Comparison Summary
The shortlist divides into four practical formats. The Kuryakyn 2720 is a one-piece handlebar soundbar with an integrated four-channel amplifier, Bluetooth, AUX connectivity, USB charging, and IP66-rated housing. Separate speaker-and-amplifier kits such as the BOSS MCBK470B, BOSS MCBK420B, GoHawk TN4-R, and GoHawk TJ4-R provide more flexible placement but require more wiring and careful amplifier positioning. The GoHawk RD8 Silver and GoHawk TS3 Gen.2 add FM, USB or microSD playback, and onboard controls for riders who want more than phone streaming. The DS18 MP4TP.4A is the specialist choice for 1.5- to 2-inch tubes, four tower speakers, and a more involved custom installation. Before buying, measure the exact bar diameter, check clearance around controls and mirrors, confirm whether the amplifier is protected from water, and verify how the system connects to the motorcycle’s 12V electrical system.
Buying Guide
Sizing and Capacity
Sizing in motorcycle audio has two meanings: physical fit and usable coverage. Measure the exact handlebar or roll-bar diameter at the proposed clamp points, then check clearance around mirrors, levers, switches, cables, and the steering arc. The Kuryakyn 2720 accepts 7/8- to 1.5-inch bars, while the BOSS MCBK470B covers 0.75 to 1.25 inches and the BOSS MCBK425BA covers 0.75 to 1.5 inches. The DS18 MP4TP.4A is a different class of installation, with clamps for 1.5- to 2-inch tubes and four tower speakers. It is better for a roll bar or large off-road vehicle than a typical motorcycle handlebar.
Speaker count affects placement and coverage, not just loudness. Two-speaker kits are easier to fit and wire, while four-speaker packages can spread sound across a larger cockpit but require more mounting space. A 3-inch compact system may be appropriate for a small cruiser or scooter, whereas 4-inch speakers or a four-speaker package make more sense when the vehicle has room for them.
Feature Tradeoffs
Integrated soundbars simplify the system because the speakers, amplifier, controls, and connections share one housing. The Kuryakyn 2720 adds Bluetooth, AUX input and output, USB charging, and an IP66-rated housing in that format. Separate systems such as the BOSS MCBK470B and GoHawk TN4-R allow more flexible speaker placement, but their amplifier, wiring, and controller need their own locations.
Input flexibility also changes daily use. Bluetooth is convenient for phone streaming, while AUX is useful when a wired source is preferred. FM is valuable when a rider does not want to keep a phone connected. The GoHawk RD8 Silver and TS3 Gen.2 add FM and local media playback; the TS3 Gen.2 supports USB and microSD MP3 files, while the RD8 Silver’s USB port is for playback rather than device charging. Do not treat a maximum-wattage label as a direct promise of continuous output or intelligibility at speed.
Best For, Avoid If
| Profile |
Recommended Product |
Why It Fits |
Avoid If |
| Riders wanting the simplest premium handlebar installation |
Kuryakyn 2720 MTX Road Thunder |
The Kuryakyn 2720 combines its speakers and four-channel amplifier in one IP66-rated soundbar and adds Bluetooth, AUX input and output, plus USB charging. |
You need separately positioned speakers or a 1.5- to 2-inch roll-bar system rather than a compact handlebar-mounted unit. |
| ATV, UTV, golf-cart, boat, and custom large-bar owners |
DS18 MP4TP.4A |
The DS18 package includes four 4-inch tower speakers, a four-channel amplifier, and a Bluetooth receiver, with clamps for 1.5- to 2-inch tubes. |
Your motorcycle has a conventional small handlebar or you want a lightweight, quick-install system. |
| Riders who want four-speaker coverage from a universal kit |
BOSS Audio Systems MCBK470B |
The BOSS MCBK470B includes four 3-inch speakers, a Class D amplifier, Bluetooth, AUX, and an inline volume control. |
You want a one-piece soundbar or do not want to route and secure wiring for separate speakers and an amplifier. |
| Commuters who want 4-inch speakers and FM radio |
GoHawk TN4-R |
The GoHawk TN4-R combines two 4-inch speakers with Bluetooth 4.1, FM, AUX, a wired control, and fitment for common 7/8-, 1-, and 1.5-inch bars. |
You cannot place its non-waterproof external amplifier in a sheltered location. |
| Riders who want onboard controls and local music playback |
GoHawk RD8 Silver |
The GoHawk RD8 Silver provides Bluetooth 5.0, FM, AUX, USB playback, and housing-mounted buttons with a built-in amplifier. |
You specifically need USB device charging or want documentation that clearly identifies separate amplifier weather protection. |
Key Specs to Compare
Check these specifications in order:
- Mounting diameter: Match the exact clamp range to the bar, not merely the vehicle type. The DS18 package requires 1.5- to 2-inch tubes, while many universal motorcycle kits target 7/8- to 1.5-inch bars.
- Speaker arrangement: Compare two-speaker, four-speaker, soundbar, and tower-speaker formats according to available mounting space and desired coverage.
- Amplifier protection: The GoHawk TN4-R, TJ4-R, and TS3 Gen.2 identify the amplifier as not waterproof even though the speakers have weather-resistance claims. That distinction affects placement more than the speaker rating alone.
- Electrical range: Where published, check the system’s voltage limits against the motorcycle’s 12V electrical system. The BOSS MCBK420B and GoHawk TN4-R documentation provide explicit input ranges.
- Sources and controls: Compare Bluetooth, AUX, FM, USB, microSD, onboard buttons, wired remotes, and charging output based on how you ride.
- Included equipment: Confirm whether the exact ASIN includes the speakers, amplifier, receiver, brackets, remote, wiring, and any required control. A title that says “package” should still be checked against the feature list.
Setup and Handling Considerations
Universal motorcycle audio systems still need a clean 12V installation. Plan the power path before tightening the speakers so wiring does not interfere with steering, hot engine components, suspension movement, or moving controls. Separate speaker-and-amplifier kits need more planning than an integrated soundbar because the amplifier and controller must each be mounted securely.
Handlebar diameter is only the first fitment check. A clamp can technically fit while blocking a mirror stalk, crowding a brake reservoir, or leaving the speaker aimed away from the rider. The GoHawk systems with external amplifiers should have the amplifier installed in a shaded, sheltered area. The BOSS MCBK470B listing encourages professional installation, which is sensible when the buyer is not comfortable routing power and securing multiple components.
Maintenance and Longevity
Weather resistance is a boundary, not permission to treat the system as submersible. IPX5, IP56, and IP66 describe different protection levels, and they apply only to the component identified in the product information. In particular, protect an amplifier when its documentation says it is not waterproof, even if the speakers are weather-resistant.
After wet or dusty rides, keep connectors and control surfaces clean and allow exposed components to dry according to the manufacturer’s care guidance. Periodically check clamp tightness, cable strain, and the condition of power connections. Vibration and repeated steering movement can loosen hardware or pull on wiring even when the audio components themselves are weather-rated.
Reliability Signals
The most useful reliability signals are specific protection ratings, declared voltage limits, clearly identified component boundaries, secure mounting hardware, and a warranty that applies to the exact purchase channel. The Kuryakyn 2720 lists an IP66-rated housing and a one-year manufacturer warranty. BOSS products in this group list three-year warranty coverage, while GoHawk products list one-year limited parts coverage on the supplied product information.
A stronger specification is one that tells you what is protected and under which conditions. “Weatherproof speakers” is less useful than a statement identifying an IP rating and separately explaining that the amplifier must stay sheltered. Likewise, a stated 2-by-15-watt amplifier rating gives a more practical basis for comparison than a maximum-wattage figure alone.
How to Compare Reviews
Start with the exact model number, because similar-looking motorcycle audio products can have different speaker counts, clamp ranges, amplifier protection, and included controls. A review or product description for the GoHawk TN4-R should not automatically be applied to the visually similar TJ4-R, and the BOSS MCBK420B should not be confused with the four-speaker MCBK470B.
Look for comments or documentation that address the buyer’s actual use: whether the controls remain reachable, whether the system stays clear at riding speed, whether the mounting hardware matches the stated bar range, and whether the amplifier can be placed under shelter. Separate installation experiences from listed specifications. If a reviewer discusses loudness, check whether the model’s published information provides continuous output or only a peak figure before treating that observation as a general comparison.
Common Mistakes
The most common mistake is choosing by maximum watts alone. The BOSS MCBK420B and Kuryakyn 2720 both use prominent maximum or peak figures, but those numbers do not establish continuous output. A second mistake is assuming the speaker’s weather rating covers the amplifier; several GoHawk systems explicitly separate those conditions.
Buyers also overlook bar clearance, choose a kit whose clamps do not match the actual diameter, or assume every “package” contains the same remote and wiring. Forgetting the power path is another avoidable problem: Bluetooth does not eliminate the need for a suitable 12V connection. Finally, do not assume USB means charging. The GoHawk RD8 Silver supports USB music playback but does not charge a connected device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do motorcycle sound systems need a separate amplifier?
Not always. The Kuryakyn 2720 and GoHawk RD8 Silver have built-in amplification, while products such as the BOSS MCBK470B, GoHawk TN4-R, GoHawk TJ4-R, and DS18 MP4TP.4A use a separate amplifier or receiver arrangement. Separate components can improve placement flexibility but require more wiring and weather planning.
What handlebar size should I measure before buying?
Measure the outside diameter where each clamp will sit, then check nearby controls and steering clearance. The listed products range from compact 0.75- to 1.25-inch fits through 7/8- to 1.5-inch ranges, while the DS18 MP4TP.4A is intended for larger 1.5- to 2-inch tubes.
Are the amplifiers waterproof?
Do not assume that they are. The GoHawk TN4-R, TJ4-R, and TS3 Gen.2 specifically identify the amplifier as not waterproof. Their speakers may have weather-resistance claims, but the amplifier still needs a sheltered mounting position.
Is a higher wattage system automatically louder or better?
No. Maximum or peak wattage is not the same as continuous output, and usable sound depends on speaker placement, clarity, wind and engine noise, and the amplifier’s actual rating. The GoHawk TN4-R’s published 2-by-15-watt rating is more informative for comparison than a large peak number alone.
Final Recommendation
The Kuryakyn 2720 MTX Road Thunder is the best overall motorcycle sound system in this group because it combines a handlebar-friendly format, integrated four-channel amplification, Bluetooth, AUX input and output, USB charging, and an IP66-rated housing. Choose the DS18 MP4TP.4A instead when the vehicle has a 1.5- to 2-inch roll bar or another large mounting structure and needs four-speaker coverage; its larger, more involved package is better suited to that installation than the Kuryakyn soundbar.
