Swing Audio

I had been debating on what type of audio system to add to my Swing. After reading reviews and comparisons, I decided on a Boss MC400 System. They are relatively inexpensive and are waterproof and relatively easy to install. I got mine on Amazon for less than $60, incl shipping. In the box are two high-impact, waterproof speakers with mounting brackes and hardware, prewired volume control, and an amp. The wiring harness is already made. All you have to do is run the wiring and decide where you want the speakers and amp to live. I like this system b/c once installed, all I have to do is plug it into my ipod and enjoy. I don't like the way external, handle bar mounted speakers look. No offense to anyone that has them, but I'm more of a minimalist, and most speakers are geared toward cruisers. I mounted the amp in the left glove box and drilled thru to run wiring up to the handlebars. I mounted an On/Off switch ($5 at auto supply store) on the handle bars. The vol control lives under the left brake fluid res. The power wire runs along the left side of the bike and along the frame, zip tied and secured. I used the ground on the left side of the frame and ran the hot wire up to the battery. I put a 5 amp fuse in the circuit just before hooking up to the battery. Now for the speakers....let me just say deciding where to hide them took the longest time. I went to wally world and bought a $20 leather handlebar bag and modified it to hold both speakers. The speaker wiring runs thru a hole drilled in the knock out plug under the ignition and thru the hole in the left glove box to the amp. Every thing has grommets and is secured to be as water proof as possible. I ran a nylon webbed strap through the leather straps on the back of the bag and wrapped it around the handlebars. I still haven't decided if I'm going to leave it like this, and am still contemplating mounting it to the plastic. I just hate drilling into the bike and want to be triple sure before I make anymore changes that I can't undo. I don't have pics now, but will post some when I do. I hope this helps someone.
Cheers!
Regina

That sounds cool. I admire your ingenuity. Would love to see some pics sometime.
WB

I second that like to see the sound system, thanks

I built an audio system for my Honda Reflex a few years ago and realized that: 1: the sound quality was very poor at highway speeds. 2) It's rude to force people to listen to whatever i was listening to. I know have a bluetooth headset and I'm much happier for it.

Jesse in Atlanta

I installed a Shark 250 watt audio sYstem on my Swing . All the wires under the tupperware .I mounted the water proof speakers on the glove box . You can see it in my photo album. The amp radio is in the left glove box the power and controls are on the left brake box , I have a CD player inside a belt pouch secured by the gas cover. This a very power full system. $115.oo

I posted a couple of pics on my gallery page.

I get around the issue by using a Motorola S305 headset. It allows me to listen to Pandora and have a phone call though not at the same time, of course. It fits snugly under my HJC IS-Max though the helmet already has stuff for Chatterbox inside. Works while riding and talking... :-)

toolboxjesse - what kind of bluetooth headset do you have - i am interested but i get a lot of wind buffeting and i dont think i would hear very well at speeds above 45 mph (especially with my stock windshield and 3/4 helmet with face shield - i am going to get a taller windshield and also have been looking at new helmets.....

I currently use a Parrot SK4000. It has a few flaws but some nice features and I use it every day for my 2 hour commute. I listen to Pandora in the morning and talk radio through Tunein radio on my smartphone. It's also great for turn-by-turn navigation directions and receiving phone calls.

Jesse

I use a Motorola S10-HD stereo bluetooth headset. I can listen to stereo music, and can take a call. The stereo ear pieces is enough to block out most noise. With care, it fits under my Bell helmet. I am also able to hear emergency vehicles.

tinman wrote:

I installed a Shark 250 watt audio sYstem on my Swing . All the wires under the tupperware .I mounted the water proof speakers on the glove box . You can see it in my photo album. The amp radio is in the left glove box the power and controls are on the left brake box , I have a CD player inside a belt pouch secured by the gas cover. This a very power full system. $115.oo

Ditto. I just installed the Shark 250 stereo with all wires under the tupperware but I put the amp into the right glove box, mounted the speakers on the glove box lids with velcro. (It can be unplugged and locked away if I feel the need to.

Anyway, I am blown away with the quality of the sound for the price. (I paid $91.00, but I saw it on sale for $88.00 recently.) Doing 70 MPH next to a semi on the 65 listening to the Moody Blues "Nights in White Satin", all the strings come through crisp and clear. Unbelievable for the price.

Chris

I twisted the speaker brackets to face my helmet. I bolted and 2 way tap them on . The last thing I want to do is to try to cache the speakers will navigating through a ruff patch . glew will separate from the lids .

tinman wrote:

I twisted the speaker brackets to face my helmet. I bolted and 2 way tap them on . The last thing I want to do is to try to cache the speakers will navigating through a ruff patch . glew will separate from the lids .

Hi Tinman. I did not use the brackets. they are poorly designed for this purpose. I used a piece of industrial Velcro cut to match the size of the bottom of the speaker. They are quite secure this way. I have used this Velcro on my airplane, RV's and motorcycles for many years and I have never had a problem with separation if the surface is properly prepared prior to application. (Using the industrial rated type) I also did not like the idea of drilling holes in the lids as this is where I store all of the electronics, and did not want holes in the lids if I should decide to remove the speakers in the future.

Regio wrote:

I posted a couple of pics on my gallery page.

I can not see pictures

I'm kinda stuck. Since I ride a Shadow, don't want to install anything as it's kind of a pain. Went with Scala G4 headset. Sound quality's pretty good as it adjusts a bit based on speed (how, I don't know.) Looking to get a Victory later and the Cross Country Tour has a radio installed. Rode one in Phoenix and it adjusts itself based on speed as my headset does.