Magnum Electric Horn delivers attention grabbing decibels

The Magnum Electric Horn by Rivco Products, Inc. (Rivco), delivers 118 decibels at the push of a button! Serving notice; there is a motorcycle within 3 seconds or less of the operation of other motor vehicles!!

This horn is compact, does not add clutter to your bike, but makes a big impact in any riding environment.   We installed the Magnum Electric Horn (MEH) on a Harley-Davidson Ultra and the only addition you see on your motorcycle, if installed per manufacturers recommendations, is one 3” x 3” x 3” horn near the left front footboard of the motorcycle. For many, it takes a few minutes to find it. 

In a recent social network discussion, OEM horns have been described as: useless, non-functional, and trash. Discussion participants cited maintenance issues with the OEM horns and long time motorcyclists seem resigned to the fact that the stock horn is of little value when it comes to managing traffic.

So, if you are feeling like your OEM horn is a dud and you want to amp up your presence in dense roadway conditions, you may want to give this one a try. 

The MEH used in this review was made available by Rivco. 

With an output of 118 decibels, these electric horns are over three times as loud as most stock horns and economically, a great choice. The MEH is a direct replacement for most 12-volt electric horns. One horn mounts hidden inside the stock cowbell cover, and one mounts near the left side driver floorboard or foot peg. 

All RIVCO horn sets offer multiple mounting locations for most bikes and all use the original stock horn button.

Each MEH set (ELCHRN) includes two horns (one high and one low tone), with a smooth chrome finish, mounting brackets, and detailed installation instructions including photos. Horns measure 3” x 3” x 3” each. 

The MEH set comes ready to install and installation is further simplified with the Electric Horn Hardware Kit (EH275 for H-D Ultra), also available from Rivco, for the model of you motorcycle. 

The Rivco Electric Horn Hardware Kits include a relay, fuse, all wiring (wiring harness, fuse assembly), and mounting hardware. This kit is also accompanied with detailed instructions.

NOTE:  While not included with the horn sets, use of a relay is required and is included with the Electric Horn Hardware Kits.

Obviously, once the horn is installed, all you need to do is touch the horn button on the handlebar of your motorcycle to bring your presence into the consciousness of other drivers. It’ll put a smile on your face! 

Lets install the horns and connect and route the wires. We will divide the installation into three parts; Horn Installation, Connect & Routing Wires and Wrapup. 

Using the instructions provided by Rivco Products, Inc., horn installation is simple because step-by-step details are provided.  

• Remove the seat from your motorcycle
• Unplug the stock horn wires and remove the stock horn from inside stock horn cover.
• Install the ‘right hand horn’ inside the stock horn cover. Set this assembly aside until ready to route the wires (see step 1 in Connect & Routing Wires below).
• Connect supplied metal bracket onto the other horn.
• Remove bolt connecting the left crash bar to the motorcycles frame in front of the left floorboard.
• Slide the bracket – with horn – between crash bar and frame and replace the bolt.
• That’s it!…the horns are installed. 

1. Route the wire harness with two flagged terminals to the inside of the stock horn cover support bracket. Connect the flagged terminals to the terminals on the horn.
2. Route the entire harness to the top of the horn cover and thru the wire clip. Connect the original horn wires to the male wire terminals from the horn. Reinstall the stock horn cover to the mount on your motorcycle.
3. Route the small lead of the harness over the front cylinder head and down along the left frame tube.
4. Connect the terminals of the wire harness to those of the horn.
5. Route the larger end of the wire harness to battery. The harness should go over the rear cylinder head and follow the backbone of the frame to the opening to the battery compartment.
6. Connect the harness to the relay.
7. Connect the relay to the fuse holder and wire assembly.
8. Connect the fuse holder/wire assembly to the battery positive terminal.
9. Connect the remaining black wire from the wire harness to the battery negative terminal.

Now that all wires are connected, turn on the ignition to test the horns making sure you have connected everything as described. 

Wrapup: The MEH set and Electric Horn Hardware Kit comes with zip or cable ties.   Use cable ties as follows, being sure to keep the wires away from the motorcycle’s engine and exhaust:

• Attached cable/harness to back of stock horn cover.
• Secure the harness wires to down tube in front of front cylinder.
• Secure the harness to any existing wires over the rear cylinder head and along the frame.
• Replace the seat and you are ready to ride.

The MEH gives motorcyclists a feeling they have a chance when necessary to be heard in complex traffic situations. The horn is loud enough to make a statement whether at low or high speed. Our experience tells up that auto drivers do hear the horn. 

The photos included with this review, demonstrate that the MEH does not alter the appearance of the motorcycle.  This was an important variable in this review. 

This “Made in the USA product is a good value for the cost? The MEH set and Electric Horn Hardware Kit come to a total of $119.95. Not too much when you think about the benefits.   What are they?

• 118 decibels
• Dependable in design and traffic
• Rider confidence as a traffic management feature making it possible to alter the course of action of other vehicle operators.
• Increased safety while operating a motorcycle
• In case there is a manufacturing defect, the electric horns come with a two-year guarantee
• Install can be completed in a motorcycle owner’s garage
• Rivco’s technical support/customer service provides excellent response to installation and technical questions about the product

Rivco Products, Inc., in business for over thirty years in Burlington, Wisconsin, manufactures world-class, high quality motorcycle accessories for ultimate rider enjoyment, safety and style by delivering quality through unrivaled hand-built performance, endurance and design guidelines. The signature air horns feature an amazing history of industry-leading standards and functional excellence.