Riding a motorcycle is a risky business. Sure it’s a risk worth taking! But out on the roads, danger is ever-present.
And usually, that danger comes in the form of a driver. Either they genuinely don’t see us, or they just don’t care. Every rider has experienced a near-miss with a car at one time or another.
So, what do we need?
How about an awesome horn? Something loud enough to warn everyone else on the road that we’re coming. Here, we’ve checked out the best motorcycle horns around to help you find the perfect one for your next road trip.
Contents
- 1 Top 6 Best Motorcycle Horns to Purchase in 2022 Review
- 1.1 1 Wolo (519) Bad Boy Chrome Air Horn – 12 Volt – Best Classic Motorcycle Horn
- 1.2 2 Wolo (306-2T) Super Chrome Plated Horns – 12 Volt, Low and High Tone – Best European Style Motorcycle Horn Set
- 1.3 3 HELLA 007424801 Twin Trumpet High/Low Tone 12V Horn Kit with Bracket – Best Modern Motorcycle Trumpet Horn
- 1.4 4 FIAMM 72112 Freeway Blaster LOW Note Horn – Best Budget Motorcycle Horn
- 1.5 5 HELLA 003399801 12V High Tone/Low Tone Twin Horn Kit with Red Protective Grill – Best German Engineered Durable Motorcycle Horn
- 1.6 6 Stebel Nautilus Compact Motorcycle Air Horn – Best Compact Lightweight Motorcycle Horn
- 2 Best Motorcycle Horns Buying Guide
- 3 Want more brilliant motorcycle accessory reviews?
- 4 So, what are the Best Motorcycle Horns?
Top 6 Best Motorcycle Horns to Purchase in 2022 Review
1
Wolo (519) Bad Boy Chrome Air Horn – 12 Volt – Best Classic Motorcycle Horn
Loud and proud
Let’s kick things off with this horn from Wolo. Thanks to its one-piece design, installation on the bike is a piece of cake. Plus, it comes with a mounting bolt and clear, dual language instructions, making it even easier.
That design has another bonus, too. It has a sleek, aerodynamic shape. Not only does it look pretty suave, but it also decreases wind resistance, perfect for speeding down Route 66.
Let’s get to the good stuff. What’s the sound like?
This bad boy is loud! That’s because it has a dual tone. It has the same effect as two separate horns, potentially making this one of the loudest motorcycle horns we’ve heard.
So, car drivers will have no excuse! There’s no way they could avoid hearing it. Not only is it powerful, but that tone is penetrating, too.
How does it look?
Both the compressor and the diaphragms are coated in chrome plating. That gives the horn some real old-school cool vibes. It’d look perfect on a classic Royal Enfield Bullet, or a Triumph Bonneville.
That chrome acts as a line of defense as well. It helps to prevent the horn from being damaged in case of an accident. The compressor helps here, too, as it’s incredibly tough and durable.
What’s the downside?
It’s not cheap. High quality comes at a high price. If you want the good stuff, you have to pay for it.
Pros
- Stunning good looks.
- Deafening!
- Sturdy.
Cons
- On the expensive side.
2
Wolo (306-2T) Super Chrome Plated Horns – 12 Volt, Low and High Tone – Best European Style Motorcycle Horn Set
Living loud
Our next entry in this review of the best motorcycle horns is another option from Wolo. This time we get a two-horn set. One high tone and one low, they combine for a really intense noise.
And when we say intense, we mean it! This isn’t a deep, resonating hum or a clownish honk. They have an emphatic, strident tone that is sure to drown out even the loudest car radio.
And that’s not all…
They sound fantastic, but they look great too. These have an industrial, European style. The chrome-plated discs add a touch of brutalist charm to any motorcycle, whether it’s a sport or classic model.
Are they easy to install?
Yes, but only as long as you know what you’re doing. If you’re not too handy when it comes to repairs, then you might struggle a little. Even those with wiring experience will find that fitting the horns could take up to two hours.
But this product does come with everything you need to do so. A steel bracket is included, as are various pieces of mounting hardware. It’s just a little time-consuming, and the instructions might be confusing for novices.
Are there any other issues?
Just one, and it’s the price. These may sound incredible, but you sure do pay for it! This horn set is pretty hard on the old purse strings!
Pros
- Dual horn package.
- Classic European style.
- Tough construction.
Cons
- Pricey!
- Installation can be tricky.
3
HELLA 007424801 Twin Trumpet High/Low Tone 12V Horn Kit with Bracket – Best Modern Motorcycle Trumpet Horn
Let’s get loud
In fashionable fire engine red, our next horn is an eye-catching little item! It’s sure to become a talking point and would best suit a modern road or sportbike. Though it looks cool, it’s a little too up-to-date for an old Harley chopper!
What does it sound like?
This is a motorcycle trumpet horn. Yes, that means exactly what you think it means! It has a brassy, instrumental quality that hangs in the air long after the horn has been pressed.
It doesn’t just sound like a single trumpet. This is another dual-tone product. It gives the impression of two horns playing at the same time, for maximum volume.
So, it’s loud then?
Absolutely! The sound level sits at about 110 decibels. That’s more than loud enough to warn off any inattentive drivers.
That all means that with this horn, you’ll be both seen and heard. Its striking red hues draw the eye, and the noise demands attention. And attention is just what we want from a great motorcycle horn.
That sounds too good to be true! Is it?
There’s just one issue here, and it’s to do with installation. The instructions just aren’t clear enough. You may want to do a touch of googling to get some advice as if you haven’t done it before; it might be confusing.
But that’s the only negative we can see. For modern bikes, this could be one of the top motorcycle horns out there. And at an extremely reasonable price, too.
Pros
- Double horn sound.
- Long-lasting noise.
- Bright color.
Cons
- Unclear fitting directions.
4
FIAMM 72112 Freeway Blaster LOW Note Horn – Best Budget Motorcycle Horn
Black tie, white noise
Next up is a horn for budget-conscious riders. This one is seriously easy on the old purse strings. If you’re looking for an option that won’t break the bank, this could be the one for you.
But does it sacrifice quality for price?
At 133 decibels, we can certainly say it’s loud enough! In fact, this is one of the loudest motorcycle air horns we’ve checked out! Its powerful tone blasts through the air, sending a warning to everyone; ‘look out! I’m coming!’
And it’s not a particularly pleasant sound. The tone here is pretty abrasive. It doesn’t ask drivers to move; it obnoxiously orders them to do so.
What about the construction?
We get a combination of good, solid, steel, and ABS plastic. That steel is incredibly durable and holds up well against the rigors of motorcycle riding. The ABS is pretty tough, too, and will hold its own on the bike.
But come on, we can’t expect plastic to be as sturdy as steel. It tries its best, but it will get damaged during an impact. It can withstand high speeds, but it doesn’t stand much of a chance in a collision.
Having said that, the plastic does look pretty good. After all, black is classic. It will add a touch of understated chic to any bike, whether a sporty CRF or a large, touring Kawasaki Versys.
So, there are ups and downs. But we see far more ups! And at this price, can you really expect anything more?
Pros
- Wallet-friendly.
- Insanely loud!
- Unobtrusive design.
Cons
- Mediocre construction.
5
HELLA 003399801 12V High Tone/Low Tone Twin Horn Kit with Red Protective Grill – Best German Engineered Durable Motorcycle Horn
Come on, feel the noise
The penultimate item in our review is this Hella motorcycle horn. Hella promise top of the range German technology. They say their products are strong, durable, precise, and reliable.
But are they ‘Hella,’ loud?
The short answer is; yes. At 118 decibels, this horn can be heard even at a distance. Up close, it’s absolutely deafening, so be careful of who is around when you use it!
Once again, we get a two-tone kit. The first horn offers a high pitch of around 500hz. Then the second is a lower sound, at 300hz.
Why does this matter?
Because as well as being loud, it gives the sound a slightly jarring quality, as well. Two separate noises played at the same time will get more attention than just one. It lessens the possibility of a driver not paying attention by bombarding them with a wall of sound.
So far, so good…
It’s not only the pitch that’s first-rate. The construction is incredibly tenacious. The hard, metal body is covered by a protective grill for extra support in case of an accident.
There’s a lot to like here. We really admire the durability of the materials used. Plus, that tone is genuinely incredible.
If we had to find a negative, we could say they’re not the most attractive horns we’ve seen. Sure, the red and black together are striking, but the grill is a little ugly. They actually look more like a set of mini-speakers than a 12v motorcycle horn.
But if that’s the only complaint we’ve got, then we think we’re onto a good thing! And while they’re not the cheapest around, they certainly don’t break the bank, either.
Pros
- Strong, cacophonous, sound.
- Hardy and durable.
- Reasonably priced.
Cons
- Slightly unattractive.
6
Stebel Nautilus Compact Motorcycle Air Horn – Best Compact Lightweight Motorcycle Horn
Bring the noise
And finally, we come to this Stebel option. Weighing in at 1.25 pounds, this is a seriously lightweight motorcycle horn. Its compact design means it will snuggle unobtrusively on the bike, its black hues helping it to blend in.
So how loud is it?
Stebel promises us an incredible 139 decibels here. That should be loud enough to wake the dead! And as it’s a dual-tone horn, we get not just one sound but two.
However, this is a little different from the other two tones we’ve seen. This time, the sounds come in at 530hz and 680hz, respectively. That means they’re far more harmonized, as opposed to other horns that send out a more abrasive noise.
Such a powerful timbre must be expensive, right?
Not at all! This horn actually has a pretty low price tag, considering the volume on offer. We’d expect to pay more for such a high decibel level.
However, the reason for this becomes evident after a while. Unfortunately, this product just doesn’t have much longevity. The volume fades over time, and it’s something that’s easier to replace than to repair.
And there’s another catch with this one…
Installation is not easy! The instructions take a lot of deciphering, so those without much wiring experience might find it difficult.
In fact, you may even need to have to buy a wiring kit, which can push the price up. And even then, you need to know how to lift the gas tank to fit it correctly! If you don’t feel confident doing so, we’d recommend taking it to a professional.
Pros
- Subtle and discrete.
- Intense sound.
- Budget-conscious.
Cons
- Fails over time.
- Complicated installation.
Best Motorcycle Horns Buying Guide
What should we think about when choosing your ideal motorcycle horns?
It’s more complicated than it sounds. There’s more to consider than one might expect. It’s not as simple as just walking into a shop and picking one off the shelf.
The first thing to consider is volume. We want our horn to be loud! Otherwise, what’s the point of having it?
Ideally, it should be a minimum of 100 decibels to really be noticed. But the higher, the better! We looked at some above 130-decibel motorcycle horns, which would make even more of an impact on a distracted driver!
Do you want a two-tone horn?
They really pack a punch. That discordant blend of high and low notes can be quite jarring, so it attracts more attention than a single tone. Not everyone likes them, though, as the sound can be quite harsh.
To give even more of a warning, a trumpet motorcycle horn can be a good idea. Trumpets are fine in an orchestra, but when blasted in the ear, they sure make you sit up and take notice! A style like this might be the way to go if you really want to make your presence felt.
Of course, we need to talk about installation…
The horn needs to be wired up to the bike, which for some people isn’t easy. It needs to have clear instructions, preferably with diagrams.
And we want all the mounting hardware to be included. This could just be a bar or bracket, or maybe a couple of screws. But we don’t want to get home only to discover that we have to go out to buy some extra equipment.
Construction needs to be considered as well. The horn has to be made from tough stuff. Steel should be the predominant material, backed up by plastic only where necessary.
And don’t forget…
Ideally, it should look good, too. Hey, call us shallow, but we don’t want something that’s going to detract from the motorcycle’s overall look. Chrome plating works well, as does a bright, vibrant color.
Finally, let’s discuss price. No one wants to spend an enormous amount of money, but the cheapest options are often the cheapest for a reason. Choose the horn that offers the most bang for your buck.
We told you, there’s a lot to take into account! Hopefully, our buying guide has given you a bit of help when choosing the best motorcycle horn for your bike.
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So, what are the Best Motorcycle Horns?
We got to see some terrific options in this review. But there can only be one winner.
We’ve chosen the…
HELLA Supertone 12V High Tone/Low Tone Twin Horn Kit with Red Protective Grill.
While it might not be our most attractive option here, it’s the best at doing its job. The sound here is exactly what we need; attention-seeking and loud. With this horn, we can ride safe in the knowledge that everyone will know we’re coming.
Plus, the construction is fantastic. Combine that with a reasonable price, and it just about pipped the others to the post.
So, happy riding, folks!