Ive got the Horn!

[Big Derek]

Hi

having just had my birthday my dear daughter asked me what I wanted for a gift and having seen the 136db Horn on Nippy Normans I thought about one. So Katie bought it me and it promptly arrived, after inspecting the std horn! The bike is a BMW GS R1200ADV by the way! I see it has a small plug conector, type I could cut it off an dfit two spades so it went straight to th enew horn, But I am not that rough!

So what is the norm for the horn change? Is that why I have just seen a horn sold on this site?

Is there a special plug I can buy to wire into new horn? or what?

Anyone else fitted a HORN ?

cheers

Big D

 

[(RIP) Proff]

If its a STEBEL do a search, lot's of folk use them and there tips for fitting to all models


1 tip DO NOT TEST IN A CLOSED GARAGE
your ears will bleed

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

.............I could cut it off an dfit two spades so it went straight to th enew horn, But I am not that rough!

I was with my horn

Andres

 

[Thunder]

Hi

having just had my birthday my dear daughter asked me what I wanted for a gift and having seen the 136db Horn on Nippy Normans I thought about one. So Katie bought it me and it promptly arrived, after inspecting the std horn! The bike is a BMW GS R1200ADV by the way! I see it has a small plug conector, type I could cut it off an dfit two spades so it went straight to th enew horn, But I am not that rough!

So what is the norm for the horn change? Is that why I have just seen a horn sold on this site?

Is there a special plug I can buy to wire into new horn? or what?

Anyone else fitted a HORN ?

cheers

Big D

You can get a pre-wired plug to go into yhr existing BMW socket also from NN, but it's not just a case of connecting direatly to the existing circuit as the can bus can't handle the load.

You need to use a relay I'm afraid

 

[Sukram]

You can get a pre-wired plug to go into yhr existing BMW socket also from NN, but it's not just a case of connecting direatly to the existing circuit as the can bus can't handle the load.

You need to use a relay I'm afraid

why??

 

[(RIP) Proff]

Same reason you have to use an electric trickery mahoomhewhatsit on trailer wiring now on most Computer controlled fly by wire cars / vans etc
CANBUS systems will throw up false readings or even fry if you connect strange fings to them

 

[Thunder]

why??

The knarly old cider pimp has covered it, the can bus system of a 1200 will register the load of the aftermarket horn as too high for its specified parameters and close the circuit if you make a direct connection.

 

[davegs]

Horns

You will ,require a relay apart from the canbus the current drain for this is higher than the std item and a volt drop is no good for max efficiany / loudness but it's worth the effort as they do work!.
dave ( I hate chrismas) GS roll on 2010

 

[Slowdown]

why??

The 1200GS uses 'electronic' fuses(circuit breakers). If too much current flows down a wire the electronic fuse opens(trips) and prevents any damage occurring. The nice thing with these circuit breakers is that once you remove the problem everything starts working again without you having to find a replacement fuse.


Now, you can replace the standard horn on a 1200gs with a Stebel Magnum horn:-

This is a direct swap (theses loads of 'HOWTO's' on here and elsewhere on the web) as the current draw from a Magnum doesn't (well it didn't on mine) trip the circuit breaker. No relay required.


However, if, like me, you want 2 tones and the horn to be twice as loud (+3db) then you'll be fitting a Stebel Nautilus compact air horn.

Now, the Nautilus draws way more current than the weedy OEM thing and will 'trip' the circuit breaker. So, you'll need to power the Nautilus from the battery, switched through a relay. Again, there's loads of information and HOWTOs about on how to do this. I found the Nautilus really easy to mount on an '07 GS - the '08 GS has a different frame so I can't easily see where to mount one.

 

[wilbjr21]

This is how to mount a Stebel Nautilus on a '08 GSA - with ESA

The compressor goes in the fuel tank space available (because we don't have a charcoal canister in the UK). The bracket is the one that is used to mount the canister and is availble from your BMW dealer (as is the horn connector).

The relay is held in place with glue and a pop rivet.

The trumpet goes on the front fork ............. as originally described by Thorium.

The air hose and the power supply both have connectors to allow easy removal of the tank in the future.

 

[patboy]

I've got the Stebel Magnum horn and if you get the special lead from Nippy Normans, just plug in and a direct replacement for the 1200 GS horn on my 05 1200 GS. It's easy to fit, nice and loud, works a treat!

 

[gsbiker]

Anyone found the horn button a bit tricky? A few times I have wanted to use my horn and when I press it got nothing! It's because I'm not pressing the horn in the right position / direction but none the less not found the horn button that easy to use believe it or not!

 

[Big Derek]

thanks for the heads up on the hooter!

I've got the Stebel Magnum horn and if you get the special lead from Nippy Normans, just plug in and a direct replacement for the 1200 GS horn on my 05 1200 GS. It's easy to fit, nice and loud, works a treat!

Yea its great that i can get some help re my horn replacement. Are you saying if I buy a patch lead from NN that it will plug into the GS1200ADV loom canbus and the other end will go onto the two Horn spades and all will be good? without any relay etc ?

Thanks

BiG D

 

[bmwrover]

Hi Big D, yes it works as you describe it but only with the Magnum horn and NOT with the louder two tone Nautilus horn (that will require the relay)

 

[edmac]

I plugged a Stebel in directly with the plug from NN, didnt use a relay and its been working perfectly for 5 months now

 

[Achim]

If you have a Nautilus and you don't want to split the compressor, this might help: http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=162076

Good luck,
Achim

 

[NorthernBoy]

I currently have a twin pair of magnums on the bike, both installed on the right hand side, below the tank.

I left the original in place, but am going to replace that with a Nautilus when it arrives, so I'll have the three working all together.

On fitting the twin magnums, I had a nightmare of a time getting them both to work, as the first attempt blew the 30 amp relay (mut have been a duff one), and it took a lot of wire swapping before I realised what had happened. Hopefully the 40 amp one that I put in instead will handle all three together.

In London, a very loud horn does come in useful. I view it as a public service, in that I am making sre that pedestrians have a very vivid memory of what happens when they stroll out without looking.

 

[Achim]

In London, a very loud horn does come in useful. I view it as a public service, in that I am making sure that pedestrians have a very vivid memory of what happens when they stroll out without looking.

School run mums and mobile phone morons also appreciate penetrating signals alerting them to the presence of powered two wheelers.

Upon hearing the Nautilus their obliviousness usually causes them to swerve into the nearest parking bay in anticipation of being run over by either a 40t lorry or a freight train...

Achim

 

[NorthernBoy]

I used to have twin trumpet air horns on previous bikes, and they did sound like an 18-wheeler. The "parp" from an oe horn made pedestrians look at me while still walking out into my path. The air horns would freeze them dead, as they wondered where the juggernaut was that they had failed to see.

Of course, there are some in our two-wheeled brethren that will claim never to use a horn, and not to understand why us lesser drivers would need them either. I take the opposite view. I may be able to avoid collisions on my wits alone, but the next guy that a driver or pedestrian move out in front of may not. I also like to assertively claim my right of way, and judicious use of "OHMYGODWHATTHEHELLISTHAT" loudness is a useful tool.

 

[Big Derek]

Of course, there are some in our two-wheeled brethren that will claim never to use a horn, QUOTE]

Hiya, I have now bought the STB CANBUSKIT from Nippy's and we will slip it all together and try the horn! Can't do it this weekend so it will have to be next week.

But it looks promising, as to using horns whilst riding?
We tour Europe on GL1800 Goldwwings and Harley Electra Glides and when you are coming down the Motorways and there is standing traffic we of course filter and I always make a point of having my Music "very loud" Headlights on! and you can see most of the traffic peel away in general letting you through safely if you have no music a quick beeb beeb on the horn is sometimes helpful and useful!

I have always said horns on vheicles should have two buttons a soft friendly beep and a agressive louder beep so you can use in different situations, But I say USE THE HORN. I had one on a HD fat boy air horn it was brill just like a ships horn and ever so tiny chromed and very neat.

Anyway I will let you know how my horn is after fitting, thank you for the advice.

I have a new BMW GS R1200ADV Rear rack and looking at the so called fitting kit it dont look right so I may well be asking for asssistance again real soon

Thanx

Big D.