Horn Improvement: V85 TT

[SLDMRossi]

If you own a V85 TT, you're no doubt aware that the single, factory horn is simply anemic. But there's nowhere to mount a high-octane, aftermarket Blaster-type horn unless you have Crash Bars to hang it off of. Which I don't...

So a solution is: a Hella 012588011 Dual Disc-Horn Kit. I got mine off of Amazon.

Used the original, vertical horn bracket...and then I made a secondary horizontal bracket that runs at 90-degrees to the bottom of that. It looks like a "W" with ears extending out on each end to mount the horns to. The shape allows it to straddle the downtube frame rails and places the horns outboard of those...which is OK because they're "Water Spray Proof." It also makes sure that when you turn the front wheel full lock there's no interference.

Painted it black. Made a wiring harness to go from 1 horn-to-2 using the existing connectors as a starting point. No Relay required.

The end result? A HUGE improvement! For little money...

Steven Rossi

[twowheeladdict]

I'm not sure if I have ever hit the horn button. 

[mechanicsavant]

I hear ya . No pun intended . How do you justify a top tier bike & scrimp on what is a major safety feature ? I was recently drooling @ the new V1000 & was dumbfounded by the flaccid honker it came with . Having something that  will wake up the cage driver should be mandatory IMHO ! Loud horns save lives !

[rtbickel]

About the horn on the new Mandello - I was at the dealership last week and watched the salesman demo the bike in the showroom for its new owner.  Hit the horn button and that thing would wake the dead!  Maybe there was an aftermarket horn that I didn't see, but all I saw was the small horn down on the front of the cases.

[egschade]

I used the factory horn circuit to trigger a relay for the dual horns I added. There was space to tuck it in behind the right side frame cover. Don't trust the wiring is enough to carry the load of two horns and don't want to fry something.

[SLDMRossi]

[SLDMRossi]

P.S. -- and now I can actually hear it at 60mph with my Helmet on and Ear Plugs in!

SR

[tris]

I'm not sure if I have ever hit the horn button.

I tend to agree
However, my old man taught me to find a quiet spot on the road and give the horn a good long blast
Just to make sure that it works on the off chance that you need it

[kingoffleece]

Prior to picking up my v85 I asked Hamlin to wire in an air horn.  It's tucked away under my right leg mounted to the rear portion of the engine guards.  You can't see it unless you look but you sure can hear it.  Needed it today as some a**clown got it ALL wrong in a traffic circle.

[Sykestone8886]

Hey K O F I see your in the valley of the sun, after living there and visiting friends many times that is one #1 place I’ve rode motorcycles that I was almost in an accident every time I was out, I never saw so many crazy drivers, get out of the valley and everything was good. Be careful out there !!!

[Vagrant]

I spend three months a year in a 55+ community. You had better have a serious horn there!
KOF, pics, brand?

[Moparnut72]

The only time I have used the horn on either my V7 or Triumph was to beep at a friend. The they are both so pathetic to be embarrassing so that I haven't used either since. I had an old lady change lanes a couple days coming right at me. Horn? No just got the hell outta the way.
kk

[mechanicsavant]

P.S. In the town I reside in there are 2 folks who are legally blind that drive almost daily to get their scratch tickets & mail !!!  Loving my HORNS ,can ya see me now !

[kingoffleece]

I NEVER ride into Phoenix.  Where I am it's a hop, skip, and jump to the Bee-Line Hwy and fun fun fun.
This place makes NYC drivers look like F1 pilots!  NOBODY is paying attention-but outside of the city it's wonderful.

[kingoffleece]

Pic is a bit blurry but you get the idea.  A Denali branded horn.



Notice it's deployed so as to avoid water being force fed into the throat.

[JHBettsSr]

I used the Hella dual disk Hi-Lo tone horn kit #011225802 just because this is the same kit I used on my Triumph Bonneville T120 and it sounds very good.
Attached is a pic. I replaced the OE horn with one of the Hella's and added the second Hella to the bottom mounting screw of the rectifier. Both horns work perfectly using the OE horn circuit (no relay required).


 

[DenverSteve]

About the horn on the new Mandello - I was at the dealership last week and watched the salesman demo the bike in the showroom for its new owner.  Hit the horn button and that thing would wake the dead!  Maybe there was an aftermarket horn that I didn't see, but all I saw was the small horn down on the front of the cases.

That's exactly how my '23 V85TT Adventure horn is.  It's probably the best sounding motorcycle horn I've ever heard. 

[guzziart]

I bought the Hella horn set, hope to get them installed in the Fall.

[bronzestar1]

I replaced the single OEM horn on the V100 Mandello and V7 Stone that I used to own, with a pair of Hella disc horns.  I spliced into the OEM horn wire, no relay needed, because the amp draw on the Hellas was nominal.  Were they louder than the single OEM horn?  Yes, but marginally.  If you want LOUD, you need to go with either a pair of snail horns like Fiamm Freeway Blasters, or a compact air horn.  Either setup will require a relay though. 

[Kildareman]

Go loud, be proud. Sound like a (large) truck.
Denalli Sound Bomb/

[Bulldog9]

I have a Denali Sound Bomb on the Norge. It was on the bike when I got it. Crazy loud and scared me the first time I tested it before riding.

I have one to mount on the V85, but havent decided on location yet.  I like the sound so much I have 2 mounted in my truck for crowd control and potential protestor dispersion device along with the stock horns and a train air horn. 

[kingoffleece]

Steve,
If you have engine guards the spot I used works well.  I NEVER even know it's there until I use it.