ZZ Preview — About MAA

About MAA

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.

Motorcycle audio, and nothing else

A dedicated specialist business built to help riders make better decisions and build complete systems around the motorcycle, the rider and the intended result.

Our story

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, with a practical, rider-first approach to motorcycle audio.

After years of working with Harley-Davidson motorcycles, electrical systems and model-specific fitment, it became clear that motorcycle audio needed more than a shelf of speakers and amplifiers.

Riders were spending good money on products that did not always work together. Speakers were being selected by wattage alone. Factory integration was misunderstood. Amplifiers were added without considering the charging system. Expensive builds were being installed without proper setup or tuning.

MAA was created as a dedicated specialist business to help riders make better decisions and build complete systems around the motorcycle, the rider and the intended result.

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-radio 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.
Those details are not side issues. They are part of designing the system properly.
What we do

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. Both are welcome.

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

How we work

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 do not begin by asking which brand or amplifier you want.

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.

We recommend the system that suits the rider — not automatically the biggest or most expensive option.

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 customer’s future upgrade plans.

More speakers and more amplifier power do not automatically produce a better system.

Every component should have a clear job.

03Clean Integration Matters

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.

We do not cut the factory loom simply because it is quicker.

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 not an automatic upsell, and it cannot correct poor system design or installation. Where a simpler system can be configured safely without it, we will explain that option and its limitations.

For applicable workshop builds, setup and tuning are treated as part of delivering the system — not as an afterthought once the equipment has been installed.
Brands and riders

What we stock, and who we help

We carry different brands and price levels on purpose.

Who we helpHarley-Davidson Touring, and beyond

Harley-Davidson Touring riders are the core of what we do, 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.
Find us

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.

Address1/67 Araluen StreetKedron QLD 4031
Phone07 3350 1354Brisbane, Queensland
Salessales@motorcycleaudio.com.auOrders and product advice
Supportsupport@motorcycleaudio.com.auFitment and troubleshooting
Workshop visitsBy appointmentPlease call before visiting
Where to next

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.

Our approach to consultation, system design, installation, tuning, testing and customer support is set out in The MAA Way. It explains how we approach the complete project, why we recommend certain solutions and what riders should expect from an MAA-designed system.

Motorcycle Audio Australia
Sound That Rides