Louder Horn

[badgertom]

I would like to get a louder horn that simply attaches to the cables of the original  BMW horn. Is there such a (louder) horn on the market ? I looked at amazon.com and ebay.com , but most of the horns were not compatible with the 1982 BMW 65. I do not want to run new cables directly from the battery (as some horns require). 

[mrclubike]

I think to   really get louder horns you are going to have to add a relay

If you do a pair of Fiamm Freeway Blasters are a very common upgrade and were standard on some of the later BMW's

[Justin B.]

I have a pair of the FIAMMs on both Airheads - extremely loud!

[mrclubike]

I have a pair of the FIAMMs on both Airheads - extremely loud!

And very reasonably priced also  8-)

[nhmaf]

If you go with the dual FIAMMs, just make sure that you do use a relay - the current from running (2) larger horns can damage the horn button switch on the handlebars - it really isn't made to pass that level of current.   There are various automotive relays that will work, or you can get a complete wiring kits from companies like Easternbeaver.com

[Matt Chapter]

I would like to get a louder horn

Why? Unless you also add a remote so you can enjoy a cold beverage whilst scaring off birds and small children who might be inclined to put their grubby talons on your bike I don't see the point.

[Bob_Roller]

A louder horn on the street, just might save you some day, the stock horn is a joke .

[Bob_Roller]

I had an airhorn on my '81 R65, until a truck threw the cap off of a tire and tore it from the bike and  showered me with tire debris .

This thread has motivated me to install airhorns on my bikes .

Harbor Freight has 12 vdc airhorns, there is a 25% off coupon valid this weekend, I'm stopping by there this weekend and get at least two .

Need to make a couple of wire harnesses, the stock horn circuit is only good to operate the relay, not the airhorns .

[Matt Chapter]

the stock horn is a joke

This is my point (and opinion) in general.  Horns are good for meeping at your friends at the cafe when you zip by, or passing inspection.  Maybe reminding the cell phone conversation in front of you at the stop light that "green means go, and the gas pedal is on the right!". (Is this true in places with right hand drive?)

Horns as actual safety equipment belong in the bin with "loud pipes save lives".

As a multi ton vehicle careens into your bubble, honking the horn isn't going to activate a force field to push them out.

Passive devices (blinking lights, running lights, horns) will never keep you as safe as active devices such as your brain, riding intuition, brakes, throttle, etc., presuming you keep all those items well maintained!

[Barry]

I can see where you are coming from. In the UK horns are rarely used and when they are, usually interpreted as a sign of aggression which could get you into trouble.

I've just come back form Madeira which has roads with many blind switch back turns. Long vehicles like a coach couldn't physically get around them without using the other side of the road. They always sounded the horn as a warning. That is what a horn is for, it says I'm here even though you can't yet  see me.  Use of the horn wasn't seen as aggressive because it's in daily use as a necessary part of driving.  Now those horns needed to be loud to be effective and they were.

Gas pedal is always on the right.  It's bad enough driving on the wrong side of the car without switching pedals as well. That would be worse than riding my old Triumph Bonneville with right foot gear change.

[Bob_Roller]

Matt, I completely 100% disagree with you on the horn, I have two air horns on the oilhead, they have averted so many potential incidents in my riding in the Phoenix area for 15 years, I can't count them all .

When those air horns go off, it sounds like the a large truck ready to run them over .

[mrclubike]

I totally agree with Bob
When my Fiamm Freeway Blasters go off they get attention
I don't care one bit if some one is offended by my horn
I honk it often when I don't feel the car at the intersection has seen me or if they start rolling as I approach
 
Just this week I avoided  being side swiped by a car  in my service van by sounding my horn.
He clearly reacted as soon as I sounded my horn so I know it was effective in preventing the collision

I also believe that Hi Viz is effective in preventing collision 

[BPT]

Matt, I'll have to disagree as well. Just a week or so ago and a few times before that, I've used the horn to catch somebody's attention that was about to veer into me. At least once they were on a phone, oblivious to the world. The other times I'm not sure if it was that or they were actually trying to change lanes and just didn't see me.  Either way, the horn (the weenie version) got their attention and they went back to they're own lane.

Not sure about the aggression aspect but I use it to get people's attention, mainly for situations like the above.  I'll take the chance of having someone be offended if it means might keep them from running me off the road.

I realize it's no cure-all but my thinking it's better to have than not. Especially since I know it's actually worked for me.

[Matt Chapter]

My last point (to all of you horn-lovers  [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]) is that in all of these cases, by the time the horn is effective, the incident is already underway. As a rider, you have made one or more mistakes, and so has the other driver. (Haven't we all??)

A preemptive approach avoiding cases where you're riding or driving next to someone is much more effective.

In other words, the safest way to ride is to not get into these situations in the first place, rather than waiting till the last second and hoping the horn will get someone's attention.

This is the difference between a passive safety device (horns, lights, hi viz, "loud pipes") and an active safety device (brain + eyeballs + intuition + prediction, throttle, brakes).

With a passive safety device you're relying on someone else noticing (and caring) and being able to change the situation.  The last place I want to put my life is in someone else's hands.  The active approach puts control where it belongs: with the rider.

Of course, horns and all that have a place, they're not completely worthless.  And naturally I wear a full helmet, gloves, boots, and an armoured jacket every time out.  But leaving my safety to someone else is a non starter.

[BPT]

I get the defensive driving aspect and I can assure you I do my best to be aware and avoid putting myself in a bad spot. But not sure how I can completely avoid being next to people on a road unless I stay home?

Wide open roads with nobody on them would be fantastic but it's not going to happen where I live. I'm under no illusions that it provides me some kind of magic forcefield, it's just one of several tools to use and try and stay safe and upright.