Australian-owned, rider-run, and focused on one thing.
Motorcycle Audio Australia is a Brisbane-based specialist workshop and online store helping riders build audio systems that work properly on the bike — not just on a spec sheet.
We look at the motorcycle audio system as a whole — from the source and factory integration through to speakers, amplification, electrical capacity, installation and tuning.
Built by riders, for riders
Why a dedicated motorcycle-audio business needed to exist at all.
The businessOwned and operated by Nate Ford
Motorcycle Audio Australia is owned and operated by Nate Ford and was built around a simple idea: a motorcycle audio system should be designed around the bike, the rider and the result they are trying to achieve.
That means looking beyond individual products. The source, factory integration, speakers, amplification, electrical system, installation and tuning all have a part to play, and changing one part of the system can affect everything around it.
We also do not believe every rider needs the biggest system or the most expensive equipment available. Some motorcycles need a complete redesign. Others may only need the right speaker upgrade, better integration or proper setup to achieve what the rider is looking for.
The role of MAA is to understand the complete system, explain the options clearly and help riders make decisions that make sense for their motorcycle, their expectations and their budget.
The problemWhy motorcycle audio is different
A system that sounds good in a car or workshop does not automatically work on a motorcycle.
It has to compete with wind, road and engine noise. It has to operate within a limited charging system, fit into tight spaces and survive heat, moisture, vibration and long periods of high-output use.
Harley-Davidson Touring motorcycles also have their own platform-specific challenges:
- Factory source signals, equalisation and signal processing.
- Handlebar-control and vehicle-integration requirements.
- Limited fairing and saddlebag space.
- Different speaker positions across models and generations.
- Factory amplifiers and low-impedance speaker systems.
- Electrical limits that become important as system power increases.
From a first speaker upgrade to a full custom system
Some customers want a straightforward upgrade they can install themselves. Others want a complete system designed and installed through our Brisbane workshop. Whether it is a simple speaker upgrade or a complete workshop build, the same principle applies: understand what the rider is trying to achieve and make sure the parts work properly together.
System planning and product selection
Harley-Davidson fitment and compatibility advice
Factory-radio and vehicle integration
Amplifier and DSP system design
Speaker, midbass and subwoofer systems
Electrical and charging-system planning
Workshop installation
DSP setup and tuning
Troubleshooting and technical support
Warranty assistance and future upgrade planning
The result first, then the system, then the install
Our full approach is set out in The MAA Way. These are the four parts of it that shape almost every build.
01We Start With the Result
We start with the result, not the parts list.
We begin by asking what you ride, how you ride it and what you want the finished system to do. That may be:
- Clearer sound at normal riding speeds.
- More usable output on the highway.
- Better balance between front and rear speakers.
- Stronger midbass.
- Genuine sub-bass.
- A complete show or competition system.
Two riders with the same motorcycle may need completely different builds.
02We Design the System as a Whole
The source, speakers, amplifier, DSP, wiring, electrical system and speaker locations all affect the final result.
We consider how those parts work together before recommending equipment. That includes:
- The role of each speaker position.
- Speaker sensitivity and usable frequency range.
- Amplifier power at the actual operating impedance.
- Factory-radio signal quality.
- DSP and independent channel-control requirements.
- Battery and charging-system capacity.
- Installation space, weather exposure and serviceability.
- The rider's budget, priorities and future upgrade plans.
More speakers and more amplifier power do not automatically produce a better system.
03Integration Should Protect the Motorcycle
A quality installation should protect the motorcycle and remain serviceable in the future.
Our workshop preference is to use purpose-built adaptor harnesses, reversible connections and non-destructive integration methods wherever the bike allows it.
Where custom wiring is required, it should be correctly sized, fused, mechanically protected, weather-resistant and routed away from heat and moving parts.
Any parts removed during a workshop build are protected, labelled and stored safely until they are refitted.
04DSP and Tuning
We strongly recommend digital signal processing for amplified systems, particularly multi-speaker and custom builds.
The DSP may be built into the amplifier or installed as a separate processor. It gives us control over channel levels, crossovers, equalisation, phase relationships, time alignment and speaker protection.
DSP is recommended where it gives the system meaningful control or protection, but it is not a substitute for good system design or installation. Where a simpler system can be configured safely without it, we will explain that option and its limitations.
What we stock, and who we help
No single brand or product range is the right answer for every motorcycle or every build. We carry a range of specialist products so we can choose equipment around the application rather than designing the application around one catalogue.
Products we stand behindSpecialist motorcycle-audio brands
MAA stocks and supports specialist motorcycle-audio products from brands including:
- Cicada Audio
- Hertz
- Soundstream Reserve
- Rockford Fosgate
- Precision Power
- Velocity Speaker Design
- Wild Boar Audio and Hogtunes
Who we helpHarley-Davidson Touring, and beyond
Harley-Davidson Touring is where most of our experience, product development and system work is concentrated, including:
- Road Glide.
- Street Glide.
- Ultra and Limited models.
- CVO Touring models.
- Tri Glide and other Harley-Davidson trikes.
- Road King and other custom touring builds.
We also work with Indian Motorcycles and consider suitable custom projects for other touring platforms.
Our customers include:
- Riders installing equipment themselves.
- Customers working with a local installer.
- MAA dealers and installation partners.
- Riders bringing their motorcycles to our Brisbane workshop.
- Customers planning complete custom builds.
Brisbane workshop, Australia-wide support
Our workshop is located in Kedron on Brisbane’s north side. Workshop visits are by appointment so we can give each rider and motorcycle the attention required. Our online store ships Australia-wide, and we support customers and dealers throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Not sure where to start?
Tell us what you ride, how you ride it, what is currently fitted and what you want the system to do. We will help you work out what it actually needs.
Prefer to work through the options yourself? Try the system builder — choose your bike and speaker locations, and it will help you build a matched system with the right amplifier, speakers, wiring and factory integration.
- 6.5-inch motorcycle speakers — a common starting point for Harley-Davidson Touring models.
- Complete motorcycle-audio systems — matched packages designed to work together.
- 2024+ Harley-Davidson Touring — Skyline OS integration and audio upgrades.
- Custom audio builds — systems designed around the rider and the bike.
Want to understand how we approach a complete build? The MAA Way explains how we design, install, tune and support the systems we recommend.
Motorcycle Audio Australia
Sound That Rides