Deciding to pull the particular trigger on the 2011 street glide radio upgrade will be one of the smartest moves you can make in case you're tired of that ancient manufacturer Harmon Kardon unit. Let's be real—the stock radio in the 2011 versions wasn't exactly the powerhouse when this was brand new, and over the 10 years later, it's fundamentally a relic. Regardless of whether your buttons are sticking, the display screen is bleeding pixels, or you're simply sick of having to use an aux cord like it's 2005, there are usually some incredible options out there today which will completely modify how you feel about your bike.
Why You Need a 2011 Street Glide Radio Upgrade
If you're nevertheless riding with the particular original setup, you're missing out on greater than just much better sound quality. The particular factory unit within a 2011 Street Glide lacks any sort of contemporary connectivity. You don't have Bluetooth, you definitely don't have got navigation, and trying to see that will tiny monochrome screen in direct sunlight is a nightmare.
Most riders start searching for the 2011 street glide radio upgrade because they will want their telephone to talk in order to their bike. All of us reside in a world of Spotify, Apple Music, and Search engines Maps. Having to fumble with a phone mount upon your handlebars in order to see where you're going isn't simply annoying; it's a safety hazard. Changing that old mind unit for a modern touchscreen can make the whole expertise smoother. Plus, the particular internal components associated with modern radios are much more effective, meaning even if you keep the stock loudspeakers (though I wouldn't recommend it), they'll actually sound the bit better just from a cleaner signal.
Choosing the Right Mind Unit for Your Fairing
Whenever you start shopping, you'll notice two main paths a person can take. You are able to go with a "marine-grade" single-DIN device that looks like a traditional vehicle stereo, or a person can go big with a double-DIN style touchscreen.
For the 2011 Street Glide, the double-DIN touch screen is the gold standard. Brands like Sony, SoundStream, and Kenwood have grown to be huge within the Harley community. The SoundStream Preserve series, by way of example, will be basically built specifically for these bikes. It fits into the "Batwing" fairing with no you having to cut or hack up your inner fairing, which will be a huge comfort for anyone worried about permanent modifications.
The Convenience associated with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
If you're going to spend the money, make sure the unit facilitates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This is the greatest "quality of life" improvement you may get. Once a person plug your cell phone in (or link wirelessly on some higher-end models), your own apps pop up right on the screen.
You get big, easy-to-tap icons with regard to your maps, your music, and even your messages. Having the ability to use voice commands to change a track or set a destination while you're cruising down the highway is the game changer. You don't realize exactly how much you require it until a person have it.
Dealing with Handlebar Controls
One of the biggest fears people have got when carrying out a 2011 street glide radio upgrade is losing their browse controls. Nobody desires to reach to the fairing to show the volume up or skip a track while they're doing 75 with.
The particular good news is definitely that almost most modern upgrade products come with, or even support, a handlebar control integration module. Units from companies like PAC or even Axxess allow the particular new radio to "speak" Harley. When you're buying your own kit, just make sure it's outlined as "plug and play. " This particular usually means the harness is already wired up therefore you don't need to spend hours with a soldering iron and a wiring diagram trying to puzzle out which purple wire goes where.
Installation Tips from the Garage
Installing a new radio in the 2011 Street Glide is actually a pretty fun Saturday afternoon project if you have got the right equipment. You'll mostly require a set of Torx drivers (T25 plus T27 are the usual suspects) plus maybe a several hex keys.
Tearing into the Fairing
The first phase is definitely the chilling for beginners: taking away from the outer fairing. It's actually simply seven screws. 3 hold the windscreen on, and four are on the "inside" of the particular fairing facing you. Professional tip: always keep a hand on the fairing when you take that last screw out so it doesn't flop forward and scratch your front fender. I usually toss a thick hand towel over the fender simply in case.
Once the fairing is off, almost everything is correct there within front of a person. The radio is definitely held in simply by four Allen mounting bolts. You simply slide it out, unplug the big 23-pin connection, and you're midway there. In case you bought a high-quality 2011 street glide radio upgrade package, the new device will slide right into exactly the same spot using the manufacturing plant brackets.
Don't Forget the Audio speakers and Amp
If you're heading through the trouble associated with pulling the fairing off, you should think about upgrading your speakers at the same time. The manufacturing plant speakers on a 2011 are paper-coned and rated for extremely low power. These people sound "okay" inside a parking lot, although once you get some wind noise and exhaust drone, they completely clean out.
Almost all guys choose six. 5-inch speakers. You'll need an adapter ring because the share holes are regarding 5. 25-inch speakers, but most upgrade kits include these. Moving to the larger speaker provides you way more mid-range and punch.
And when you really want to hear your songs at highway speeds, you're should retain an amplifier. A small four-channel amp can stick right on the top of radio bracket within the fairing. This offers the "juice" needed to push by means of the wind. With no amp, even the best radio will struggle to stay obvious when you're pinned at 80 with.
Keeping Your Gear Safe through the Elements
We ride motorcycles, and eventually, we're likely to get caught in the rain. This particular is a typical concern with a 2011 street glide radio upgrade . Several car-focused head devices aren't built regarding a downpour.
If you select an unit that isn't specifically rated for marine make use of, you'll wish to look into a sprinkle cover or the "bikini cover" intended for the radio. Nevertheless, many of the particular Harley-specific units today include an IPx6 or IPx5 waterproof ranking. This implies they can handle a dash or a weighty rain without baking the electronics. It's worth spending a little extra for a weather-resistant model so you aren't frantically looking for a plastic bag the 2nd you see a dark cloud.
Wrapping it All Up
In the end associated with the day, the 2011 street glide radio upgrade is about making your rides even more enjoyable. There's nothing at all quite like striking a long stretch of open road with your favorite playlist blasting crystal crystal clear through the fairing.
This modernizes the look from the bike, provides you features that will make riding safer and more practical, plus it adds several serious resale worth if you ever decide in order to move on to some newer model. It's one of these modifications where, as soon as it's done, you'll wonder why you patiently lay so long to do it. So, grab your own tools, pick away a head device that fits your style, and get that audio system sorted. Your ears will give thanks to you.