ogtunes, audio solutions for the great American cruiser is the heading at the top of the Hogtunes website. While most companies try to over-hype their products, Hogtunes uses their heading as a simple statement of fact. They really do offer audio solutions for American cruisers, that’s all they do, all they focus on, and everything they are about. If you have any kind of factory audio system on your touring bike, Hogtunes has products to make it better! Hogtunes owner Mike “PEZ” Pesdirz says “We do our best to offer above average products for the everyday average rider which makes our main competitor The Motor Company itself. The big difference is they are a bike company in the audio business, and we’re an audio company in the bike business!” Again, a statement of fact that lets you know you’re dealing with audio experts that focus their audio talents and products on motorcycles.
     Three of those outstanding new audio products from Hogtunes are now available through Drag Specialties. The new “Fairing Lower Speaker Kits” fit ‘98- current, vented, and non-vented lowers with Ultra type glove boxes, and are an easy way to add more speakers to customer’s bikes. The speakers in the glove boxes are angled upwards over 20 degrees letting the rider and passenger benefit from the extra speakers. The press fit grilles follow the lines of the glove boxes and blend seamlessly into the aesthetics of the bike. Like all Hogtunes offerings, they are easy to install and don’t require radio or ECM “re-flashing.” This makes it easy for everyone including independent shops, or end users to put in themselves.
     The first kit (Drag Part# 4405-0133) is designed for customers who already have the Hogtunes Ultrasound™ rear speaker add-on kit. If your previous Ultrasound™ customer has added OEM type fairing lowers, this kit will easily add the 3rd pair of speakers which gets powered off the amp that came with the rear speaker kit. Like all the Hogtunes fairing lower kits, the built in quick release disconnects allow for easy re & re of the lowers. For the customer with Ultrasound™ and lower speakers, he can take advantage of the quick release plugs for both rear speakers and the lowers. This allows him to have his tour box on, but the lowers off, or vice-versa. If he wants, he can go with no lowers, and no tour box. As the customer adds or removes bodywork for that day’s ride, the extra speakers that get put on the bike simply plug in, making his Hogtunes system completely “convertible.” At $199.95 retail (USD) it’s a great value added enhancement to the sound system that is relatively inexpensive.
     Next is their Fairing Lower Speaker Kit with amp (Drag Part# 4405-0134) for the customer with a 1998 or newer Ultra that already has Hogtunes speakers. With this kit, the radio will continue to power front and rear speakers while the amp power is dedicated for the third set in the fairing lower glove boxes. The supplied amp goes in the fairing and adheres on top of the factory radio using the supplied “hook and loop” material, and easily wires in using the supplied 100% plug and play wire harness. This kit also works with bikes that have added lowers, but no tour box, or Screaming Eagle Electra Glide Classics that came equipped with fairing lowers but no tour box. Either way, at $379.95 retail (USD) it’s a great way to get more sound by adding more speakers.
     The third new product is the one that Pez is most proud of. Hogtunes “3 Way For The Freeway” (Drag Part# 4405-0135) comes packaged for 2006 and newer “non-CVO” Ultra Classics and is a complete six speaker system with amp all in one box. The supplied amp adheres on top of the factory CB radio in the fairing, and powers the fairing speakers and the fairing lower speakers, while the radio continues to power the rears. By having the amp run the “front 4,” the radios built in front speaker power is bypassed, but can be used later to add a 4th set of speakers in special applications such as the addition of a side car. With a suggested retail of $549.95 (USD) this is a great package that dealers should consider selling even before the bike leaves the showroom, as it’s quick to install and could be included in the bike’s financing!
     All three of these new Hogtunes products are a different way to put a third set of speakers on the lower fairing of the bike. These are not slapped together products, Hogtunes has worked on these kits for over a year to ensure they work properly, install easily, and look like they belong on the bike.
     Hogtunes is dedicated to delivering fine audio products to your customers. They’ve just opened a new building, and started construction on a full-blown audio laboratory to enhance their testing and development. The lab will be fully soundproofed and will allow them to do all kinds of testing in a temperature and humidity controlled environment. At the start, a bike will be able to enter the lab to do on-bike testing and development in laboratory conditions with final R&D taking place on the road. Hogtunes plans to eventually have a dyno right in the lab so they can run a machine “at speed” and test for wind noise, exhaust noise, and of course sound. One Canadian company has already committed to using the lab to help develop future home audio products they offer, and one major motorcycle exhaust company has shown interest in the way Hogtunes can, and will be measuring all facets of sound.
     Hogtunes is an exclusive partner with Drag Specialties and is proud to say that in their three years with Drag they’ve had zero back orders. They have a solid 18-month plan for new products under the Hogtunes brand, and will continue to expand the Metrix Audio brand also carried by Lemans via Parts Unlimited. From simple speaker swaps, to complete add on rear speaker kits, to the full blown 6 speaker system, Hogtunes has products to make your customers happy! See your Drag Specialties rep to learn more and stock up on Hogtunes products.