Louder Horn- Is There Room?

[gregor]

Is it feasible to fit a louder horn to a 2002 R1150R?
The 'beep' of the standard one is feeble- I'd scary twin horns on my K75 which always made the MOT tester jump!
Lack of space might be a problem though.

[MattPie]

Is it feasible to fit a louder horn to a 2002 R1150R?
The 'beep' of the standard one is feeble- I'd scary twin horns on my K75 which always made the MOT tester jump!
Lack of space might be a problem though.

Look around on the board, there's a few threads on it.

To summarize, there are louder horns that will fit where the existing horn is. If you don't have ABS, there's a big hole under the tank were you can put just about anything (some question as to the vibration of the noise affecting things, but I suspect it pales in comparison to the engine vibration). On the older bikes like yours, you'll need to fit a relay or you risk blowing out the horn circuit and possibly the horn button on the hand-grip.

[rdsmith3]

You can get a Stebel mini Nautilus air horn. Search for that. I installed mine where the stock horn was, and wired it direct to battery with a relay, and it is much louder than stock. I was able to fit it with no problem except that the front beak will occasionally hit it when I encounter big potholes. The sound is sort of European sports car, and VERY LOUD. I have startled quite a few cell-phone-talking drivers who started to wander into my lane.

Second best, on a loudness and price scale, would be a FIAMM freeway blaster. They come in high and low tones. I had the low tone. It is an easy swap for the stock horn. The sound is sort of late '70's Buick, and LOUD.

[Boxer]

Check with Al...Boxermania...He had the loudest horn I've ever heard on any vehicle! He tested his horn out front of the motel in Bartow at the Bash, and I thought a semi was coming through the room.

[boxermania]

I certainly enjoyed mine.....$13 at Harbor Freight, albeit 4 years ago......

http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/16855299_7QsF7-M.jpg

http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/16855302_5pa3F-M.jpg

http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/16855300_Jd6LV-M.jpg

Boxer is exagerating a tiny bit, but one night at Bartow (05) we were checking out the bikes aftermarket lights, walking from bike to bike and when it was my turn I blew the horn.... .....

[Sparky]

I replaced the stock with dual Fiamms. I didn't do the install myself -- Morton's BMW did it -- but they put it in the stock position with only some small brackets. One sits in front of the front shock, the other to the side. I'll try to get pics.

[touchton]

I have ABS on my bike, and I think some of these people are overcompensating for anatomical shortcomings with an excessively loud horn. I went with the dual Fiamm horns under the beak.

Now you see them:



Now you don't:


It sounds more like a big Buick than a locomotive. And that's all real men need.......

[gregor]

Looks like the simplest option will be a single Stebel Magnum. A like for like replacement and 136dB instead of the standard 110dB. Better get the ear plugs in when testing.
Thanks for the options- never thought of the spare space under the beak.

[CycleRob]

My 2002 model stock horn still works OK but I years ago added an additional horn salvaged from a new Yamaha R-6 that we converted to a racebike. I installed it on it's own bracket above the stock horn with the same orientation. It fits up inside the frame tunnel pocket and looks stock when you succeed in visually finding it. Also added another relay and wiring for it rather than pigtail power off the stock horn (a No-No!!). I thought the 2 together would only be a little louder with an additional tone. It was a LOT louder!!
cool!!

[Ritchard]

I installed a Stebel Nautilus a few weeks ago, it too about an hour, fits fine in the stock location, and is WICKED LOUD. It makes me feel good that I know I can get people's attention should I need to. You can buy a complete install kit - horn bracket and wiring kit, from Excel Cycle Werkes for around $60?

R

[gregor]

The single Stebel magnum is larger than the small standard horn and now seems a bit close to the spring unit.. Disappointed that the horn outlet must point backwards due to the angle of the mounting bracket. Otherwise horn would fill with water.
The throttle cable etc looks like it will chafe on the horn on right turns so i've put a sleeve over them.
Surprised there is room for the Nautilius.

[OU812]

I installed a Stebel Nautilus a few weeks ago, it too about an hour, fits fine in the stock location, and is WICKED LOUD. It makes me feel good that I know I can get people's attention should I need to. You can buy a complete install kit - horn bracket and wiring kit, from Excel Cycle Werkes for around $60?

R

Same here. Easy install to boot!