Stebel Nautilus 139dB Twin Tone Air Horn upgrade

[R111S]

As you all know the OEM Horn on the R1100S basically tells the Engine "uh...we're about to get hit".

Some of the BMW Owners in our local BMWMOA Club have upgraded to the Stebel Nautilus 139dB Twin Tone Air Horn. After having my ear drums split wide open by their thankfully short demonstrations I though it would be a nice upgrade for times in heavy city traffic among the cell-phone trancers and such. If you haven't heard one of these 139dB attention getters then you are in for a somewhat unpleasant surprise.

I installed the $62 Kit from (Excel Cycle Werkes) yesterday and it took about 2 hours at a leisurely pace. The Kit includes a Relay, Wiring cut to extra length, Crimp Terminals, 20A Fuse w/Fuse Holder, Shrink Tubing, Instructions, and all necessary Mounting Hardware for the R1100S.

Tools needed are Wire Cutters, Wire Strippers, Crimp Pliers, and standard Wrenches to remove the OEM Horn and mount the Stebel Horn. The kit includes a new Mounting Bracket w/Spacer and Bolts/Nuts/Washers. I also straightened the anti-rotation tang next to the OEM Mount Hole because it was interfering with the Stebel Housing.

I put the Relay and Fuse immediately behind the Fuel Tank. I routed the Air Intake Hose to the Alternator area.

Here's the Kit:


Here's the OEM Unit:


Here's the Stebel Unit (right side):


Here's the Stebel Unit (left side):

[GotRoad?]

I put one of those on my bike maybe 3 yrs ago & it's been great at getting attention when I need it. Since the wiring connections on the horn face down I made a weather cap for the horn's connectors by going to Home Depot and buying a 2" (if I remember correctly) dia. rubber cap. then cut 2 slits to push the connectors through and then used some rubber cement to seal the slits where I pushed the wires through and also to glue the cap to the horn body. It's worked well for me.

[twodear]

Is there a test of someones conversion on Youtube? I'd like to hear that before trying to source one.

[mendoje]

Stebel has audio clips of every horn they produce (from scooters and cars, to ships and trains) on their website.

[Guest24]

Like Gotroad? I had one on my 11S. Rode in some major Nova Scotia rain stroms and never had a problem with water. Didn't have the airtube installed. Not really a requirement.

I liked it so much that I installed one on my R1200Road Tank

[shreddr]

has anybody put one of these on the R12S? I am not too big on honking the horn, but I must admit I feel embarassed by the sound that comes out of the stocker, its sounds like it ought to be on a scooter

[Guest24]

Originally Posted by shreddr

has anybody put one of these on the R12S? I am not too big on honking the horn, but I must admit I feel embarassed by the sound that comes out of the stocker, its sounds like it ought to be on a scooter

Is you horn presently in front of the front shock? If so, make two fists and put them on top of each other and place them up there where the old horn is. I'll take about that much room to fit the Stebel.

[martincito]

I'd like also to upgrade the horn, but to be honest I almost don't use it. I'm looking for something simpler to install even if the sound is not super loud, just a little improvement over the stock one.

Do you guys know is there is any horn upgrade just replacing the stock horn?

I was thinking something about the same size that works with the canbus.

[drummer12345]

Originally Posted by shreddr

has anybody put one of these on the R12S? I am not too big on honking the horn, but I must admit I feel embarassed by the sound that comes out of the stocker, its sounds like it ought to be on a scooter

I am also looking at replacing my stock horn on my R12S. Anyone have experience?

[drummer12345]

Originally Posted by Nail24

Is you horn presently in front of the front shock? If so, make two fists and put them on top of each other and place them up there where the old horn is. I'll take about that much room to fit the Stebel.

My horn is currently behind the headlight, in front of the right hand fork. Looks like I've got some room to play with, though I'd have to remove the gas tank cover to see.

Have you done the install of the wires? I have never messed with a relay before and am concerned that I'd screw it up. Seems like the theory is:

Run a wire from the battery to the relay
Run a wire from the relay to the horn
Attach the button wire to the relay

[TxCan01]

For you R1200S guys. Check out Nippy norman in the UK, he has pretty good descriptions of which horns fit what.
HORNS - STEBEL-NIPPY NORMANS - the No. 1 supplier of BMW motorcycle accessories!

[drummer12345]

Originally Posted by TxCan01

For you R1200S guys. Check out Nippy norman in the UK, he has pretty good descriptions of which horns fit what.
HORNS - STEBEL-NIPPY NORMANS - the No. 1 supplier of BMW motorcycle accessories!

I like the web-site. The only horn it appears they sell for the R12S is the Stebel Magnum. Looked for a review and here is what I found:

Stebel Magnum Horns - webBikeWorld

Not a very good review in my opinion.

[Guest24]

I looked at Bob Hancock's 12S. There is more than ample room for the Stebel Nautilus up front.

[drummer12345]

Originally Posted by Nail24

I looked at Bob Hancock's 12S. There is more than ample room for the Stebel Nautilus up front.

Looks like Stebel doesn't have very good horns, at least for reviews.

Stebel Nautilus - webBikeWorld

[Guest24]

I'm surprised with that review. I've never had a problem with the two that I've had on different bike.

[R111S]

Originally Posted by Nail24

I'm surprised with that review. I've never had a problem with the two that I've had on different bike.

Mine is still working and as I said in my original post above there are several in our local BMW Club who have installed these kits. Most of them ride BMW R1XXXGS.

I'm not disputing what web-bike-world says - just telling my own experience.

[Cambridge K]

After two years - I got mine up & in my K12S - just got bike inspected - horn test - left a load in the service's guys pants - I told him SORRY - He turned & laughted at me - NOW THAT'S A HORN - you passed.

[geothepencil]

Maybe the problems reported were due to inadequate wiring. They need good wire to work correctly.

geo

[R111S]

I read somewhere that there are some Chinese counterfits of this horn in the marketplace too.

[harkair]

I have gotten conflicting reports....Will the Stebel Nautulis work on the R1200S ???