horn recommendations

Love my Denali Soundbomb Compact (not Mini). I think I got mine from Twisted Throttle, though there are a bunch of vendors selling it.

A little comparison I did a while back:

thirdofthree said:

Love my Denali Soundbomb Compact (not Mini). I think I got mine from Twisted Throttle, though there are a bunch of vendors selling it.

A little comparison I did a while back:

Horns! A comparison.

For anyone curious about the sound difference between the stock horn ('15 DL650) v Fiamm Freeway Blaster Low Note v Denali Soundbomb Compact: Recordings taken with fixed gain and identical positioning for each sample, about 10' in front of the bike and 4' up. For kicks, I also included a...

www.stromtrooper.com

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Thanks!

I used a pair of OE Accord horns on my last bike. Far more reliable that after market.

I have a Denali Sound Bomb on my 650. Mounting took a little time to make a bracket that works with my saddle bags. I have a pair of dual tone Fiamm Freeway Blasters on another bike as well as a Miata. These are lighter, basically as loud and reasonably priced. Both are wired through a relay. They sound similar to the video posted by Dado8...Like an old Buick.

I was leaning towards the Fiamm Freeway Blaster. The high note model says it won't fit my 2021 Vstrom...hmm.
Also, can I use a relay kit for an automobile or is there a moto specific one? Thx.

brennanathome said:

I was leaning towards the Fiamm Freeway Blaster. The high note model says it won't fit my 2021 Vstrom...hmm.
Also, can I use a relay kit for an automobile or is there a moto specific one? Thx.

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An automotive relay will be fine. Tuck it under the seat. As I recall the horn is switched from ground. Won't be a problem to hook the fused relay up that way.

Nicad said:

As I recall the horn is switched from ground.

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It is. Which meant I had to modify the Adventure Tech light harness that I repurposed for the horn. Annoying; I have no idea why they did that.

brennanathome said:

I was leaning towards the Fiamm Freeway Blaster. The high note model says it won't fit my 2021 Vstrom...hmm.
Also, can I use a relay kit for an automobile or is there a moto specific one? Thx.

Click to expand...

There is no point in adding a horn that is only slightly louder than the factory horn. If you're going through the trouble, get a horn that will get some attention.
Any 2 wire 12v horn will work on the bike if you can find space to install it.
There are different types of automotive relays. You must use the correct type of relay that closes the circuit only while the horn button is pushed. Do not use a latching relay.
You can keep the factory horn in addition to any aftermarket horn that you install. The trigger wire to the relay can be attached to the factory horn terminal with a piggyback connector to simplify wiring without making any permanent mods to the bike's wiring. This will save you from headaches later.

TAC PRO said:

There is no point in adding a horn that is only slightly louder than the factory horn.

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I'm not sure if you're referring to the Fiamms, but they are decidedly louder than the stock meep-meep horn. They are car horns, and sound like it.

+1 on the Denali Soundbomb. Similar to average auto horn in volume and pitch. 2nd bike, 6 years, still going strong.

TAC PRO said:

There is no point in adding a horn that is only slightly louder than the factory horn. If you're going through the trouble, get a horn that will get some attention.
Any 2 wire 12v horn will work on the bike if you can find space to install it.
There are different types of automotive relays. You must use the correct type of relay that closes the circuit only while the horn button is pushed. Do not use a latching relay.
You can keep the factory horn in addition to any aftermarket horn that you install. The trigger wire to the relay can be attached to the factory horn terminal with a piggyback connector to simplify wiring without making any permanent mods to the bike's wiring. This will save you from headaches later.

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Ok. Thx for the great info.

Improperly Torqued said:

I'm not sure if you're referring to the Fiamms, but they are decidedly louder than the stock meep-meep horn. They are car horns, and sound like it.

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Lots of car horns are wimpy, too. A single Fiamm Freeway Blaster in place of stock doesn't sound appreciably different to my ears (see below), and that's how I interpreted OPs comment re considering the Fiamms.

I think single Fiamm FB isn't worth the trouble. I think dual tone, with any horn, is important. I'm sure dual FBs sound great, but I've never heard them.

From my link above, which I should have listed directly in this thread, comparing stock v single low note FB v Soundbomb Compact. To my ears, the Soundbomb Compact is a huge step up from stock and a single Fiamm FB.

(Anyone in the Chicago area have a dual-tone FIAMM setup with a relay? I'm up for making a recording of dual-tone FIAMM v. Soundbomb, just for kicks.)

Sound Bomb 2-piece unit, with the relay harness, from Revzilla - about $60. Hidden behind my Denali driving lights on the crash guard. Sounds very nice, very loud like a Mercedes, more or less. You will love it.

Sladep said:

Sound Bomb 2-piece unit, with the relay harness, from Revzilla - about $60. Hidden behind my Denali driving lights on the crash guard. Sounds very nice, very loud like a Mercedes, more or less. You will love it.

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Unfortunately, RevZilla is out of Sound Bomb with relay harness😕

thirdofthree said:

A single Fiamm Freeway Blaster in place of stock doesn't sound appreciably different to my ears ...
I think single Fiamm FB isn't worth the trouble. I think dual tone, with any horn, is important. I'm sure dual FBs sound great, but I've never heard them.

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I quite agree. I don't think anyone suggested a single. They're in pairs for a good reason; that dual tone is the key.