2002 VL800 Intruder - Safe to add Speakers and USB Port?

Hi guys,

I am riding an VL800 2002 Intruder and was looking into getting some speakers to mount up to the handlebars as well as a usb port for convenience in case needing to charge over a long ride. I have a batter pack, but am thinking if I go for adding speakers rather than inside the helmet headphones - that I might enjoy it more and it be cheaper/safer.

My friend told me he put a USB on his Honda Shadow 750, but it toasted his battery - so Im worried about doing anything that might mess with mine, as this is an older bike and I had the battery die on me once just leaving the key in and walking my mom around the block back to her house.

Could anyone speak to some of their experience with putting in one or both of these mods with my bike? Or have any advisement on whether I should go for helmet communication/camera recording, rather than a mounted set up like I plan on - USB could be used to charge a camera, and also a phone, while speakers are also hooked up to the battery.

Thanks guys!

Hi futurepron there might be a write up of someone fitting speakers to there bike on the site I know that speakers have been fitted by at least one member to a c800 there is also a mod where a larger battery was fitted with write up this may help if fitting speakers as far as your bike running battery flat by leaving key in for lets say 10 minutes I cant comment on that as I never leave my bike switched on I do know that having an alarm fitted to your bike will run a battery flat in about a week maybe 8/9 days if you don't ride bike or don't plug it in to keep battery charged sorry I cant help more mate hopefully someone will give you the answers your looking for 

I don’t think a usb would be a problem.... I hooked mine up to the ‘not everyone knows about it’ spare live in the headlamp bowl. (My Bike was 05... maybe yours has the same).

From other stuff I’ve read on Bike forums etc, people seem to run a little waterproof amp to power the speakers, otherwise you struggle to get the volume etc you need to hear it. I think it’s the amp that can be a battery drain.

Unless your just thinking of a self contained unit.... but no idea how loud or nice quality they are. There are a few of these types of thing on Fleabay for around £30

I had usb hooked up no problem. Easy install. (Read instructions carefully).
As for speakers... whats the point? Cant hear them while driving. Get a headset. Much better sound quality and the ear pieces cut down wind noise in the helmet.

I know what you mean billy. But I always thought “what’s the point” with speakers, until i bought my victory with amp and speakers factory fitted  in the fairing, and I love it. Never have it on more than 60% volume and can hear it “just about ok” at 70....