Ducati Monster Forum

Moto Board => General Monster Forum => Topic started by: Cucciolo on May 26, 2008, 10:58:42 PM

Title: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: Cucciolo on May 26, 2008, 10:58:42 PM
Anyone knows what db does the stock horn for a 2005 S4R has? I couldn't find this info in the manual or forums.
Also, it seems that the loudest choice is the Stebel Nautilus... but it is bulky and needs a relay. Anyone has a picture of this horn installed on a monster?
If you have a better choice that is louder than the stocker and doesn't need a relay, please let me know.  [thumbsup]
Thank you guys!!
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: NAKID on May 26, 2008, 11:36:23 PM
I currently have a 130dB "Low Tone" horn from the auto parts store mounted in the stock location. No more "meep meep" from my bike!
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: the_Journeyman on May 27, 2008, 06:09:54 AM
Stebel is supposed to be loud ~

JM
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: stopintime on May 27, 2008, 06:23:00 AM
I have the Rivco electric horn set. Both low and high note are installed in the stock position, no relay needed.
They are loud like an aggressive car horn, scares the ones I need to scare.

Mine is S2R - don't know if stock position is the same as S4R?
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: Grrrly on May 27, 2008, 06:39:45 AM
I have the Stebel Nautilus, one of the best mods I've ever done!  It IS BIG though, so finding a spot might be difficult depending on your bike.  But living in NYC, it's was definitely worth the hassle of installing it! 
Taxis part like the Red Sea to Moses, at just one short honk of this horn.   [thumbsup] Sounds like a truck


(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2352/2527292849_90805e81d8_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: ducatiz on May 27, 2008, 06:43:01 AM
Quote from: IndustrialGrrrl on May 27, 2008, 06:39:45 AM
I have the Stebel Nautilus, one of the best mods I've ever done!  It IS BIG though, so finding a spot might be difficult depending on your bike.  But living in NYC, it's was definitely worth the hassle of installing it! 
Taxis part like the Red Sea to Moses, at just one short honk of this horn.   [thumbsup] Sounds like a truck


(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2352/2527292849_90805e81d8_o.jpg)

mish, i can't believe what you guys have done with that 620, that is SIIIICK   [thumbsup]

i think the taxis part because they see that horned gas mask in their rear view and think Satan's after them   [laugh]
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: hydra on May 27, 2008, 08:22:50 AM
i too would love a very loud horn. would some of you please post some pix?
and where did you purchase?
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: Cucciolo on May 27, 2008, 12:10:54 PM
THanks for the feedback! Anyone Knows the DB on the stock horn? So I can compare to the one I will end up choosing THX
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: stopintime on May 27, 2008, 12:53:51 PM
Don't trust db information, I've seen them measured at 4" - of course they will be loud at that distance. Others, like ambulances are measured from several hundred feet.

Stock:   meep meep
Rivco:   like a large car
Stebel: truck
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: ducatiz on May 27, 2008, 01:49:03 PM
Someone on TOB had a thread about a set of Hella horns they put on their bike.  They were 4 or 5" in diameter, and he mounted them under the fork.  The sound file scared the shit out of me, it was pretty intense.
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: dlearl476 on May 27, 2008, 01:57:11 PM
I spend a lot of time on some Dual-Sport/Adventure Touring sites and Stebels don't really stand up well to MC use, in that application.

Quote from: ducatizzzz on May 27, 2008, 01:49:03 PM
Someone on TOB had a thread about a set of Hella horns they put on their bike.  They were 4 or 5" in diameter, and he mounted them under the fork.  The sound file scared the shit out of me, it was pretty intense.

(http://www.hella.com/produktion/HellaResources/WebSite/HellaResources/Internet_Picture/EN/Garages/Top_3/ELE_Acoustic.jpg)
http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/77573.do?code=FROOGLE

IMO, still the best.  It's my next mod, now that I've shitcanned the airbox and have room for them.  (I'll mount one in the OEM position, and the other on the front left mount for the airbox, along with the relays.)
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: Cucciolo on May 27, 2008, 02:37:23 PM
Quote from: stopintime on May 27, 2008, 12:53:51 PM
These are all measured at 4''


Rivco= 118db
Fiamm Freeway Blaster Horn= 132dB (Really cheap)
Stebel HF 80 Series   = 133dB (looks like the rivco and Hella)
Stebel TM80 magnum = 136dB
Stebel Nautilus = 139db (loudest but bulkier)

Hope this helps.. I may go with the HF 80 Series since it looks like it will be the easiest to install and has good output. I you find the Rivco loud.. then the HF, according to dbs, will be a LOT louder. Hope this helps!
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: johndoe on May 27, 2008, 02:43:29 PM
I also have the Stebel Nautalis and it is LOUD.  It's so loud that when I use it I shit my own pants! 
I mounted mine on the same mount that the OEM horn was on.  I just had to remove that flat piece of metal between the forks that sits in front of the horn.  I also used a couple of strips of metal that came with the Stebel used to offset the horn to allow it to fit.  I didn't use a relay and it works great.  I'll see when I can post some photos.
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: LMT on May 27, 2008, 02:58:35 PM
I just installed the Fiamm Freeway Blaster in the stock postion with no reley and it is loud.

Did it myself too  [thumbsup]
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: ducatiz on May 27, 2008, 03:10:05 PM
yeah, i put dual Nautilus horns on my car (replacing the hi/lo crap horns)

it was fun in new york city honking at jaywalkers.. people literally jumped and shit themselves..

Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: uclabiker06 on May 27, 2008, 03:11:24 PM
I went with the Piaa from E-Bay.  Its louder than the stock but its still weak compared to the Stebel.  I think the stock horn on the Monsters is the same as the horn on a Vespa!   
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: Cucciolo on May 27, 2008, 03:15:46 PM
Ok.. I removed the stocker from my S4R and it has 113db brand=Denso Japan
My bike has a special braket for the horn right behind the left radiator fan. It even has extra space for another horn on the same bracket which makes it perfect for the dual horns or even the big nautilus. I will let you know how it all works out when I decide which one is going to be.. I want loud but not obnoxious loud... then I would have a cagers chase me because I scared the crap out of them..
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: Ducatiloo on May 27, 2008, 03:28:08 PM
I installed a Stebel Nautilus, when I tossed my airbox in favor of pods I used the bolt hole that was left on the frame to put the horn.
Love honking it at cagers with their windows down.... so very hard to talk on the phone  [evil]
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: Ducatiloo on May 27, 2008, 03:29:30 PM
FYI I had to watch the angle I put the horn on so it would not touch my oil cooler.
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: Cucciolo on May 27, 2008, 03:38:56 PM
thanks for the info..

I found this very interesting:

Threshold of Hearing (TOH)    0 dB
Rustling Leaves   10 dB
Whisper   20 dB
Normal Conversation   60 dB
Busy Street Traffic   70 dB
Vacuum Cleaner   80 dB
Large Orchestra   98 dB
Walkman at Maximum Level   100 dB
Front Rows of Rock Concert   110 dB
Threshold of Pain   130 dB
Military Jet Takeoff   140 dB
Instant Perforation of Eardrum   160 dB
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: Ducatiloo on May 27, 2008, 03:49:17 PM
Quote from: julianista on May 27, 2008, 03:38:56 PM

Threshold of Pain   130 dB


See perfect horn! ;D
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: Ducatiloo on May 27, 2008, 03:53:06 PM
This would sound cool Train Horn (http://www.hornblasters.com/products/details.php?item=AW-3400)

Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: Buckethead on May 27, 2008, 03:56:38 PM
Quote from: Ducatiloo on May 27, 2008, 03:53:06 PM
This would sound cool Train Horn (http://www.hornblasters.com/products/details.php?item=AW-3400)



Seems kind of a shame to have to muss up that shiny brass, but would definitely get you noticed.

I've been wanting something louder for both my bike and my car. Now I know exactly what to go with.  [thumbsup]
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: Cucciolo on May 27, 2008, 04:37:20 PM
Quote from: johndoe on May 27, 2008, 02:43:29 PM

I didn't use a relay and it works great.  I'll see when I can post some photos.
According to what I've read you are supposed to blow a fuse if you don't install the relay for the stebel. It draws 18A compared with the 4A that the stock one uses.
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: rose351 on May 27, 2008, 09:17:15 PM
Quote from: julianista on May 27, 2008, 04:37:20 PM
According to what I've read you are supposed to blow a fuse if you don't install the relay for the stebel. It draws 18A compared with the 4A that the stock one uses.

Holy shit!!  18A?!  You better be able to scare the shit our of someone with a horn that loud... Or start melting wires and blowing fuses for sure at least.
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: ArguZ on July 05, 2008, 07:39:50 AM
Here a pic of my new Stebel Nautilus Compact

(http://pics.pech.dk/files/98f13708210194c475687be6106a3b84/fab7b86f2cb034a7ef6b00a57f9aa5bf.jpg)

I just drilled a hole 90 degree through the horns metal connector.
I removed the old horn and just mounted the Stebel to the exact same position.
There is a counter screw attached to the frame, covered in paint...perfect.
I safely ignored the mounting instructions and mounted it horizontally.
Also after asking my Duc Dealer I just used the original cables...no relais.
I´ll keep you posted if it holds up
Now I go and scare some dogs of the street....hehe
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: Capt baz on July 05, 2008, 07:50:13 AM
Capt baz
Full Member
***
Online

Posts: 132


TITANIUM MEAT PUPPET


View Profile Email Personal Message (Online)
   
stebel naitilus horn
« Sent to: julianista on: June 21, 2008, 06:46:02 AM »
   
Reply with quote
   
Reply
   
Remove this message
   
julian,

   i just out of curiosity,  went back to see the old dml & saw a pm from you on my horn install. i'm not high tech enough to post a pic, but i can tell what i did. if you have an s4* your radiator will not allow to do what i did. i took off the stock horn & mounting bracket & made a new bracket that wound allow the horn to mounted back at the stock location. it is tight, but there is clearance all around & it dosen't block the oil cooler. on the s4* i've seen it mounted quite nicely on the stock charcoal canister bracket, which obviously means it has to be removed, which most people do anyway. i hope this is of some help to you. i mounted it, at first, with out the relay, & no problems( believe it or not, it's louder with the relay). but read alot about melting wires & popping fuses, so i installed the relay. i mounted it near the battery on an existing bolt. neat & hidden. by the way this horn is quite loud. the supplied instructions worked very well for me.

Capt baz (philip)
Report To Admin
"It will not go in deepr than it is long"

'05 S2R red/white, spareshack header, stratified cans, pcIII/custom map, 14t, ecd risers, monstrack  mirrors, emissions & reflectors gone, shift-tech carbon tail chop & carbon everywhere.
Pages: [1]
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: Duc Stamp on July 05, 2008, 09:26:49 AM
Stebel is loud enough for old people to hear it when they start coming into your lane.

The most fun I had with it was when the inspection guy at the gas station had me test the horn.  He wasn't expecting it to be that loud and literally almost fell over.
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: Cucciolo on July 05, 2008, 10:55:38 AM
thanks capt baz! that post will help others as well..

Update on my part... I bought the stebel nautilus and also the M80 and the FIAMM to compare how loud and how bulky.

The nautilus is horribly big AND it will need the relay but it is the loudest! I tried to find a place for it on my S4R. I even have the bracket for the canister, but it is way too big.
The M80 is loud like a car, but having only one installed, does not help us much as I wanted. I would honk it when passing by cars on the interstate, but I don't get their attention like I wanted... It is loud indeed, but I guess it has to do with the tone being LOW and maybe not cutting through the MIX like a high tone would?  around town it is loud enough!
The fiamm had the same dimensions and was as loud as the M80 (fiamm from aerostitch)
HOpe that helps!!

Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: He Man on July 05, 2008, 12:22:33 PM
+1 on the stebel, its make the beast with two backsing LOUD. but i still want something louder. [evil]  It really makes a difference  where you point it at. I have it mounted on the side and quiet frankly, it would be muh more useful if you pointed it toward the front (but almost impossible given the space on my S2R1k).
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: Dave R on July 05, 2008, 03:31:11 PM
the scooter line we sell Geuine Scooters use Stebel horns and man are they loud !  talk about car drivers doing double takes when they look for the semi and only see a scooter !   We have the Compact Nautilus (140db) in stock for $39.99 http://www.scooterworks.com/Horn_Stebel_Compact_Nautilus__P5650C291.cfm (http://www.scooterworks.com/Horn_Stebel_Compact_Nautilus__P5650C291.cfm) and we also sell the TM80 Magnum version (133db) for $28.99 and it is more compact.  http://www.scooterworks.com/Horn_Stebel_TM_80_Magnum_Sing_P5651C291.cfm (http://www.scooterworks.com/Horn_Stebel_TM_80_Magnum_Sing_P5651C291.cfm)
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: jerryz on July 06, 2008, 07:15:34 AM
I have used Double FIAMM airhorns  on bike in the past ...awesome  but on the S4 am using a pair of Honda CB1300 horns which are much louder and penetrating than the standard Duke horns.
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: SP3 on July 06, 2008, 07:38:40 AM
This will be of no help but it is funny. A guy I used to work with was always doing stupid projects. He came upon a horn that he said was monster-loud and fitted it to his dually Chevy pickup. I was told to come out and hear it. Jumps in and starts the truck. I'm wondering why he had to start it then he hits the horn button and I was nearly blown to the ground by the sound. After some time to recoup some hearing, he tells me that it is an air horn from a locomotive! You cannot imagine how loud this thing is unless you actually experience it at 3 feet away. He had a few stories of his "testing" of its effectiveness on left lane bandits. Of course a few decent blasts empties the 30 gallon tank in short order and then takes a few minutes idling/driving to refill it.
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: johndoe on July 06, 2008, 03:29:50 PM
Here is how I mounted my Stebel Nautilus:
(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff84/sasafrasjones/100_0072.jpg)

The bolt behind the tie down is where the stock horn was mounted, I used an extension that came with the horn to offset it and make it fit.
(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff84/sasafrasjones/100_0067.jpg)

(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff84/sasafrasjones/100_0073.jpg)

QuoteAccording to what I've read you are supposed to blow a fuse if you don't install the relay for the stebel. It draws 18A compared with the 4A that the stock one uses.
Don't believe everything you read; no relay used and no blown fuse, melted wire, or any other problem.

The Nautilus is the way to go without a doubt!  The slack jawed half wits will get out of your way quick when they think they are about to get hit
by an eighteen wheeler!   
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: Buckethead on July 06, 2008, 03:41:57 PM
Hmmm.... Would it be possible to do a hi-low dual-tone Nautilus? Or would that have Brown Note-like results?  [evil]
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: ArguZ on July 07, 2008, 01:00:58 AM
Well it IS a high/low dual tone.
Thats the reason it sounds so distinctive and not like a normal car.
I also confirm it work totally fine without the relais.
And I will not change the fuse from 10 to 20...
If anything blows , it should be the fuse.
it also works very well horizontally, meaning you can just plug and play it to the original cables.
Sound distributes downwards then, goes to every side at the same level...perfect
All in all it took me two hours of thinking, 15 minutes of drilling the new hole into the horns mounting and another 15 to take off the old one and mount the Stebel.
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: NAKID on July 07, 2008, 01:49:57 AM
I don't get how they call the Stebel a "Dual-Tone". The one I have for my truck is pretty high. It's loud for sure, but damn, it's definitely a higher tone than I expected...
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: Ducatiloo on July 07, 2008, 08:59:21 AM
Quote from: NAKID on July 07, 2008, 01:49:57 AM
I don't get how they call the Stebel a "Dual-Tone".

The horn is really two horns, each with a different tone.
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: Capt baz on July 07, 2008, 11:38:22 AM
the horn is definitly louder with the relay, as this allows the full current to flow instantly & takes the horn switch out of the mix.  like i said earlier, i ran it plug & play at first, but read of fuse / wire melting problems.  then, finally i did the relay. it is louder & comes on loud as soon as you hit the button.  before the relay, it  kinda "slid" to the note . fhe.  besides that, it is the  correct  &  suggested way to install it.
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: NAKID on July 07, 2008, 09:02:32 PM
Quote from: Ducatiloo on July 07, 2008, 08:59:21 AM
The horn is really two horns, each with a different tone.

I know what you're saying, but a true dual tone has a high and a low note. This is more of a high and a higher note....
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: ArguZ on July 08, 2008, 01:58:15 AM
I am getting a chip to control the two notes seperatley.
Di daaa ,da da daaa di di daaaa  [laugh]
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: StandTall on October 26, 2008, 07:41:56 PM
Has anyone installed a new horn on a 696?
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: LA on October 27, 2008, 08:41:48 AM
yea that Stebel Compact Nautilus Twin Air seems to be the one I'd like to try.

Post a pic if anyone has one on and S4R/RS.

LA
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: He Man on October 27, 2008, 08:46:19 AM
Quote from: StandTall on October 26, 2008, 07:41:56 PM
Has anyone installed a new horn on a 696?

It isnt designed to be mounted everywhere so you could get a bunch of variations.

i tried to mount mine under the oil cooler like above, but ended up putting it the same place as industrialg.  And nakid, stop being so picky. if its a higher and higher note, isnt hte higher a lower note then a higher note?  ;D :-*

Seriously though, that horn gets attention. one of the wires got cut one day (rocks chips etc) and i was left riding in the city without a horn, i hit the button 15 times in panic mode as a car  getsa bout 2 feet from clipping my front wheel. Driver never saw me.

Its a life saver. They always snap back thinking its a semi or something.
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: FLSTFI_E46 on November 13, 2008, 01:19:57 PM
Quote from: LA on October 27, 2008, 08:41:48 AM
yea that Stebel Compact Nautilus Twin Air seems to be the one I'd like to try.

Post a pic if anyone has one on and S4R/RS.

LA

(https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3246/3027532535_ea42d3bc4c_o.jpg)

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=14886.15 (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=14886.15)
Title: Re: Which horn will save my butt the best?
Post by: NAKID on November 13, 2008, 02:13:51 PM
Mounted in that position, the horn will likely fail in a short time. Instructions say it should be mounted no more than 15 degrees from vertical....