wiring amp into bike battery

[jeremysprite]

I'm contemplating building a stereo for my bike, I've got 2 pioneer 20 watt 4ohm speakers, or 2 sony 160 watt 4(?) ohm speakers, one set of which I want to fit to my bike. I aim to install the speakers inside the fairing, behind the indicators/headlight. I'll probably get an amp from dick smithhttp://www.dse.co.nz/cgi-bin/dse.sto...uct/View/K5401 , and water tight it (meaning buy a gladbag). Now the problem is wiring it to my battery. Where do i draw the power from, what kinda wires do i need, and does anyone think this setup won't be loud enough to hear, say riding up to around 100kmh? obviously i'd use the pioneers if i couldn't find a bigger amp, but can anyone recommend a larger one that doesn't cost too much $$$?(full-time student here) and would suit my needs?
thanks for any help

[Sniper]

Now this is my personal opinion but, you are an idiot.

Why oh why would you ruin a motorcycle with putting a stereo on it? Don't you enjoy the sound of a bike and the total difference it offers instead of a cage.

That is my opinion.

[jeremysprite]

Don't you enjoy the sound of a bike...

Don't know if you've heard an FXR before...so...

Just like listening to music, specially when I go for a long cruise (I know, why would you go for a cruise on an FXR150? but i do)

[dawnrazor]

Now this is my personal opinion but, you are an idiot.

Why oh why would you ruin a motorcycle with putting a stereo on it? Don't you enjoy the sound of a bike and the total difference it offers instead of a cage.

That is my opinion.

well said that man lol

talk about 'pimp my ride'

[Sniper]

Don't know if you've heard an FXR before...so...

Just like listening to music, specially when I go for a long cruise (I know, why would you go for a cruise on an FXR150? but i do)

Its still sad you have to install a stereo on your bike to enjoy riding.

[jeremysprite]

i still enjoy riding. i just think that it'd be better with some tunes.

[dawnrazor]

I'm contemplating building a stereo for my bike, I've got 2 pioneer 20 watt 4ohm speakers, or 2 sony 160 watt 4(?) ohm speakers, one set of which I want to fit to my bike. I aim to install the speakers inside the fairing, behind the indicators/headlight. I'll probably get an amp from dick smithhttp://www.dse.co.nz/cgi-bin/dse.sto...uct/View/K5401 , and water tight it (meaning buy a gladbag). Now the problem is wiring it to my battery. Where do i draw the power from, what kinda wires do i need, and does anyone think this setup won't be loud enough to hear, say riding up to around 100kmh? obviously i'd use the pioneers if i couldn't find a bigger amp, but can anyone recommend a larger one that doesn't cost too much $$$?(full-time student here) and would suit my needs?
thanks for any help

Hey there is a reason GOLDWING riders are given a hard time and its not the reverse gear

[Sniper]

i still enjoy riding. i just think that it'd be better with some tunes.

Not a real biker then. Just my honest opinion

[dawnrazor]

i still enjoy riding. i just think that it'd be better with some tunes.

you could always buy a ipod and remove the renovation aspect of things

[Macktheknife]

Go buy an MP3 player, much better option. seriously

[GNR]

If you want stero adivce see the guy at www.nzicemag.co.nz, they are Nz best, most of them work at retail stores, and can give u the best adivce, and deals, and won't give u crap brands like Sonys explodes in bits,a guy from dick smiths is going no nothing about steros, so get proper adive,
If u where in chch i would say pauls car audio, Most places will delivery gear as well

Ive been involed in car audio quite alot, but now movin onto bikes, more fun, but miss the sounds............personally, get an Mp3 discman or ipod, and head phones, will be so much better,

as for the people callin him "not a real biker", he asked for adivce, not wheather it was going to be "Cool" or make him "not a real biker"

[Teflon]

I'm contemplating building a stereo for my bike, I've got 2 pioneer 20 watt 4ohm speakers, or 2 sony 160 watt 4(?) ohm speakers, one set of which I want to fit to my bike. I aim to install the speakers inside the fairing, behind the indicators/headlight. I'll probably get an amp from dick smithhttp://www.dse.co.nz/cgi-bin/dse.sto...uct/View/K5401 , and water tight it (meaning buy a gladbag). Now the problem is wiring it to my battery. Where do i draw the power from, what kinda wires do i need, and does anyone think this setup won't be loud enough to hear, say riding up to around 100kmh? obviously i'd use the pioneers if i couldn't find a bigger amp, but can anyone recommend a larger one that doesn't cost too much $$$?(full-time student here) and would suit my needs?
thanks for any help

Hi there Jeremy. I'm selling some Wharfedale Diamond 9's fronts (rose wood). Couple of mounts and they should fit perfect. I am also selling a 300 watt sub which would look awsome on the back your bike.

[Winston001]

Seems like a harmless question to me and I'm interested in constructive answers. Personally I'd use an MP3 player or Walkman for on the bike.

I suggest you get a cigarette lighter power outlet fitted. That way you can plug in other powered items if you ever want to. But the main thing is you can plug the amp into it and then unplug and remove it whenever you like. Eg when the bike is going to sit in the rain.

Personally I'm interested in what anyone can suggest for a small powerful stereo for use at rallies etc. Something easily carried or fitted.

[Timber020]

Hey with a pioneer 6 x 9 youd be doubling the power output of the fxr...

[Mooch]

Regardless of if bikes should have stereo’s, the problem your going to have is the current drain on the fxr's electrics. The battery will be ok for a short time (minutes) unless you plan to use low volume. The amp your looking at will draw around 8 - 12 amps so you'll end up overloading the bikes generator and probably will burn out the rectifier. (Read breakdown)
Still, if you don't running any lighting and don't indicate, and run the bike at full RPM it should be ok for a while.

Other things to consider.
The Amp’s Heat sink needs to be exposed to the air otherwise it will overheat if wrapped up for water proofing, maybe stick it under the seat.

Wire the power to the AMP directly to the battery via a relay (otherwise amp will discharge battery.

Use wire rated at 15 amps or greater for positive and negative feeds.

Make sure the speakers aren't paper based, polyprope door speakers are the way to go, the are designed with some tolerance to water.

The touring bikes with stereo's general have car size alternators and descent sized batteries and lower power outputs, hence are often used to annoy other rally goers until wee hours of the morning.

Personally, if you want good sound on a bike, get your self an Ipod nano, that way you can have loud music in your ears without subjecting your music to everyone else around you.