How To Upgrade Your Motorcycle Horn PIAA Slimline 2014 Yamaha FJR 1300 ES

[@trikky-trev]

A few years late to the party, but after I came across this video, I was inspired. Successfully upgraded the stock horn on my 2017 FJR1300 ES, following the directions provided. Made it a breeze, and I knew exactly what I was doing. While the stock horn is actually louder, the 400/500 combo is definitely more obvious.

[@justinnickoson6900]

It's so nice to see an audio comparison with someone who uses manual audio setting and shows acurate results. The new horns sound soo much better, I might have to get a set for my FJR.

[@bmfilmnut]

Thanks for this excellent and well-done video. It is very helpful. I received a set today based largely on this review and other positive reviews and they are loud. I tested them to see how much current they draw which is a concern for some people who may be considering these and wonder if they might need a relay. I tested them with a highly accurate Fluke 28II meter and a fully charged battery that was not installed in the bike and on a Optimate 6 maintaining it for the winter. Here's the results: 500Hz horn pulled 1.95 amps 400Hz horn pulled 2.35 amps Total with both horns: 4.3 amps That's better (lower) than the manufacturer's claim that each horn draws 2.7 amps for a total of 5.4 amps when used together. There is some misinformation about the amperage draw of these horns online so I hope that's helpful. Of course, there can be some variation so your results may not be exactly the same as mine. Just for reference, the crappy round and embarrassing "meep meep" horn that my 2015 Rocket III Touring and so many other bikes come with draws 1.5 amps so I'm only drawing 2.8 more amps with these two horns which are MUCH louder than the stock horn so I'm not going to run with a relay unless I blow fuses. I don't think the extra current is going to cause the damage some point out that may happen to the horn switch due to sparking caused by the higher amps. After all, how often do you use a horn anyway? I can't even remember using mine but, then, I would be too embarrassed to anyway with the horn that came on the bike. I might be tempted to use these P1AA horns. In my case, the horn is on the same circuit as the brake lights and turning signals so I'm going to test them when they are all on at the same time to make sure the fuse doesn't blow. So I suggest anyone installing these without a relay check to see what, if anything, else is on the same circuit as the horn. Thanks again for this excellent video. BTW, when I tested them in my basement, my cat got the crap scared out of her. I still can't find her!

[@AW8UK]

Bob..Many thanks for taking time to properly measure the amps on these. I agree there is conflicting info on these. And thanks to channel host for the video

[@JBM07XKR]

Nicely done - very clear and easy to follow. I just swapped out the horn on my 2015 FJR1300 and your video made that an easy exercise. Huge difference in the sound output. My wires were shorter so I zip-tied a loose loop to the top vane of the black radiator cover which keeps the wires immobile and out of the way of fork travel. Thanks again.

[@bikahjoeUK]

Thanks so much for this. Finally a video which actually shows the wiring involved when replacing a stock single horn with after-market dual horns. I'm hoping to do exactly this with my 2022 Yamaha XSR700 and as the stock horn arrangement looks almost identical to your FJR, this is going to be my 'go-to' instructional video. Cheers!

[@simontelfer172]

Thanks Brian. Just installed these horns as per your guidance. Saved me a lot time and grief. I travel in central london a lot and the stock horn doesn’t cut it with all the pedestrians. Cheers. Simon.

[@ajwagner007]

I finally did this little job. When I checked the voltage on my bike, I had to rewatch this video and double-check my bike again. My factory horn was wired backwards with positive on the bottom. I corrected it when putting the new dual horns.

[@yamsue]

My standarded horn stopped working, just watched this and found it very helpful. Thank you

[@daviddykes2285]

Thanks for saving me a bunch of head-scratching Brian! Installed a set on my 2016ES this afternoon and it was cake thanks to your excellent video. The sound is my granddads old Buick and it is going to get a heck of a lot more attention from brain dead cagers than the factory meep- meep.

[@plpwheeler]

Great video, I definitely like the sound of the PIAA horns over stock. The PIAA horns sound bigger and fuller while the stock sounds like a moped horn!

[@ajtodd76]

That's one hell of an improvement. Will follow suit with my bike. Thanks for sharing the video.

[@dddj8833]

Thank you very much. Just finished the job on my FJR 2016 and everything went well.

[@UbuPluto]

Okay I’m confused about the wiring. Your comment about getting a “Y” connector doesn’t seem to address the problem with the “c” connector on the other end. What did I miss? Also, I don’t understand how you did your wiring, you stripped about 1.5” of wire from the “c” connector end and then did you fold the wire to connect the first connector and then added the second connect to the end of the stripped wire? Apologies for what seems to be obvious to everyone else on this thread but I have watched this a number of times and still don’t get it.

[@JoeyDaytonaaa]

Stock seems more peircing to me. Thanks for the great test. Really appreciate all you do, from the simple to advanced.

[@kellyj5389]

Definitely more noticeable sound. Upgraded for sure

[@markcremeans1024]

Another nice video. Keep up the good work and thank you. The horns sound great.

[@dfsf250]

Got the set!! Thank you!! Just had to read the description.

[@Paul-cc5rp]

Great Vid..... thanks. Love the comparison. Wish they painted the 2024 bikes Red. Love yours!!!!

[@TwoWheelObsession]

You and me both!

[@Onewithsausage]

Nice job. I'll be getting a set of those. I commute 60 miles one-way to work on I-5 in Seattle. Constantly getting moved over on.

[@OverKillPlusOne]

Seattle drivers are terrible for not looking and lane drifting.

[@shawnconnery5753]

THANKS....Awesome instruction, upgrade aka farkle was huge increase in effectiveness of audible warning.

[@michaelovitch]

If you have two same models of horns and remove one ,the sound level is cut by 3decibels not half. 90db + 90db = 93 db

[@daa3417]

The unit db is a logarithmic *function* so a few db change will be a large change in what you hear, also these horns achieve their sound by mixing two distinct frequencies. The first set of hella supertones I installed out of simple curiosity I decided to test briefly with each tone producer individually and the volume sounded to me like it was more than cut in half with each one alone.

[@scottsprague5778]

I am an sound engineer 3db gain is actually twice as loud. So technically, he is correct. If you have two same models of horns and remove one ,the sound level is cut in half (reduced by 3 decibels).

[@vesalahtinen9406]

I just bouht the same to my Ducati Monster. Thanks for good advice

[@VesselMaker]

Thanks for the vid and the sound tests. I wonder if with a relay the dual horns would be louder. For example, with certain bmw motorcycles (like 1100rt) the headlight wiring for the h4 bulb is undersized and adding a relay makes the stock bulb noticeably brighter. Not just my opinion, many have reported this.

[@TwoWheelObsession]

+VesselMaker No need.

[@daleduca1769]

Curious if just mounting a second "stock" horn to the other side (as you did - great wiring advice BTW) would increase volu,e of sound even more over PIAA. As you pointed out PIAA seems more "noticeable" but would louder volume make up for that? Thoughts?

[@carlbarba3205]

Are you going to add Sliders?

[@stukeast3956]

Good review thanks - have ordered some for my Gen2.

[@RideCamVids]

Those PIAA horns do sound worlds better than the stock single horn, you now need some for the Kia as well. ;-)

[@Nicini24-el-pro]

hi there, can put a horn like that in to my honda shadow? with the stock wire? thank you, is an excellent tutorial

[@CenobiteBeldar]

I have a question, my bike uses one horn, not two, do I have to use both horns or can I just use the red one?

[@GaryDZ]

Now that you had it a while.... any issues with the wiring harness and not using a relay? No melt downs or fuse issues? I asked a seller and he said I needed to rewire it and use the relay. Not looking to make this a big project.

[@TwoWheelObsession]

Nope

[@jmetz20689]

Question: On a 2008 FJR1300AE I can use the factory wiring for the dual horns and also mount the horns on the factory location for the dual horns? Thinking that would be more secure to mount them to them using the factory bolts and mount location.. Thoughts?

[@TwoWheelObsession]

Yes

[@mokhan7008]

Thanks - great video and particularly the comparison.

[@kimielavo1660]

Love watching your video's...but need more..1 a day would be nice.

[@iR0NmAnKiD]

haha. i follow your cigar channel. didn't know you had a bike channel. awesome.

[@DjSkipAlexander]

Great video thanks for the info

[@mazzarin2]

Thanks for the video! I just did the install today on my 2019 FJR1300 AE. I found out that the brake/ABS cable pushes on the right-side horn when the suspension is being compressed. I'll try to resolve it by cabletying that cable to the one on the other side, such that they bend towards each other, instead of on the horn. Anyone else had this issue?

[@simontelfer172]

Similar for me not sure its enough travel for it to be an issue but how did you get on ?

[@mazzarin2]

@@simontelfer172 I very loosely tied the cables from both sides together, such that they bend towards each other to the middle. Works fine :)

[@photoryder]

Any thoughts on using posi taps to go directly to the stock wiring?

[@TwoWheelObsession]

That's fine too

[@banditxyz100]

Wondering what two stock horns would sound like. Do you by chance know what db level is for the stock ?

[@TwoWheelObsession]

banditxyz100 They sound just as pathetic and annoying, just louder. Nope, there is no standard for measurement for stock horns or any for reference for that matter.

[@TwoWheelObsession]

banditxyz100 I had a previous gen before this with the dual horns, btw.

[@alp3781]

Hey boss. Thank you for the video. After watching you, I ordered a set and boy ooooo boy, I love the sound compare to the wimpy stock horn. Now, stupid ass drivers can hear us. They are so great for the price. Safe riding !!!!

[@dfsf250]

Were did you purchase the duel set?

[@cigarobsession]

Amazon but you can google, they are all over

[@banditxyz100]

Thanks

[@adaptiveagile]

Thanks :)

[@danw5157]

Wow, seth rogen cleaned up his image.

[@chickenlegs214]

OMG!! It's Seth Rogen's big bro

[@S2Wiley]

They don't use a universal nut mount and force you to use a PIAA bracket, which means that you need to remove EVERYTHING ...including crash bars to get to the frame mount nut. That's just plain stupid.

[@rijden-nu]

Yeah, why are bike horns so damn wimpy? It almost seems like the bigger the bike, the wimpier the horn. My '94 NTV 650 had a dual horn as well that was loud as f*ck, but that's the only one.

[@observingrogue7652]

I was looking for motorcycle horns, that sound like the first Fleetwood in this video, kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKHKoKV8h7almrc , but these are the closest to it I have heard so far. Does anyone know of horns like a 1979 Fleetwood? I really like that sound.

[@observingrogue7652]

Sorry, I meant 1976, if they are not the same.

[@mudflap2020]

You shouldve held the horns dammit

[@Porsche996driver]

Those are terrible sounds like a car horn. Motorcycle needs something distinctive. Would never work for lane splitting.