Modern Vespa

There have been a number of peeps on here recently singing the praises of the Stebel horn and how it increases their safety. But has anyone ever used it to prevent an accident where the stock horn would not have helped?

I use my (stock) horn all the time now as a warning device to let others know I am there and so far every time I have used it I have been heard. But out of all the things that is going to save my ass the horn is way down the list. Personally, I think people want the loudness of the horn to reflect their anger. While that may be extremely satisfying, it's not the same thing as improving your safety. YMMV

I seem to be going against the grain here so I'll put on my flame prrof suit

I'd prefer a Stebel over the stock horn any day while combating dumb cagers with a penchant for loud music - the louder the horn the better

I don't think a eardrum piercing horn is a must, but something more than a 'meep' to get attention is called for.

I was riding on the freeway last weekend in Toronto, and a truck started to come in my lane. I honked by old horn and he never heard me. I could barely hear it myself. Last Wednesday I installed a Stebel horn. Now everyone hears me Its a safety issue for me. I also installed accent lights on my bike because I get off work at 10pm. Their is no way to be a 100% safe but those are some inexpensive Mods that I would suggest every rider should do.

Yep, its highway speeds where it seems the stock horn gets lost to me.
The only thing not to like about the stebel is when you want to just give a little toot when someone is dozing at the green light in front of you. Have to be very gentle not to sound like a jerk.
Otherwise, if I use the horn, there is a good reason, and I don't mind it being loud.

"Speed-sensitive hornage"... is there any end to the mods MP3'rs dream up?

Well, it's been done for car radio's

My stebel horn was the first mod I got. I had the dealership install it prior to delivery....I've used and it's been most effective....I've only "Beeped" it, which is really loud and can be heard over cell phones, ipods, mp3 players and beer brains...so, if you're thinking something like..."That's nice, but I'd rather have an accessory outlet." I say...the stebel horn has saved my bacon more than once..Get One...

cheers....jacq

I agree with Rob in Denver. While riding on the streets many people may hear the stock horn, but there are those who are on the phone or listening to a loud radio, who still are not alert enough to recognize the stock horn. At highway speeds the stock horn just isn't sufficient, especially when trying to alert trucks and suvs to your presence.

I am NOT a horn happy rider, but if I use it I DO MEAN TO BE HEARD! Honestly, it really isn't as loud as you might imagine. Yes, it is 139dbs, but it really is just louder than some car horns and loud enough to get the attention of an 18 wheeler or suv encroaching into your lane.

Personally, I kind of resent the fact that someone might think the only reason I use a louder horn is to "reflect...anger." I want to be safe just like everyone else. Expressing anger while on a motorcycle/scooter against a car, suv or truck is a battle I don't think I could win.

my thoughts on the horn. If you have enough time to think about using it and actually use it you could have avoided what ever it was. the horn is one of those annoying things that to many take for granted and most others could care less and ignor them anyway. be proactive and look for the dangers and constanly monitor everywhere. actually look at drivers and see their faces and hand postions on the steering wheel, look for little movments. if they are on the phone or doing something else stay away for them and give em space cause they will F***U* soon.

Stebel horn + 10. It works well and will save your butt, arms, legs ect ect in a bad situation. Ive been thinking of a neat little MOD, wire the Stebel horn no the high beam passing switch, that way you hit the horn you get a light show also ( for intersections and such) and leaves the standard horn for lil friendly meep meep toots.

Hmmm.....I think I remember a recent comment from a member here saying he has "both" the stebel and stock horn wired, so he can choose which angry horn to beep/blast. Or did I dream this? Or....do "I" want this? If your out there member, now is the time to jump in. I think that's a good idea as long as the buttons aren't close together so you don't get confused with wazz what.
I have a very loud back up beeper on my truck....and it's probably heard a qtr. of a mile away....not exagerating. I get a lot of looks!

don't you think a headlight modulator is at least as important for security as a louder horn and maybe even more ?

Roger that, and since we know now there's a rotary encoder - or two - providing signal to the mysterious internal workings for speed display, perhaps the path to speed sensitive devices is not so challenging...

Yes a modulator is an important mod for visibility, also get the one for the tail light, but half the time they don't look so you have to get there attention so the can see your flashing lights,, that is where the horn comes into play.

I have a Stebel Nautilus - makes all shipping in the region move aside!

I'm not sure it's 'saved lives' but it certainly has avoided 'incidents'.

I've used it most to let pedestrians know that, no, they shouldn't step out into the seemingly stationary traffic. I've used it a few times to let drivers that I see looking like they are going to change lanes know that, no, the lane is not clear.

The reaction is great - the folks above almost always 'jump' (for the car that'll be the 'oh my god' wobble they do when realising they were about to try and kill someone). Better a freaked out ped or car than letting my ride risk shoot up 1000%.

And for me, that's what the horn is for - reducing the risk of a situation that 'seems' risky by making those arround you aware of you.

Same for lights.

Now, why the Stebel instead of the stock horn? Same as why the HID lights instead of the stock. They work better *shrug* it's obvious innit? On a busy noisey London street or at 90mph the stock horn would just not be heard. And as for the lights, the stock ones don't pick you out as 'special' in the same situations.

Hey OAD, this inspires me to grab one of those new Lexus "proximity detectors" that they have now that engage your brakes, rip it out, rig it to a Stebel and let it go off whenever I come up on something too fast . If there's a need....there's a MOD

I agree a horn is a safety device. When someone starts to change into your lane on a freeway it is often the best option. Breaking can result in a rear end from the fool on the cell phone behind you. A car just starting to pull out in front of you will stop upon hearing a horn. That car is moving slow enough to stop and you at highway speeds may not be able to stop.

We always hear about getting a finger when using the horn. Most of the time I see embarrasment in the other driver and often they mouth "I'm sorry" I believe that at least for a while most will be more careful. We can be obnoxious in how long and when we use a horn but properly used it is a safety device and a legally required safety device. Why even put a horn on that cannot be heard at highway speed? When Piaggio advanced from 35 mph 50cc engines they should have considered what is appropriate for a horn to go with the increased speed.

Get a horn that can be heard, but do not abuse it. Use it for safety not an expression of anger.

I agree a horn is a safety device. When someone starts to change into your lane on a freeway it is often the best option. Breaking can result in a rear end from the fool on the cell phone behind you. A car just starting to pull out in front of you will stop upon hearing a horn. That car is moving slow enough to stop and you at highway speeds may not be able to stop.

We always hear about getting a finger when using the horn. Most of the time I see embarrasment in the other driver and often they mouth "I'm sorry" I believe that at least for a while most will be more careful. We can be obnoxious in how long and when we use a horn but properly used it is a safety device and a legally required safety device. Why even put a horn on that cannot be heard at highway speed? When Piaggio advanced from 35 mph 50cc engines they should have considered what is appropriate for a horn to go with the increased speed.

Get a horn that can be heard, but do not abuse it. Use it for safety not an expression of anger.

I know I'm new here, but a horn IS a safety device... it was designed to be used as such.

Think about a semi-truck air horn, usually if you hear them, it's a warning, and people stop, and look immediately... same with train horns... that's why some semi-trucks have changed thier air horns to ones that sound like a train... I've heard stories of guys in the bunk of their truck, waking up in the middle of the night cause someone blew one in the truck stop, and they work up thinking "uh oh, did I park on a train track?"

Semis have 2 horns, a wimpy in town, car style horn, more offten used for signalling, such as "look out, I'm backing up" with 2 short beeps, and the air horn, which is the "get out of the way I'm comming through" or safety horn... Semis have big horns to demand a lot of attention, as people may notice them, but don't realize the mechanics involved and will cutt them off and cause accidents since the truck cant stop (having driven trucks I can attest to this, crazy 4wheelers)

Most cars have much wimpier horns and as time has gone on have become and aggressive drivers way of yelling at you withing having to yell...

Just my 2 cents...

Gotta say, there is nothing wrong with an expression of anger depending on the circumstances. Just like there is nothing wrong with expressions of sadness or joy. Expression of anger does not mean one is not in control of ones self. Venting reasonable anger is healthy, keeping it in all the time is not. We don't exist in this world to worry about offending everybody. We do have the expectation to be considerate of one another. When others take advantage of that or worse, I'm gonna let them no.

Haven't done the horn upgrade yet. I will soon. Companies out there make quality switches so if you want the stock horn and the upgrade too, it is very easy to have both.

Mike

I need to order a horn. Just as a by the by - riding with the other MP3's I could totally not hear the stock horn over my music, but Fuzzy's and Bdog's were not obnoxiously loud, but I could HEAR them.

Great stuff said as usual I personally would like to have both wired up. I would never forgive myself IF I scared to B-geez-ziz outta some old lady standing on the sidewalk chatting with another aged person because I pushed the blaster horn at some jackass that won't move in front of me (you know....."the napper" or the "note taker"....or the "I can't find what I dropped", etc...... kinda person/situation.
And yes, "R.E.S.P.E.C.T." one another in all of life.
Now, where/when/how shall I do this double horn thing? I'm lucky I get to doing one! Two buttons away from each other too....sigh. Mike says it's ezy....maybe I'll stop by and see ya sometime....FL to CA? Take me a feww hours at most right?
Luthor....I need to make a list.....I'm loosing track! One "immediate safety list" and one.....well......"I'm a brat, cuzz I just wanna have it list!" (I think the second list will be longer

Sky, I know HD makes bolt on water proof buttons. I'll look for some links.

cool MJ, thanks

Thread title says it all, but there's no need for a question mark. Loud horns do help, and everything we can get to help is well warranted. Headlight and brakelight modulation with a good horn will definitely improve your odds!

and.....what about the "loud" muffler idea? I think they're a lot of mixed feelings about that "kind of" loud from what I've read in assorted posts/threads. Guess the difference is the muffler is "always going to be loud to the rider as well" (earplugs anyone
Actually, I love loud pipes...it's all I hear in FL....ALWAYS, ALWAYS gets my attention. But "ON" mySky? errrr....dunno...might get annoyingly loud (ouch)

Below I will repeat what I posted about my trip to Chattanooga. In my opinion, the horn does save your ass.

I highly recommend the Stebel horn if you are going on a long journey. I was a little reluctant to add it to the bike at first because someone in Dallas might shoot if you blow a horn at them but the horn, though loud, is not that bad. Take your chances with the road rage. It is better to be alive. I found the horn especially useful driving down a country road at 60, seeing a pickup roll slowly toward the intersection. Would he stop or at the last second come out in front of me? I would hit the horn and, invariably, they would come to a full stop. I'm just guessing at what was going on in their mind but I believe it was something like, "What the hell was that? Did I miss something? Is there a big truck close?" By the time they figure it out I was past the intersection and out of danger.

Just for the heck of it i put a stebel on my toyota corolla witch is about the same size as my MP3 you should see the looks I get when I light it off. the wife has a buddy 150 it came with a stebel , they said if the scooter wasnt cool the horn sure was. Been wanting to put one on my MP3 but trying to find a place to put is holding me back

Search for the instructions for Fuoco installation - they work for the MP3 also. I fitted one on my 250 and now my 400.
It's not 'simple' but it's doable by the average Jo.

Yes, My Stebel Horn has saved my life many, many times. The most common situation is an asshole about to pull out infront of me who just isn't looking. Yesterday the husband rode his MP3 and I rode my BV and a woman was actually driving on the wrong side of the road. I used my Stebel and she got over just in time not to kill us. Both the stock horn on my MP3 (soon to be replaced by a stebel) and my BV500 (now replaced with Stebel) might as well be silent compared to the Stebel.

A horn isn't a substitute for good riding. But it's a useful tool to add to your riding skills, imho.

Having good observation and anticipating people pulling out on you is great. There's no substitute for that.

But using the horn at the same time can then allow you to get on down the road, rather than being stuck behind the guy who's just pulled out on you (in the cases where they hear you AND also stop pulling out on you, which, of course, isn't 100% of the time).

Using the horn as an outlet for anger (is fun, but) isn't a great idea imho. But using the horn to alert people to the fact that you're there and they appear not to have seen you is really useful (in my experience it's much more useful in the city than on the motorway).

And I'd add that not all horns are rubbish. I've never felt the need to replace the horn on my X9. But the horn on Mrs BB's GTS is appalling and has been "Stebeled". And the difference in my ability to make progress on the GTS now that it's got a new horn is noticeable.

Do not wire a separate horn, it will slow down your reactions when you need to go for the real horn. Your brain will lock up deciding which one to go for.

Wayne B

Yeah good point Wayne...when you need the horn you need it now. No time to think. Even happier that i installed my relay to be tripped by the horn button.

Totally agree with Wayne on this, stick with ONE horn button where you know you can get to it - repeatedly - in minimal reaction time.

I had initially thought about setting up a time delay relay of a second or less so when used my horn button would trigger the stock horn first and then the Stebel some one second later... that would allow a meep meep or hold it down and get a meep followed by the big blast; however, I have opted to just have all the horn all the time. I think I'd rather risk irritating someone than risk getting run down or side-swiped.

The Stebel has saved my butt many times on the highway. I know the stock horn can't be heard at highway speeds because I had to use it a couple of times and was ignored. But the Stebel get their attention almost every time.

One time this jerk kept on coming at me even while I laid on the horn. I guess he jsut didn't care.

Once again, you are right Wayne. Now that you made that point..I can see myself getting fuzzy in the head with the options at hand. Spot on! That's how to hit the horn! You've turned me around......one Stebel horn it is........ thanks for smart ass input sir meep > blast

Noone's really gonna be peed off at getting blasted - if they do they probably deserved it - if they didn't deserve it they'll ignore it anyway

I'm starting to give a quick blast more freely these days - sometimes even if someone is blocking me from an open lane - usually they just don't realise and dont mind.

Good.

Also using it regularly (often just a quick 'blip' as a warning) makes sure you can find the horn button in a real !OMFG! moment.

I cover the horn almost as often as I cover my brakes. Better to use the horn than to have to use your brakes to avoid an 'incident'.

I use my stock horn and drivers have NOT heard me at all. Drivers coming into my lane, right near me.

I tried to recently have the dealer install a stebel and there was confusion on how to make it fit in the front. They said it probably had to be installed by extending the wires or something? I didn't pull up the project report pages in here for reference yet but I may need to.

so it is still meep meep , please hear me.....for now.