I've been spending so much time just trying a get an F800GT somewhat touring suitable, figured it was time for a silly change just for the heck of it.
MCN recently reviewed motorcycle horns and gave top marks to the Fiamm AMS-80 low tone (Fiamm part 72012 for low version rated 125 dB at 4 ft) or dual set and therefore by implication to the louder variant with identical appearance, specs except for volume, and dimension, the Freeway Blaster (Fiamm part 72112 for low version rated 130 dB at 4 ft). Both Fiamms use 6A (low compared to the 20A of some air horns) and are rated at 400 Hz frequency.
The BMW horn is a typical pancake horn, Spanish made, rated at 335 Hz. Don't know volume spec or current usage.
The Fiamm and BMW horns are similar size except the Fiamm's "snail horns" make them a bit fatter. The Fiamms have a smaller mounting bolt but will still fit on the stock BMW strap mount. The BMW stock horn has excellent waterproof connections far superior to the Fiamm's spades and exposed terminals.
I removed the stock horn from its bracket. To allow for reinstallation, I cut its connector lead off with a few inches of wire then put a waterproof male deutsch connector on the factory wires. To fit the Fiamm I made a female deutsch connector pigtail about 8 inches long with spades at the horn end. I covered all exposed connections at the horn with shrink tube and/or liquid electrical tape. To maintain near stock appearance, I rattle-canned the bright metal on the Fiamm with flat black primer.
The Fiamm works fine and causes no issues on the bike.
Tests of the Fiamm against a stock horn on another F800GT showed that despite its spec of higher frequency it is in fact lower frequency that the BMW horn- so one or both are wrongly spec'ed or fail to met their spec. Is the 130 dB Fiamm low louder than a stock horn- not hugely so in the garage tests though it is at least as loud- not enough difference to really notice up close. Need to check at longer distances outside but so far the only clear benefit seems to be a lower tone that suggests a slightly larger vehicle. Can't say I'd suggest running off and doing this to an F800GT (single low tone install) and there is no room for a pair in the stock location though I suppose a second could be rigged under the fairing- and then you'd probably need a supplemental circuit to run it.
Anyway, photos follow of stock horn, my pigtail, unpainted Fiamm horn (3 here), Fiamm ready for installation and installed Fiamm horn (next post).
MCN recently reviewed motorcycle horns and gave top marks to the Fiamm AMS-80 low tone (Fiamm part 72012 for low version rated 125 dB at 4 ft) or dual set and therefore by implication to the louder variant with identical appearance, specs except for volume, and dimension, the Freeway Blaster (Fiamm part 72112 for low version rated 130 dB at 4 ft). Both Fiamms use 6A (low compared to the 20A of some air horns) and are rated at 400 Hz frequency.
The BMW horn is a typical pancake horn, Spanish made, rated at 335 Hz. Don't know volume spec or current usage.
The Fiamm and BMW horns are similar size except the Fiamm's "snail horns" make them a bit fatter. The Fiamms have a smaller mounting bolt but will still fit on the stock BMW strap mount. The BMW stock horn has excellent waterproof connections far superior to the Fiamm's spades and exposed terminals.
I removed the stock horn from its bracket. To allow for reinstallation, I cut its connector lead off with a few inches of wire then put a waterproof male deutsch connector on the factory wires. To fit the Fiamm I made a female deutsch connector pigtail about 8 inches long with spades at the horn end. I covered all exposed connections at the horn with shrink tube and/or liquid electrical tape. To maintain near stock appearance, I rattle-canned the bright metal on the Fiamm with flat black primer.
The Fiamm works fine and causes no issues on the bike.
Tests of the Fiamm against a stock horn on another F800GT showed that despite its spec of higher frequency it is in fact lower frequency that the BMW horn- so one or both are wrongly spec'ed or fail to met their spec. Is the 130 dB Fiamm low louder than a stock horn- not hugely so in the garage tests though it is at least as loud- not enough difference to really notice up close. Need to check at longer distances outside but so far the only clear benefit seems to be a lower tone that suggests a slightly larger vehicle. Can't say I'd suggest running off and doing this to an F800GT (single low tone install) and there is no room for a pair in the stock location though I suppose a second could be rigged under the fairing- and then you'd probably need a supplemental circuit to run it.
Anyway, photos follow of stock horn, my pigtail, unpainted Fiamm horn (3 here), Fiamm ready for installation and installed Fiamm horn (next post).
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