[4652]

The S50 horn is, well, .. from a Japanese motorcycle. It doesn't blow, it sucks.

Easy fix, go to Pepboys and get a Fiamm. Worked wonders on my Honda (mmm, dual horn now), and it looks like it'll be east to get to the existing S50 horn. Then the hard part: the bolt stem on the Fiamm just isn't long enough to get through the grommet where the stock S50 horn goes.

Anyone have any success getting an alternative horn mounted? Any vibration issues by using the bracket that Fiamm gives, and a different bolt that is long enough to attach the Fiamm bracket to the Suzuki rubber grommeted bracket?

 

[Gixxerdale]

I've thought about a better horn for my gixxer but have yet to change it out. I would find some way to use the rubber mount to prevent cracking from road vibration. Let us know how it works out.

 

[roysclockgun]

I have read a couple threads regarding "better horns" for motorcycles and while riding, have imagined when I would need or use such a device. Of course, like all riders, I am occasionally the victim of four wheel drivers pulling out from side streets, even though I am approaching with lights blazing and they are clearly, illegally taking my right of way! When that happens, I get busy with either brakes, clutch and shifter, throttle and steering, or all of the above. It is only after the danger has passed, that I even think of blowing my horn and by that time, it is too late to do any good and perhaps only has the effect of allowing me to vent!............Therefore, why bother.
I can think of no scenario where blowing the horn on my bike would do anything positive. Deer do not understand horns. People who cut me off most likely would respond too slowly to horns to do me any good. Pedestrians in the roadway would also be too slow in reacting to do either of us any good. Quick positive response by the rider will do more to keep the rider alive then will tooting any sort of horn.
Who can report a true incident, in which blowing a motorcycle horn had positive results, in terms of preventing them from becoming a grease spot on the roadway? I wager that effective motorcycle control is many times more effective a safety device then is any horn.
Steve

 

[DrBob]

Steve-
I see what you are saying. I have been riding for 20+ years, and in that whole time I don't know that I have ever honked the horn while riding, with the exception of 'honk and wave to the nice people' during the 'Toys for Tots' type of low-speed 'parade' rides.
If they can't hear my my pipes, they darn sure can;t hear my horn

With that said, if a rider feels more comfortable with a louder horn, then by all means get one. As for the S50, if I recall correctly it is actually held on by two nuts that are screwed onto the studs that hold the headlight on, and the horn bracket acts as a washer to keep the whole assembly in place. So you'll have to attach the new horn to the stock bracket.

 

[stp1971]

Roy's right!!! Spend the money on an expert riding class instead.

I would have to agree with Roy on this one,,, the time spent on the horn is valuable time wasted on saving your tail. A quick press and lean is more valuable than reaching for that tooter. I would invest in taking an expert riding course that teaches evasive high speed manuevers and how to avoid having to avoid someone or something. :roll:
I just finished a motorcycle safety class in which I'll post a thread on,, that taught the basics and they touched on evasive manuevers. Unfortunately I knew 80% of what they taught. The good thing was there was 20% that I didn't know that well. They have an advanced class that teaches racing procedures and evasive maneuvers at higher speeds that I want to take.
Not that I want to race a bike,, but if that is a skill you can translate into defensive driving all the better.
As far as the horn,, well if you want to vent that is your option,, but more than likely the four wheeler could care less and even worse you get that idiot who has had a bad day at the office and decided he doesn't like your horn. He then decides that you would be a good hood ornament or he is pulling out his gun for target practice.
Fifteen years ago I would be the first to go head to head with someone and people used to care about and respect human life. Today it is better to just let it go,, and let the bad driver go on their way and hopefully you never meet again. :smile:

 

[Pinhy]

obviously you people havent ever driven in new york city! they blow their horn at every intersection that there is someone waiting at to be sure you know they are there.

One time in tight traffic someone started to change lanes into my spot and i moved way over in my lane and hit the horn...they jerked right back over into their lane when i did. Had a time when they had their radio on and didnt hear it though, but i was on the brakes at the same time and was able to slow way down and they got in front of me. At that point my "venting" was a more physical means of communication in clear view of their rear view mirror :evil:


so it has its purposes

.

 

[4652]

Out here the horns are useful at intersections. If the soccer mom on her cell phone appear to not be paying too close attention at the intersection, and looks like she'll turn on red, I'll tap the horn to wake her up (my bike sounds like a big-arse GMC truck now), and then cover the brake. If they come to the intersection at the last minute, I skip the horn (too late), and just adjust lane position or speed.

I use the horn perhaps once or twice a week, but for those times, I'm happy as heck to have it. Never rely on it - but if it helps, cool.

 

[viper94bite]

I use my horn all the time. Mostly because my neighbor always forgets to turn off his turn signal so I honk at him. But it is nice to know you have a nice loud horn there just in case you do need it. I've used mine a few times thats for sure.

 

[v0lusia]

On the Volusia/C50s there is enough room under the right side painted cover to mount 2 Freeway Blaster horns and a relay to fire them. Not sure if it will work on the S50 but I think it will work for the M50s.
Here is a doc that I made for doing it.....
http://webpages.charter.net/v0lusia/Installing louder horns.pdf

My vol now sounds like a truck rather than a road runner beep-beep

 

[DrBob]

hee hee hee! Ironicly, I was thinking about buying a 'beep-beep" horn from an old Plymouth Road Runner and putting it on my Intruder...
My chopper had drag pipes with no baffles...if you can;t hear that, then you certainly couldn't hear a horn, so i didn't bother putting one on it.