Some suppliers say that motorcycle audio has become some of their top selling products.
Elettromedia (Hertz, Audison) says its best selling speaker, of all its US models, is the Hertz SPL Show SX165 Neo–a motorcycle speaker introduced in 2022 with a $450 (MAP). This is almost triple the price of its previous best selling speaker, the Hertz Diece DCX 165 at $129.
Soundstream Reserve motorcycle radios are now the best selling head units at Epsilon. And motorcycle amplifiers and speakers are the sales leaders at Epsilon’s Precision Power brand.
“Motorcycle audio leads all categories,” says Epsilon’s Ronnie Brashear.
The Elite Distributor Alliance says motorcycle audio represented the highest growth category among its members over the past 18 months. Some of its vendors saw revenues spike as much as 25 percent in the segment. The EDA is now putting together a training program for dealers for 2025 that will help them better understand how to sell to the motorcycle audio customer, said the EDA’s Josh Eatherly.
Elettromedia USA is continuing to expand in the category and believes there’s still plenty of room for growth. Its US distributor and owner, Advanced Marketing, recently purchased American Hardbag motorcycle accessories and Velocity motorcycle audio.
“Our business continues to grow because of the motorcycle business,” said VP Elettromedia USA Rob Wempe.
The category is attractive to suppliers as they are able to expand beyond 12 volt dealers, selling to motorcycle custom shops.
“The motorcycle business is very exciting right now. Our 12 volt retailers sell it, but also a subculture of motorcycle shops that do wheels and customization of bikes are getting into audio,” Wempe said.
Some suppliers estimate only 20 percent of aftermarket motorcycle audio is performed at 12 volt shops at present.
For car audio retailers, the segment attracts an upscale Harley-Davidson customer. Rob Osheaski of manufacturer’s rep Echo Sales says, “It seems like that category has an 18 month cycle and then it changes to the next product. All my motorcycle installers, it seems, have a limited base of customers. They sell them what’s hot one year, say Brand X, but then Brand Y is hot and they come back for that. So they can sell more products.”
But some suppliers say motorcycle audio is a relatively small market that is already very competitive. For example, there are 8.8 million motorcycles on the road, an estimated 2.4 million of which are Harley bikes. Additionally, many aftermarket audio products are aimed at Harley touring bikes, which further limits the user base.
This compares to an estimated 280 milliom vehicles on US roads that can serve as the base for general car audio.
Brashear sees it differently. “There’s a ton of room for growth,” he said, estimating the penetration of quality audio in touring bikes is under 35 percent.
Photo: Rockford Harley audio kit
