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Do Motorcycles Have Horns? Yes But They Aren’t Good Enough
A horn is an essential requirement for a motorcycle to be considered roadworthy and street-legal. As such, most if not all mass-produced street bikes have horns. A horn in a bike is similar to that of a car or truck, and the purpose is to warn others.
The use of a horn is a part of safety in some countries. In Italy, if you’re leading up a steep hill on a zig-zag road and you can’t see the oncoming traffic, or on a narrow road with a blind corner, you need to use your horn to signify your presence. In the USA, road users use the horn as a way of life for road users. Hence, the noise pollution. In Japan, it’s not a good idea to honk your horn. Although drivers use them, it’s only when necessary.
This website has a comprehensive list of state laws related to horns.
The problem with stock horns
Many riders believe that a loud horn saves lives. The problem? most manufacturers install horns that, although legally compliant, are too puny if not annoying. Most riders want to replace the stock horns with aftermarket ones.
However, horn brands and models come with a pre-made wiring harness that’s ready to install, so cutting or tapping into the motorcycle’s wiring is unnecessary. An example of this is Murph’s kit, which offers a perfect well-designed harness whether you want a single or dual horn setup. RevZilla offers similar equipment.
5 Aftermarket Motorcycle Horns You can Buy Today
With motorcycle riders getting more popular, more and more motorcyclists are out on the road.
Bikes are pretty fast, and since you’re in a hurry to complete your journey, you need to be focused all the time on the road ahead.
If you are a motorcycle rider, you will also need to watch out for other riders ahead or in close range. The last thing you want to do is crash into another biker or car driver. To ensure that doesn’t happen, you will need a motorcycle horn loud enough to catch attention.
Every motorcycle comes with a factory horn. However, sometimes it isn’t enough. Your best alternative is to get a significantly louder horn, so you can alert other motorists and pedestrians and mitigate the possibility of an accident.
Here are the top 5 Aftermarket Motorcycle Horns:
1. Marco Tornado ($54.78): At 139 decibels, this brand and model is the loudest compact air horn, making them the most effective alert system to warn inattentive motorists and pedestrians. It comes with an impressive design, performance, and functionality. The Marco Tornado has an internal compressor powered by electricity via the 12V system. If appropriately positioned on installation, it’s comfortable to your ear but not to the drivers and riders around you.
2. Hella 3AG Twin tone Horn Kit ($41.55): Another super loud horn, the Hella 3AG is the best option you can find. It has a black metal-coated body with a red-colored grill for protection. It’s durable and flexible enough for installation on either a dirt bike, scooter, or regular sports bike.
3. Screaming Banshee Shockwave Horn ($124.95): It’s not called Screaming Banshee for nothing. Many customers attest to the loudness, alternation of volume, design, and overall performance of this horn. It has two modes – friendly and angry. You get to choose if you’re honking to greet someone nicely or warn others to move out of the way in an angry tone. The Screaming Banshee is loud at 130 decibels. Best of all, it’s not an ordinary horn with just one sound like the other ones on this list.
4. The FIAMM 74100 El Grande ($24.35): It may be cheaper than the other brands on this list, but don’t let that fool you. The FIAMM El Grande has superb features and uncompromising quality, design, and performance-wise. It’s wrapped in a stainless steel housing with an aluminum coil motor and a strong ABS plastic projector. More importantly, it’s weather-resistant. The FIAMM 74100 El Grande is rated to produce 128 decibels, loud enough to make inattentive drivers notice you.
5. Wolo Bad Boy Chrome Motorcycle Air Horn ($43.10): Do you want to get the attention of other riders or drivers on the road? No problem. Wolo Bad Boy has got you covered. At a 123.5 decibel, the Wolo Bad boy Chrome Air Horn, you’re sure to get the attention you’re trying to avoid an accident. It’s enclosed in an aerodynamically shaped chrome cover with an elegant chrome finish
Conclusion
A horn is an essential requirement for a street-legal motorcycle. In any case, you need to choose a horn best suited for your bike. It should be strong enough to warn other drivers and pedestrians, and your ride should be loud enough to be heard by others.
Don’t get a cheap one. A cheap horn will make you feel frustrated when it doesn’t work or doesn’t sound as loud as you expected.
Get a durable horn that will last you a long time.
