Which horn (and I need some honest answers)

[Red Duke Rider]

I'm going to upgrade the horn(s) on my ST this winter. I'm looking at twin Fiamms or Stebel or something else.

If I got a horn that played the same tune as the General Lee from the "Dukes of Hazzard" would I be banned from ST-owners.com?

[georgeorge]

Is that what Red Duke Rider is all about? LOL Answer...... yes..banned. Unless of course you get Daisy to clear things up.

[MAC_JD]

Stebel hands down!!

JD

[STindy05]

Stebel hands down!!

JD

+1:bow1:

[Blrfl]

The Stebel's good. I have a set of the Fiamms that I like better. They're still plenty loud and I think the "grandma's Buick" sound snaps the BDCs back into line quicker. MHO, YMMV.

A horn that plays Dixie is okay a long as it comes with a 1981-model Catherine Bach.

--Mark

[gnorts]

I've got twin Fiamms on the Goose, and a Stebel honker on the ST. They are both LOUD, but very different. The Fiamms say "Buick!" and the Stebel says "Ferrari!"

[nybryan]

I have a steble. Its loud and all. If i had to do it again i think i would just go to the auto parts and found a simple button horn that plugs right into the existing wires that had a more automotive sound.

[Red Duke Rider]

Of course it would include Catherine Bach as the passenger. If she's not available, I will settle for Jessica Simpson.

It's Sunday night after a holiday weekend and I'm dreading work already tomorrow. Just wanted to lighten up the proceedings some before heading back to the salt mine.

And no, Red does not refer to my neck color, it's the color of my Duke. I prefer to think of myself as a sophisticated hillbilly.

[Rob Hephner]

Stebel and I'll take Jessica....:)


Oh, and I have a Dixie horn on my Element.

[ChipSTer]

Stebel and I'll take Jessica....:)


Oh, and I have a Dixie horn on my Element.

+1 (minus the Dixie Horn).... :crackup
:cool:

[STingray]

I will side with blrfl here. I've had dual FIAMMs on my 1100 for years now, and had the opportunity to hear them and the Stebel side-by-side. Yes, both are loud(er) than stock, by a large margin, but I give a huge nod to the FIAMMs (dual)

The Stebel was mounted on a GL1500 and was right out in the open. My FIAMMs are mounted tucked away under the tupperware, and the FIAMMs still were "more noticable", more attention getting, more "WHAAAA???" to BDCs.

Now though, I am looking for suggestions (be nice now!:)) as to where exactly to mount a set of FIAMMs on my new 1300...Anybody?

Thanks!

Ray

[STepheNZ]

All this talk of beautiful Dukes of Hazard girls is making this writer just a little.... horny. I have the Stebel and it is tremendous. Whatever horn you add make sure you run a wire direct to it and use a relay off the old horn wiring in order to get the most noise out of your new trumpet.

[George]

+1 on what STephenNZ said. 12 gauge wire and a relay activated thru the stock wires and button.

I have Fiamms on both my STs, cheap and easy thru Checker and most other auto parts stores. Look for the "Blaster".

My opinion,

[st11ray]

I just put the Stebel on my '06. I'm very happy with the sound, although I'm thinking of cutting some holes or slits in the inner tupperware to try and unleash some more noise. I would also recommend the easternbeaver horn wiring kit, it makes installation a breeze. Good Luck!

[nm6r]

Dual trumpet air horns. They fit very nicely on the ST1300. They are priced right ($10 on sale) and are the loudest.

Ray

[Marshal_Mercer]

I just put the Stebel on my '06. I'm very happy with the sound <snip>. I would also recommend the easternbeaver horn wiring kit, it makes installation a breeze. Good Luck!
+1

Marshal

[oldguy]

Stebel air horn on my 2000 ST1100. Very loud and always gets the cagers attention, no matter how 'diverted' they may be!

[Red Duke Rider]

Thanks for all of the input guys concerning Stebel vs. Fiamms. I think I have some old Fiamms off a ZRX1100 somewhere I may mount.

10 ga wire and a 30 amp relay should work OK for either the Stebel or the Fiamms shouldn't it? I was going to wire it off my Blue Sea. What size fuse for the noise monsters?

BTW,

[ChipSTer]

I believe I have mine on a 15 amp circuit... But I think it calls for 10 amp....
:cool:

[Blrfl]

Fuses are there to protect the wiring, not the gadget at the other end. That said, I usually select a fuse that's one size larger than the maximum expected load and still less than the wire's capacity.

Most of the horns in Fiamm's lineup draw 5A each, so 10A for the pair. I'm using a 15A fuse for mine, and your 10 AWG wire will carry more than that.

--Mark

[Red Duke Rider]

Thanks Blrfl.

[LiveToRide]

I have dual steble magnums (high/low) NOT the airhorn.

[Red Duke Rider]

All right all you goobers, the things do exist. I was doing some research on the web tonight and wound up on the Fiamm factory web site. They offer a series of musical horns consisting of a compressor and five trumpets. The available tunes are:

Charge
Call to Post (what they play at the beginning of a horse race)
La Cuccaracha
Dixie Land (wonder if that is the same as "Dixie"?)
On Suzanna

Decisions, decisions.

Any input from my fellow ST'ers would be appreciated.

[Diggers1300]

I've got twin Fiamms on the Goose, and a Stebel honker on the ST. They are both LOUD, but very different. The Fiamms say "Buick!" and the Stebel says "Ferrari!"


But I'm looking for something that says "Mack Truck"! Any suggestions?

I had Fiamms on my '03 ST. Looking for something to turn an old lady's blue hair to white! :cool:

[snowmoer]

I will side with blrfl here. I've had dual FIAMMs on my 1100 for years now, and had the opportunity to hear them and the Stebel side-by-side. Yes, both are loud(er) than stock, by a large margin, but I give a huge nod to the FIAMMs (dual)

The Stebel was mounted on a GL1500 and was right out in the open. My FIAMMs are mounted tucked away under the tupperware, and the FIAMMs still were "more noticable", more attention getting, more "WHAAAA???" to BDCs.

Now though, I am looking for suggestions (be nice now!:)) as to where exactly to mount a set of FIAMMs on my new 1300...Anybody?

Thanks!

Ray



Ray,

I just took off the Honda horn and used the mounts that came with the FIAMM's. I just had to bend them a little to make them fit when the plastic is on. Put the mounts in the same hole used for the Honda horn.

I also used the blaster horns that did not have the plastic horn on them. Only lost 2db per horn.

Here is a photo.

[Rob Hephner]

All right all you goobers, the things do exist. I was doing some research on the web tonight and wound up on the Fiamm factory web site. They offer a series of musical horns consisting of a compressor and five trumpets.


I'm not kidding, I have a Dixie Horn on my Element!! LOL

[Brad Felmey]

The best horns I ever heard came on a 1975 Buick Park Avenue Limited. They were an optional four-note horn, could be heard on the other side of the state, and sounded exactly like a train. Holy moley.

[johnephlin]

I have a pair of Fam's and am very happy with them.

[Red Duke Rider]

Rob:

Do you have the 5 trumpet Fiamm setup on your Element? Do you have it painted orange with a Confederate Battle Flag on the roof and "01" on the doors?

RDR

[STingray]

Rob:

Do you have the 5 trumpet Fiamm setup on your Element? Do you have it painted orange with a Confederate Battle Flag on the roof and "01" on the doors?

RDR

Probably not, but when he goes by a construction site and honks, he probably gets all the workers all excited thinking the lunch wagon showed up! :crackup


Snowmoer: THANK YOU! Awesome pic. How much tupperware was off when you snapped that photo?

Ray

[Rob Hephner]

Rob:

Do you have the 5 trumpet Fiamm setup on your Element?

Yes

Do you have it painted orange with a Confederate Battle Flag on the roof and "01" on the doors?

RDR

No

[Red Duke Rider]

Then do it Rob. You'd have the pick of every trailer park queen in AZ.

[Rob Hephner]

Hmm, if it gets Jessica over here....Hmmm.....

[jdpfms]

I've used Stebel horns on different bikes and like them but have had them quit a couple of times. On the advice of someone, I got a dual kit of hi/lo PIAA horns and didn't need a relay kit. I did have to put a 20 fuse inplace of the 15 for the horn at the fuse box though. Here's a link. My 04 had dual OEM horns so I just put the PIAAs where the stockers were and used the same wiring, but to get to that spot requires some tupperware removal or small hands.

http://www.autobarn.net/piaasportshorn.html

JDP

[brianm767]

Stebel Nautilus sound clip. compared to our stock F4I, which I think is the same as the stock St1300's horn.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b116/brianm767/th_IMGP9561.jpg (http://s18.photobucket.com/albums/b116/brianm767/?action=view&current=IMGP9561.flv)

[KrazyKooter]

If I got a horn that played the same tune as the General Lee from the "Dukes of Hazzard" ...

A man after my own heart. :)

[STingray]

OK, I have some egg on my face now.

After running dual FIAMM horns on my 1100 for years, and having heard my FIAMMs side-by-side with the Stebel horn (FIAMMs won hands down), I gotta guess that the Stebel wasn't wired up properly or something.

For the sake of simplicity (see here: http://www.ridethatbike.com/ST1300/ST%20Air%20Horn.htm ), I bought-to-try a Stebel for my 1300. Wired it direct through a relay, with 14ga. wire.

Well, when I lit it off in the closed garage, my wife made an instant appearance wondering what that NOISE was (????). I couldn't quite hear 'cause my ears were still ringing! :hyp1: WOW! MUCH louder than those other Stebels I had heard before. Bottom line, I'm sticking with the Stebel. The FIAMMs are going to stay on the 1100.

Just thought y'all'd like to know.

[Slip N SLIDE]

I read this thread and then researched other sites as I had some questions about Strebel VS WOLO, were they the same? etc. Then, I read about a BMW RT with two Strebel's. SOOOO, I bougth a WOLO, as I already Had the STREBEL. During research, I found WOLO advertises 119 DB and STREBEL 139 DB. I also found information indicating the Strebel DB rating is measured at 3 or 4 inches and the WOLO is measured at 3 to 4 feet. Putting the two horns side by side they are the same with the exception of bad boy sticker and cheap plastic chrome. I ran them side by side and the sound is the same.

Soooo, seeing some much craftier installations than my solo mounding on the existing horn bracket, slight bend necessary. I decided I would mount one high, inside of right mirror, on factory hole as seen in this thread. Used two relays and seperate runs of 12 ga from the battery, via fuse block, and a switch on one relay, so I could run just one if it was too loud (It IS). Put it all back together and lit it off. It is extremely loud. The two horns set off a resenance that is deafening. My two German Sherpards, immediately without hesitation, even faster than with a fire truck, began howling. My ears are still ringing after several tests: one, two etc.

The BMW site claims 120 DB at 50 feet. I believe it. There is also a sound clip that doesn't do the volume justice. If you want obnoxiously loud this will do it. I'll see if I can get some photos posted so the install can be seen.

[elk2112]

I bought a Stebel. When I took it to the mechanic to be installed (how embarrasing, not too handy in the garage area), he hooked it to a battery and tested it in the garage, and WOW! But then he installed it, and I was disappointed once it was under the tupperware; it was much quieter. I actually considered getting a second Stebel (would a second one fit under the plastic?) In hindsight, he didn't use the relay that came with the Stebel (though I told him that it was recommended in the literature); he said it was a waste because he could just use the existing horn's relay. Wonder if that makes a big difference or if it's the same type of relay.

[Slip N SLIDE]

Not that I am any kind of expert, but the wiring that comes on the ST is only capable of handling the relay fro the STREBEL. It is about 20 gauge wire. You need at least 14 gauge coming from the battery, fuse and then through a relay. Otherwise, you won't get hardly anything from the horn. Also, the horn will burn up the horn switch as I don't believe Honda, for the stock horn, has a relay. The size of the stock wire tends to support this, minimal at best for stock.

[Ron_WI]

I spotted this bike a couple months ago. Those horns ought to get your attention. Wish I would have heard them.

http://home.wi.rr.com/estatesale/images/AirHorns2.jpg

[Slip N SLIDE]

Now that gets my er...hillbilly....er...roots going. How can I get those on a ST without them showing? Yee Haw or is that Hee Haw!!!

[STingray]

I bought a Stebel. When I took it to the mechanic to be installed (how embarrasing, not too handy in the garage area), he hooked it to a battery and tested it in the garage, and WOW! But then he installed it, and I was disappointed once it was under the tupperware; it was much quieter. I actually considered getting a second Stebel (would a second one fit under the plastic?) In hindsight, he didn't use the relay that came with the Stebel (though I told him that it was recommended in the literature); he said it was a waste because he could just use the existing horn's relay. Wonder if that makes a big difference or if it's the same type of relay.


Elk: your mechanic did you wrong. Simple wiring is to run a fused 14ga wire directly from the battery to the relay (#30 pin), then run 14ga wire from the relay to the horn. The two OEM horn wires, just plug into the relay as ground and trigger (see website in my earlier post). Done!

The OEM wiring will NOT handle the load of the Stebel (uh, not "Strebel"), or FIAMM, or any high-output horn. The results will prove to be dismal, as you've found out.

Ron: that reminds me of another bike like that. An old GL1200. I was at a rally checkpoint in Cooke City, MT (Yellowstone) and that guy lit off his horns (he had about 6-8 of them). It sounded exaclty like a freight train, tone and everything! Every person for blocks whipped around to see the train coming down the street (there were no 'tracks'). Too funny!

[Slip N SLIDE]

strebel...stebel....:bow1: :bow1: :D

[elk2112]

Thanks guys for the info, I'm psyched to know that there's more gusto to my Stebel! The mechanic said it was quieter because of the tupperware, shame on him. Maybe I need to roll up my sleeves and fix it myself for a change.

[gnorts]

I bought a Stebel. When I took it to the mechanic to be installed (how embarrasing, not too handy in the garage area), he hooked it to a battery and tested it in the garage, and WOW! But then he installed it, and I was disappointed once it was under the tupperware; it was much quieter. I actually considered getting a second Stebel (would a second one fit under the plastic?) In hindsight, he didn't use the relay that came with the Stebel (though I told him that it was recommended in the literature); he said it was a waste because he could just use the existing horn's relay. Wonder if that makes a big difference or if it's the same type of relay.I second that. Your mechanic's an idjit. The bike doesn't have a horn relay. That's why one must be installed when the horn is upgraded. Not only will the new horn sound wimpy, the current draw of the new horn will cause the horn button switch to fail before long. Go back to the idjit, get him to do it right, then don't go back. Idjit mechanics. Grrrrr:cus:

[STingray]

Elk, when you go back to your idjit mechanic :22yikes: , print this link out with the photo. It will be perfectly clear as to the simplist way of doing the job: http://www.ridethatbike.com/ST1300/ST%20Air%20Horn.htm

[elk2112]

Thanks guys! I am taking my bike back to the mechanic today (unfortunately, someone backed into my bike this weekend) and am going to talk to him about rewiring the horn. I'll let you know how it turns out. Appreciate the info.

[ajaugust]

Stebel.
You will not be disappointed, especially when you use it the first time to warn a mini van or a SUV toting soccer mom who's on the phone....

Some advice: Pay attention to the some of the installation tips shown on this thread. Don't skimp on the wire gauge, and by all means, use a relay.

[STBNE]

Thanks guys! I am taking my bike back to the mechanic today (unfortunately, someone backed into my bike this weekend) and am going to talk to him about rewiring the horn. I'll let you know how it turns out. Appreciate the info.
I dont know why no one has mentioned the fact that an Eastern Beaver single horn wiring harness with attached relay and 20 amp fuse using 14ga.wire with quality crimping ...is the way to go...just plug and play...I used this with my STebel inSTall and am I ever GLAD I did...:D Tupperware or not this sucker is LOUD:eek: One important point to make here is that no matter where you end up installing the STebel it MUST have the metal portion of the horn in the vertical position because there is a fan motor inside the horn than drive the air thru it..if its on its side then it wont work properly or will burn out early...where the sound comes out...the black trumpets...they should be facing down and depending on where its mounted they will be "pointed"either towards athe centerline of the bike or they will be facing an outside line...hope this makes sense..LOL

[egar]

STebel