Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: 2talltim on September 07, 2013, 04:18:04 AM

Title: need a new horn
Post by: 2talltim on September 07, 2013, 04:18:04 AM
The silver bitch sounds like a dying duck so I want to replace the horn. And I'm not putting another oem squak box on it. When I had my TL I put a VW horn on it, it sounded okay but I want to hear options and opinions...go
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: ljcorby on September 07, 2013, 05:53:58 AM
I went with the Screaming Banshee horn.....there was a group buy quite a while ago and it was cost effective.  Very nice.

http://screaming-banshee.com/banshee-horn-warning-system (http://screaming-banshee.com/banshee-horn-warning-system)
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: Conrad on September 07, 2013, 06:26:27 AM
No matter which aftermarket horn you go with keep in mind that the stock horn switch may not be able to handle the extra current draw. You'd be well advised to install a relay that's controlled by the horn switch and connected directly to the battery so that the stock switch doesn't go up in smoke. 
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: VirginiaJim on September 07, 2013, 06:47:29 AM
How about these horns?


Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: wingrider on September 07, 2013, 06:52:51 AM
Nice horns but will she blow them?
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: VirginiaJim on September 07, 2013, 06:56:22 AM
Good question.
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: PH14 on September 07, 2013, 08:42:03 AM
The silver bitch sounds like a dying duck so I want to replace the horn. And I'm not putting another oem squak box on it. When I had my TL I put a VW horn on it, it sounded okay but I want to hear options and opinions...go

I got these from Murph: http://www.murphskits.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=45&products_id=356&osCsid=38f94b825f87a8871b55d7abe52b455e (http://www.murphskits.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=45&products_id=356&osCsid=38f94b825f87a8871b55d7abe52b455e)

I love them. They are much louder. Much.
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: Pokey on September 07, 2013, 08:55:57 AM
PIAA sports horn Tim, trust me they are loud. And you need no relay, that is what I am going to buy soon. I heard one over the weekend, it was quite impressive.
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: maxtog on September 07, 2013, 09:20:07 AM
If you want a "real" horn, then install an air horn (and relay).  Search the forum for "Nautilus" and you will find many threads.  It is a lot more work and hard to find a good mounting place, but it blows away any electric horn.  Love mine.

http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=286 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=286)
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=3104 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=3104)
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: MAN OF BLUES on September 07, 2013, 10:36:57 AM
The Wolo Bad Boy airhorn is always available if you have a walk in Harbor Freight near ya, dangerous place to have close to home.... credit cards get flattened fast there...heheh
Also seeen them at Advance autoparts, and Autozone, and PepBoys...right around $30... http://www.amazon.com/Wolo-Model-419-Bad-Horn/dp/B000F5DQWY (http://www.amazon.com/Wolo-Model-419-Bad-Horn/dp/B000F5DQWY)
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: maxtog on September 07, 2013, 12:00:48 PM
The Wolo Bad Boy airhorn is always available if you have a walk in Harbor Freight near ya, dangerous place to have close to home.... credit cards get flattened fast there...heheh
Also seeen them at Advance autoparts, and Autozone, and PepBoys...right around $30... http://www.amazon.com/Wolo-Model-419-Bad-Horn/dp/B000F5DQWY (http://www.amazon.com/Wolo-Model-419-Bad-Horn/dp/B000F5DQWY)

Interesting.  That looks almost identical to the Stebel Nautilus we are all using...
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: RBX QB on September 07, 2013, 12:18:55 PM
Interesting.  That looks almost identical to the Stebel Nautilus we are all using...

They are the same. I've had the Wolo version on my Duc for years with no issues, so quality seems to be the same... just the benefit of saving a few bucks and possibly finding it on the shelf at Harbor Freight.
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: MAN OF BLUES on September 07, 2013, 12:39:09 PM
Interesting.  That looks almost identical to the Stebel Nautilus we are all using...

yes, they are completely identical, and I am sure that both are made by the exact same manufacturer.
I'm talking about the Nautilus compact...
(http://www.stebel.it/public/nautilusCS_z.jpg)

I think the banshee is also made by the same company....

(http://screaming-banshee.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/5/_/5_-_with_control_unit_perspective_5_1.jpg)
(http://www.wolo-mfg.com/419-3.jpg)


I'm pretty much sure all 3 can be modified to allow a split system for better fitment like this
(http://screaming-banshee.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/s/p/split_screamer_black_-_horn.jpg)
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: Pokey on September 07, 2013, 12:52:05 PM
If you want a "real" horn, then install an air horn (and relay).  Search the forum for "Nautilus" and you will find many threads.  It is a lot more work and hard to find a good mounting place, but it blows away any electric horn.  Love mine.

http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=286 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=286)
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=3104 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=3104)


I can assure you Max that the PIAA sports horn is a "real horn", some of us don't want to have to deal with a relay and a large horn that is a pain in the ass to mount.
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: MAN OF BLUES on September 07, 2013, 01:01:09 PM

I can assure you Max that the PIAA sports horn is a "real horn", some of us don't want to have to deal with a relay and a large horn that is a pain in the ass to mount.


I forgot to mention they come in a CHROMED version.... Bling.... 8) ;)


ooo I went to look at them, wow, they are easy to install, they say "no wiring is required"..
http://www.piaa.com/store/p/411-Powersports-Slim-Line-Sports-Horn-500Hz.aspx (http://www.piaa.com/store/p/411-Powersports-Slim-Line-Sports-Horn-500Hz.aspx)

anbody want my Wolo, I really didn't want to wire it in.... :rotflmao:
just kidding...

actually for the money you can't beat the Fiamms...
http://www.amazon.com/FIAMM-72112-Freeway-Blaster-Horn/dp/B000DINKPQ/ref=pd_sim_auto_11 (http://www.amazon.com/FIAMM-72112-Freeway-Blaster-Horn/dp/B000DINKPQ/ref=pd_sim_auto_11)

I know how frugal you are Poke... ;)

I have heard these, with the high and low pair mounted, and they are DAMNED loud. ???
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: Jay on September 07, 2013, 02:10:27 PM
Quote
actually for the money you can't beat the Fiamms...
http://www.amazon.com/FIAMM-72112-Freeway-Blaster-Horn/dp/B000DINKPQ/ref=pd_sim_auto_11 (http://www.amazon.com/FIAMM-72112-Freeway-Blaster-Horn/dp/B000DINKPQ/ref=pd_sim_auto_11)
I have heard these, with the high and low pair mounted, and they are DAMNED loud. ???

That's what I installed (the high and low pair mounted) and it is pretty damn loud.

Attached them to the OEM horn mount with two 3" metal extensions.
A bit tight down there but with the correct angles they don't hit the fender when going into driveways.
Does require a relay, though. Put mine under the plastic cover over the gas tank.
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: Jay on September 07, 2013, 02:22:15 PM
Quote
I can assure you Max that the PIAA sports horn is a "real horn", some of us don't want to have to deal with a relay and a large horn that is a pain in the ass to mount.

My FIAMM 72112 Freeway Blaster Horns where a bit of a PITA to install.
If I knew about the PIAA sports horn, I would have probably gone with that.  :(

Powersports Slim Line Sports Horn (500Hz) $64.50 +shipping
http://www.piaa.com/store/p/411-Powersports-Slim-Line-Sports-Horn-500Hz.aspx# (http://www.piaa.com/store/p/411-Powersports-Slim-Line-Sports-Horn-500Hz.aspx#)

PIAA 76501 500Hz Slim Line Sports Horn  $47.25 +Free Shipping
http://www.amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com)
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: maxtog on September 07, 2013, 02:29:48 PM
I can assure you Max that the PIAA sports horn is a "real horn", some of us don't want to have to deal with a relay and a large horn that is a pain in the ass to mount.

It really is a pain in the ass to mount.  Still think it is worth it, though :)
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: Pokey on September 07, 2013, 02:57:42 PM
It really is a pain in the ass to mount.  Still think it is worth it, though :)


They are nasty loud for sure, sounds like a locomotive!  :thumbs:
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: clogan on September 07, 2013, 06:35:54 PM
I've had a Wolo on each of my last four bikes...i'll have one on my next bike too.
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: 2talltim on September 08, 2013, 04:33:26 AM
The Piaa is looking like a good option
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: Conrad on September 08, 2013, 06:35:45 AM
The PIAA Sports horn isn't all that loud from the specs. No wiring? That's interesting...

•112db
•Works with all bikes
•Great for limited space area's
•No wiring required

The FIAMM 72112 Freeway Blaster Horn on the other hand IS LOUD. 130 dB 
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: Jay on September 08, 2013, 12:50:41 PM
Quote
The FIAMM 72112 Freeway Blaster Horn on the other hand IS LOUD. 130 dB 

Yesterday, mistakenly pressed the horn button instead of the turn signal shut-off and scared the sh*t outta myself.

The Freeway Blasters ARE loud!
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: Pokey on September 08, 2013, 03:04:26 PM
The PIAA Sports horn isn't all that loud from the specs. No wiring? That's interesting...

•112db
•Works with all bikes
•Great for limited space area's
•No wiring required

The FIAMM 72112 Freeway Blaster Horn on the other hand IS LOUD. 130 dB


It is in fact pretty darn loud Conrad.....trust me. And no relay or better wiring is needed, allot of Strom owners have these and so does a member of this forum on his ZG1000 "Pfloydgad".
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: Awaz on September 10, 2013, 09:32:23 AM
Word of caution - the nautilus I bought a year back had the horn glued like no tomorrow to the compressor unit. I actually had to dismantle the compressor top, cut the plastic shroud and somehow salvage the horn component. Once the compressor was put back together, it worked and still working great. So, it was a LOT more work to separate them, but worth it ! Without separating, you will be blasting yourself than anyone else.
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: wally_games on September 10, 2013, 11:29:12 AM
Have the Nautilus. The relay is a piece of cake and allows you to use both the OEM and the Nautilus at the same time. Mine was molded together so well that I didn't try to separate them, just mounted the whole thing under the right fairing. It does blast me a bit too, but not an issue with the helmet on and those around me hear it plenty well.

It's funny when the state inspection guy is standing there in front of your bike and tells you to hit the horn. They jump every time. The first time I got it inspected after the installation, the guy was kneeling down by the front tire. Almost knocked him over and got a "Holy S--t" out of him.
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: maxtog on September 10, 2013, 03:59:49 PM
It's funny when the state inspection guy is standing there in front of your bike and tells you to hit the horn. They jump every time. The first time I got it inspected after the installation, the guy was kneeling down by the front tire. Almost knocked him over and got a "Holy S--t" out of him.

Not quite funny.  You could cause permanent hearing damage....
I would (and do) warn anyone first to stand back.
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: PH14 on September 12, 2013, 07:14:26 PM

I can assure you Max that the PIAA sports horn is a "real horn", some of us don't want to have to deal with a relay and a large horn that is a pain in the ass to mount.

The one I posted that Murph sells is a real horn as well. It did use a relay but I was able to mount them in the stock position. Here is a thread I started detailing the installation. http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=8845.msg107269#msg107269 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=8845.msg107269#msg107269)
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: Pokey on September 12, 2013, 11:11:02 PM
The one I posted that Murph sells is a real horn as well. It did use a relay but I was able to mount them in the stock position. Here is a thread I started detailing the installation. http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=8845.msg107269#msg107269 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=8845.msg107269#msg107269)


Yeah those are good horns, still like the no relay option for me though. ANYTHING is going to be better than the beep beep horn.  ::)
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: Conrad on September 13, 2013, 04:57:02 AM

Yeah those are good horns, still like the no relay option for me though. ANYTHING is going to be better than the meep meep horn.  ::)

FIFY
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: PH14 on September 13, 2013, 08:34:25 AM

Yeah those are good horns, still like the no relay option for me though. ANYTHING is going to be better than the beep beep horn.  ::)

I understand the desire for an easy plug in solution. As long as the horn is loud enough it's all good. Thankfully Murph sells the wiring kit with a relay so it is all plug and play. I made more work for myself because the wiring kit Murph sells wasn't long enough to allow me to mount the relay where I wanted, so I simply added wire. I'm happy with the results though. At speed with ear plugs in, I couldn't hear the stock horns at all. I can hear these with ear plugs in, at speed next to a truck while listening to music, sort of like you're supposed to.  ;D
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: pistole on September 20, 2013, 10:13:13 AM
(http://store.bobsbmw.com/files/products/8cda0c14706c683.jpg)

.

- as per some of the kind advice above , I installed this horn last night. Took me all of like 10 minutes to get the original horn out and mount this in its place.

- doesn't need a relay and can run off the stock wiring.

- much louder that the Peep-Peep original horn. Authoritative Baaarrpp tone.

- something for the guys here to consider , if you're not into cutting into the bike and incurring all the trouble for an air-horn install.

.
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: wally_games on September 23, 2013, 11:18:57 AM
(http://store.bobsbmw.com/files/products/8cda0c14706c683.jpg)

.

- as per some of the kind advice above , I installed this horn last night. Took me all of like 10 minutes to get the original horn out and mount this in its place.

- doesn't need a relay and can run off the stock wiring.

- much louder that the Peep-Peep original horn. Authoritative Baaarrpp tone.

- something for the guys here to consider , if you're not into cutting into the bike and incurring all the trouble for an air-horn install.

.

I might just add one of these in place of my original horn AND keep the air horn I got from Murph. Can never be too loud.
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: pistole on September 23, 2013, 05:47:15 PM
- that PIAA horn doesn't like water. Don't get any into its throat. Reduces the sound to a squak

- mount it throat down with the guard in place.

.
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: Stavee on October 13, 2013, 02:15:20 PM
K5LA Locomotive Horn (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkkZP47nxE8#)
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: Pokey on October 14, 2013, 10:02:57 AM
- that PIAA horn doesn't like water. Don't get any into its throat. Reduces the sound to a squak

- mount it throat down with the guard in place.

.


You should always mount horns throat down.  ;)
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: 2talltim on January 14, 2014, 07:05:56 AM
i need to get on this, im such a procrastinator
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: Boomer on January 15, 2014, 03:56:45 AM
I'm with PH14. Get Murphs HF80s and the wiring harness.
Easiest to fit, plenty loud enough and no risk of s****ing yourself when you hit it by accident.  ;D
I fitted mine 3 years 25,000 miles back and never regretted it.
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: 2talltim on January 19, 2014, 08:16:45 AM
just ordered the PIAA 76500, decided the easy install and stil getting a increased performance was the best for me. Plus, (i know some of you will look down on me for this) when i trailer my Connie i like to remove the horn and the plastic plate there between the forks tube to be able to loop my tie downs on the bottom of the tree. So i didnt want any extra bulk there to have to contend with. Im going to install my horn, new screen and touring pegs all at the same time maybe a weekend or two from now.
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: gPink on January 19, 2014, 10:25:24 AM
just ordered the PIAA 76500, decided the easy install and stil getting a increased performance was the best for me. Plus, (i know some of you will look down on me for this) when i trailer my Connie i like to remove the horn and the plastic plate there between the forks tube to be able to loop my tie downs on the bottom of the tree. So i didnt want any extra bulk there to have to contend with. Im going to install my horn, new screen and touring pegs all at the same time maybe a weekend or two from now.
If you live up to your handle not too many are going to look down on you.  ;)
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: viper on January 19, 2014, 02:21:00 PM
I fitted a car set of air horns, I did the steblis naut before these and these are mucho louder,

plenty of space under the fairing

(http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g133/neill1200/cruisecontrol/fairingof.jpg)
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: maxtog on January 19, 2014, 05:55:02 PM
Stebel Nautilus.  No perfect mounting scheme, but LOUD, compact, reliable, reasonably priced.  I used that wonderful harness and modified it so I run the stock electric horn WITH the Nautilus through the relay.

http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=286.0 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=286.0)
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=3104.0 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=3104.0)
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: Pokey on January 23, 2014, 01:12:06 PM
If you live up to your handle not too many are going to look down on you.  ;)


He is a pretty good sized fella, fortunately a gentle giant.  :thumbs:
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: PH14 on January 23, 2014, 01:38:14 PM
I say go with this one.  :finger_fing11:

http://youtu.be/8OU5zrh1TQg (http://youtu.be/8OU5zrh1TQg)
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: BudCallaghan on January 26, 2014, 03:33:19 AM
The silver bitch sounds like a dying duck so I want to replace the horn. And I'm not putting another oem squak box on it. When I had my TL I put a VW horn on it, it sounded okay but I want to hear options and opinions...go

Pictured below is the air horn I purchased more than four years ago and am always pleased with its output.  I don't use it often but when I do use a horn I want to be heard.  With this one I am heard by everyone.  It mounts easily behind the radiator on the left side of the bike and is connected to a relay that is fed by a direct lead to the battery and the relay is triggered by the stock horn wiring.  A very simple and easily fabricated bracket holds it in place.

(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc488/BudCallaghan/FloumlsserNautilus.jpg)

(http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc488/BudCallaghan/IMG_0339.jpg)
Title: Re: need a new horn
Post by: VirginiaJim on January 26, 2014, 06:02:44 AM
Good solution, Bud.