GL1800 speaker replacement

[daemon]

Anyone have fair advice or links to the procedure to replacing front and rear speakers on my 2005 ?
Local installer quoted me 300$ just for installation.
Only links(YouTube) I have seen do not appear to involve the 1800.
Perhaps someone can help me save a buck or two.
Thanks in advance.
. Mayo

[thrasherg]

I have not replaced the speakers yet, but I know most people recommend the Polk Audio DB501 (Marine grade speakers) as they fit i n with no modification and you can find them on ebay for about $165 for four speakers (I think the 2005 wing uses these speakers for front and rear).

The front are really easy to change, you need to remove the front fascia, that is done by popping out the plastic speaker grills, then removing the allen bolt at the bottom of the trim, under the left & right speakers, and remove the plastic black clips up near the top of the speaker. once the 2 bolts and 2 clips are removed, the trim can be pulled backwards (away from the speedo & rev counter) and it will come out part way. There is a plug that needs to be disconnected underneath the trip, contains the wires that drive the LCD display, then the entire fascia can be moved away. This gives complete access to the front speakers, which are held in place by 4 screws. Undo the screws, unplug the wires going to the speakers, plug the new speakers onto the wires and fit them in place of the old speakers using the 4 screws, and replace the fascia.. Done (should take about an hour). I have not tried to get access to the rear speakers so hopefully someone can advise on that, but I doubt its very difficult!! If nothing else I have saved you $150 by installing the front speakers by yourself!! If you have the goldwing service manual, it clearly explains how to remove the fascia to gain access to the front speakers.

Gary

[daemon]

Thank you for your advice.
Hopefully it goes as easy as you describe.
Time to shop

[thrasherg]

Thank you for your advice.
Hopefully it goes as easy as you describe.
Time to shop

If you are in the Texas, Dallas area (quite a ride for you) any time, I will be happy to help you do it!!

Gary

[oilboy1162]

2012 and newer use the db651s for the fronts. both front and rear need minor trimming but the sound improvement is well worth it.

[NKYWinger]

2012 and newer use the db651s for the fronts. both front and rear need minor trimming but the sound improvement is well worth it.

Actually, the redesign starting with 2006 requires dB651's in the front....dB501's still fit the rear

[dmcquade]

Well just got a 2010 GL18BM (with airbag) in Metallic Titanium, and I love it. Just got last week, second hand, with 50k miles and it looks like new.

Anyway Ive already decided to start with some upgrades, which includes new speakers. Ive read all the write ups and decided to go with the Polk speakers. Unfortunately the DB651 and DB501's have been discontinued, are hard to find, and sellers want too much $$. So I looked through Polk Audio page and it appears that the DB652 and the DB522 are the replacements. I went ahead and purchased these from Amazon for a fantastic price. DB652 pair for $57.40 and DB522 pair for $57.39.

https://www.amazon.com/Polk-DB652-Ultra ... way&sr=8-1

https://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-DB522 ... B01EZWFNKA#

I'll let you all know how I make out when they arrive and install them.

Also purchased an MP3/AUX player that is supposed to attach to the CD changer on the bike, we will also see how that works.

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/USB-Sd-SDHC-Mp3 ... 2749.l2649

Find This Item on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EXOTD56?tag=goldwingdocs-20

[rathrbcruisin]

So I guess these did not work? I'm looking for new speakers for my 2003 1800. Trying to find information on the Polk db522

[dmcquade]

Sorry don't know how to post pictures. I ended up going with the Polk audio Marine Speakers DB522 - 5.25" front and the DB402 - 4" for the rear. They required minimal modifications, but no cutting of the bike. Only problem is wife says they are too loud; Sound great from where i'm sitting See facebook page I'm going to post my upgrades on for pictures. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 091&type=3

[C-dub]

Sorry don't know how to post pictures. I ended up going with the Polk audio Marine Speakers DB522 - 5.25" front and the DB402 - 4" for the rear. They required minimal modifications, but no cutting of the bike. Only problem is wife says they are too loud; Sound great from where i'm sitting See facebook page I'm going to post my upgrades on for pictures. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 091&type=3

Too loud? I don't understand!

I'm not to the point of wanting, I mean needing, to upgrade my speakers yet. Just about the only time I listen to them is when I'm by myself and once I found that auto speed volume setting they are okay most of the time. My wife doesn't like listening to music out of the speakers on the highway. She prefers the "quiet" and just enjoying the ride and scenery. When we are together I usually end up listening to the radio or whatever through my headset. She does, however, like a good riding tune when we're off the highway and in town. For that, the OEM speakers are good enough for now. Maybe I'll sneak some new ones in sometime. "What do you mean they sound different?" They sound the same to me.

BTW, where did you get yours from? I'm seeing them on amazon for $60 & $70, I think for a pair each. Does that sound about right?

How much and what type of modification are we talking about?

EDIT: I saw the mods from your page. Good job, BTW. When you say the magnet wouldn't fit because it was too big, to you mean just diameter and or depth too?

[dmcquade]

The larger speakers wouldnt fit because of the magnet depth I believe, and I didnt want to hack plastic out to get them to work.

For mods I wanted no change to the bike, and I only had to modify the speaker tabs as seen in the pictures as the holes in the speakers didnt lineup with the holes in the bike. For the rear speakers, I had to make the spacer to add to the outer diameter of the smaller speaker I installed. I got mine from amazon as well for about $60 a set.

We have since got some headsets that plug into the bike, which are great for talking and listening to music, so they get used more now.

The mp3 player was a nice add on too, which can be selected by selecting the cd on the control panel, and the tracks/cd and volume all controlled from the left handlebar controls.

[gordymichels]

So I guess these did not work? I'm looking for new speakers for my 2003 1800. Trying to find information on the Polk db522

Hello rathrbcrusin - Did you find any information on installing the DB522's on your 2003 Goldwing?
I am looking at installing the same speakers (and a RF 4ooW class D amp) into my 2003.

I currently have the 501's in the front and 401's in the back but I would much prefer the DB 522's that are 5 1/4" in the front!

[dmcquade]

As in a previous post about 4 or so above this, I posted a link to facebook where I installed the DB522's in my 2010 goldwing. (dont know how to post pics on forum page) The DB522's did fit the front, but I had to cut the tabs on the speaker a little, where the screw hole is, as the holes on the bike dont line up with the speaker. Then just use a larger washer to hold the speaker in place. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 091&type=3

[gordymichels]

As in a previous post about 4 or so above this, I posted a link to facebook where I installed the DB522's in my 2010 goldwing. (dont know how to post pics on forum page) The DB522's did fit the front, but I had to cut the tabs on the speaker a little, where the screw hole is, as the holes on the bike dont line up with the speaker. Then just use a larger washer to hold the speaker in place. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 091&type=3

Thank you dmcqiade but unfortunately my 2003 has a very very different layout in the front and in the back.
Great job on the installation though on your 2010!!

[itsmermf]

As in a previous post about 4 or so above this, I posted a link to facebook where I installed the DB522's in my 2010 goldwing. (dont know how to post pics on forum page) The DB522's did fit the front, but I had to cut the tabs on the speaker a little, where the screw hole is, as the holes on the bike dont line up with the speaker. Then just use a larger washer to hold the speaker in place. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 091&type=3

Did the new Polks add more noticeable bass, and did you leave the separate OEM tweeters in place or disconnected it, leaving the new speakers to produce all of the sound?

[gordymichels]

My 2003 does not have separate tweeters.
After attempting to put the 522s in..I decided that it would be to much work. In order to do it properly I would have had to take the front end off and the mirrors off and the windshield off because my front speakers have a large speaker enclosure that goes back into the fairing and requires massive amounts of disassembly.
I decided to just throw a set of 501s in it and I bought a Rockford fosgate 400 watt 4-channel amplifier and just throw more power at it over the crappy factory stock amp so ...that is my project for this weekend

[dmcquade]

Did the new Polks add more noticeable bass, and did you leave the separate OEM tweeters in place or disconnected it, leaving the new speakers to produce all of the sound?

I replaced the front and back speakers and left the tweeters there also.
A little better bass and sounds a lot better.
Unfortunately we upgraded to some wired headsets, and use the external speakers very little.

[oilboy1162]

IMHO I think the bass is clearer with less distortion at volume. I did end up disconnecting the tweeters as they did little anyway, plus made taking the cover off more of a pain in the a**.

[Lumberjack1844]

I'm kinda suprised nobody has attempted to 3D print some speaker adapter rings to be able to insert larger speakers yet. For example, I know two people who make adapter rings for Kawaski Vulcan Voyager/Vaqureo speakers to increase front to 6.5". It's simply a spacer that you mount to OEM screw points and allows the speaker to then be mounted to the trim ring. I am attaching stock and sample pictures for reference.

[Uncle Fester]

I'm kinda suprised nobody has attempted to 3D print some speaker adapter rings to be able to insert larger speakers yet. For example, I know two people who make adapter rings for Kawaski Vulcan Voyager/Vaqureo speakers to increase front to 6.5". It's simply a spacer that you mount to OEM screw points and allows the speaker to then be mounted to the trim ring. I am attaching stock and sample pictures for reference.

Not meaning to hijack the thread, sorry, but do you have a picture of the Kawasaki with the dash back together after the 6.5” upgrade? A friend of mine ride a Voyager and has heard about this upgrade but can not find pictures of it completed. Thanks

[JPochron]

I purchased the DB501's and they're way to small. The stock speakers are 6 1/2" so I purchased the DB652's. Does anyone know if they DB501's will fit in the rear speaker housing?

[Bertman67]

Click post reply,
Click attachments,
Click Add files,,
You can take a photo or add photo or add file from your wherever
It’s pretty complicated,,,

[Bertman67]

I'm kinda suprised nobody has attempted to 3D print some speaker adapter rings to be able to insert larger speakers yet. For example, I know two people who make adapter rings for Kawaski Vulcan Voyager/Vaqureo speakers to increase front to 6.5". It's simply a spacer that you mount to OEM screw points and allows the speaker to then be mounted to the trim ring. I am attaching stock and sample pictures for reference.

Maybe it’s because a lot of folks thinks it looks stupid.