By ApexMoto, official dealer for Denali SoundBomb
A horn isn't high on most motorcyclists' upgrade list, until it fails precisely when needed. Here are the answers to the questions we most frequently receive about the law, MOT (APK), and a louder SoundBomb. #makelifearide
Is a horn mandatory on a motorcycle?
Yes: every motorcycle must have a properly functioning horn with a fixed pitch. This is stated in the Vehicle Regulations, article 5.4.71.
This requirement applies regardless of brand, year of manufacture, or engine capacity — a motorcycle without a working horn does not meet legal requirements (Vehicle Regulations, art. 5.4.71, based on article 29, paragraph 1 RVV 1990). Therefore, riding without a working horn is not permitted, even if it is rarely specifically checked in practice. Replacing a defective horn falls into the same category as a broken tail light: small, but something you could be reprimanded for during a stop.
What does the MOT (APK) inspection say about the horn?
Currently, there is no periodic MOT (APK) inspection for motorcycles in the Netherlands — therefore, no MOT check on the horn either.
The Netherlands, along with Ireland and Finland, is one of the few EU countries that currently does not mandate a periodic motorcycle MOT (source: De Slimme Motorrijder). This could change: the European Parliament has proposed introducing a mandatory MOT for motorcycles above 125cc, but the European Council wants to maintain the current exception. Both parties are still negotiating, so an effective date is not yet set (as of August 2026) (source: Nieuwsmotor.nl). If a motorcycle MOT is introduced, it is likely that the horn requirement from article 5.4.71 will be included, as is already the case for passenger cars.
How much does it cost to replace or install a horn?
A standalone SoundBomb horn costs €45 to €85, a complete installation kit €160 to €244 — we charge for installation by the hour.
In our SoundBomb collection, you'll find the standalone horns: the SoundBomb™ Mini Electromagnetic Low Tone Horn starting from €45.28, and the Denali SoundBomb Dual Split Air Horn (120dB) for €85.21. In addition, there's a wiring harness starting from €44.07 and, depending on your motorcycle model, a mounting bracket between €27 and €81. If you want the complete package: the Denali SoundBomb Split bundle for the BMW R1300GS costs €243.95, the kit for the Lone Rider MotoCAN R1300GS €159.64.
Do you want us to handle the installation? Our rate at the workshop in Roelofarendsveen is €110 to €125 per hour — the same rate as for our LED installation.
Is a louder horn like the SoundBomb worth it?
If you often feel that car drivers don't notice you: the Denali SoundBomb Dual Split reaches 120dB, significantly louder than a standard factory horn.
We are official Denali dealers ourselves and use these horns on our own motorcycles. A standard factory horn on most touring motorcycles sounds similar to that of a small car — enough to be noticed in silence, but not in heavy traffic or against wind and road noise. The SoundBomb sounds more like the horn of a large car, approaching a truck's air horn: you'll really get noticed. If you also use a Denali CANsmart, you can combine the SoundBomb with the flash-on-horn function, so your lights flash when you honk — making you noticeable by both sound and sight. View the full range in the SoundBomb collection.
Which SoundBomb fits my motorcycle?
SoundBomb is available with model-specific mounting brackets for, among others, the BMW R1250GS, R1300GS, F750/850GS, KTM Adventure, and the Honda Africa Twin.
The mounting brackets collection includes brackets for the BMW R1200GS LC, R1250GS/GSA, R1300GS, F800GS/F700GS, F750/850GS, and the R1200RT/R1250RT, plus options for the KTM Adventure 1050-1290 (and the smaller 390 Adventure), the Honda Africa Twin CRF1000L/1100L, the Triumph Tiger Sport 660, and the Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250. Unsure which parts you need for your motorcycle? Send us a message, we're happy to help.
Can I replace the horn myself, or should I have a specialist do it?
A simple horn can often be replaced by yourself; for CANbus motorcycles like the newer BMW GS models, the correct connection is a bit more critical.
With the plug-n-play wiring harness, installing a SoundBomb on many motorcycles is a matter of disconnecting the old horn and connecting the new one. On CANbus motorcycles, you'll want to ensure the horn is controlled correctly to avoid error messages on the dashboard. If you're unsure, or prefer to have it installed properly, contact us for an appointment at our workshop in Roelofarendsveen (3 minutes from the A4).
