Total Motorcycle Community Forums

So what does everybody think about using their horns. When I'm driving around in my car I don't really use it. It pisses me off when people honk at me so I don't honk at people easy. But when I'm on my bike I'm always worried that no one sees me so I tend to be more liberal with the use of my horn. I would rather "pee" some one off then run the risk of them actually not seeing me and going into their windshield. What are your habbit with the horn?

I use it whenever I feel it is necessary on both car and bike.

I was at the dealership a few days ago picking up my license plate and this old guy over heard me talking with the sales guy about viability. He said the best upgrade he ever did on his bike was get loud pipes. He had a mod that would brighten and dim his headlight along with something that causes his brakes to flash when he starts braking. But as soon as he added those pipes he said no one has cut him off since. This is the second guy that has told me to pick up new pipes that the bass justs cuts right into the cars.

As for the horn, I never think to use the one in my car and same applies to the bike.

Those "bass cutting right trough the car" pipes sound expensive But... I'm sure that when you're in a car that's shaking you start looking left and right for the mostertruck

Standby for a rant....

I was on the road the other day and up ahead of me was the really loud cruiser, a Harley I think. It was so loud I could feel my fillings in my teeth coming out as I approached. He was going slow and then fast and then slow, and not signaling his turns, and eventually due to not paying attention, got boxed in behind a truck in the right lane. I went by the guy and took a good look, because he was being such a yo-yo, I was curious if it was mental problem or something. He was of course without a helmet, as was his inadequately geared female pillion. Leather vest and boots though.

Then came the kicker - hear this all you "loud pipes save lives" people. I passed him and I could no longer hear him. You see, the pipes point out the back of the bike, not forward. Unless he is right next to you, you won't hear him. If he passes you, you'd be deaf, but you'd have a hard time missing him and his poor riding skills anyway. Anyway, loud pipes annoy the neighbors, tick off the people enjoying a quiet day at the park, ruin a nice cafe lunch, and give us all a bad name. As a biker, the bad out weighs the good on the pipe question. If you like a sweet sound from your bike, I can see that, but it does nothing for the biker world (who is a minority by the way) and it only brings a small amount of protection ONLY if you are almost in front of a car, with its windows open, and not playing its stereo loud, or talking on a cell phone.

Rely on your eyes, and scan for an out. That will save you. Also a good replacement horn wouldn't hurt.

Loud Pipes Save Lives is an excuse not a reason.

No one really gets super-loud exhaust pipes in order to be safer. Show me someone with super-loud pipes and I'll show you someone who doesn't have a 135dB horn, doesn't wear a full face helmet, or doesn't wear adequate protection (gloves, body armor, etc).

but it sure seems to me the only time people use horns now adays is to yell at another driver after the bonehead maneuver has finished. I know when I hear a horn that's always what I assume. I think much like car alarms, we tend to just tune horns out.

I used my fancy new Fiamm 132dB Highway Blaster Low Note yesterday to good effect when someone started to inch into my lane without realizing it. The horn blast had the *absolutely instant* effect of them turning the wheel away from the horn before they looked to see who or what honked.

jonnythan wrote:I used my fancy new Fiamm 132dB Highway Blaster Low Note yesterday to good effect when someone started to inch into my lane without realizing it. The horn blast had the *absolutely instant* effect of them turning the wheel away from the horn before they looked to see who or what honked.

My RIVCO airhorns have the same effect when I let them loose. Instant reaction without the other driver realizing what was honking at them...

jonnythan wrote:I used my fancy new Fiamm 132dB Highway Blaster Low Note yesterday to good effect when someone started to inch into my lane without realizing it. The horn blast had the *absolutely instant* effect of them turning the wheel away from the horn before they looked to see who or what honked.

I hear nothing but great things about louder horns, but I think a Stebel Nautilis mini airhorn is probably the way to go. I believe it's 139 decibels of fury. That will command some attention.