10 Top Rated Stubby Harley Antennas for 2021
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Buying a great antenna for your Harley Davidson isn’t so complicated, although many riders are often overwhelmed by the process.
It’s because there are many different brands and companies that offer many antennas. Such a wide choice is often overwhelming, especially for people who are buying one for the first time.
Harley Davidson is a popular name in the industry. These bikes are among the sleekest, so it’s natural that you want the right Harley antenna for your bike.
For this reason, take a moment to discover some of the top models as well as their pros and cons.
10 Highest Rated Antennas for Harley Davidson Reviews
PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
---|---|---|
AntennaMastsRus | AntennaMastsRus Features: Low profile, quality coating Material: Raw 6061 aluminum Size: 4 inch | Check Price |
KEYO1E | KEYO1E Features: Convenient design, no-tool installation Material: ABS material Size: 4.9 inch | Check Price |
VOFONO | VOFONO Features: No tools required, no loss of reception Material: Premium metal Size: 7 inch | Check Price |
Maxracing | Maxracing Features: Durable and resistant, threaded mounting Material: 7073 aluminum Size: 3.2 inch | Check Price |
RAITO | RAITO Features: Compact and lightweight, quality reception Material: ABS materials Size: 4.8 inch | Check Price |
Kuryakyn | Kuryakyn Features: Flexible construction, for ’89-’19 models Material: Aluminum finish Size: 12 inch | Check Price |
TEKK | TEKK Features: Easy installation, short and sleek Material: Premium ABS plastic Size: 4.8 inch | Check Price |
CravenSpeed | CravenSpeed Features: Sleek bullet-like design, great reception Color: Billet aluminum Size: M - XXL | Check Price |
Rydonair | Rydonair Features: Low-profile construction, flexible and durable Material: Rubber Size: 7 inch | Check Price |
AntennaX | AntennaX Features: Good reception, plug-and-play installation Material: T-6061 billet aluminum Size: 5.5 inch | Check Price |
AntennaMastsRus – Aluminum
This one is specifically meant for Harley Davidson Street Glide 1989-2019 models. It’s a 4-inch aluminum antenna that’s manufactured and anodized in the USA.
It’s made from raw 6061 aluminum and anodized for added durability and cleanliness. The black finish gives it a sleek look, so it matches nicely with the rest of your accessories and equipment.
The anodized coating cannot flake off or peel. It gives the antenna a deep metallic appearance.
One of the best things about this one is that it’s easy to install. The entire installation process shouldn’t take long, and you don’t even need many tools.
This one is bendable for almost 90 degrees. Its AM/FM reception may vary depending on your geographical location.
Also, it comes in a pack of one or two antennas, which is great if you have more than one bike.
PROS
- Low profile
- Quality coating
- Easy installation
CONS
- Picks up only a few stations
KEYO1E – Easy Installation
This one is meant for 1998-2020 Harley Davidson motorcycles. It doesn’t affect the performance of your GPS Navigation, Bluetooth, On-Star, or Sirius XM radio.
KEYO1E is an injection antenna made of durable and strong ABS material. It features a built-in signal enhancement chip along with highly conductive copper internals.
It provides a strong signal for AM/FM radio and is also stylish looking. Most people appreciate its small design as it doesn’t spoil the overall look of your bike.
It measures 4.9 inches, so it’s unlikely to break off. Also, it’s easy to install since you don’t need any tools, cutting, or drilling.
All you have to do is unscrew your old antenna before screwing the new one in its place. The entire process takes a few minutes, even with minimal experience.
PROS
- Convenient design
- No-tool installation
- Stainless steel screws
CONS
- Cannot handle cold weather
VOFONO – Spiral
Vofono comes in a pack of two 7’’ antennas that fit all 1989-2019 Harley Davidson Road, Electra, Street, Trike, and Tour vehicles.
It’s designed with premium metal for supreme durability and resistance. On top of that, this one is wrapped by a flexible rubber to ensure some added resistance, which is especially important for commuters.
It’s important to note that the rubber is unlikely to chip or fade. It’s durable and meant to resist the test of time, regardless of the weather conditions you ride in.
The installation process takes less than a minute since you don’t need any tools. It also doesn’t matter if you don’t have any experience because you’ll receive a detailed instruction manual.
It’s intended for FM/AM radio signal, but it’s not compatible with GPS systems and satellite radio.
PROS
- Rubber coating
- No tools required
- No loss of reception
CONS
- Not for CB
Maxracing – Chip Resistant
Maxracing antenna is among the best choices if you’re riding every day and under all weather conditions. It’s a perfect fit for most Harley bikes, although you want to check fitment before purchasing.
It’s made from 7073 aluminum, featuring a hard black anodized finish. The finish adds to its overall durability and resistance, as it’s unlikely to chip or fade.
This one is ideal for replacing your stock mast/whip antenna. It’s short, so it won’t hit under car washes and parking garages. Plus, it doesn’t affect the performance of your GPS, On-Start, and Bluetooth.
It’s easy to install as it should screw onto your original mount. No wiring is involved, but make sure that the screw size fits your bike.
It brings both quality and durability, although it’s meant primarily for appearance enhancements.
PROS
- No wiring required
- Durable and resistant
- Threaded mounting
CONS
- Not a universal screw size
RAITO – Ideal for Radio
Raito might be the best option if you’re looking for a way to enhance the look of your bike. It fits GMC Acadia 2007-2015 and is shorter than OEM antennas.
This one is primarily intended for AM/FM radio signals. It has a built-in signal PCB board along with a highly conductive copper coil. The combination improves the overall sensitivity, enhancing the reception.
The body is made of ABS materials and is able to handle harsh weather conditions. As such, it’s ideal for commuters that ride throughout the year.
Keep in mind that this one is 4.8 inches long. It provides good reception quality without blocking your sight. Plus, it won’t hit into places because it’s shorter than factory antennas.
Another thing worth mentioning is that this one is easy to install as well. It doesn’t require any tools or wiring.
PROS
- Compact and lightweight
- Quality reception
- Doesn’t affect GPS or Sirius Radio
CONS
- A bit pricey
Kuryakyn – Two-tone
Kuryakyn is a two-tone antenna that features a rubber-over-molded spring base. The construction allows it to flex, which is especially important if you ride on bumpy terrain.
Its flexibility allows it to move along with the bike, so it’s unlikely to break or bend. However, its size may be an issue for some people, so make sure to think if it matches your needs and preferences.
It measures 12 inches, which is great for signal reception. It picks up on AM/FM/WB signals without any issues. Also, the installation process takes only a few seconds.
One thing to keep in mind is that you’ll need a set of hex wrenches as well as a blue thread locker to install this one. The tools required for the installation aren’t included in the packed.
PROS
- For ’89-’19 models
- Black and aluminum finish
- Flexible construction
CONS
- Requires an adapter to fit some bikes
TEKK – Modern Design
Tekk is a good choice for 1998-2019 Harley Davidson motorcycles. It’s designed to provide optimized FM/AM reception without affecting the performance of your GPS navigation, Bluetooth, On-Star, and Sirius XM radio.
It uses highly conductive double copper internals to improve sound quality. This also helps with interference resistance.
This one is made of premium ABS plastic and has a surface spray coating to resist corrosion. It’s durable and unlikely to show any signs of use even after a while of using it.
Another thing worth noting is the sleek design. This one is 4.8 inches long and looks very stylish and modern. It’s unlikely that it will get caught into things and breaking like longer antennas.
The installation process requires no tools, cutting, modification, or drilling.
PROS
- Easy installation
- Short and sleek
- Quality reception
CONS
- Somewhat heavy
CravenSpeed – Stubby
CravenSpeed Stubby antenna fits all 1998-2020 Harley Davidson motorcycles. It’s designed to match the factory base, which allows easy installation.
You don’t need any tools to install this one. It’s the same size as most models that Harley uses for their touring bikes. Plus, Stubby comes with instructions, so you don’t have to worry if you don’t have any previous experience.
It’s made of billet aluminum and is powder coated with a black texturized finish. The construction, along with its durable coating, allows longevity, making sure that it doesn’t chip or fade.
All the hardware is made of stainless steel to prevent corrosion and rust.
Reception is good for a 4-inch antenna since short ones usually don’t get as many stations as longer models.
PROS
- Sleek bullet-like design
- Great reception
- Easy to install
CONS
- Heavy
Rydonair – Flexible
Rydonair is a flexible antenna that fits 1998-2020 Harley Davidson bikes. One of the best things about it is that it’s flexible and made to resist all weather conditions.
The outer construction is made of rubber, allowing it to move. This also means that it’s unlikely to break in case it gets caught somewhere.
Another important thing to mention is its low profile. This one is only 7’’ and looks quite stylish and modern. The carbon fiber column on the bottom makes it easier for the base to hold onto the mount.
Plus, it’s easy to install since it screws onto the existing mount. The entire process takes a few seconds since no wiring is involved.
Rydonair is designed for FM and AM reception. It makes it easy to enjoy your favorite stations while riding.
PROS
- Flexible and durable
- Low-profile construction
- Easy installation
CONS
- Only for riding in town
AntennaX –Stylish
AntennaX fits all touring models from 1985 to 2020. It’s meant to replace your factory antenna as it has better reception and is also more stylish.
This one has a low profile, measuring only 5.5 inches. It’s made of T-6061 billet aluminum, featuring a hard silver anodized finish.
The construction and durable finish allow longevity, preventing scratches, fading, and other signs of use and tear.
It’s important to note that this one is quite easy to install. It’s a plug-and-play product, which means you just screw it onto the existing mount. It requires no wiring or drilling.
The combination of black and silver colors makes it stylish and modern. It will probably match well with all your biking equipment, enhancing the overall look of your bike.
PROS
- Good reception
- Plug-and-play installation
- Chip-resistant finish
CONS
- Not the best for riding out of town
What to Consider When Buying an Antenna for a Harley
Reception
The reception is the most critical feature to consider because it’s what allows you to listen to music while riding. The reception refers to the antenna’s ability to receive and transmit signals.
The reception determines the compatibility with FM/AM frequencies but also with GPS, CB and others. This is precisely why this factor is as critical if you’re looking for an efficient and functional antenna.
In most cases, the best way to check reception abilities is to read customer reviews. It’s everyone’s favorite topic, so we sure you’ll find some information there.
Antenna Length
As you know, most people look for short antennas because these look much better than long ones. However, there’s more to this than just looks and appearance.
Long antennas are from 19 to 31 inches. These are highly efficient and usually have a great reception. On the other hand, short ones are between 4 to 7 inches.
Short models are still pretty effective, although not the best for riding outside of town. These can’t receive as many signals when you’re riding on a highway between cities.
The length you should go for depends on how many stations you want to listen to but also how you want the antenna to look on your bike.
Durability
We can all agree that the stock Harley antennas are too long. This means they’re easy to get caught in places and break, which is also why most people replace them.
Most replacement models are much shorter. As a result, these are more durable and unlikely to break as quickly.
However, you should consider the material that it’s used. Billet aluminum is a common material that is durable and corrosion-resistant.
Make sure to consider coating as well because a resistant topcoat can help with corrosion resistance in the long run.
Design
There are quite a few different designs to choose from, as you’ve probably noticed from our reviews. As we said, short antennas are far more popular than long ones.
Some are designed to look like real bullets, but bigger. This gives your Harley an edgy and bold look that matches well with the rest of your equipment.
While most are pointy, they come in all sizes and compositions. However, you should always consider the design from the standpoint of reception. Try not to sacrifice good reception for looks unless you’re only buying an antenna to enhance your style.
Pricing
The first thing you should keep in mind that reliable and quality-made antennas are usually pricier than the rest. These usually come from reputable brands, which is another reason why they cost a bit more.
However, antennas made for Harley Davidson bikes are generally affordable. They don’t cost any more than those made for any other motorcycle.
And while you should have a pre-set budget, make sure not to sacrifice important features for a lower price. Consider the reception as well as the durability you get for the money you’re planning to spend.
Weight
Weight is another critical factor that you should check. Luckily, Harley antennas aren’t typically heavy, but you should always check because some materials are lighter than others.
You should look for a model that’s quality-made and unlikely to break or chip. It should be durable and resistant to whatever weather you ride in.
However, you don’t want the durability to come at a price of weight. The antenna of your choice should be lightweight and slim.
Short vs. Long Motorcycle Antennas
As we previously mentioned, the length of your antenna plays a significant role in the quality of the reception. For this reason, long ones are usually better at finding many radio stations and maintaining a good signal.
Short ones can find several stations but may struggle to maintain the quality of the signal as you ride out of town. This is why short ones are usually meant for people who rarely ever go out of town.
Still, the quality of reception depends on the overall quality of the antenna as well. In other words, even a long one can perform poorly, so it’s up to you to choose between the two.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best Harley Davidson Antenna Relocation Kit?
A relocation kit is meant to relocate your AM/FM antenna to the rear fender. These kits usually come with all you need, including a mounting bracket, as well as a wiring harness and all the mounting hardware.
Finding the best one depends on the particular Harley Davidson motorcycle you have.
What is the best motorcycle antenna for the radio?
There are a few things you should consider if you’re looking for the best antenna for the radio. Most of these factors you can find in our buyer’s guide.
In most cases, reception and length are the two most critical things you should pay attention to if you want to listen to the radio while riding.
Conclusion
At this point, we hope you found the best antenna for your Harley Davidson. These are the best that the market has to offer, so it’s just a matter of finding the one that matches your needs and preferences.
Take your time with our buyer’s guide because the information there can help you choose one among as many models.
As we said, you should think about all the buying factors we discussed because they affect the overall performance and reception.
Still, think about your style preference and make sure that the antenna of your choice matches the rest of your accessories and biking equipment.