Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: PH14 on May 21, 2012, 11:59:24 AM
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I finally installed new horns. I was amazed at how poor the original horn is on the C14. At highway speeds with ear plugs and the helmet I could not hear it at all, and neither could other drivers.
I ordered the H80/2 Stebel horns from Murphs' along with his wiring harness with the relay. The harness was nice, but the leads coming off the relay were too short for the way I wanted to install the horns. I installed them in the stock location. In the stock location, there was no good place to put the relay, so I extended the wires. I was able to tuck relay and excess wire leading from the battery along side other wiring in the fairing on the right hand side under the black plastic trim. I ran the new wiring I added along the other wiring leading to the forks and to the horns and wire tied everything into place.
I used the stock horn bracket and the metal "brackets" that came with the new horns. The combination worked well and fit nicely.
I am happy to be done. They are much louder than the stock horns. I had considered some of Stebel's other horns but for the money and the ability to install in the stock location, i figured they would be perfect. They are definitely much louder than stock.
(http://i1038.photobucket.com/albums/a468/RCRide/Motorcycle/Relay_and_wiring-6200.jpg)
(http://i1038.photobucket.com/albums/a468/RCRide/Motorcycle/Horns-6204.jpg)
(http://i1038.photobucket.com/albums/a468/RCRide/Motorcycle/Horns-6202.jpg)
Oh, and I may have found my rattle.
(http://i1038.photobucket.com/albums/a468/RCRide/Motorcycle/Rattle-6205.jpg)
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I finally installed new horns. I was amazed at how poor the original horn is on the C14.
It is not just the C-14. My ZRX and other bikes were the same- wimpy little "beep beep" horns that are pretty much totally useless for safety.
I ordered the H80/2 Stebel horns from Murphs' along with his wiring harness with the relay. [...]
I used the stock horn bracket and the metal "brackets" that came with the new horns. The combination worked well and fit nicely. [...] I am happy to be done. They are much louder than the stock horns. I had considered some of Stebel's other horns but for the money and the ability to install in the stock location, i figured they would be perfect. They are definitely much louder than stock.
If you want *LOUD*, nothing can touch the air horns :) But they are considerably more work to install than the louder-than-stock electrics like you used. Cost about the same, though. http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=286.0 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=286.0)
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It is not just the C-14. My ZRX and other bikes were the same- wimpy little "beep beep" horns that are pretty much totally useless for safety.
If you want *LOUD*, nothing can touch the air horns :) But they are considerably more work to install than the louder-than-stock electrics like you used. Cost about the same, though. http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=286.0 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=286.0)
I considered those but ordered these one night on a whim. I like the sound of these. They are definitely an improvement.
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Thanks for posting that up as this will be my next job.
How long did it take you to complete the install?
Jon.
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Thanks for posting that up as this will be my next job.
How long did it take you to complete the install?
Jon.
It's tough to say. It depends. I wasn't sure how I was going to do it. It also depends on if you lose the fuse, can't find another one, decided to extend the wires, ride a bicycle seven miles round trip to the store to get wire, fuses and connectors only to realize you left your wallet at home, then drive back in the car.
If you have a clear plan and have little hands the job could be done in maybe an hour and a half. Add for larger hands and for dropping parts/tools into the never-reaches of the bike. Realistically, add more time for swearing and beer.
So all in all I would say two hours, unless you don't like the way you ran the wire to the battery and redo it four times.
Once I had a clear plan on how I wanted to run the wires it was pretty straightforward. If I had to do it again I would immediately extend the wires. I would start by removing the existing horn, attaching the new ones to the bracket an install. I would then measure from up under the black plastic trim on the upper right side of the fairing, along the existing wiring to the horns and then add wire to the harness. I added for both horns and for the wires that connect to the existing horn wiring. Then run the wires and tie to the existing wiring. Had I done it like that int he beginning I could have been done in maybe 2 hours, or 3, possibly 1 1/2, but I have no clue since I kept getting sidetracked. At one point I pulled the plastic off the left side to check the coolant and tighten some hose clamps.
I think the best estimate would require factoring in how many beers you need, or in my case, a bottle of wine and a good fillet mignon followed by more wine and then bed. So maybe two or three days, repeat as necessary. ;D
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Nice work, I pretty much did the same thing with Fiamm Freeway Blasters. The pic shows them pointing forward but after washing the bike and getting 'no sound' till they dried out, I pointed them in a downward position. These things are super loud!
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Nice.
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I have a 2001 Goldwing. It has serious horns aboard. I've always enjoyed the sound/power/loudness of these guys. I'm not sure, but think they are Honda cager horns. Look same/same to me.
Anyway, all my bikes have had Goldwing horns installed. The ST1300, the VTX1300, the ZX1400 Ninja, the C14 and of course ... the original, the Wing.
Never been disappointed. Ever ...
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The 1800 Gold Wings had the loud horns, all previous years Gold Wings had wimpy horns
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The 1800 Gold Wings had the loud horns, all previous years Gold Wings had wimpy horns
Um, no. My 82 GL1100 has very good stock horns.
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Comparison of:
Stebel Nautilus Compact Air horn
Stebel HF 80/2 Twin electric
Hella Twin-tone Horn Set
Stebel Nautilus Compact Air Horns (Model 11690051)
Loudness: 115 dB
Tones: 530 Hz & 680 Hz.
Current: 18 Amps
Dimensions: 150 x 112 x 95mm
Located behind the radiator, or stuffed up high and mounted onthe forks. Note: Lack of a suitable location will lead to loss in effective loudness.
Stebel HF 80/2 Twin electric horns
Loudness: 112 dB
Tones: 340 Hz & 430 Hz
Current: 9 amps (pair) [size=78%]Note: Will work with existing wiring.[/size]
Dimensions: 38 mm (depth) x 80mm diameter (Measured)
Hella Twin Tone Horn Set
Loudness: 110dB
Tones: 400 Hz & 500 Hz
Current: 12 amps (2 x 72W)Thickness: 82mm (depth)
This is a no-brainer. The Stebel HF 80/2 Twin electric horns are exceptionally loud (112 dB), will work with stock wiring with only minor modification, can use the existing factory 10 amp fuse, and is compact too.
Sources:
Stebel: http://www.stebel.it/public/stebel.pdf (http://www.stebel.it/public/stebel.pdf)
Hella: http://www.myhellalights.com/index.php/default/horns/twin-trumpet-horn/ (http://www.myhellalights.com/index.php/default/horns/twin-trumpet-horn/)
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I rarely use my horn as a safety feature. If someone is getting too close then I use evasive tactics. I'm not going to assume that the cage driver will get back in his lane and the time it takes to hit the horn and then hope the cage reacts is time that I lose making the evasive move.
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I agree I NEVER use my horn
I bought one of those air horns from Murph's
It sits on the shelf, beep beep
I just drive or rev the motor
Beep Beep
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I rarely use my horn as a safety feature. If someone is getting too close then I use evasive tactics. I'm not going to assume that the cage driver will get back in his lane and the time it takes to hit the horn and then hope the cage reacts is time that I lose making the evasive move.
I use my horn when needed and I can press the horn button and preform evasive tactics at the same time when the need arises.
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I either evade or use the horn. Can't do both.
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I use my horn when needed and I can press the horn button and preform evasive tactics at the same time when the need arises.
Exactly. There are occasions there is plenty of time and I will horn first while ready to evade if necessary. Sometimes I will do both simultaneously. If there is no time, I will skip the horn, sometimes saving it for afterwards just to show them I am pissed.
I will often cover the horn button when I detect something might happen (after again checking what is around me).
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Interesting, no clearance issues to the fender?? Looks like it could be tight if enjoying the bike.
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Exactly. There are occasions there is plenty of time and I will horn first while ready to evade if necessary. Sometimes I will do both simultaneously. If there is no time, I will skip the horn, sometimes saving it for afterwards just to show them I am pissed.
I will often cover the horn button when I detect something might happen (after again checking what is around me).
+1
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I just installed a Freeway Blaster yesterday and its a lot louder than the wimpy stock horn.
I like the look of the 2 Freeway Blasters together and I can't imagine how loud it would be.
Question: Do I need a relay inline or can I just add a 2nd horn to the OEM wiring without blowing or burning anything out ???
Thanks
Dan
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I just installed a Freeway Blaster yesterday and its a lot louder than the wimpy stock horn.
Almost anything is better than the ultra-wimpy stock horn.
Question: Do I need a relay inline or can I just add a 2nd horn to the OEM wiring without blowing or burning anything out ???
Generally, any "good" horn(s) is/are going to pull a lot more power than the silly stock beep toy (especially if it is an air horn). When you start pulling many amps through the stock horn switch, you can cause the switch to fail. In extreme cases, it can even melt/burn out/short out the wiring. This is why it is a good idea to power the horns through a larger gauge, fused power/ground line trigger through a relay.
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Feel free to disagree. Horns DO NOT SAVE lives. Reaction used to activate the horn is wasted time. Now, if it is used to make a point after avoiding a collision because you were properly prepared? Well, that is road rage and %99+ vehicles sharing the road are bigger than you. Spend the $$ on some advanced rider training to sharpen your riding and as always, work on finding issues before they become an issue. A horn is a noise maker and it may have the exact opposite reaction you expected, they will instinctively turn to see what is making the noise, right into you.
Minor pet peeve of mine that fits right in there with the loud pipes save lives crowd.
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SOP, I agree with one point and disagree with another.
I agree that in situations of emergency decision making, using the horn is a waste of attention.
However, I use the horn as an attention getter much in the same way as day time running lights make a vehicle more conspicuous. Approaching an intersection when you see a motorist that doesn't see you, a few quick toots on the horn can save you from that emergency situation ever happening.
When motorists look left, right, left and still pull out in front of a motorcycle it's actually because their brain is looking for a car. When they look at a motorcycle their brain doesn't register it.
I can't tell you how many motor vehicle collisions I've investigated where the driver of the car says to me "I looked !! He came out of no where" and the motorcycle rider will say "I saw him/her look right at me and they pulled out in front of me anyway"
I watched a documentary about illusionists/magicians. They talked about how they brain is fooled during their shows when it wants to see one thing but actually sees something different and it just doesn't register. They used the example of drivers looking both ways for cars coming and looking right at approaching motorcycles but the brain doesn't register what it sees because the driver was thinking about looking for cars.
A few horn toots and maybe a flicker between high and low beam headlights can snap that driver into his senses and cause him to actually "see" what he's looking at.
Dan
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I evade first then honk!
I also use the horn (short beep) to advise dozy car drivers that a motorcycle is lane sharing and about to pass them, but only for those I feel are asleep or on the phone.
An extended honk means
"You ****ing incompetent ****wit! Where did you get your drivers permit? From a packet of cereal? Get your head out of your ass and pay attention. Believe it or not there are other people out here in the real world! You are living proof that the human gene pool needs Chlorine." or at least that is what I am shout at them whilst honking. ::)
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Well, that is road rage and %99+ vehicles sharing the road are bigger than you.
The sad fact is that honking them AFTER something has happened is valid because most people don't even realize when they did something wrong. One has to hope that they will learn something from the experience if they are made aware of the fact that they could have easily killed someone else. WAKE UP, PUT DOWN THE PHONE, TURN YOUR HEAD, USE YOUR MIRRORS, PAY ATTENTION!!!
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Feel free to disagree. Horns DO NOT SAVE lives. Reaction used to activate the horn is wasted time. Now, if it is used to make a point after avoiding a collision because you were properly prepared? Well, that is road rage and %99+ vehicles sharing the road are bigger than you. Spend the $$ on some advanced rider training to sharpen your riding and as always, work on finding issues before they become an issue. A horn is a noise maker and it may have the exact opposite reaction you expected, they will instinctively turn to see what is making the noise, right into you.
Minor pet peeve of mine that fits right in there with the loud pipes save lives crowd.
Have you guys ever noticed that every time we have a discussion like this it's always the same thing?
One guy says that he wants to install a louder horn for safety. Then another guy says that you shouldn't rely on your horn to make you safe, use your riding skills for that (as if you can't do both)
It's the same thing with ABS (or hiviz clothing or using hibeams during the day or this or that...). Oh, bikes have gone for years without ABS and you shouldn't rely on ABS to make you safe, that's what your riding skills are for (again, as if you can't do both right?) ::)
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Contrarian
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A contrarian is a person who takes up a contrary position, especially a position that is opposed to that of the majority, regardless of how unpopular it may be. Contrarian styles of argument and disagreement have historically been associated with radicalism and dissent.
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Have you guys ever noticed that every time we have a discussion like this it's always the same thing?
One guy says that he wants to install a louder horn for safety. Then another guy says that you shouldn't rely on your horn to make you safe, use your riding skills for that (as if you can't do both)
It's the same thing with ABS (or hiviz clothing or using hibeams during the day or this or that...). Oh, bikes have gone for years without ABS and you shouldn't rely on ABS to make you safe, that's what your riding skills are for (again, as if you can't do both right?) ::)
Tis the forum nature....what are doing up so early?
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+1 for Chet. The horns *ARE* useful, but not always reliable. Taking evasive action IS.
Canada Dan, it is more subtle than the difference between expectation and reality.
Once upon a time, a rider owned two nearly identical motorcycles. Moto Guzzi 850 Eldorados.
One a civilian model painted in black with a Wixom Bros. fairing and white fiberglass saddlebags...
the other one an ex-police bike with white tank, HD windshield, black metal bags.
I had the civilian for about a year before I got the PD bike. Invisible on the civilian bike, I became
the object of people's attention on the cop bike. I could slow traffic on the freeway by riding along at -5mph compared to the traffic. OR I could cruise along quite briskly in the fast lane, and most folks would move over in plenty of time for me to zip right by without slowing.
THE SECRET: Folks respond to FEAR. The cop bike represents a THREAT, so it is visible.
Trucks are threats...cars, too. Motorcycles? Not so much. So you are invisible.
THEY SEE THE COPS, so it is not a problem with expectations, but fear.
saxman
P.S. Fiamm Freeway Blasters. eBay. Bent the brackets that came with them, so they fit side by side above the front fender. Relay, heavy gauge wire, and they are not only pretty loud, but they sound...sort of elegant.
Honking after the fact is worse than useless. Go home and kick something if you want to blow off steam. But sometimes honking as the problem develops lets then know you are there, and can be useful. But reading the traffic well, and anticipating trouble, and having a way out (or two)
is going to work a whole lot better than getting into a bad situation and expecting to honk your
way out.
I work as a referee at bicycle races...so the horn gets used A LOT. Warning riders about vehicles coming by, clearing spectators on closed courses, warning riders about road hazards, scolding, etc.
FIAMMs: Loud (but not deafening), a distinctive sound (the two notes together) so they know it's me, fits in the stock location (barely), etc. Total cost about $20...had the wire already. +++ +++
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I usually ride with my thumb near the switch. Sometimes I'm able to honk while evading... the horns have worked at keeping cars off me a handful of times.
Other times, not so much (pure shorts-soiling evasion mode), and my turning away and braking has done the trick. At that point, the horn isn't worth the effort, because the errant driver probably would associate a motorcycle honking with being an a-hole motorcycle rider. We don't need any more cagers thinking that of us.
I agree with most of you... horns CAN help in safety, but should not be used as a primary defense. Keeping your eyes on a swivel can be MUCH more useful.
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Tis the forum nature....what are doing up so early?
I still get up at the same time every morn, 5am. Ever since I was in the Army I have this built-in alarm clock and the stupid thing has no snooze button.
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Looks like my tactic worked ;) These are topics that really should be discussed in a very open manner, far to often we get caught up in farkledom and skip discussing the things that assist us in riding "Safer". Bling is great, but riding home is better, something I think we can all agree on. :finger_fing11:
I used the hyper whites (reminds me, I need to order two more sets) as an attention getter, once on no additional action required, freeing me up to focus on riding and not searching for a button with a digit. I would never advocate removing a horn, but I would not fear riding a bike without a horn. I also ride with a high vis vest and always ride with at least a 2 second margin, yes, even in the stop and go traffic, I have as of yet to go backwards on a freeway and if someone really needs that space in front of me, it's theirs for the taking.
We could add in ABS, but that would be off topic 8) ( I am a believer in ABS, but do not fear riding without).
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Feel free to disagree. Horns DO NOT SAVE lives. Reaction used to activate the horn is wasted time. Now, if it is used to make a point after avoiding a collision because you were properly prepared? Well, that is road rage and %99+ vehicles sharing the road are bigger than you. Spend the $$ on some advanced rider training to sharpen your riding and as always, work on finding issues before they become an issue. A horn is a noise maker and it may have the exact opposite reaction you expected, they will instinctively turn to see what is making the noise, right into you.
Minor pet peeve of mine that fits right in there with the loud pipes save lives crowd.
I think your dead wrong on this. I know for a fact that if I honk my horn at someone who is waiting to pull out in front of me from a side street or parking lot,they immediately turn their head towards me and we make eye contact more often than not. Properly prepared or not, alerting a potential driver from pulling out of you must be safer.
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All of a sudden the driver who didn't see you is startled, mashes the gas pedal to the floor. Time spent hitting the horn coulda been used to slow, or speed up, or swerve out of their path of travel. While not the only potential scenario, it is a real possibility and as I ride always thinking what offers me the best chance of avoiding a crash? Target fixation is real. Can a horn aid in conspicuity? Certainly, but not near as often as awareness and proper action. We can not control their actions, only ours and a horn is relying on positive action from them.
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if a driver can hear a horn over road noise , radio, and the cell phone call I'm amazed. not because the horn is loud or not because 99% of the time they aren't paying attention.
And like SOP said I can flick out of the way, speed up, stop, or slow down 99.9% of the time LONG before I can alert the driver and him/her stop texting and react with any real action on the alert.
The horn was the first thing to go in the rubbish pile on my KTM, and the absolute most useless thing on any motorcycle I've ever owned.
If there were ever a need to be proactive, assertive and in control, it is while riding a motorcycle. Motorcyclists and scooter riders are arguably the most vulnerable motor vehicle operators on the road.
[/b]
SEE<----SEARCH, EVALUATE, and EXECUTE. Thats what MSF advance course taught and we practiced over and over. Horn was never mentioned.
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I have 3 bikes. All 3 have air horns. Those horns have saved me many many times. A few times with deer. Many times just to alert the cager(s) in the lane beside me that I am nearby or about to pass. Many other times to stop them from moving into my lane. I have yet to tap the horn button and someone NOT hear my horns. I had a case where I was stopped in parking lot and a cager did not see me and decided to backup. Only the horn stopped her. I had no other way to avoid her. I could not and will not go with out a good set of horns on my bikes and my cars. In traffic my thumb is always covering that horn button as well my hand covering the brake lever. I can and have done both. I do not loose any ability to react just because I have a good set of horns. It is just another tool in my defensive arsenal. Of course there has to be some common sense. In a down right emergency, trying to find the horn button will not help. That is not how it is supposed to be used.
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All of a sudden the driver who didn't see you is startled, mashes the gas pedal to the floor.
Although that is possible and has some face validity, I have never actually seen that happen. In 100% of my observation, they either stop what they were doing (changing lanes, pulling out) or completely ignore the horn. I would guess about a 20% or so ignore rate.
Time spent hitting the horn coulda been used to slow, or speed up, or swerve out of their path of travel.
The horn should NEVER be used in a situation where that time would have been needed to "avoid". But there are many, many times where it could be used in combination with avoidance or when you have plenty of time to avoid and would prefer they just do the right thing.
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if a driver can hear a horn over road noise , radio, and the cell phone call I'm amazed.
That is exactly why I have an air horn. One of the very first things I installed.
Yet again- it should not be used in ANY situation where you would need every milisecond to avoid something. But when I feel threatened, my finger is already covering the horn button and my hand is already covering the brake- both at the ready.
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I know for a fact horns save lives. I have done it and seen it
In many states and in Canada licensed tagged vehicles will not pass inspection without a working horn.
They require it for safety reasons.
I really do not understand how anyone could think a horn does not save lives.
How many ships wrecked and sailors died until fog horns were invented?
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So, loud pipes do save lives.. Factual to the HD crowd. But anecdotal with no real facts to substantiate their beliefs. Adding one more task to the complexity of taking an avoidance maneuver during a full on critical time may be the task that leads to an unfortunate incident.
Read the following, see if you catch it. http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=948987 (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=948987)
Quote:
Originally Posted by sandsman View Post
Having a piece of metal in my shin also......I feel your pain. One of the things I added to my bike which should be the #1 thing to add is one of those super loud air horns, they are compact and really do the trick on moving 4-wheelers back away from you. I ride in town with my thumb on the LOUD-ASS horn button. They clear away from me.
I had one of those years ago, living in San Diego. Sounded like Amtrak coming through!!
I never had time to hit the button this time...
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All of a sudden the driver who didn't see you is startled, mashes the gas pedal to the floor. Time spent hitting the horn coulda been used to slow, or speed up, or swerve out of their path of travel. While not the only potential scenario, it is a real possibility and as I ride always thinking what offers me the best chance of avoiding a crash? Target fixation is real. Can a horn aid in conspicuity? Certainly, but not near as often as awareness and proper action. We can not control their actions, only ours and a horn is relying on positive action from them.
WTF? Why oh why does everyone assume that you can't do both? I can be prepared for what others on the road may do by paying attention to what they are doing and leaving myself an out or three (it's like a game of chess). (here's the tricky part ::) ) AND I can also use my horn if needed. Sometimes all you need is a little attention drawn to yourself to keep bad things from happening. Sometimes that doesn't work and you have to do something else. Sometimes it's too late for the horn and you have to take immediate action. It's called situational awareness. If I see trouble coming I use what ever tool I have at my disposal to keep away from it. No need to take evasive maneuvers when all that is needed is the horn. AGAIN, if the horn doesn't work then I use another tool.
I can use my riding skills along with my horn to help keep me safe.
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+1
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WTF? Why oh why does everyone assume that you can't do both?
+1
Seems I said that about three times so far...
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+1
Seems I said that about three times so far...
Said what?
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+1
Seems I said that about three times so far...
Me too Max, maybe we need a larger font?
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Said what?
Yes.
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+1 Conrad :chugbeer:
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Come to think about it... Ever since I painted my bike "look at me white", the instances of unexpected lane sharing by cages has dropped significantly.
But I'm keeping my air horn.
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Me too Max, maybe we need a larger font?
LIKE THIS?
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LIKE THIS?
Your hurting my eyes ;)
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LIKE THIS?
Maybe
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Said what?
That you can use a horn at the same time as evading or without it delaying other responses. Perhaps not in a total panic where caught completely off guard, at which case it is certainly a lower priority (at least it is for me... and should be for anyone).
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Kind of like walking and chewing gum.
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Kind of like walking and chewing gum.
Maybe
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Kind of like walking and chewing gum.
Whoa there! I can't do that..
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I'm thinking that maybe some of yous guys shouldn't be chewing gum and riding at the same time! :o ;)
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I don't. I know my limitations. Never much cared for chewing gum. Mints yes, but not gum. Mints kinda just melt in your mouth without much thought. Gum, well, you have to coordinate moving your jaws and sometimes if you have a tight helmet that causes problems. I know that my helmet, I prefer them a bit tight, actually moves my jaw out of line a bit. I can definitely tell the difference. Now what were we talking about?
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Now what were we talking about?
New teeth...
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:rotflmao:
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I don't. I know my limitations. Never much cared for chewing gum. Mints yes, but not gum. Mints kinda just melt in your mouth without much thought. Gum, well, you have to coordinate moving your jaws and sometimes if you have a tight helmet that causes problems. I know that my helmet, I prefer them a bit tight, actually moves my jaw out of line a bit. I can definitely tell the difference. Now what were we talking about?
Bacon?
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I like bacon, but not too much. Tears my stomach up with the grease. I'd eat more but it just kills me. I have some bacon thawing out for tomorrow. Applewood smoked, I think. I'll have to double up on the antacids..
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Bacon?
Gross! No, we were not talking about eating pig (or cow)...
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Gross! No, we were not talking about eating pig (or cow)...
That must have been another thread, my bad. :)
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=49.msg201579#msg201579 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=49.msg201579#msg201579)
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Too many threads with bacon in them. I understand your confusion. Why just this morning I cooked bacon. It had been in the freezer for way too long, expired back in 9/13, so I decided to cook it up. I thought I was going to vomit from the smell. Just hit me wrong today. Usually doesn't do that. The taste was fine, nothing wrong with it, but I just couldn't hack the cooking smell. I wanted to cook up a whole packet as I was going to use it this week in Paninis. Strange about certain smells. For instance, my wife can't stand the frying chicken smell. Makes her ill. She can eat it, but she just can't smell it cooking. Consequently I don't get much fried chicken at home. Also did pancakes. They didn't come out as well as I would like but they tasted ok. Now I have to clean up the kitchen. I'm not terribly neat when I cook which is why I tend to cook outside. Better for everyone actually.
Oh yeah, horns. I've got one on the bike.
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Too many threads with bacon in them. I understand your confusion. Why just this morning I cooked bacon. It had been in the freezer for way too long, expired back in 9/13, so I decided to cook it up. I thought I was going to vomit from the smell. Just hit me wrong today. Usually doesn't do that. The taste was fine, nothing wrong with it, but I just couldn't hack the cooking smell. I wanted to cook up a whole packet as I was going to use it this week in Paninis. Strange about certain smells. For instance, my wife can't stand the frying chicken smell. Makes her ill. She can eat it, but she just can't smell it cooking. Consequently I don't get much fried chicken at home. Also did pancakes. They didn't come out as well as I would like but they tasted ok. Now I have to clean up the kitchen. I'm not terribly neat when I cook which is why I tend to cook outside. Better for everyone actually.
Oh yeah, horns. I've got one on the bike.
What!!!! You need to quit drinking, messing with your sense of smell (that horn between your eyes and pie hole).
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:)
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I thought I was going to vomit from the smell.
Yep, that pretty much describes it for me :)
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Exactly. There are occasions there is plenty of time and I will horn first while ready to evade if necessary. Sometimes I will do both simultaneously. If there is no time, I will skip the horn, sometimes saving it for afterwards just to show them I am pissed.
I will often cover the horn button when I detect something might happen (after again checking what is around me).
Not to beat a dead horse, but I just did this again today. Nowhere for me to accelerate but I "knew" a car was going to change lanes into me without looking (normally I avoid ever being in a car's blind spot when at all possible or appropriate). I already had my hand on the horn and the break. The millisecond he starting moving over (and, of course, without a turn signal), I blasted him and started breaking and since he did not snap back instantly, I held it continuously while braking and he did move back into his lane.
* There was 100% no problem avoiding more if I needed (braking harder)
* Using the horn did not interfere with my reaction in any way
* He did stop what he was doing, although not as rapidly as most people do
* He probably felt like an idiot for doing the wrong thing (I certainly would have)
* He MIGHT learn something, making the road a safer place for everyone (we can only hope)
* The horn puts other people on alert also, forcing them to pay more attention, which would be useful if I had to avoid more (for example, someone behind me, although in this case, there was nobody).
Horns can be a useful tool even if they are not a replacement for avoidance.
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Not to beat a dead horse, but I just did this again today. Nowhere for me to accelerate but I "knew" a car was going to change lanes into me without looking (normally I avoid ever being in a car's blind spot when at all possible or appropriate). I already had my hand on the horn and the break. The millisecond he starting moving over (and, of course, without a turn signal), I blasted him and started breaking and since he did not snap back instantly, I held it continuously while braking and he did move back into his lane.
* There was 100% no problem avoiding more if I needed (braking harder)
* Using the horn did not interfere with my reaction in any way
* He did stop what he was doing, although not as rapidly as most people do
* He probably felt like an idiot for doing the wrong thing (I certainly would have)
* He MIGHT learn something, making the road a safer place for everyone (we can only hope)
* The horn puts other people on alert also, forcing them to pay more attention, which would be useful if I had to avoid more (for example, someone behind me, although in this case, there was nobody).
Horns can be a useful tool even if they are not a replacement for avoidance.
Could you tell if the other driver was chewing gum? Were you? ;)
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:)
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I put a pair of fairly loud horns + relay on my bike right after I got it. Just like the OP I couldn't hear it at highway speeds at all.
I do not regret this one bit. I have used it several times and the cagers certainly DO hear it.
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WTF? Why oh why does everyone assume that you can't do both?
+1
Seems I said that about three times so far...
Said what?
That you can use a horn at the same time as evading or without it delaying other responses. Perhaps not in a total panic where caught completely off guard, at which case it is certainly a lower priority (at least it is for me... and should be for anyone).
I think this forum needs a louder horn. One that goes off when someone pulls another's chain on purpose, just so the second party knows that their chain is being pulled ;D
Nice one 'Pinkie, a fun trick you've honed sharp in the arena no doubt? :rotflmao:
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:) Marty, I had to chase that one way back to put it in context. There's a stick poking smiley that would be appropriate. ;)
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Hmmmm, 2 weeks, 5000 miles, WA, OR, CA, AZ, UT and ID on a fully loaded ADV Bike. Never once touched the horn. Must be lucky to be alive... ;) I did however use it during the Desert100 to get them pesky skinny bikes off the trail/out of my way, scared them so bad they pee'd themselves ;D
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There's a stick poking smiley that would be appropriate. ;)
Yeah I searched for that, it's on the other forum. Speaking of that (since I'm already off topic, what the heck), ya know about this two forum thing, they both have an obvious different feel to them (I know, WELL DUH MARTY!, patience grasshopper, I'm getting there), but if you were to just look at the smileys available on each, you'd think that you were on the other forum. I've tried to figure that out and here is what I came up with. Emoticons (aka smileys) were developed to enhance communication online so that people don't take a joke as an insult and get all huffy etc etc (yeah, that works ;D NOT!). Perhaps having all those extra emoticons is just too touchy-feely for here. "Got your feelings hurt? Get over it, I used a smiley, figure it out!" So, how did I do? ..is that about it?....anyway...
gPink, sorry to make you do all that research, my post could have been more timely, but somehow I missed this thread earlier. I enjoyed it so much that I just couldn't leave
your poke lying there seemingly unappreciated.
...now returning to the thread subject matter
Hmmmm, 2 weeks, 5000 miles, WA, OR, CA, AZ, UT and ID on a fully loaded ADV Bike. Never once touched the horn. Must be lucky to be alive... ;) I did however use it during the Desert100 to get them pesky skinny bikes off the trail/out of my way, scared them so bad they pee'd themselves ;D
Regardless of whether one can both honk and maneuver out of a situation, or just the latter, I think we can all agree: For them "pesky skinny bikes", and perhaps 50% of the dumb animals (4 legged) on the road, loud horns can be an effective tool in our safety toolbox. ;) :D :) <---touchy-feely stuff.
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I think you nailed it on the touchy feely thing. I've got most of the smilies turned off on the other side.