GS-Riders International

To my ears the factory horn is not as quiet as some horns from other bikes. But it still has a sort of high pitch 'tweeet' sound ... what I mean is it lacks the kind serious impact, which actually would make for a serious 'hey, be careful' alarm signal. It is probably more so for me here in Singapore, than for riders who live in areas with lesser noise pollution, like on the countryside.

The Stebel horn used here is extremely loud. In fact it's so loud that it's not allowed in some countries, e.g. in Germany. It is a small sized air horn. It is smaller than many electrical horn. Air horns are usually not favourable. The reason is there is a delay in between pressing the horn button and the actual horn sound. This is caused by air compressor being separated from the horn unit. The compressor has to build up the pressure first in the connection pipe, before there is sufficient pressure to blow a sound. The Stebel avoid this effect, or better: it minimizes it, because the compressor and horn are a single unit.

I have taken the following pics from the Twistedthrottle website. This company sells the Stebel horn at a reasonable price. I have still one piece left from a previous order I placed with them. Once I have the time I will install it right away, and update this thread accordingly.

The Stebel Nautilus sound is loud. The relatively small sized air horn is claimed at 139 dbA (at an irrelevant 10 cm distance), with about 18 Ampere draw.

Stebel Nautilus sound file: Click Me!

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The Stebel Magnum is said to be the loudest compact electromagnetic horn available in the market. Power draw is lesser, 6 Ampere (per side), claim is 136 dbA (at irrelevant 10 cm distance).

Stebel Magnum sound file: Click Me!

I is easy mounting the horn and compressor separately. It allows for more flexibility with the mounting location.

Stebel horn (complete)


The air hole is on the top part, where the small black U-shape plastic clip is located


Hold it with both hands and press with the thumbs from underneath onto the compressor barrel, to push the compressor up


Separated

Could it be the Germans measure in 1 m distance, the Italians in 10 cm? I believe I read something like that.

Contradicting reports. Some seem not to have encountered problems, some did. My impression is, those who did not encounter a Canbus response simply may not have pressed the horn button long enough.

I plan to splice the relay for operating the Stebel horn into the factory horn wires, and leave it where it is. It does not disturb me there.

I painted the compressor body black, and attached a hose to the horns air intake using epoxy glue. I also cut plastic bracket from the horn off, and glued the air intake funnel to the compressor (not visible on the pic).





The original horn. Not to bad for it's size.



My L-shape stainless steel bracket, I think it is commonly used for furnitures:



I cut one end to size. Then I expanded the one hole on the shorter end to 6 mm diameter, it is the one holding to the compressor. The other one mounting to the frame is expanded to 5 mm:



I bend the longer part, so the compressor does fit neatly into the space available:



The plastic horn is light. I used cable ties to fix it to the frame and the compressor. This will as well support the compressor. No obstruction of the steering movement.



BTW. the original horn



even has a neat watertight plug:

Electrical installation done!

Left side


Right side, with the relays


Top view



Overall I am pleased ... but not overwhelmed. I expected more. The sound is more like a boats horn. The aftermarket horn which I used on my V-Strom was somewhat lesser loud, but it had a more authoritative tone.

Japanese "Proud Horn"

The Nautilus is loud, but here in Singapore it does not command the respect I expected. It doesn't have the tone which would usually be associated with an alarm signal from a road vehicle. Loud is not always better, as is not big. This is not for me.

Unfortunately the Japanese Proud Horn is not anymore available. I'll try the Stebel Magnum. The Magnum is plenty lighter than the Nautilus, and it draws 'only' 12 A (instead of 18 A). I paid a pleasant S$ 24 / Euro 11.15 / US$ 17.70 only.

Quoted from "drmajor"

I wonder if I take the stock one off, use the wires to trigger a relay- will the Canbus get upset???

This is what I did, no problems whatsoever.

Quoted from "luckyll"

Nice write-up, Peter!
The funny thing is that I find the Hella's very loud at 118 dB... so I can't imagine how ear splitting the Stebel must be at 139 dB!!! 8o
Cheers,
Lucky

That one has a really annoying sound CLICKY

For those who love the Stebel Nautilus, it is now available in a watertight version, with no air tube requirement.

Stebel Nautilus Compact Marine

I am glad I've got my my Proud Horn back! The horn is produced by Japanese company Mitsuba. In Singapore it costs S$ 58.95 / US$ 42 / Euro 29.

Claimed Output in 2 m distance: Proud Horn 113 dbA / Magnum 115 dbA
Electrical consumption: Proud Horn 8 A / Magnum 12 A
Frequencies: Proud Horn 410 + 490 Hz / Magnum 410 + 500 Hz
Prices: Proud Horn S$ 58.17 / Magnum S$ 24

Size comparison Mitsuba Proud Horn vs. Stebel Magnum

Wire harness:



Homebrew bracket. Should be about the angle as it is later installed:



Plenty space around:







After the Stebel, the Proud Horn's volume seems pathetic. But almost nobody reacted to the Stebel here in Singapore. Let's see how it goes.