installing headphone jack

iowatree

I'm wanting to put a headphone jack on a 2007 fltr. Anybody know if I can splice into speaker on off switch on the fairing console or if I have to get into the back of the radio where speaker wires come out? My Rhineharts are to loud to hear radio. iowatree:

Bluesssman

Yes you can. In fact that switch has a position that would be for rear speakers. You could wire in the head phone jack direct to the switch. Use your manual's wiring diagram if you need help.

ProF

I was thinking of doing the same thing. I have an 03 FLTR and the radio sounds like crap once the bike is doing anything over 2mph.

I was going to patch into the speaker wires and even bought the female plug from radio shack. Then I started thinking about that switch. The manual simply says that it's not operable on the road glides, but it obviously is. The forward position turns the speakers off, the middle on, and I presume that if there were rear speakers, the backmost position would have both front and back on. If yours is the same, you might want to wire it so that forward position is the headphone jack. Then the speakers wouldn't have to be on as well.

I'll post up when I get mine wired, and let you know what I did.

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Bluesssman

One other thought. Hog Tunes makes speakers specifically for bikes. I installed a set and the improvement over the stock speakers was amazing. You also get a 10% discount there if you mention this site!

dangerdan

Before you get to involved , you might want to check with the local laws in your area.

It is illegal in some parts of the States to wear headsets that cover both ears.

My opinion is that its NOT SAFE. With speakers you can at least hear ambient noise around you.

glider

Here's the info on the 10% discount with the link for hogtunes.

10% Discount On Hogtunes - Harley Davidson Community

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ProF

I'd be interested in knowing whether or not you can now listen, at speeds over 60 or so, with any clarity. Or do you still get a lot of high volume distortion? If the treble is clear, what about the bass? Does it all disappear, like on the stock speakers?

The earphone route is really second choice behind clear speaker sound...if speakers can really do the job I'd rather buy a decent pair and go that way.

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Bluesssman

Comparing the stock speakers and the ones I bought from Hog Tunes shows some big differences. the weight of the HTs is guessing here about four times heavier. The magnets are huge. The cone material is much different. Seems studier. But the big difference is how they sound. I can cruise along at 65 mph and still hear my tunes really well. I can even now listen to NPR when they are just talking. Also, I wear a full face helmet. I have noticed the volume level does not need to be as high.

One other thing to think about if you do use a headset be sure to match it to the ohm output of your bikes radio, which I think is 2 ohms. Most headsets are 8 ohm.

ProF

OK, I took the plunge and ordered the HogTunes speakers. I hope I'm not disappointed.

There really isn't much to lose, though, as the radio as is isn't worth turning on, other than to listen to some music in the garage.

I really don't get why HD would go to the trouble of wiring in a radio and then making it so bad to listen to, when for probably thirty or forty bucks more (their cost) they could have made it sound much better. 'Course this is the company that will use a cheapo plastic part instead of metal to save thirty nine cents. I dunno, maybe they all do it. End of rant.

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iowatree

Thanks for all the input. My Roadglide speaker switch has only on or off for speakers. My wife usually uses her ipod and we share half a head set so one ear is open. Of course I thought this would be a simple install. You guys gave me more things to think about. Maybe I will have to tone down the Rhineharts. Thanks again everyone.....iowatree PS I did just glance at the manuals wiring diagrams and will have to have more time to study.