Most Effective Horn Sequence?

[dinandan]

I'm starting to discover that a solid prolonged surge from my horn is not as effective as short dispersed salvos.

I'm curious to hear suggestions for the most effective horn sequence for getting the attention of the distracted cagers.

All ideas will be tested upon my next horn application.

Thanks,
Dan

[johnpeter]

:p

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0pf_0cFbVo

[tommcgee]

I've got a Stebel on my Vstrom, and TWICE in the past 6 months, I've used it to get the attention of the a-wipe who was trying to take my lane. In both cases, the idiot looked at me directly, and then kept coming towards me.

What's up with that? Acceleration saved my butt both times, but these people have a real problem. I need a better weapon.

[shire2000]

tommcgee,

Funny you should say that. I have had the same response lately. Seems that people are getting deafer (is that a word). I had one guy pulling into my lane from the left, both he and his girl friend were oblivious to my horns. But, a steel toed boot to his door, did wake them up. His reaction was to hammer on the binders, which I also did. He accused me of trying to slip by him on the right, even though I had been travelling along in that lane for about 2 miles and he was over taking me. I am glad he hit his brakes so hard he left skid marks, which showed exactly where he was when he hit my foot. 2 drivers behind us also said that he was changing lanes into me and also was not using his turn signals.

After calling 911 for the police and their resulting discussions with myself, the idiot in the car and his girlfriend, along with the 2 other drivers, they told him he was lucky that he only ran into my boot and did not actually hit my bike. They charged him with driving with undue care and attention along with a few other infractions just for the fun of it. The 2nd police officer to arrive just happened to be a motorcycle cop. He was not impressed with the offenders car. Something about loud exaust, too low to the ground, illegal running lights, too dark a tint on his windows, and a few other little things. Haven't seen that guy's car onthe road round here for a couple of months.

Of course I had coffee and donuts with the motorcycle cop and the local Tim Horton's after that. Had a great chat about bikes in general.

:ca

[dinandan]

I DO plan on putting a louder horn with an interesting tone on my R80RT. However, in the mean time I’m looking for a horn sequence other than just holding down the button. Maybe one short burst and then a long hold on the button followed by another short burst. Or two short bursts and then a long hold until the offending cager reacts. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Dan

[tommcgee]

Since it's an emergency, I suppose we could all try S.O.S.

... --- ...

[GrafikFeat]

Since it's an emergency, I suppose we could all try S.O.S.

... --- ...

Ha...

I say one lonng blast (http://www.wolo-mfg.com/419-519-stereo.wav) of the horn then both barrels! (http://www.a1freesoundeffects.com/popular12558/shotgun.mp3)
12 aught buck should slow the lane crowding.

[kbasa]

I go for the evasive maneuver. Maintain control of your destiny rather than trying to get someone else to change.

I've rarely used my horn.

[GrafikFeat]

I go for the evasive maneuver. Maintain control of your destiny rather than trying to get someone else to change.

I've rarely used my horn.

+1

I agree. I ride on the offensive as they are out to get me.
The horn is the sound an antelope makes as the lions jaws close on its neck.

[moondog]

Mine doesn't have anything to do with a motorcycle horn though I will say I like my K1100 horn.

My cage horn is so embarrassing I refuse to use it unless I really have to. I literally hide my head when I use it :blush I'd be happier with a ringer from a kid's tricycle. At least everyone else would get a good laugh out it.:p

[tommcgee]

I go for the evasive maneuver. Maintain control of your destiny rather than trying to get someone else to change.

I've rarely used my horn.

Come back to visit Boston, Dave. It's been awhile. You might very well include the horn in your defensive arsenal.

But you're 100% right, it's always evasive maneuver first (usually swerve followed by acceleration for me). In certain situations, I ride with my thumb over the horn button just as a precaution. When I've needed it, it's just been so damn effective nearly every time.

[Gilly]

This would probably work:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-k17VLAisI&feature=related

[MCMXCIVRS]

I go for the evasive maneuver. Maintain control of your destiny rather than trying to get someone else to change.

I've rarely used my horn.

+2

I think I honked my horn once in a tunnel just for the echo :laugh

Having spent many years driving fire apparatus in traffic I've come to realise that if they can't hear a siren and air horns blaring behind them, my little horn (or whatever aftermarket variation thereof) is not going to wake them from their oblivion. I've also seen how they do react when they finally realize that there is someone else on the road with them and its not usally a well thought out or appropriate reaction to the situation.

I'll be looking after my own self preservation and skip the horn.

[jgifford]

I put a Stebel Magnum on about a year ago. With the stock horn they never heard me. With the Magnum, they do. Funny part however, even though they clearly see and recognize me, they keep turning their heads looking for the bigger vehicle that just honked at them. Not quite the response I was looking for.

[kbasa]

Come back to visit Boston, Dave. It's been awhile. You might very well include the horn in your defensive arsenal.

But you're 100% right, it's always evasive maneuver first (usually swerve followed by acceleration for me). In certain situations, I ride with my thumb over the horn button just as a precaution. When I've needed it, it's just been so damn effective nearly every time.

I was an I93 commuter from Billerica into Boston for about 10 or so years. I think that's where I learned to forget about the horn. :ha

[98lee]

This should do the trick.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwqeChGrRds&feature=related


:dance :dance :dance

[dinandan]

Thanks for the tips. I WILL get a loud horn and I AM always prepared to do accident avoidance maneuvers. I understand the cagers don’t see me and I know the only person I can trust to get myself out of a hazardous situation is ME. However, On the rare occasion that a honk is necessary, are there any horn sequences that seem to be more effective than others?

Thanks,
Dan

[Krazo]

I go for the evasive maneuver. Maintain control of your destiny rather than trying to get someone else to change.

I've rarely used my horn.


B.S. The horn is a very effective way to let folks know you are there. The faster the speed the louder it needs to be. The stock horn on the LT is loud enough for most cases, and those of the meep-meep kind are effective only when moving around the garage.

To not have and use a horn in traffic when you are on a bike is ludicrous. It's a tool, to be used when needed. If they don't see your extra pair of PIAA's, your luminous green jacket, or any other visual device, you may be able to stir them up with sound...the louder the better.

[GSWayne]

I tried an air horn on a bicycle and it was counter productive. I mainly use it for for kids and peds blocking bikeways and the air horn just caused a random panic response, they never figured it was from bicycle. I switched to a little ding ding bell and it works much better, they recognize it as a approaching bicycle and just move out of the way.

I did add a Stebel horn to my motorcycle, but rarely use it, just a couple of times to wake up people parked at traffic lights where it worked fine.

[kbasa]

B.S. The horn is a very effective way to let folks know you are there. The faster the speed the louder it needs to be. The stock horn on the LT is loud enough for most cases, and those of the meep-meep kind are effective only when moving around the garage.

To not have and use a horn in traffic when you are on a bike is ludicrous. It's a tool, to be used when needed. If they don't see your extra pair of PIAA's, your luminous green jacket, or any other visual device, you may be able to stir them up with sound...the louder the better.

My take on it is that if you've managed to get yourself into a position where people need to see your hiviz, blinky lights and hear your horn - and care enough to do something about it, you've already screwed up by expecting the other parties to hold their end of the safety bargain up. They won't and we're the ones that wind up sliding down the road on our butts.

I spent 15 years in heavy commuter traffic in and out of both Boston and SF and when things happened, the horn was the last thing I needed to use. I was better served by taking control of the situation and making the evasive maneuver, rather than pressing a button and hoping the offending idiot did the right thing - or even cared enough to do so.

But hey, do what works for you, right?

[kbasa]

I tried an air horn on a bicycle and it was counter productive. I mainly use it for for kids and peds blocking bikeways and the air horn just caused a random panic response, they never figured it was from bicycle. I switched to a little ding ding bell and it works much better, they recognize it as a approaching bicycle and just move out of the way.

I did add a Stebel horn to my motorcycle, but rarely use it, just a couple of times to wake up people parked at traffic lights where it worked fine.

I will admit to using the bell on my bicycle pretty regularly.

Dogs freak out if they don't know you're coming, as do pedestrians. :ha

[BubbaZanetti]

"Iron Man" by Black Sabbath