Is My Stebel in the Wrong Spot ??

[DWJ Honda]

Was a bit intimidated about installing the Stebel on my own, so asked my dealer to do it while handling some other matters. They ended up placing it a big higher in the faring than I would have liked. The original stock horn is still on its bracket, and the Stebel is about 5-6 inches directly above it, a bit more to the outside of the bike where there is even more room as the faring curves out a bit. They said they did it that way because it gave more room for the install, and to better protect it from weather.

I have my front cowl removed as a step toward remedying the heat issue, but am still concerned that the horn is tucked too high up there and will not be heard quite as loudly (which is of course the whole reason I got it, to be heard at maximum volume).

When I hit that horn button, its no doubt the loudest horn I've ever had on any vehicle, just wish it was closer to the stock location, and don't know whether its worth the hassle to re-mount it lower.

Also wondering if its pointing more toward MY HEAD than I wish it was . . . though truth be told I can't even see it while sitting in the seat, even when I squirm around with a flashlight, etc., its tucked under the "glove box" compartment.

Thanks for any insights/suggestions!

DJ

[Mark]

You don't say how they mounted it... a picture might help... :)

If you are already removing (or have removed) the tupperware then and you think it is too high then it might be the right time to move it.
Now that it has been installed you will not really have to modify anything but the mount so it shouldn't be as intimidating.
(note I am not casting aspersions for not wanting to do the install the 1st time: everyone starts somewhere when we are working on bikes... mechanical and electrical).

Good luck and let us know what you decide (picture!), others might follow suit.

Mark

[NBA336]

Here is the link that shows where most of us have installed the Stebel. It's great because the hole is already there.
http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6971&highlight=stebel+install

[stoc445]

I recently installed my Stebel in this location, great documentation, thanks! However I think it may be a bit stifled. What is the consensus on drilling some extra holes in the inner panel? Does this effect the warming effect during the chilly months?

[Gearbear]

I installed mine in this same location as well. Even though it's damn loud I've been meaning to take the inner cowl off and drill some holes in the are to improve the volume a bit more.

It feels like a repelling force field when I hit the horn button. So far it's pushed a drifting car back into its own lane, stopped a deer cold from jumping in front of me and made a soccer mom with a car full of kids jump and take notice when she almost clipped me at an intersection.

[gregj]

Here is the link that shows where most of us have installed the Stebel. It's great because the hole is already there.
http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6971&highlight=stebel+install


I also put mine in the same location. Many thanks to Dano for posting those pics, they helped quite a bit. I dont think this position has stifled mine any, at least not from the responses I've received (inner cowls in or out dont seem to make a diff).

[Lew]

It feels like a repelling force field when I hit the horn button.

Be careful with that feeling.

There's something heartwarming about seeing an inattentive driver just about soil themselves and look around for the big truck.

Which is precisely the problem. They're reacting to the sound. Reactions can be unpredictable. Be very very careful about relying on the horn to get you out of trouble -- it might work nine times out of ten but when that teen with earphones in his head *doesn't* hear you....

Not trying to be a wet blanket, but I've found myself getting complacent about the power of airhorns before and complacency has no place on a motorcycle.

-- Lew

[Viggo]

DJ - As long as it's mounted securely and protected from the elements, I probably wouldn't move it (unless I wanted that space for some other farkle). I would make sure the relay is mounted with the wiring contacts pointed down or back to prevent water corrosion.

[jdaniels]

I had mounted mine in that hole but now I'm instaling the blm driving light brackets and can no longer use that position.Think maybe I'll just use wire ties and attach it to fairing bracket.

[hoowasat]

They ended up placing it a big higher in the faring than I would have liked. The original stock horn is still on its bracket, and the Stebel is about 5-6 inches directly above it, a bit more to the outside of the bike where there is even more room as the faring curves out a bit.

. . . though truth be told I can't even see it while sitting in the seat, even when I squirm around with a flashlight, etc., its tucked under the "glove box" compartment.

The above quotes sound a little contradictory to me, or I'm not interpreting them correctly. Is the horn mounted up high in the front fairing or is it below the right-side fairing pocket? The reason I ask is because I'm looking for an alternate location to mount my Stebel ... someplace other than immediately inboard of the right-side mirror bracket which seems to be the most common location people have chosen.

Why am I looking to mount it elsewhere? I ordered the Honda speaker kit from David Silver Spares (ordered 10/20/07 & received in Virginia just 4 days later ... that's fast), and the installation instructions show that the right-side speaker box will occupy that space normally used by many of you for the Stebel.

Thanks in advance!