T A F F
We can only hope that mother nature has plans that will keep us rolling and out of the ditches!!!!!!
But before we talk about that let’s chat a little about the awesome month we just had ..
The Rat Run , What a great turnout!!
We started at Shirley’s and just like every year Shirley’s did not disappoint.
Shirley and her bar have been a staple with the Rat Run for ever and like every year the lot was full of happy faces seeing old friends at this last big event before summer comes to an end. Then on to Longshots where the bikes flew, the cars drifted and there were lots of vendors, bands and one of the waitresses from a restaurant we go to all the time won the wet t-shirt contest!!!
Then came The Ride for Wishes, It was a beautiful two days of Bikes ,and venders and people helping people.. We would like to thank Kimberly Graf, St. Charles Harley and all the sponsors that helped support and make this great event happen..
So, let’s move into November . There is still stuff happening out and about....
First off Chop, Rod Ramble at the Hawg Pit in Grafton Il. Always a great time if you can make it up !!!
Bad Habit band will be at Twin Eagle Lake for the Bad Habit Halloween Show on November 8th. Infringement will be playing at The old Mill on November 8th also , I suggest you flip a coin because you can’t go wrong at either show!!!
On Tuesday November 11th is the 9th Annual Veterans Day Breakfast At Amvets Post 42 in Herculaneum, MO 8am till it’s all gone....
On November 26th KT’S Saloon will be hosting Infringement for Thanksgiving Eve !!!!!!! It’s one of the best parties of the year !!!!!!
We hope you have an awesome November and an even better Thanksgiving and we will see you out there.................
Nick & Dina Full Throttle Magazine
Pick Up Locations
AMVETS Post 6
St. Charles Harley-Davidson
CD Warehouse
Inkbox Tattoos
Helen Fitzgerald’s
Borgetti's Bar & Grill
Holties Restaurant & Pub
Tenbrook Station Lounge
TJ'S Bar & Grill
Joe Clark's Restaurant
Kenny's Bar & Grill
St. Louis Harley-Davidson
Tuners on Main Street
Crossroads Bar
The Hideout
Chicken Coop
Zoe’s Place
21 Rock
Tuckers Place So County
Bobby's Place
Graf Group Insurance
Fairway Automotive
Chucks Boots -Fenton
Chucks Boots -St Peters
Diamond Music Hall
Chariots of Fire Customs
Big St. Charles Motorsports
The Tavern at Clifton Heights
Custom Detail
Hooters (So County)
Hooters Maryland Heights
Hooters St. Peters
Reds Tavern
C&S Cycle
Rivercity Cycle Parts
The Filmore CARQUEST Auto Parts-Arsenal
Chippewa Tire
KT’s Saloon
The Shanti
Hessler’s Pub & Grill
The Off Track Saloon
The Barn
Hermann’s Automotive
Cycle Gear (So.County)
Shirley’s Bar & Grill
Memoreze at JR’s Saloon
The Car Audio Shop - Westport
The Car Audio Shop - Highridge
Jovick Brothers Burgers
PLAYMAKERS Sports Bar
Model: Amber
Shoot Location: Big St. Charles
Next Level Audio
Harley-Davidson’s latest advance in motorcycle audio comes in the form of its Stage III Audio with Saddlebag CutIn system—a bold move to bring top-tier sound to the touring crowd. For riders who demand crisp highs, deep bass, and rock-solid durability, this is a kit that changes the conversation. Here’s a comprehensive look at what it is, how it works, and what it means for the ride.
What is the Stage III Audio + Saddlebag CutIn Kit?
In early 2025, Harley-Davidson, in partnership with Rockford Fosgate, announced its Stage III audio lineup, aimed at riders of 2023.5and-newer Street Glide and Road Glide models, among others. At the heart of this suite is the 4speaker kit that augments the fairing speakers with a new 6″×9″ saddlebag speaker cut-in system.
What makes it stand out:
· The kit allows you to use your original saddlebag lids—you don’t have to replace or heavily modify them. It provides a cutin template, along with a bucket and backer system to cradle the new speakers.
· The speakers and components are “Element Ready,” built to withstand vibration, dirt, UV, and water—essentials for any serious touring audio system.
· The 6.5″ fairing speakers and the 6×9″ saddlebag speakers are designed with a 3way bridge-mounted system to deliver balanced sound across frequencies.
· In addition, the kit comes with a 500-watt primary amplifier.
Fitment & Compatibility
· The cut-in version fits 2023.5later FLHX & FLTR models.
· It is designed to be plugandplay with factory wiring on compatible models.
Power and Output
Each of the new speakers is rated to handle up to 250 watts of power. The design engineers reworked the motor structures and heat dissipation to handle the extra load—an upgrade over prior systems.
Because the saddlebag speakers are 6×9″ instead of the older, smaller sizes (5x7s in prior systems), the system yields more volume, deeper bass, and a generally more “full” sound.
Installation & Practical Considerations
The cut-in system is engineered for riders and shops alike:
· A printed cutting template lets you accurately mark speaker openings in the stock saddlebag lid using simple handheld tools.
· A bucket and backer cradle the speaker, supporting it structurally and protecting it.
· All installation hardware is included, and the kit is intended to be “garage-ready” in many cases.
· Harley also published a video that walks through the cut-in process step by step.
Pros, Trade-Offs & Final Thoughts
Advantages
1. Significant sound upgrade over stock — more ity, more volume, better balance.
2. Factorylevel integration — using the original lids and integrating with Skyline OS reduces chance of “bolt-on” mismatch.
3. Durability — Element Ready construction proper vibration handling make it suited for the road.
4. Plug-0 lessens the complexity of wiring, compared to custom aftermarket systems.
Considerations & Drawbacks
· Installation is more invasive than a simple speakswap—cutting is permanent.
Conclusion0
Harley-Davidson’s Stage III Audio with Saddlebag CutIn is a mature, well-thought-out effort to deliver upgraded audio performance without forcing radical modifications. touring riders who want louder, cleaner, and more refined sound, this is likely the strongest option already inte grated into Harley’s parts ecosystem.
If you like, I can mock up a “spec comparison” older Stage II vs Stage III, or find reviews from uswho’ve done the install. Do you want me to pull those
Thank you for reading Rocky@ St Charles Harley Davidson
