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Message started by NorCalRider on 02/05/13 at 12:56:46

Title: Want to replace stock horn with a loud one
Post by NorCalRider on 02/05/13 at 12:56:46

I am having trouble getting attention from the cars so am considering getting a loud horn.

I would love to hear what others on this great board have done. Will also appreciates comments, recommendations, gotchas, etc.

A quick search turned up two candidates:

PIAA 85115 http://www.amazon.com/PIAA-85115-Superior-Bass-Horn/dp/B0060ZB43G, and
Wolo Bad Boy http://www.amazon.com/Wolo-Model-419-Bad-Horn/dp/B000F5DQWY

Thanks, as always.

Title: Re: Want to replace stock horn with a loud one
Post by houstonbofh on 02/05/13 at 13:00:35

Check the current draw. You may need a relay for both...

Title: Re: Want to replace stock horn with a loud one
Post by NorCalRider on 02/05/13 at 13:10:41

The reviews mention a need to add relay and a 20 amp fuse; apparently 10 amp fuse is not sufficient.

Will that much current draw have any negative impact on the rest of the electrical system?

Title: Re: Want to replace stock horn with a loud one
Post by Gyrobob on 02/05/13 at 14:37:17

Horns like that do draw a lot of amps, but usually for less than a second at a time, so it won't hurt your system if you hook it up directly to your battery with a fuse.

Use a relay,....
-- The horn switch would get fried with that much current.
-- The horn will be a lot louder because the wiring for the original horn has too much resistance.

Of your two choices, the Wolo air compressor horn will be waaaaaayy louder.

Title: Re: Want to replace stock horn with a loud one
Post by Digger on 02/05/13 at 18:45:56

Here's a rather off-beat suggestion:

I replaced the standard cheapo horn on another bike of mine (an '01 ST1100) with a 6 volt VW horn of the same design.

That 6 v. horn really seems to scream when hit with 12 of those volts.....and no relay was needed on that bike!

YMMV!

Title: Re: Want to replace stock horn with a loud one
Post by thumperclone on 02/05/13 at 21:23:37

i got a low tone auto horn from auto zone no relay needed

Title: Re: Want to replace stock horn with a loud one
Post by jgrandmont on 02/06/13 at 14:49:08

I added a second horn. Had to relocate the stock horn to the right-hand side of the bike to accommodate the design of the second one.

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/578735_3488446246412_1574155307_n.jpg

Title: Re: Want to replace stock horn with a loud one
Post by RidgeRunner13 on 02/06/13 at 15:10:08

2C21342728222B292832460 wrote:

You need to turn that horn over & mount IT on the other side so any water getting in it can drain out. The way it is now any water that gets in will be trapped & ruin it.
DON"T ask how I know, you can screw up a lot of things in 45 years of riding, maintaining, & modifying bikes! 8-)

Title: Re: Want to replace stock horn with a loud one
Post by Gyrobob on 02/06/13 at 17:18:21

3D213C24392C3B2A2526272C490 wrote:

i got a low tone auto horn from auto zone no relay needed

Use a relay and the horn will be louder.

Title: Re: Want to replace stock horn with a loud one
Post by NorCalRider on 02/06/13 at 17:31:08

707D687B747E7775746E1A0 wrote:

Which horn is it and how loud?

Title: Re: Want to replace stock horn with a loud one
Post by jgrandmont on 02/07/13 at 18:11:43

Don't remember exactly where I got it. Somewhere overseas, I believe. Maybe Taiwan? It's not super loud, but it is a bit louder than the stock horn -- more of an air horn sound instead of the "beep beep" sound of the stock one. I think the two of them together sound pretty good. It doesn't need a relay. If you're interested, I could try to dig up the info on where I bought it.

Title: Re: Want to replace stock horn with a loud one
Post by Cavi Mike on 02/07/13 at 22:07:18

Stay away from the PIAA horn. It won't be anywhere near worth the $50. I recommend getting the "Low tone" horn as well from AutoZone/Advanced. Every time I buy a Japanese vehicle that's one of the first things I do.

This one:
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/Blazer-Low-tone-replacement-horn/_/N-25kiZ1z141i9?itemIdentifier=6071_0_0_

You gotta get the one with the physical horn on it. The one that looks just like stock won't work as well even though they're identical underneath. It's that horn (the coiled shell) that focuses the sound and gives it that blast that grabs attention.

Title: Re: Want to replace stock horn with a loud one
Post by Gyrobob on 02/08/13 at 19:06:27

If you want cheap, just go to an auto junkyard and get any horn that has a "trumpet" on it, coiled or otherwise.

Any horn needs lots of amps for a very short time.
-- The compressor horns need a lot of amps in short bursts. Restrict the amperage and they will work, but the compressor turns over more slowly, pumping less air, delaying the noise, and making less noise.
-- If you don't use a relay, you are using several feet of skinny wire that goes up to and back from the switch.
--- All that resistance lowers the amperage some, so set up a relay where the main feed that goes from the battery to the relay to the horn is as short as possible and is a fairly thick wire.
--- You'd be amazed at how much louder any 12v horn is when it uses 2 feet of 12 gauge wire to get the juice from the battery to the horn rather than 8 feet of 16 gauge wire.

Title: Re: Want to replace stock horn with a loud one
Post by Dj12midnit on 02/08/13 at 19:40:45

I dont use the horn, I find I get more attention is I roll up next to them and kick the door.

Title: Re: Want to replace stock horn with a loud one
Post by Boofer on 02/08/13 at 23:23:32

I got the Auto Zone horn for less than $20 a couple of years ago. Drilled a small hole in the trumpet so water could drain. Spent more time hunting drill bit and opening horn claw package than actual install time. Bolts up and hooks right on spade terminal.

Title: Re: Want to replace stock horn with a loud one
Post by KennyG on 12/18/14 at 10:41:53

I have been transferring a Harley Sportster horn to each bike I buy for many years. I am hoping it will fit somewhere on the left side of the S40. I am afraid there is not enough clearance in the position that the factory horn is located.

Will I need a relay on the S40?

Has anyone used a Sportster horn? Pics?

Kenny G

Title: Re: Want to replace stock horn with a loud one
Post by Tocsik on 12/18/14 at 16:15:39

If you don't mind spending a little, the Compact Nautilus airhorn is amazing. My Genuine Buddy Scooter came stock with it and it sounds beautiful. 139 db.
Twisted Throttle has it for $62.

Here's a couple vids for sound:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59ejZARt4Bs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jl0JO0Ykwk

Title: Re: Want to replace stock horn with a loud one
Post by Dave on 12/19/14 at 03:17:36

If you install any horn that draws more amps than the stock one, then a relay is recommended. Horns use lots of electrical wires wrapped around metal cores........and they put a lot of load on the switch. The stock horn is small and easy on the switch....a larger horn will be harder on it.

Installing a relay is cheaper and easier than replacing an entire left side electrical control....you can't buy the horn switch alone.

You could also install an additional horn button that is easy to replace if it breaks.....and/or you could run the stock and a second louder horn this way. The only problem is being able to use the right horn when you need it.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/331264811075?lpid=82

Title: Re: Want to replace stock horn with a loud one
Post by KennyG on 12/19/14 at 06:31:32

Dave,

Can a relay be used with the existing stock horn button?

If so how would one wire it?

I am guessing that the relay would get it's power from the battery and the horn button would activate the relay?

I would then need to find a good location to attach the Sportster horn.

Kenny G

Title: Re: Want to replace stock horn with a loud one
Post by Dave on 12/19/14 at 06:39:16

4D6368457467756E060 wrote:

Absolutely. The wires that go to the existing horn would be used to activate the relay, and new larger wires would be run to the new horn. You could tie the new supply wire to the battery terminal with a new inline fuse, or it could be connected to the positive terminal at the starter relay to avoid having to fuss with the wire each time you change the battery. Or.....if you have a fused battery tender lead....you could connect the new horn to that connector and just unplug the horn when you need to use the battery tender.

Title: Re: Want to replace stock horn with a loud one
Post by Art Webb on 12/19/14 at 08:57:09

Another, cheaper option for horns is the 'freeway blaster' horns you can buy at Auto Parts stores, that's what I've always used, and it's worked great
they'r made by Fiaam,(not sure I spelled that name right) a quality maker
I dunno what the draw of the stock horn on the S40 is, but I've never had a problem on other bikes running them as a bolt on (horns are used infrequently and briefly)

Title: Re: Want to replace stock horn with a loud one
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 12/19/14 at 12:45:34

Took the horns off a Taurus, plan is to make a friend's Civic sound bigger than a bike. IDK if there Is a relay on the Civic,but I took relays,too,so,whatever it takes, I have the goodies,AND the horns are not physically very large and they are on a bracket and they aren't riveted on it,so, options for mounting are in my favor.
I don't even have to worry about IF it has a relay,, I can just put one in...
Or should I find out if it's got one?

Title: Re: Want to replace stock horn with a loud one
Post by Yoshi on 12/19/14 at 16:42:55

Here's what I'm using :-) I have a relay rigged up and use the stock horn button

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g214/VduBpl/Suzuki%20Savage%20LS650/20141219_193913_zpsxkbsscaf.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/user/VduBpl/media/Suzuki%20Savage%20LS650/20141219_193913_zpsxkbsscaf.jpg.html)

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g214/VduBpl/Suzuki%20Savage%20LS650/71429B09-0FA0-4C10-85D7-9319A9D781CD_zpsln2jiinj.jpg (http://s57.photobucket.com/user/VduBpl/media/Suzuki%20Savage%20LS650/71429B09-0FA0-4C10-85D7-9319A9D781CD_zpsln2jiinj.jpg.html)