AmpliRider

[ccryder]

In my never ending quest for Farkles, I was looking for a way to amplify some of my sound goodies. Since I have: AM/FM/ Weather, MP3, and now a Roady XT, I started looking for a way to amplify those signals into my Starcom intercom. After searching the Net, I found this product: http://www.electric-avenues.com/amplirider.html Gary is producing these little jewels for $65 delivered.

Needless to say I have one on order. He has even been talking about building in some priority over-rides for a radar detector to cut out other signals (Just like our intercoms can do). For riders that don't want, or don't have an intercom this would be a really nice feature. Plus being 12v powered you don't need to worry about batteries.

After I get it in my sweaty little hands and installed, I'll post some picts and a "review".

Time2Work
Neil S.

[STeve1300]

Is it wise to send an amplified signal into a Starcom or Autocom? Then again, those w/ mix-its are doing that aren't they?

[crazykz]

That's what I'm doing and it doesn't seem to matter to the intercom in the least.

I've seen that unit before and considered it because of the remote knob but that's usefull if you're going to hide the amp. Overall it seems like a good idea but I've found that I get loose connections so I set mine up so I can get to all my audio connections to the Mix-It without having to remove any plastic.

Curt

[HOG SLYR]

Thanks for the link. :bow1:

[tricky_micky]

Whilst I appreciate all the work and testing you guys are doing with these farkles.

I find that with the normal intercom earpieces in my helmet, and the audio system as such, my system sounds as if I were sitting in front of a home based sterio set up, and I cant see why one should want to integrate an amplifier to boost the signal?

I also ride with fitted earplugs, and the music through my intercom system really blasts me out and my ears are full of complete sterio music! I really cant see why you would want to amplify the sounds, perhaps I am missing something here, but after running all aspects, I can get a full integrated sterio system from the standard Autocom set up, without having to add amplifiers!

I may be completely off the thread...."Pardon, did you say something"...."No I am not deaf"......."And to you to ***"*ole!"

The mind boggles!

Mick

[Mike]

I agree Mic, with the Autocom I have no need to amplify my music, I actually have the volume control way down. But that's with ear buds, the autocom speakers worked great up to about 40mph after that it was just distortion...ear buds are cat's ***. but I think the custom fit ear molds are gonna rival them.

I am going with the Challenger M

http://store.yahoo.com/earplugstore/chmisearph.html

[tricky_micky]

I agree Mic, with the Autocom I have no need to amplify my music, I actually have the volume control way down. But that's with ear buds, the autocom speakers worked great up to about 40mph after that it was just distortion...ear buds are cat's ***. but I think the custom fit ear molds are gonna rival them.

I am going with the Challenger M

http://store.yahoo.com/earplugstore/chmisearph.html

Yup.

Thanks Mike, you have brought me back down to mother earth! I have done tests with the Autocom System and have found even with earplugs, I can hear everything up to about 80 MPH before I have to really listen to the music set up.

Regarding the cellphone, I have had a perfect conversation whilst I have been mobile on the bike at a speed well over 90MPH with torrential rain, and the caller asked me "Is there a tap running in the background"! It was not until I told him where I was and what I was doing did he really go overboard to the point of disbelief.

Things you can do on a bike compared with years ago!

Mick

[Blue STreak]

Needless to say I have one on order. He has even been talking about building in some priority over-rides for a radar detector to cut out other signals (Just like our intercoms can do). Neil S.

I told him, last summer, that if he added the priority overrides I'd definitely buy one from him.

[dond]

I agree Mic, with the Autocom I have no need to amplify my music, I actually have the volume control way down. But that's with ear buds, the autocom speakers worked great up to about 40mph after that it was just distortion...ear buds are cat's ***. but I think the custom fit ear molds are gonna rival them.

I am going with the Challenger M

http://store.yahoo.com/earplugstore/chmisearph.html
I haven't had my cuSTom molded plugs very long and I am STill adapting to them. I now hear things in songs that I never heard before and it kinda STartles me 8-) You're going to love them!

[tricky_micky]

It's cool.

I have my set up from the Autocom system, complete with custom earplugs I can hear the radio system brillaintly. If I have the tank bag on, I can quickly change over to the MP3 player or mini disk player.

All of it sounds like I have surround sounds in my home, in fact I would say it is better as there is no outside interference such as dogs barking, wives mouning or whatever. PLUS, I can hear any emergency vehicle appraoching should I need to hear it, but also it blocks out the moaning old mini complaining that you take up too much room on the highway on yer bike.

Done a lot of testing with systems, but it really is cool to be able to ride the bike, have your tunes coming into your ears in sterio, but still have the capabilities of hearing what is going on around you! What more do you want ?

Mick

[ccryder]

My main rationale is for the Roady XT, plus the lower you keep the volume on battery powered music ie: MP3 or my Sony AM/FM/ weather the longer their batteries last. Since the Roady XT does not have a handy volume control, this would substitue for that not being available.

I have used a Boosteroo for years to prolong the MP3/ Radio battery life. With this unit having 3 stereo inputs I could just plug them all in and then turn on what ever sound device I wanted to listen to and be able to adjust the volume. I have the Starcom unit adjusted so that I can use the intercom and hear my passenger clearly.

Look at my dash in the picture below. I'll probably keep my GPS in the center and mount my Roady on the left and move the Escort to the right side. I have a new power cord for the GPS so the speaker/ lighter plug will be removed along with the cig. plug. I'll mount the AmpliRider underneath the dash so the connections and volume control will be easy to reach. The Sony AM/FM/ weather mounts on the left side just below the coin holder

I grew up in the late 60's/ 70's and have listened to my share of loud music and don't do that too much anymore unless Dylan, Tull or Bruce is belting out some hot licks. After riding 20,000+ miles a year I probably should invest in a set of molded plugs because after those 400-600 mile days or those real windy ones my ears are sore.

I only offer up these farkles so someone else won't have to do the searching and trial and error. Please take this and everyone else's help as just that help to fellow riders.

Time2Ride.

Neil S.
:04biker:

BTW: The 2nd pict will hold my Glock 27, I do love that 40S&W (Just kidding that will be on my waist)

[Mike]

Hey Mick where was this stuff when we were riding years ago?? Same on the cell for me, I had to turn the volume down on that to as everyone said I was blasting them out.

Don D...I tried to log onto the site you supplied for the molded earplugs but could never get logged on, I kinda stumbled onto the Challengers but after talking to the folk there I was sold on them....really looking forward to getting them.

I would say stop wasting money on speakers and just get a great set of earplugs or headphones...what a difference....I keep my roady at level 2 and hear it clearly with routine ride speeds of 80-85 mph on the highway.

[Schavlan]

Did anybody ever get this AmpliRider ?
Did it do the trick, or is there too much distortion from the amplifier ?

[Chips Ahoy]

I have the Amplirider that is pictured at the beginning of the post. Plugged into it are an XM Roady2, Escort X50 (mono) and Garmin 2610 (mono). The output goes to the aux input of my Chatterbox GMRS-X1.

When I first got it, it was fine, but now I find that the volume is scratchy. One side cuts in and out when the volume is set in the middle range. The remote volume control is really handy but it's not waterproof (nor is the Amplirider). I'll be contacting Amplirider (Gary?) in a few days to see about getting it fixed. It may just be a bad one (cold solder joint maybe?) and I'm sure he will take care of me.

[SpEd]

My experience was the same as Chips Ahoy. It worked great when I first got it, but it seemed like the volume control was beginning to fail. I hope my Starcom lasts a little longer. LOL:biker:

[cooleytx]

Chips Ahoy

I have the Ampli Rider and have been very satisfied. I was one of the first to receive one. I did have a problem with one side cutting in and out. I removed the screws on the unit and found that one of the wires was loose. The wire could be tightened with a small screw driver. Once you open the unit you will understand what I have described. I did waterproof the control volume when I put it back together. I have the unit mounted in my left pocket.

[Chips Ahoy]

cooleytx,
I will take a look tomorrow to see if the fix is that easy (fingers crossed). Thanks for the tip.

[Schavlan]

I mounted my AmpliRider last night.

I ordered it with a 6.5 ft lead on the volume control.
I have the unit mounted in the tail section, right next to the MIT-100, so all the connections are readily accessible by simply removing the seat.
I mounted the volume control up on the riser of my Heli Bars, inconspicuouslly (sp?). I don't expect to be changing the volume much.

I can hear my MP3 player pretty well up to about 65 mph, so I'm a happy camper for now.

I've still got that Mix It and the filter, if anybody is interested in buying it.

I think I'm done with my mods for a while.


OOOPS, I wrote too soon.
I forgot, I upgraded my alternator to 14.5 volts of manly 14 amp power and I bought the H4 adapters, so I'll be upgrading the headlights..........................