,ve seen that quite a number of members have upgraded their horns. I did that on my last bike and figured that I'll do the same for my new VFR. I have ordered a Stebel Compact and check out some install threads. The question is "WHY DO WE TRY TO MOUNT THE HORN IN THE FRONT OF THE BIKE??" The bike is relatively small, (compared to a car or truck), the horn requires that it be mounted with the airhorns facing backwards, and generally, its put under a lot of fairings. I have been thinking and I figure that there is really very little to be lost if the horn is installed behind the engine. Somewhere ahead of the rear wheel and underneath the battery location. Any thoughts on this anyone??
I have had a Stebel Nautilus on 2 bikes. On my Nighthawk I mounted it in front in the stock location and it worked great and it was extremely loud. On my VFR it's under the fairings (with the compressor on the right side and the trumpet on the left side). I am not 100% happy with the sound level. The fairing really does muffle it. And depending on where you stand relative to the bike, there is definitely a difference in the sound level. I am certainly no audio expert but in my own personal opinion if the horn is mounted behind the engine, I think that anyone in front of you will get a much reduced level of the sound of the horn. It was quite a job to get mine installed under the fairings, but I'm considering taking it out and installing the loudest horn I can find that will fit in the stock location. I really like the tone of the Stebel and it was plenty loud out in the open. Behind the fairings though, I'm not confident that the decibels are making their way to the numbskull's that are trying to run me over. This is all my own opinions of course. If you give it a shot behind your engine somewhere, I'll be interested in reading about how the install goes, and your impressions of how it works.
I have an acquaintance who has a Daytona 650 and he has horns mounted to the passenger footpeg brackets. Plenty loud but not sure how they will fare now that he has moved from Cali (where it's dry most of the time) to Wa (where its not). I'm not sure what brand they are but I thought it was an interesting solution to the problem.
Sound waves are a lot like light waves in the sense that anything in their direct path will prevent them from continuing onwards. Placing the horn behind the motor will have a significant and detrimental effect on the sound level that the horn can put out. Best place for it would be as far out front as possible, with the horn facing outwards or down if no other mounting method is available.
I use the Piaa powersports horn, and it rocks! Much louder, but a much better frequency also. Piaa Horn "A loud, attention getting horn is one of your most important safety devices. make sure people notice you with this 115db 500Hz lightweight and easy to install horn from PIAA."
I bought the Wolo brand version of the compact dual horn. (made in Italy) I separated the motor/compressor from the horn assembly, and mounted the motor above the headlights and ran a hose down to the left side just next to the oil cooler. I cut a little off the inside air deflector to allow the horns to blast straight out to the front. Package says 118db. Sure sounds like it! Wired to the existing horn with a relay, so a quick tap of the button only beeps the horn while holding it down longer blasts both of them.
