Today, a short and to-the-point report from a radio replacement on a Harley – specifically a 2018 Electra Ultra Limited CVO.
Today, a short and to-the-point report on a radio replacement in a Harley—specifically a 2018 Electra Ultra Limited CVO. No fluff; we focus on what was done and what the final result is.
What did we replace??
On board there was the factory-installed Harley 6.5 GT. A decent, well-known unit, but it was replaced by the Soundstream Reserve HDHU.14si — a radio that already supports Harley-Davidson amplifiers and is fully compatible with the CVO version
After installation, the difference is clearly noticeable. The sound became cleaner, more detailed, and qualitatively more powerful than the GTS. Visually, it’s also an improvement — a modern, clear display that blends well with the motorcycle’s cockpit.
Operation and controls
The radio offers full handlebar control. Everything works exactly as it should. You need to spend a little time getting used to the operation, but afterward it becomes intuitive to use. This is the CVO version, so the radio controls the amplifiers without any issues. At our disposal we have:
- CarPlay (in this case configured wirelessly)
- radio, multimedia, camera
- access to motorcycle information while riding
Motorcycle data displayed on the screen
One of the biggest advantages of this radio is its integration with the motorcycle’s onboard computer.
Among the displayed items are:
- tire pressure (if the motorcycle is equipped with sensors)
- the ability to set alerts for selected values
- battery voltage
- error messages, oil status, and overall motorcycle condition
The second screen allows you to display:
- fuel consumption
- temperature
- speed
- engine RPM
The layout of the information can be freely customized — both in terms of content and the way it is displayed. The range of available data naturally depends on the number and type of sensors installed on the motorcycle.
Installation time and limitations
The entire process — installation along with full configuration and wireless CarPlay — took about 1.5 hours.
The only significant downside that needs to be mentioned: if you have the version CVO z WHIM (Wireless Headset / CB), then in this case the system will not work. If two-way wireless communication with the motorcycle is important to you, a better choice would be SOUNDSTREAM RESERVE V2.
Sound quality
In this motorcycle, the following system is used:
- one amplifier
- four speakers
“The radio controls the amplifier without any issues — everything powers up and operates exactly like in the original system. A 13-band equalizer is available, which offers extensive sound-tuning possibilities. Additionally, crossovers were set at 80 Hz to protect the speakers from overload at higher volume levels. The final result is very good — the system plays cleanly, dynamically, and consistently.
In summary, the Soundstream Reserve HDHU.14si is a very solid alternative to the factory radio. Excellent sound quality, a modern look, and extensive configuration options. If you don’t use WIM, this is a solution truly worth considering.
And if anyone is considering such an installation on their own motorcycle, feel free to get in touch.
