Motorcyclists are already at risk when they’re traveling amongst cars, so it certainly doesn’t help that their bikes’ horns tend not to be very loud. That’s why biker and electrical engineer Peter Olt created the ear-splitting Screaming Banshee supplementary motorcycle horn. Now, he’s offering a smaller, easier-to-install model, known as the Plug & Play Screamer.
First of all, it should be explained that the original Screaming Banshee doesn’t replace the bike’s existing horn. When the rider just taps on their horn button, the regular horn still sounds. In an emergency, however – such as if a larger vehicle is about to blunder into the motorcycle – the rider holds the horn button down. The regular horn will sound at first, but the Screaming Banshee will immediately join in with its 139-decibel repetitive shriek.
Just to be on the safe side, it also causes the bike’s high-beam headlight to pulsate.
“One thing that many customers have requested was for us to come up with a new model that was smaller and would be easier to install,” Olt told us. “With this in mind, we’ve been hard at work developing a new more compact, all-in-one system that would be just as loud and effective as the original system.”
The result is the Plug & Play Screamer. It’s smaller than the Banshee, combining the horn and control unit in one package that mounts with a single bolt. It can also reportedly be easily installed by non-mechanics, using the included Posi-lock connectors to wire it to the motorcycle’s headlight and battery – it can also be installed in a car.
At 120 decibels, however, it’s not quite as loud as the Banshee, but should be more than enough to get you noticed.
Peter is currently raising production funds for the Screamer, on Indiegogo. A pledge of US$79 will get you one when and if they’re ready to go, with the estimated retail price sitting at about $100 ... but please, if you get one, don’t use it unless you really have to.
More information is available in his pitch video below.
Source: Indiegogo
I agree that the article one will likely get abused sadly and should only be used to stay safe, not show off or annoy others.
I dive either slightly faster or slower than traffic so I'm mostly alone on the road while most other drive in dense packs for some reason. I find this much safer both on my MC's and cars.
The problem with the truck horn is when the guy who didn't see you starts looking for the truck he is less likely to see a bike.
The problem with the truck horn is when the guy who didn't see you starts looking for the truck he is less likely to see a bike.
Slowburn"
I gotta disagree with you, Slowburn. I was a motorcycle courier for a few years, and a rider since my first licence (more than 30 years now). The other driver will look out for his own safety before yours, that airhorn will put him back in his own lane, before he even registers that he doesn't see a truck coming. It's the first I do to any bike I own, and it works. Though, when I need it, I need it now, and at full strength, no delays.