Best Motorcycle Speakers 2025: Sound Systems for Cruisers & Harleys
Evan Rally
left for contents
Rolling a big bike without real audio is fine for short hops, but once the miles start stacking up, it gets old fast.
Good speakers turn the ride into more than just miles ticking by. Music and radio keep the energy up, break up the long stretches, and make every trip hit harder. It is not just about background noise — the right sound makes the whole ride better..
Most stock setups sound decent sitting still, but once you’re running 70 into a headwind, they don’t stand a chance – especially with bass. Plus, wind, rain, and road miles will chew up speakers over time.
You need a setup that stays loud, clear, and keeps working no matter what you throw at it – whether that’s clamped to the bars, built into your fairing, or tucked into the bags. No excuses.
In this guide, we’re cutting through the junk and getting straight to the systems that actually work. Here are our top picks, with more details below.
Budget 
|
Premium 
|
Powerful, weather-resistant sound bar built for high-performance audio on the road. Quick to mount. | An 800-watt premium audio upgrade built to deliver crystal-clear sound even at highway speeds. Seamlessly installed. |
Powerful, weather-resistant sound bar built for high-performance audio on the road. Quick to mount.
An 800-watt premium audio upgrade built to deliver crystal-clear sound even at highway speeds. Seamlessly installed.
If none of these options fit your bike, you can search Revzilla for matches to your exact make and model.
But first, let’s address some things you hear rumble around about motorcycle audio:
- “Waterproof” means nothing if the speakers can’t survive vibration, sun, grime, and rain. Cheap speakers often fail from exposure long before water gets in. “Marine grade” is often what you’re looking for.
- Just swapping to “louder” speakers without ensuring your amplifier (factory or aftermarket) can properly power them is a recipe for distortion and disappointment, not better sound. Power matching is key.
- Helmet speakers fall short when the ride gets loud and fast. They work for quick GPS directions, callouts, and staying in touch with the group, but when you need real volume, clarity, and sound that cuts through wind and engine noise, you need proper bike-mounted speakers.
- That factory “premium” sound system upgrade you paid big bucks for doesn’t hold a candle to well-chosen aftermarket speakers and amps when it comes to clarity and volume at speed.
Let’s check out the options.
Motorcycle Speaker Categories
Getting tunes on your bike generally falls into two main approaches, especially for cruiser and Harley riders:
Handlebar / Portable Bluetooth Speakers:
These are typically self-contained units with built-in amplifiers and Bluetooth connectivity. They mount to your handlebars or other frame parts.
- Pros: Easy to install (often tool-less), affordable, portable (can sometimes be removed easily), no complex wiring into the bike’s system.
- Cons: Usually lower power/volume than integrated systems, sound quality can vary, appearance might not be as clean, often relies on battery power.
Integrated Speaker Systems:
These involve replacing or adding speakers directly to your bike’s fairing, lower fairings, or saddlebags, often powered by the bike’s electrical system and sometimes requiring an aftermarket amplifier.
- Pros: Much higher potential for volume and sound quality, cleaner look, powered by the bike, designed specifically for the motorcycle environment.
- Cons: More expensive, installation is more complex (often requiring fairing removal, wiring, maybe cutting), less portable, system matching (speakers, amp, head unit) is important.
Let’s look at some standouts in both categories.
Handlebar / Portable Bluetooth Speakers
Easy installation and Bluetooth convenience for getting tunes on almost any bike.
If you want quick tunes without tearing into your bike, clamp-on and portable speakers are the way to go.
They’re easy to bolt on, easy to pair with your phone, and perfect for riders who want sound without the hassle. Let’s check out a few that are actually worth your time.
Lexin S35 Bluetooth Handlebar Speakers
Sometimes you just want real sound on your bars without pulling half your bike apart.
The Lexin S35s do exactly that. They hit harder than the old Q3s, with louder, cleaner sound you can actually hear at highway speeds. Perfect if you are riding a cruiser or a Harley and you are tired of earbuds and weak setups.
Installation is easy. Clamp them on, run the harness to your battery or a tender lead, and you are ready to roll. The thumb controller mounts clean to the bars, and Bluetooth pairing is quick and automatic. They also cut power when the bike is off, so you don’t have to worry about killing your battery.
These speakers are a clear step up from most clamp-on/handlebar options. Bigger than the Q3s, louder, and built to survive real riding. Sound holds up even at 75 to 80 mph without needing a giant windshield. They are IP67-rated too, so rain, dust, and grime are not going to scare them off.
The Catch? While the S35s crank loud for bar-mounted speakers, they still won’t match a full bagger system when it comes to deep bass. Also, they cost a bit more than the old Q3s — but in this case, you’re paying for a real upgrade.
Silver lining: The Lexin S35s are easily one of the best ways to add serious Bluetooth sound to your handlebars without getting into a full stereo install. Clean, loud, weatherproof, and tough enough for real-world riding.
Alternative Option: The Boss Audio Rebel 600 is another solid option if you’re looking for a clamp-on system with a little different mounting flexibility. They include a 600 Watt max 2 channel amp with Bluetooth receiver.
Lexin S35 delivers loud, clear sound with added style and safety features.
- Powerful 200W sound
- Bluetooth 5.1 + FM radio
- Water-resistant with turn signals
- Needs hardwiring to ignition
Our Review: The Lexin S35s hits a sweet spot for value and ease of use in handlebar speakers. We’ll be checking them out to come back with a full review.
Kuryakyn Road Thunder Bluetooth Sound Bar Plus by MTX
The Kuryakyn Road Thunder Bluetooth Sound Bar Plus is a full sound system built into a compact handlebar-mounted unit. Powered by MTX, it packs two tweeters, four mid-range drivers, and a built-in amplifier delivering 150 watts RMS, giving it real strength and clarity at speed.
It mounts securely to your handlebars with minimal hassle, as long as you check your fitment (see Revzilla’s fitment tab). Bluetooth connectivity comes standard, and it includes a USB port to keep your phone charged during longer rides. The bar is rated IP66 for weather resistance and built to handle rain, dust, and road grime without a problem. An integrated heat sink helps keep the amp cool even after hours on the road.
The Road Thunder is a solid choice for riders who want better sound and real volume without going for a full fairing or bagger system.
The Catch? It’s significantly more expensive than basic handlebar speakers. The sound bar form factor might not appeal to everyone aesthetically. While powerful for a handlebar unit, it still won’t match the bass response or overall output of a multi-speaker fairing/bag system. Installation is slightly more involved due to wiring for power.
Silver Lining: Packs serious volume, decent sound quality with multiple drivers, and convenient features like USB charging into a single, robust, weather-resistant handlebar unit. It’s a powerful all-in-one audio solution.
Alternative Option: You can opt for separate amplifier and speaker kits like Boss Audio – it offers potentially more placement flexibility but requires more complex installation than the all-in-one soundbar.
Powerful, weather-resistant sound bar built for high-performance audio on the road.
- Crisp and loud audio with dual speakers and four tweeters
- Built-in Bluetooth and USB charging port for convenience
- Weather-resistant design ideal for all riding conditions
- Volume may vary depending on the Bluetooth device used
Our Review: The Road Thunder Sound Bar Plus is a popular choice for riders wanting big sound without a full fairing system. We’re aiming to review it on It’s Better On The Road.
Best Integrated Motorcycle Audio Systems
Getting real sound out of your bike means moving past clamp-on speakers and building something solid. Integrated audio systems give you way better volume, cleaner sound, and a setup that actually looks like it belongs on the bike, not something you slapped on last minute.
You’ve got two ways to go about it:
Building your own setup: This is where you piece it together yourself. Pick your own speakers (usually marine or powersports gear that can handle weather) and your own amp, then figure out the mounting and wiring for your bike. Takes more time and a little more know-how, but you can build it exactly how you want it and make it work on pretty much any bike.
Buying a bike-specific kit: If you’re on something like a Harley Touring model, there are full kits that bundle speakers, amps, and all the wiring you need. They are designed to bolt right in without a lot of headaches. You lose a little flexibility because they’re built for certain bikes, but you save a ton of install time.
Wild Boar By Hogtunes 6.5″ Speakers & 400 Watt Amp Kit (Harley ’14+)
Hogtunes’ Wild Boar Audio kit upgrades your front fairing with real power and clarity. It pairs a set of high-efficiency 6.5-inch speakers with a compact 400-watt, 2-channel amp built to cut through road and wind noise without breaking a sweat.
The kit fits Harley Touring bikes (typically ’14 and up, check fitment tab on Revzilla to see if it fits your bike) and drops straight into the fairing. The Wild Boar speakers are built tough with carbon fiber cones and big magnets, giving you stronger sound and better power handling than stock. The amp pushes 200 watts RMS per channel and is tuned to work cleanly with the bike’s charging system. It also uses R.E.M.I.T. tech to keep FM radio interference down. Install is straight-up plug-and-play with bike-specific brackets and wiring harnesses.
This setup gives you loud, clear sound aimed right at you, built to hold up when you’re cranking it down the highway.
The Catch? This kit only upgrades the front speakers; you won’t get sound from the rear. Installation still requires fairing removal. While powerful, it’s a 2-channel system, limiting future expansion to rear speakers without adding another amp or swapping this one.
Silver Lining: Delivers a high-quality audio upgrade focused entirely on the front fairing speakers. Uses bike-specific components and harnesses for easier installation than universal parts. Excellent way to get truly audible sound upfront.
Alternative Option: Rockford Fosgate offers similar Stage 2 kits which include their amp and TMS65 speakers.
Premium sound upgrade built specifically for Harley Road Glide models with powerful, clean audio performance.
- High-output 400-watt amplifier delivers loud and clear sound
- Premium 6.5" speakers with titanium tweeters and carbon fiber cones
- Plug-and-play design with all mounting hardware included
- May require a dealer radio software re-flash for compatibility
Our Review: Focusing power on the front stage makes a huge difference. Wild Boar/Hogtunes kits are well-regarded in the Harley community. We’re exploring various stage kits to be able to share a review in the future.
Rockford Fosgate Gen-3 Stage 3 Audio Kit For Harley (Harley ’14+)
Rockford Fosgate’s Gen-3 Stage 3 kit is what you throw on when you’re done messing around. This setup gives you real amplified sound in the fairing and the bags, built to crush highway noise and keep it clear mile after mile. It’s made for Harley Touring bikes (mostly ’14 and up — see Revzilla’s fitment tab to double-check if it fits your bike) and comes with everything you need.
Up front, you get their TMS65 6.5-inch fairing speakers. Out back, a pair of TMS69 6x9s designed to drop right into saddlebag lids, usually with grilles, cutting templates, or even replacement lids depending on the kit. Running it all is the M5-800X4 amp, a true 800-watt, 4-channel beast that brings real volume without distortion. Every piece of the kit is Element Ready™, built to take rain, heat, and vibration without falling apart. The bike-specific wiring harnesses make installation way cleaner too, no crazy splicing or guesswork.
This setup surrounds you with sound. Crisp highs and mids blasting out the front, real mid-bass and punch coming from the bags. It turns your ride into a rolling concert hall you can actually hear at 80 miles an hour.
The Catch? This is a premium, expensive kit. Installation is complex, involving fairing removal, wiring front-to-back, and potentially cutting your saddlebag lids (unless the specific kit includes replacement lids). The powerful amp draws significant current. May require a dealer radio flash for optimal performance (like enabling fader).
Silver Lining: Delivers an incredibly powerful, clear, and full audio experience specifically tuned for your Harley. Uses top-quality, weather-resistant components designed for plug-and-play integration (relative to fully custom). It’s the benchmark for many riders seeking the ultimate factory-integrated sound.
Alternative Option: The Hogtunes Quadcast 500 is a serious setup if you want to go even bigger. It runs six speakers powered by two separate amplifiers, giving you a full front and rear sound stage with plenty of clean volume to beat wind and road noise.
An 800-watt premium audio upgrade built to deliver crystal-clear sound even at highway speeds.
- 800-watt amp with 4 channels for powerful and expandable sound
- Tuned speakers designed to cut through wind and road noise up to 75 MPH
- Plug-and-play installation with factory mounting compatibility
- Optional digital signal processor (DSR1) sold separately for full system optimization
Our Review: A full Stage 3 system transforms your bike’s audio. Rockford Fosgate kits are industry leaders. We’re exploring high-end setups on It’s Better On The Road. Stay tuned!
Boss Audio MC900B 4-Channel Weatherproof Amplifier
If you’re putting together a real speaker setup, you’re gonna need an amp. Stock head units just don’t have the muscle to push aftermarket speakers loud and clean at highway speeds. That’s where something like the Boss Audio MC900B comes in. It’s a compact, weatherproof amp built for powersports and marine use, which means it’s tough enough to survive motorcycle life.
This is basically the heart of your custom system. It grabs the signal from your phone over Bluetooth if you’re running without a head unit, or it can take RCA or speaker-level inputs if you already have a stereo.
From there, it bumps it up to real volume — pushing up to 500W max across four channels. Real-world power matters more though, and you’re looking at around 60 to 75 watts RMS per channel at 4 ohms, which is plenty to get your speakers cutting through wind and pipe noise. It’s small enough to tuck under the seat, inside a fairing, or even in a saddlebag if you’re tight on space.
Plus, it’s weather-resistant and comes with a wired remote you can mount on your bars to control volume without fumbling around.
The Catch? Installation requires tapping into your bike’s electrical system for power and running speaker wires, this is not plug-and-play. Needs careful setup to match speaker impedance and power handling. Sound quality is good for its class, but high-end audio enthusiasts might seek more premium amplifier brands.
Silver Lining: Provides essential amplification needed for aftermarket speakers in a compact, weather-resistant package, with flexible input options (including Bluetooth) making it adaptable to many custom motorcycle audio projects. It’s a popular and affordable core component.
Alternative Option: Kicker’s PXA series amplifiers offer similar compact, weatherproof performance, often with slightly higher RMS power ratings and different features.
A compact, affordable, and Bluetooth-enabled amp designed for ATVs, UTVs, boats, and more.
- Budget-friendly 4-channel amp with Bluetooth streaming capability
- Weatherproof design ideal for marine and powersport use
- No head unit required — Bluetooth remote handles streaming directly
- Lower power output compared to premium systems (94W RMS per channel)
Our Review: A compact, weatherproof amp is required for custom systems. We’re looking forward to testing it.
Motorcycle Speaker Specs: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Lexin S35 | Kuryakyn Road Thunder+ | Wild Boar Stage 2 Kit | Rockford Fosgate Stage 3 Kit | Boss Audio MC900B |
| Type | Clamp-On Spkrs | Handlebar Sound Bar | HD Kit Stage 2** | HD Kit Stage 3** | Amplifier (Only) |
| Primary Use | Budget Handlebar | High-Power Handlebar | HD Fairing Upgrade | HD Full System Upgrade | Custom System Power |
| Bike Fitment | Universal (Bars) | Universal (Bars) | Harley Touring ’14+ | Harley Touring ’14+ | Universal |
| Key Components | 2x Spkrs, Controller | Soundbar w/ Amp | 2x 6.5″ Spkrs, Amp | 4x Spkrs (6.5″+Rear), Amp | 4-Ch Amp w/ BT Input |
| Power (RMS Approx) | 200W (Amp Built-in) | 150W (Amp Built-in) | Amp: ~200W x 2 | Amp: ~800W Total (e.g. 200W x 4) | Amp: ~60-75W x 4 @ 4Ω |
| IP Rating* | IP67 | IP66 | Not officially specified | IPX6 | Not officially specified |
| Install Difficulty | Very Easy | Easy | Moderate | Difficult | Moderate |
| Price Range | $$(Budget-Mid) \$$ | $(Upper Mid-Range)\$ | $$(Upper Mid-Range) \$$ | $$$(Ultra Premium) \$$ | (Budget-Mid) |
| Get One / Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
*IP rating (Ingress Protection) shows how well something blocks dust (first number) and water (second number), with 6 being the highest for dust and 8 for water. An “X” means that part was not tested.
**In motorcycle audio, “Stage” means how big the upgrade is. Stage 1 is a basic speaker swap, higher stages add amps, more speakers, and more power. The bigger the stage, the louder and cleaner the sound at speed.
Note: Check specific kit details for exact components and fitment. Power ratings are approximate RMS figures where available; RMS for clamp-on units can be hard to verify vs. peak ratings. Install difficulty is relative. Price ranges are relative.
Buying Guide: Choosing Motorcycle Speakers That Rock
Want tunes that truly enhance your ride? Here’s what cruiser and Harley riders need to consider:
- Volume & Clarity at Speed: This is #1. Don’t just look at peak watts (often inflated marketing). Look for RMS wattage (continuous power) and speaker sensitivity (how loud it gets with 1 watt of power). Higher sensitivity is better. You need enough power to overcome wind, engine, and exhaust noise clearly without distortion. Speaker placement (fairing vs. handlebars vs. bags) also drastically affects perceived volume.
- Weather & Durability: Speakers live a hard life on a bike. Look for IP ratings (like IP66/IP67) indicating dust and water resistance. “Marine Grade” often means better resistance to moisture and UV rays. Components should also handle constant vibration. Rockford Fosgate’s “Element Ready™” designation is a good indicator.
- Installation & Integration:
- Clamp-ons: Easiest. Check handlebar diameter and wiring needs (usually just power/ground).
- Integrated Systems: Much harder. Does it require cutting? Are bike-specific mounting adapters needed? Are plug-and-play harnesses available for your model (huge plus for Harleys!)? Assess your technical skills honestly – pro installation might be worth it. Always verify compatibility with your exact bike year and model.
- Amplifier Needed?
- Most clamp-on speakers have built-in amps.
- Upgrading factory speakers (especially on Harleys) almost always benefits hugely from adding an amplifier. The stock head unit rarely provides enough clean power.
- Adding saddlebag speakers definitely requires an amplifier. Ensure the amp has enough channels and power (RMS watts) for all your speakers.
- Speaker Size & Placement: Bigger speakers generally produce more bass and volume (e.g., 6×9″ in bags vs. 6.5″ in fairing). Consider where you want the sound coming from – just the front, or front and rear? Fairing speakers provide direct sound; bag speakers add fill and bass reinforcement.
- Connectivity: Clamp-ons use Bluetooth – check version for range/stability. Integrated systems need to work with your bike’s head unit (stock or aftermarket). Check input/output compatibility if mixing brands or adding amps.
- Budget: Clamp-ons offer the cheapest entry point ($100-$400). Fairing speaker upgrades are next ($200-$500+). Adding bag speakers/amps significantly increases cost ($500-$1000+). Full high-end systems can run well over $1500-$2000+.
Don’t just buy the loudest or cheapest option. Consider how clear the sound needs to be for you at your typical riding speeds, how weatherproof it needs to be, and how complex an installation you’re willing to tackle.
Getting the right motorcycle speaker setup can transform your ride, choose wisely!
