Audio, Communication & Navigation
About Audio, Communication & Navigation
Motorcycle audio, communication and navigation gear covers three jobs: playing music, talking with a passenger or other riders, and keeping a phone or GPS where you can see it. Riders add these parts to replace speakers that have blown, to bring sound to a bike that has no radio, to take calls and hear directions, or to mount a navigation device.
The sub-categories follow the signal path. Speakers reproduce the sound, and Amplifiers power them so you can hear over wind and engine noise. Complete Audio Kits bundle matching pieces for a specific model, which saves guesswork. Headsets & Intercoms are for talking with a passenger or other riders and taking calls, and Wiring Harnesses, Cables & Connectors join everything to the bike and supply charging power. The rest is in Other Audio, Communication & Navigation. Plan for power: an amplifier draws current, so make sure the charging system and fuse suit the load.
Brands here include Kicker, HardDrive, Cardo, RAM Mounts and Jensen. Many listings are made for particular models, especially Harley-Davidson touring bikes, so pick your bike in the Ride Finder at the top of the page. For tips on avoiding a wrong-part order, see our guide to avoiding the wrong part.
FAQs on motorcycle audio and communication
Do I need an amplifier to add speakers to a motorcycle?
Not always, since some factory radios can drive replacement speakers, but power is limited and wind noise is high at speed. An amplifier gives the volume headroom to hear music on the road, and many kits pair the two. Check the power rating of your radio and your speakers before you decide.
Will extra audio gear drain my motorcycle battery?
Amplifiers draw more current as the volume rises, and the charging system has to keep up. Run the system mostly with the engine on, use the fused power connection the kit supplies, and check that your charging system has capacity to spare. Long listening sessions with the engine off will run a battery down.
Is a Bluetooth headset better than bike speakers?
They do different jobs. Helmet headsets suit rider and passenger conversation, calls and voice directions, and they sit near the ears so wind noise matters less. Bike speakers suit shared music at lower speeds. Keep the volume low enough to hear traffic, whichever you choose.
How do I pick a phone or GPS mount?
Measure the handlebar or the mounting point, then choose a mount made for that size and for your device. Look for a cradle listed for your GPS model or a phone holder with a secure grip. Phone makers warn that engine vibration can harm phone cameras, so check your maker's advice.
