Horn upgrade for a M696

[ungeheuer]

Hey ungeheuer, Thanks for the link. That's a pretty cool install and nice write up. Is that a 2011 696?
When I checked in that space, I had a metal fin like thing blocking on the left side... Do you have that too? Did you make the bracket yourself or buy it?

Mine was a 2009.  I made the (simple) bracket.   Metal fin??  Post up a picture if you can....  

I like the stebel, but it's not louder than the twin Hellas and theyve had inconsistent durability.  Webbikeworld did a test and their tester failed and my stebil failed on my hyper...  

This is true.  I've fitted a Stebel Nautilus to my M696 and it worked fine for as long as I kept the bike.  I've also fitted a Stebel Nautilus to my M1100 and it continues to work just fine too.  But you're right, there are reports of inconsistent reliability.  

[Frustration]

Its a great horn.  It also seems like if they dont fail fairly early, you're good to go.  I just had double whammy bad luck and then the second return was crappy from a vendor that didnt want to deal with it.

[Kev M]

Well, I had some other things to order from Aerostich today so I added a low-tone Fiamm to the list. Will report after install, but I'm still thinking it might be plug and play.

[Frustration]

That's the horn I had.  It's a different tone (better I think), but the db level is pretty much stock.

[Kev M]

That's the horn I had.  It's a different tone (better I think), but the db level is pretty much stock.

Which, the Fiamm low tone?

I don't THINK the tone is the only difference - like I said, I've got 3 of them on other bikes and side-by-side with the stock Duc horn, the Fiamm SEEMS louder for sure. But I will admit that I don't have a decimeter and it could be an illusion caused by the deeper tone.

I know it's no air cannon, but like I said, I've found em sufficient over the decades.

I'll report back, but I think it probably comes down to preference.

Might also help that we're pretty much in rural PA horse country and don't spend much time in/around Philly (at least on this bike).

[Kev M]

So I installed the Fiamm - without a relay - just plug-n-play.

It's basically in the same area as the original horn, though I bent the bracket that came with the horn slightly down and forward to position the horn so it wasn't contacting the voltage regulator or ignition coil.

Sound is better than stock, but yes, not a whole lot louder. It's definitely a deeper tone which is pretty much what I was looking for (no longer sounds like an economy car, sounds more like a truck - which I think will be heard better and more importantly is more likely to be responded to).

Either way, I consider a horn as more a secondary or tertiary safety device, the primary being your head, and the various controls (brakes, throttle, bars etc).


RIDE SAFE all,

Kev

[theprocess]

So I installed the Fiamm - without a relay - just plug-n-play.

It's basically in the same area as the original horn, though I bent the bracket that cam with the horn slightly down and forward to position the horn so it wasn't contacting the voltage regulator or ignition coil.

Sound is better than stock, but yes, not a whole lot louder. It's definitely a deeper tone which is pretty much what I was looking for (no longer sounds like an economy car, sounds more like a truck - which I think will be heard better and more importantly is more likely to be responded too).

Either way, I consider a horn as more a secondary or tertiary safety device, the primary being your head, and the various controls (brakes, throttle, bars etc).


RIDE SAFE all,

Kev

+1 for the Fiamm low-tone. Definite improvement over the "meep meep" stock horn. Inexpensive also.

[sgollapalle]

Not impressed by the hella's look.. Decided to go to the local auto store and picked up these. Finally put on the bike. Still need to wire them..
Don't love the look, but I guess I could live with it..

Pics coming soon...

[sgollapalle]

[theprocess]

+1 for the Fiamm low-tone. Definite improvement over the "meep meep" stock horn. Inexpensive also.

Bumping an old thread here but as an update to my previous post I recently put in a Stebel Nautilus and wow this thing is loud 

Here's the install thread, props to ungeheuer! http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=21649.0

[696DCRider]

Those horns sticking out the sides are functional I'm sure, but damn that is ugly as sin.   What did your poor 696 deserve to be treated that way?   

[sgollapalle]

It has been given a life saving device!

[supperduc]

My next mod.
Loudest air horn on motorcycle (And Portable)

[sgollapalle]

After a long evening of mounting the air horn.. This is where it ended up at.. Its pretty big that I cannot get the mesh back on..











Few questions now...
Any ill effects of not having the mesh there?
Those of you that have installed this, how did you manage to get the mesh back on?
The instructions say that it needs to be close to vertical when mounted, have you guys seen any issues having it at that angle?
The heat sink looking thing in the last image above (I'm thinking that is a regulator..) , does it get hot? The plastic portion of the horn is really close to that, and I'm sure it would touch when the bike is running and any vibrations..

[ungeheuer]

Any ill effects of not having the mesh there?

Proably not. It might help to keep a little road crap out of the horn....  Main ill effect is the aesthetic one  .

Those of you that have installed this, how did you manage to get the mesh back on?

aha... now I see the "metal fin thing" you were talking about... thats your voltage regulator.. and yes my '09 M696 had one in the same location.

did you entirely remove the plastic shroud to mount you Stebel and then refit the plastic covers (inc volt reg) afterwards? 

it is tight for room under there, but I had no issues getting my Stebel to hide behind the mesh screen, so I'm guessing your mounting position needs a little work if you want it all to fit unseen.

The instructions say that it needs to be close to vertical when mounted, have you guys seen any issues having it at that angle?

If its too far from vertical its said to adversely effect the life of the Stebel compressor.  But I was prepared to accept that as a trade-off for finding a place to install it out of view. 

The heat sink looking thing in the last image above (I'm thinking that is a regulator..) , does it get hot? The plastic portion of the horn is really close to that, and I'm sure it would touch when the bike is running and any vibrations..

The regulator's job is to "waste" excess electrical output in the form of heat, so yeah it can get hot.... but I wouldnt worry about it.  Again, when i installed mine I was able to do so without it contacting the regulator...... so it can be done.