
- minimac
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Re: Why use the radio speakers
I always use the bikes speakers. It doesn't matter if I wear an open face or full face helmet, I've never not been able to hear them. The few times I've tried riding with earbuds, I found them to be uncomfortable and one or the other would invariably 'pop' out.
- WingAdmin
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Re: Why use the radio speakers
I use the speakers for entertainment sometimes when I'm in the garage working on the bike.
Apart from that, I always have the headset in my helmet playing. With earplugs in while riding, I'd have to have the speakers so loud that I figure it would be obnoxious to those around me.

- Hoosier Jack
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Re: Why use the radio speakers
I upgraded my speakers to big Kenwood ones over the winter. I can't handle earbuds for too long, but I imagine that if I am traveling over 75 that I'll need to use them. I too use the bike in the garage for music. Having a smart radio helps; I can listen to the radio, a CD or using the bluetooth on the phone I can listen to Pandora or Iheart radio. Too cheap to pony up for the extra SiriusXM subscription that I have in the car.
- seabeechief
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Re: Why use the radio speakers
I use speakers only rarely, when I'm going slow on a non congested road and I can flip my face shield up and hear the radio. Otherwise, my Nolan N-Com system works great with my radio, MP3 player, satellite radio, CB radio and Garmn Zumo GPS.
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- detdrbuzzard
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Re: Why use the radio speakers
i'm wired to the bike using a J&M headset
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- C-dub
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Re: Why use the radio speakers
I'm seriously considering doing this. But for now everyone else gets to hear my awesome taste in music. That's why!
I am not and have never been a LEO. My avatar is in honor of my friend, Dallas Police Sargeant Michael Smith, who was murdered along with four other officers in Dallas on 7.7.2016.
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- garwil
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Re: Why use the radio speakers
At any highway speed, I cannot hear my bike speakers well enough to enjoy the music.
Back when I rode with a wired helmet, I would listen to the radio through the headset, but only when I am riding alone as my wife does not like it.
For the last few years I have been using a Blu-tooth system. I can talk on my cell phone (Answer calls) and talk to my wife when we ride together.
I have used the blu-tooth to listen to music, but more often audio books on long trips.
Back when I rode with a wired helmet, I would listen to the radio through the headset, but only when I am riding alone as my wife does not like it.
For the last few years I have been using a Blu-tooth system. I can talk on my cell phone (Answer calls) and talk to my wife when we ride together.
I have used the blu-tooth to listen to music, but more often audio books on long trips.
- Fiberthree
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Re: Why use the radio speakers
It depends on what the guy next to me thinks every one else wants to hear. If he is blasting rap or rancho music, I'll crank up the Mozart. When he's gone I'll dial it down or switch to the helmet speakers. The bike speakers actually sound better than the J&Ms. My helmet speakers seem to be better for news and traffic reports.
Ed
WARNING: All posts are subject to influence from an uncontrollable dominant sarcastic gene. Offensive remarks may or may not be intentional.
WARNING: All posts are subject to influence from an uncontrollable dominant sarcastic gene. Offensive remarks may or may not be intentional.
- offcenter
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Re: Why use the radio speakers
I wear a half helmet, so my ears are exposed.
Can't stand to have anything stuck in my ears.
I upgraded the speakers on my bike and they sound GREAT!
Most of my riding is back roads anyway, and I have no trouble
hearing the stereo at 50 mph or so.
Can't stand to have anything stuck in my ears.
I upgraded the speakers on my bike and they sound GREAT!
Most of my riding is back roads anyway, and I have no trouble
hearing the stereo at 50 mph or so.
George in Jersey.
99 Goldwing GL-1500 SE
76 Goldwing Gl-1000
77 Honda CT-90 "Trail 90"
99 Goldwing GL-1500 SE
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77 Honda CT-90 "Trail 90"
- curtm
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Re: Why use the radio speakers
are you one of those guys that stops at a stop sign and has willie nelson blasting on his bike ???
Good for you,
Good for you,
- Bikin4fishin
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Re: Why use the radio speakers
I use the speakers so that when I listen to Stevie Ray Vaughan on YouTube music, everyone else can.
I was 18 the first time I saw him play live, and now I'm working on my 4th lap of 18. I ain't growin up and y'all can't make me.
I was 18 the first time I saw him play live, and now I'm working on my 4th lap of 18. I ain't growin up and y'all can't make me.
I keep saying "Someday I'll climb that mountain"
I'm running out of somedays.
I'm running out of somedays.
- offcenter
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Re: Why use the radio speakers
LOL!! I like it!Bikin4fishin wrote: ↑Wed Jan 25, 2023 11:30 pm I use the speakers so that when I listen to Stevie Ray Vaughan on YouTube music, everyone else can.
I was 18 the first time I saw him play live, and now I'm working on my 4th lap of 18. I ain't growin up and y'all can't make me.
Me? I was born in 1950 and I'm 29 years old.
That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!
George in Jersey.
99 Goldwing GL-1500 SE
76 Goldwing Gl-1000
77 Honda CT-90 "Trail 90"
99 Goldwing GL-1500 SE
76 Goldwing Gl-1000
77 Honda CT-90 "Trail 90"