Fiamm Freeway: Honk If You're Horny(er)

There it is, pictured above post-installation on a Triumph Street Triple R. Honkin' out a big chunk of "MOOOOOP!", the Fiamm Freeway Blaster is a favorite aftermarket motorcycle horn on this site. For many modern motorcycles, this horn swaps out easily, making it the loudest plug-and-play option available. Assuming your motorcycle came with what most bikes whimpily toot by default, the difference in volume is noticeably more, well ... noticeable. That's important in states like Illinois, where the steps to change lanes are as follows:

1. own entire planet
2. ignore weak disciples
3. change lanes
4. discover someone is already occupying the space that you're an almighty heir to
5. spazz at their horn and eye them as if it's their fault

Yes, most of the people I've met in Illinois are grade-A morons when it comes to driving. Some are even confident in their "bad logic" road manners, barking self-taught opinions that passengers (who often hold opposing yet equally stupid operational perspectives) must endure for the duration of travel. That's precisely what Fiamm's Freeway Blaster horn is intended to help thwart.

"Most people can't text and drive but I can because [idiot]. Oh! I need to change lanes!"

Notice that I didn't honk my horn. Based on what skills I could muster that afternoon, I sensed that the driver might do this and prepared accordingly. Newer riders rarely anticipate what's known in the motorcycle safety community as inattentional blindness, instead shouting to themselves within their helmet (or lack therof) "I'm Tom Cruise! This is Top Gun! Fiction!"

Our own Margaret Dean (sidenote: my wife) has a solid skill set. She made a point to tell me that the horn on her Street Triple R just wasn't cuttin' it. I immediately ordered the Fiamm, pulled its placeholder and got mean with the neighborhood testing. Well, that is to say I got mean in Travis Burleson's neighborhood and by that I mean I made him do it. I'm pretty sure his dog Sookie wasn't diggin' it.

Check out our new album. It drops this week. You know it's goin' gold ...

How To Install The Fiamm Freeway Blaster Horn

These instructions are particular to the Triumph STR. If any changes to the wire connections should be necessary for your own ride, they won't likely be too difficult. Though some motorcycle horns make use of ground interruption at the switch, the positive/ground combination circuit is all that's required to honk the Fiamm Freeway Blaster.

The low tone Freeway Blaster is stronger, projecting a more intimidating message. Fiamm also offers a high tone version. If you're wiring and available space permits, consider adding both the low and high notes for a more audible (and semi-dissonant) alert.

First, find your motorcycle's weak, inferior, sad and pathetic horn. It probably looks like the object pictured below. If not, be careful to avoid accidentally removing your blinker fluid ports!

Next, look to the back of said horn. Loosen and remove both nuts holding it in place. One resides behind the horn itself and the other on the bracket, just beneath your cooling system.

In case it's not obvious, here be the tools you'll need to get the job done ...

Anyhow, once removed you can hopefully disconnect the wires. In my case, some heavy poxy/adhesive was locking the plastic quick-connects to the horn itself, hence the needle nose pliers. The purple line is the positive. The black with a blue stripe is ground. Consult your Fiamm instructions for a diagram and mind the +/- markings on the unit itself.

Using the included bracket, which is slightly longer than stock for clearance, install the Fiamm Freeway Blaster horn pretty much the same way you would the stock kazoo.

Note the angle/position of the horn in terms of clock timing. Align everything so that your motorcycle's wires aren't stressed in any way. This insures safer, more reliable horn behavior.

Be sure and test your front end's suspension clearance against the newly installed horn! Also, don't forget to give 'er a "yup, works" honk. I suggest doing so in an impolite neighbor's living room.

What Motorcycle Horns Have YOU Used?

There are other great horns on the market. Which ones have you tried? What do you like about each and why? Your input is invited. Leave a comment and/or write an article!