Louder horn for R12RT

[bobbybob]

Yeah, I know there are a lot of recent horn threads but none address my question. I have an 07 R12RT; I was told that it was possible to install the louder "car-style" horns that came on the 04 R1150RT's, on the R12RT's--without using relays, etc.--just wire them up. I also heard that the 05 R12RT's had louder horns than 06-07 RT's---is that correct?

Does anyone have any knowledge of this? I know all about the Stebel, Fiamm, & other horns--not interested in sounding like a train. Just looking for a simple "plug & play" solution to the wimpy squeaker the bike came with. Thanks!

[TowJam]

I also heard that the 05 R12RT's had louder horns than 06-07 RT's---is that correct?

BMW castrated the RT horn about mid-way through the '06 model year.

[99Roadster]

I have an '07 and replaced the single horn with the dual horns that came with the '05's.

 

Here's what you will need;

 

Horn - 61331459545

Horn - 61338381271

Nut - 61331459545

Screw - 46717675209

 

The connector is taped to the harness for the second horn and has a dummy plug that is removed.

Mounts under the right fairing looking from the front.

 

No issues whatsoever. It may not be as loud as the Stebel horn but it's a huge improvement over the single stock horn.

[gettysburg]

I had on '05 RT with the dual horns and they were loud. After the '05 was totalled and I replaced it with an '07 RT, it had only a single smaller horn and I looked into replacing it.

 

The 1200RT is pre-wired for a second horn. To get the full effect, you'll want to buy two horns(1 - high tone; 1 - low tone). You can order the BMW horns but they run about $35.00 each. The one advantage to the OEM horns is that they are plug and play; no splicing involved.

 

From MAX BMW:

------------------

Part No.

61337655882 (horn, high pitch) $35.00

61338381271 (horn, low pitch) $35.25

 

 

I didn't want to pay that much, so I opted for a pair of FIAM Freeway Blasters which where about $12.00 each. They're likely to be in stock at Advanced Auto or AutoZone stores. Functionally they're very similar to the BMW horns, but you need to spice connectors onto the horn wires.

 

Here's a link to a thread I posted about the horn connection locations: Second Horn

[bobbybob]

Guys, this is great! Two options. I assume neither option disrupts Mr. Canbus in any way, i.e. weird error msgs? If not, I will probably go with the Fiamm's because of the price--I can splice wires,no problem. Hopefully the horn button's contacts can take the extra amps the new horns will draw?

Thanks again.

[Ken H.]

The dual OEM horns will not fault the ZFE module in any way.

 

Any aftermarket one(s) has the potential too if the current draw is out of range. In those cases a relay is the answer.

[bobbybob]

Guys, I looked under my fairing and I see a spare plug, but it has 3, not 2 wires like the horn plug. Would this be the one? Wires are red/white stripe, brown, and bluish-green. The blue-green is a skinny little wire, the other 2 are larger. Stop me before I do something crazy..

[Aether]

Guys, I looked under my fairing and I see a spare plug, but it has 3, not 2 wires like the horn plug. Would this be the one? Wires are red/white stripe, brown, and bluish-green. The blue-green is a skinny little wire, the other 2 are larger. Stop me before I do something crazy..

 

I thought that was the BMW GPS power connector.

 

-A

[bobbybob]

Never mind re. the wire colors, I found the left horn connector with the brown/green wires.. If you pull the left mirror it is taped to a subframe member just down below it. Now to order the parts!

[codinn]

FWIW my '05 horns will cut out after about 4-5 seconds and will not work again until reset by turning the ignition off and on again. Methinks the current draw is higher than the design parameters.

 

A relay might be a better idea.

[99Roadster]

You will need a relay and a diode if you go with the Fiamm horns.

 

And I've never had the horns stop working. Even after holding the button down for several seconds. Tested just to be sure the '07 did not have the same issue as the previous model years.

[TowJam]

And I've never had the horns stop working. Even after holding the button down for several seconds. Tested just to be sure the '07 did not have the same issue as the previous model years.

 

And that may be the very reason that BMW went to a single horn in mid '06.

[99Roadster]

And I've never had the horns stop working. Even after holding the button down for several seconds. Tested just to be sure the '07 did not have the same issue as the previous model years.

 

And that may be the very reason that BMW went to a single horn in mid '06.

 

That and the bonus economics.

[marcopolo]

FWIW my '05 horns will cut out after about 4-5 seconds and will not work again until reset by turning the ignition off and on again. Methinks the current draw is higher than the design parameters.

 

A relay might be a better idea.

 

This also happens on my '06 horn -- and it's the single "wimpy" one, not the dual horns. My RT was an 02/06 build. too.

[gettysburg]

When I had my '05, I never had a problem with the dual horns. I'd hold the horn down for 10 sec. at a time, trying to force a CAN bus shutdown and it never happened.

 

I've also had no problems with the FIAM Freeway Blasters I installed on the '07. I supose CAN bus issues with horns are hit or miss depending on a given bike.

[gettysburg]

You will need a relay and a diode if you go with the Fiamm horns.

 

I installed the FIAM's on both our RT's(mine and my wife's), with no additional relay/diode and haven't had any problems after 8,000+ miles.

[Ken H.]

FWIW my '05 horns will cut out after about 4-5 seconds and will not work again until reset by turning the ignition off and on again. Methinks the current draw is higher than the design parameters.

 

A relay might be a better idea.

This was corrected in one of the software updates for the ZFE module, version 6 if I remember right. Anyone with a bike still doing this needs to have the dealer load the update. It has nothing to do with single vs. dual horns.

[lthj75]

Directions, parts list and pics of install....I plan to tackle this upgrade on my '06 myself soon.

 

Linky

[marcopolo]

FWIW my '05 horns will cut out after about 4-5 seconds and will not work again until reset by turning the ignition off and on again. Methinks the current draw is higher than the design parameters.

 

A relay might be a better idea.

This was corrected in one of the software updates for the ZFE module, version 6 if I remember right. Anyone with a bike still doing this needs to have the dealer load the update. It has nothing to do with single vs. dual horns.

 

Took my '06 RT to the dealer this summer, complaining about the horn shut-down. They said my bike's software was up to date, and they gave me the print out from the diagnostic computer saying no software updates for my bike. They also checked the horn switch and found nothing wrong with it, so I've given up for now.

[codinn]

FWIW my '05 horns will cut out after about 4-5 seconds and will not work again until reset by turning the ignition off and on again. Methinks the current draw is higher than the design parameters.

 

A relay might be a better idea.

This was corrected in one of the software updates for the ZFE module, version 6 if I remember right. Anyone with a bike still doing this needs to have the dealer load the update. It has nothing to do with single vs. dual horns.

 

Hmmm...That's what I get living 200 miles from my dealer and doing my own work. No connection with the mothership. Fortunately there is nothing out here to honk at !!!

[TowJam]

Hmmm...That's what I get living 200 miles from my dealer and doing my own work. No connection with the mothership. Fortunately there is nothing out here to honk at !!!

 

Don't worry about the horn - just get some loud pipes. (They save lives ya' know!)

 

[Draftermike]

FWIW my '05 horns will cut out after about 4-5 seconds and will not work again until reset by turning the ignition off and on again. Methinks the current draw is higher than the design parameters.

 

A relay might be a better idea.

This was corrected in one of the software updates for the ZFE module, version 6 if I remember right. Anyone with a bike still doing this needs to have the dealer load the update. It has nothing to do with single vs. dual horns.

 

Ken,

My bike wouldn't run its single horn for more then a few seconds. I've replaced that horn with one you suggested including a relay and now have no problems. Should I still get that software update.... like does the update address other things that should be addressed that I'm not aware of?

Mike

[bobbybob]

Just finished installing my Fiamm Feeway Blasters and they work fine so far. I haven't held the button down for any period...can't stand the noise in the garage! But it pretty much makes it sound like something that weighs a good bit more than 500 lbs. so I'm happy.

Total cost: $28 from Advance Auto.

[bimmers]

have an 06 built in 05 with two horns that are so d...ed loud that I just get scared every time I use them. No problem with them timing out.

SImple devices that are interchangeable with any after market horn(s).

 

loud pipes by the bag piper may work otherwise you can just hear them after they passed and it won't happen to us...........