Aftermarket horns

[bmwcliff]

Hi, bmwcliff in western Pa., over the years I have read about folks adding, changing to a louder horn such as a Fiamm. I have an 04 Rockster and would like to change to something much more noticable without being insulting or rude to other riders/drivers. Also, I want something small enough to hide. What model Fiamm would I look for? Also open to other models/manufacturers and just looking for advice/wisdom from others.

 

[MechanicSavant]

On my R1150r I too thought the horn inadequate,so I got 2 / 120db horns from that big cheap mial order cat.co. I went to their auto cat.& got them fo $30...A $5 relay from local auto parts store & some bracket bending & got both horns to hide in the original location...I zip tied the relay under the tank it's triggered by the original horn wires & gets power from the batt.through a self reseting curcuit breaker,gust like the ones that plug into fuse boxes of a car...don't worry bout offending others so long as you r ok , you WANT to wake the living dead in there cages & a solid wall of big horns seems ta work well at sweeping kids & other small mamals off the road

 

[BobFV1]

I replaced the stock horn on my 03 R1150R with a 15.00 FIAMM AM 80 I bought at Pep Boys - 135 DB low tone. It was a good 15.00 (and 15 minute installation) investment, - it really was a big improvment. I still think the RT horn is the best way to go if you can - that baby gets you NOTICED!

 

[dano]

The horns on my '03 RT are the best that I've ever had the pleasure of using.

For the life of me, I don't know why horns such as those aren't used more often as OEM's.

The horn on my '03 Kawasaki ZRX1200R is pathetic. I keep telling myself, that I'm going to upgrade it soon.

 

[R100RS]

I have dual Stebel horns on my bike. I thought they were stock, but the PO could have installed them. Anyway, they left a bit to be desired until I wired them like mechanic savant did. I powered them off the battery (through a circuit breaker) through a relay triggered by the existing horn circuit. They are now monster loud. About the sound you'd expect to hear out of a 20' tall goose.

 

[BmwDuc]

Fiamms

At pep boys or any run of the mill parts chain.

Cheap, get the low and high, and I've never added a new relay, wired both into the existing horn wires. Never had a problem (on an 1100RT for 48K miles and my 1100GS for the last 25K miles.).

My '84 RS came stock with Dual Fiamms, one on each side of the fairing. That's were I got the idea many years ago.

 

[The_Veg]

For the life of me, I don't know why horns such as those aren't used more often as OEM's.

Because pathetic little horns are cheep. The stock horn on my Airhead sounds appropriate for a Vespa at best. Dual Fiamms coming soon...

 

[flash412]

Because pathetic little horns are cheep. The stock horn on my Airhead sounds appropriate for a Vespa at best. Dual Fiamms coming soon...

The trick to Fiamms (or any aftermarket horns) is to use a relay. Run the relay with the original horn wires. Run BIG WIRE up from the battery (via a fuse, of course) to the relay and the horns. The trick is in the BIG WIRE more than the new horns. Even the stock horn will be louder if you do this.

 

[dano]

Because pathetic little horns are cheep. The stock horn on my Airhead sounds appropriate for a Vespa at best. Dual Fiamms coming soon...

How much more $$ could a set of quality horns cost on a bike?

I'm thinking $10.-15. at most.

 

[flash412]

How much more $$ could a set of quality horns cost on a bike?
I'm thinking $10.-15. at most.

A set of Fiamm clones is about $10 at the cage bits store. I would think that BMW could get the real deal in quantity for that. The /7 series airheads used to have ONE Fiamm horn from the factory (run via 18 or 20 gage wire).

Then again, how much does REAL chrome cost on a set of bolts? BMW quit using that in the not-too-distant-past, too.

 

[dano]

My point exactly. For the life of me, I just don't understand why manufacturers do what they do at times.

They'll go overboard on some nickel and dime, shiny, get your attention trinket, and then they'll pinch pennies on something worth while, like a loud horn.

 

[Tyeeman]

Aftermarket Horns

Timing is everything! New to the Forum...and have just replaced the puny
BMW horn with a Stebel compact dual air horn. It's a horn you don't want to blow in your garage. People on the freeeways definitely know I'm there. With a minor effort it occupies the same space as the stock horn. Cost about $35.
Found it at the Adventurers Workshop. (www.adventurersworkshop.com).
Wow!

 

[RIDERR1150GSADV]

Horns

Timing is everything! New to the Forum...and have just replaced the puny
BMW horn with a Stebel compact dual air horn. It's a horn you don't want to blow in your garage. People on the freeeways definitely know I'm there. With a minor effort it occupies the same space as the stock horn. Cost about $35.
Found it at the Adventurers Workshop. (www.adventurersworkshop.com).
Wow!

Welcome to the asylum
Those horns look like they could wake the living dead in their cages! Although my LT has great horns, I will look a little closer at these Stebels. After all you just can't have too many noise makers on your bike
Cool website too by the way

 

[The_Veg]

Tyeeman, what bike did you install them on, and where? I'm horn-shopping and I want *LOUD* dual horns but have very few good options for location as my bike is a basically nekkid Airhead.

 

[BklynPete]

is it me, or do others have this problem. when i go to hit my horn, i wind up flashing a light. i've owned 3 bmw's and the rt is the only one i've had a problem with. i now, just use the time to get out of the way or stop. it's too much like work to hit the bleeping horn (pun intended)

pete

 

[dano]

is it me, or do others have this problem. when i go to hit my horn, i wind up flashing a light. i've owned 3 bmw's and the rt is the only one i've had a problem with. i now, just use the time to get out of the way or stop. it's too much like work to hit the bleeping horn (pun intended)

pete

IMHO.....the horn button on the RT is poorly designed (shaped) and located. I rarely use it, and when I try, it's hard to "control" the # of beeps you want to issue.

But then again, we're talking about a company that feels they need to use 3 switches for the blinkers.

 

[Tyeeman]

Aftermarket Horns

Tyeeman, what bike did you install them on, and where? I'm horn-shopping and I want *LOUD* dual horns but have very few good options for location as my bike is a basically nekkid Airhead.

Veg:
Did I respond to you or didn't I? I know I meant to talk with my mechanic about the installation, but got so busy I never made the call. If I did, I hope the input was helpful.

 

[The_Veg]

No you didn't. But I gathered that it was a late-model GS, right?

 

[Tyeeman]

Aftermarket Horns

No you didn't. But I gathered that it was a late-model GS, right?

You're right. '02 1150GS. My "technician" tells me it would most likely fit an R100R. Especially the later models. Would have to check to make sure the compression of the shock would still leave clearance. Thought: send an eMail to Andrew at www.adventurersworkshop.com. He carries the horn and probably has measurements. If you'd like I'll measure thge horn on my bike.
Hope this helps.
Dave U.