Low Rider ST - Rockford Fosgate Audio Issues

[@FFL-vg9ro]

22 FXLRST - I ride with a full face helmet and ear plugs. I don’t even need to go to max volume to enjoy the audio at highway speeds, but then again with the ear plugs I’m not fighting the wind noise. I can’t imagine riding at 80 with no helmet and still being able to hear anything at all but deafening wind noise. After a life of playing drums and rock music, I need to keep what hearing I have left.

[@rebelsroguesco]

Totally understand. I ride with a full face helmet and ear plugs from time to time (mainly long trips) and I can't hear it at all when I'm riding like that. I always swap to my helmet audio for those trips. The problem I have here is that the audio clips at max volume. I don't expect the audio to sound crisp and clean at 80 mph with no helmet on. However, I do expect a $1,000+ unit to work for longer than a week before it starts malfunctioning.

[@SpazEKMSPhx]

When you say clipping out, do you mean the audio stutters? Just trying to get clarity as my system is stuttering or whatever not sure of lower volume impacts it or if it is the Bluetooth connection.

[@brokenspokes6731]

4 months to get my ST and 9 months to get the stereo - I have not installed my stereo yet but will be later this spring.

[@rebelsroguesco]

I hope yours is flawless!

[@SpazEKMSPhx]

I'm very curious cause it drives me nuts, and I'm trying to figure this shit out.

[@rebelsroguesco]

Sorry for the delay, brother. To your previous comment-yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. It has a "stutter" a max volume for me, where the audio just clips out entirely for a brief moment. I also thought it may have been the bluetooth connection at first. I diagnosed that up and down before I even brought it to the dealer. Turns out the bluetooth is working perfectly fine, but that the RF amp doesn't have enough juice to deliver to required power.

[@danielcurzon7829]

I've got a full JL audio system in my road glide that clips when I turn METAL music to 11. Usually got to back it off a couple ticks to keep it from clipping out. Guess I should just play the sweet, supple sounds of Adele from here on out.

[@rebelsroguesco]

H-D must have had only piano music in mind when designing their audio systems

[@jefflpo]

It’s states on Harley’s site that it’s meant to be played at any level. I left them a nasty review. After 9 months mine too is giving out and clips out passed 85% volume. I’m been battling the dealership. I even sent them a video to the shop phone of it clipping out with multiple songs. It even states in the return policy that it’s under warranty for a whole year. The amp is definitely faulty especially after it heats up. Like you, I don’t even want it anymore. I’d rather get nasty hog chopped bags and install to speaker lids. I got mine for around $900 because of military discount.

[@California__Kid__]

Guess I will NOT be buying the Rockford for my ST, u know if any competitors making an audio system for the ST?

[@alexanda977]

Plex audio is the way to go, you’ll actually be able to hear it on the freeway

[@rebelsroguesco]

As @alexanda977 said, I think Plex is the only other one I know of.

[@williamdavenport9996]

Mines great. No problems

[@samduncan3312]

I’ve had mine in for 2 weeks, put on about 1300 km and mine is now clipping… have you figured anything out yet?

[@rebelsroguesco]

Unfortunately, I have not. I reached out directly to Rockford Fosgate for warranty replacement, and they never got back to me. I'll follow up today.

[@TheSmokeychris2000]

Well I'm thinking of getting one of these units did they ever resolve your issue?

[@rebelsroguesco]

Nope, 2-ish years later and it's still unresolved unfortunately. I've basically put it out of sight, out of mind.

[@holyroman69]

i too have issues, but i have friends that have the same set up and listen to the same music as me and do not have issues, im stuck just like you, i dont even use it anymore cause it drives me crazy

[@rebelsroguesco]

100%. Just completely disappointed with the system. If I do run the system, I'm running it at 80% volume, and even there it clips a little now (I listen mostly to heavy metal). I reached out to Rockford Fosgate directly. Still nothing back from them yet, but maybe that's an option for you and you'll have better luck than I did.

[@jefflpo]

Mine is now clipping.

[@holyroman69]

Did you ever resolve the audio issues? I've been having that same issues since the beginning. I wish I knew a fix

[@rebelsroguesco]

Unfortunately, no. I talked to the Rockford Fosgate rep while I was in the Black Hills a few days ago and the dude looked at me like I was the crazy one. They had an FXLRST on display in their tent. I explained the issue I was having to him, and instead of believing me, he's like, "Well, give me a song and we'll try it out." I gave him the song MANTRA by Bring Me the Horizon (which always clips on mine) and he proceeded to connect it to the brand new FXLRST sitting in their tent and said, "See? Can play this all day long-no issues." It's like-no shit sherlock? My bike is the one having the problem, not your BRAND NEW one sitting in the tent. Not really sure where to go from here.

[@California__Kid__]

So Rockford and Harley were unwilling to correct your issue?

[@acim2228]

clipping ?????

[@MacRides1]

I have the system in my ST. I also own a Ultra Limited and sound with the stock batwing fairing sound is 100xs better. I do agree that over 65 mph its almost impossible to hear the RF system. So st highway speeds its useless. At this point ive come to terns with it and am either going to use helmet speakers or no music. And when i want to cruise highway speeds and hear music ull ride my UL. I agree its disappointing abd would expect better from RF

[@rebelsroguesco]

100%. That's how I feel as well. I don't recall ever having issues like this with my previous UL or Street Glide, even with stock audio setups. Granted, they both have less wind noise than my FXLRST does... but I'm working on that (just picked up the new 10" Klock Werks shield). I'm with you as well. Helmet audio is generally my choice between the two now-a-days. Around town-sure, I'll use the RF system. But any distance riding, I'll swap to my helmet BT audio.

[@matthewbenoit5199]

Get all your money back and it’s up to them if they want to take it out and make your bike look as good as it did when you brought it to them or they can leave it in for free and if they don’t like that call your local news channel and have them do an expose on it

[@Mrproper86]

I have none of the issues you have, something must be wrong with your unit. I have mine at full blast for an hour and zero issues.

[@rebelsroguesco]

That's what I am thinking. How long have you had yours? Mine started having issues within the first week of ownership.

[@eugenekilbride797]

I would talk to a lawyer

[@Konigkev]

I was disappointed in the volume as well. Kinda shit. The plex 2.0 is way better but it looks like garbage on the ST.

[@rebelsroguesco]

100% agree with you.