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[TheNorwegian]

Background:
I ride to work every day in rush hour. Traffic is often so slow that I drive between cars on the dotted line between two lanes of traffic going the same direction. Until now I've ridden a combustion engine that I could trottle up to alert cars that I'm trying to pass them and they kindly make some space for me. (This is common practice, both legally and culturally here in Norway).

Some times using the trottle doesn't work, so I blink the headlight. Often the car driver in front of me doesn't notice me still, and I have to stay back until the coast is clear.

When riding an electric motorcycle, the problem is even bigger because of the lack of sound. Using the horn to get peoples attention is to me way to intrusive and rude. So I'm thinking of wiring up a second button I can hit to engage a more friendly sound that gets the close cars attention that I kindly would like to pass you please.

The question:
Do you guys have a suggestion to what kind of sound this could be?

To get you started:

Roadrunner classic meep meep


Metal Gear Solid (Game) Alert sound


Classic bicycle bell


None of these seem fitting to me. The sound should be something that even if you've never heard it in traffic before, it gets your attention, without being annoying. It would be really cool if it helped showcase the personality of the bike.

Compilation of suggestions:

La Cucaracha suggested by user Doug S


Hornit (specialized product!) suggested by user kingcharles
www.thehornit.com/product/hornit-db140

[Richard230]

I kind of like the cycle bell and other drivers might appreciate the bell, too.  It is non-threatening, familiar and may bring back old childhood memories.   

[NoiseBoy]

I don't think a bell will work. They are having to fit special low frequency sirens because modern cars are so well insulated and everyone has the stereo or ipod on the go that they don't even notice emergency vehicles. I don't buy the loud pipes save lives movement because most car drivers wouldn't notice you firing a .45 through their back window.

[mikeisted]

I suspect for cars something that flashes in the wing mirrors might help, perhaps with just a hint of blue?  I often think that Xenon beams have the right hue...

[Doug S]

My favorite:



Though maybe that's because I'm a California boy.

[TheNorwegian]

I suspect for cars something that flashes in the wing mirrors might help, perhaps with just a hint of blue?  I often think that Xenon beams have the right hue...

I've thought about using color. When blinking, I direct the light into the cars wing mirrors like you say - and when it's sunny, it's like nothing happends. I like the idea of coloring the light - but I'm concerned that it may easily play on peoples reaction to a emergency vehicle.

[TheNorwegian]

My favorite:



Though maybe that's because I'm a California boy.

Good call! After a little Google searching, this seems to be possible with a 5 horn+relay config:
http://www.ebay.com/bhp/la-cucaracha

[Patrick Truchon]

I added a simple bicycle bell on my Zero to warn pedestrians and cyclist when I'm approaching at low speed.  Like you say, the message is not: "get out of my way", but a simple and polite: "heads up, I'm here".  Wouldn't work for cars though.

[AustinSZF8.5]

I don't know about the legality of using some of these sounds on a civilian vehicle, but some of the horn sounds for emergency vehicles are pretty attention-getting without being too awfully alarming.

See the examples at :42, :54, and 2:36 for what I'm talking about (not the wailer sirens but the other sounds).



These modules can usually be found pretty cheaply on ebay and such.

[benswing]

Put a man's voice from the Bronx saying "Hey!  Hey you!  Git outta tha way!  I'm movin' here!"

Or to be polite, a female voice "Excuse me, pardon me, can I pass please?" 

[kingcharles]

That will work [emoji1]

But this may be more useful, works on batteries and is easy to install:

www.thehornit.com/product/hornit-db140

[AustinSZF8.5]

But this may be more useful, works on batteries and is easy to install:

www.thehornit.com/product/hornit-db140

Dang. Winner. I kinda' want the kids version too. 

[TheNorwegian]

But this may be more useful, works on batteries and is easy to install:

www.thehornit.com/product/hornit-db140

I think you just won this thread. This is exactly what I'm looking for! Someone has already done the job of orchestrating a suitable sound and even a shipping product! After searching some more online, I found that there are tones of these products (example: http://www.aliexpress.com/popular/electric-bicycle-horn.html

So the question is now, which one gives a friendly sound, instead of a distress signal. The Hornit actually seems pretty good!

Thanks kingcharles, I think this might be it!

[nigezero]

Check out sound racer too; I actually got one for my d zero but never installed it: can be programmed with any sound linked to throttle and via an amp, volume adjusted to suit any situation

[ctrlburn]

I'm a fan of the bell, as a measure of eco-friendliness (unless one's power comes from unfiltered coal plants) of course a thunderclap with a rumble would also be befitting.  Announcing verbally "On the Left".

The US government is discussing mandatory noise.
http://www.nhtsa.gov/SampleSounds

Once mandatory noise is the case - I'd try a loop of valve clicking, piston rod clattering, death coughing, exhaust dragging accompanied by the rock ballad song of my choice.