Which radar detector?

[Kiwi Graham]

Ok, it’s probably been asked before but time and technology moves on so……….

After my recent trip to the Main land and several interactions with the boys in blue and another planned trip down south (bike this time) in March I’m looking to buy a radar detector.

Which one do you recommend?

I want it to be transferable between car and bike.
I’ve seen the TPX from radar direct that seems to do both; it comes with a mounting for the bike and has a wireless helmet headset. Trouble is its $1200!!! :shit:

All this is new ground for me so could spend hours doing the research or…..put it out to those in the know to give me the feedback on their experience.

To those that suggest keeping to the speed limit is the answer and cheaper……I agree but still want the assurance I’m keeping it legal :Police:

[Elysium]

How fast to you plan on riding?

[Taz]

But the TPX is waterproof. Save your money, just slow down and enjoy the views.

[Elysium]

But the TPX is waterproof. Save your money, just slow down and enjoy the views.

Ditto. Why rush a good trip. Though I see the ride is a Hayabusa so not surprised :shifty:

[Kiwi Graham]

I'm not a habitual speeder!
During my trip down south this time I had three kids and three adults in a fully loaded landcruiser so was never tempted to drive in anything but a casual manner.

I got pinged for very minor infringements and spot checks! for one I believe I wasn’t even speeding!!
I just would like to know when the buggers are lurking in the undergrowth!

Part of travelling the South Island is to enjoy the fantastic scenery etc and not be staring at the speedometer all the time encase you creep 5-10k over the limit and the quota gatherers jump out from behind some roadside obstruction and ping you.

That’s a point why do they lie in wait on the straight, clear visibility stretches of road rather than on the dangerous, hazardous and high accident areas??

[naphazoline]

You've got 3 main choices.

1)beltronics sti xr $1000-$1400

2)valentine v1 $?

3) escort 8500 about $700-$800

I did a shitload of research before i ended up buying the sti xr,and would have to say,that any other choices would be a WAY less effective option.

The valentine v1 seems a bit bulky,and in an independent test,the beltronics sti xr smoked it in radar detection.The v1 was marginally better at laser detection.

DON'T buy a cheap one,cause they're shit.

The sti xr is awesome and can be easily swapped between car and bike.

You'll need to get a hard wire kit for your bike,but it's only $20-$30 to buy.

You'll need a mount aswell,but you don't need to buy an expensive option,.
I got a piece of steel bent and drilled to fit the steering damper cover on my blade,and it's awesome.It also cost me nothing!:Punk:

My choices might seem expensive,but they only need to save you 2-3 times,and they've paid for themselves.

[Jantar]

I use an Escort X50 on the bike and a Beltronics Sti in the SUV. The Beltronics can be transferred to bike if I wish, but the X50 has been modified to bike only. Both work extremely well, with the Sti giving slightly more warning. But the Sti is heat sensitive and must be kept out of the sun otherwise it brings up an error message saying "Service Required" hence it is in the enclosed vehicle.

[2wheeldrifter]

Spend $1200 on your bike or new gear.... how many speeding tickets have you had with your bike?

[Kiwi Graham]

Spend $1200 on your bike or new gear.... how many speeding tickets have you had with your bike?

No speeding tickets on the bike.

Birthday in Sept and then Christmas, lets see what the present fairy gets me :niceone:

[Hidalgo]

i m using Escort Passport X-50, and I am very satisfied.
Value for money.

[MD]

Just buy a Cobra for $180 odd dollars and you're got 96.55257% of the protection that the so called "top of the range" detectors will do. I know I had a V1. I find the Cobra fine and the chances are if you spend $1200 you might find that Detectors are outlawed in the near future.

Oh yeah it cost about $8 to get a speaker to run inside my helmet.

[Jizah]

I was looking at importing the TPX as it was about US$300

[Quasievil]

Beltronices own about 80% of patents for Radar detectors, as it turns out I have two a 985 and a 995, the 995 is better for the bike (used it on the ZXR1400) had a H.A.R.D system for it and it worked a treat.........still does...............trouble is the compnay I work for has said no radar detectors in company vehicles so its for sale

1 x Beltronices 995 going cheap anyone ???

[Kinje]

That’s a point why do they lie in wait on the straight, clear visibility stretches of road rather than on the dangerous, hazardous and high accident areas??

My biggest bug bear with speed enforcement. They keep telling us speed kills, but do they enforce where speed and killing are happening or just where there is speed but not killing? :2guns:

[Icemaestro]

How much is going cheap? I see there's an XRS 777/9700 currently at $36.00 and $82.00 on TM... it it difficult fitting them to a bike?how does one waterproof them?

[Winston001]

I’ve seen the TPX from radar direct that seems to do both; it comes with a mounting for the bike and has a wireless helmet headset. Trouble is its $1200!!! :shit:


LDB has a TPX and is happy with it. A review I found rated it below the Bel Sti but nevertheless it is the only motorcycle specific detector on the market.


You've got 3 main choices.

1)beltronics sti xr $1000-$1400

2)valentine v1 $?

3) escort 8500 about $700-$800

I did a shitload of research before i ended up buying the sti xr,and would have to say,that any other choices would be a WAY less effective option.

The valentine v1 seems a bit bulky,and in an independent test,the beltronics sti xr smoked it in radar detection.The v1 was marginally better at laser detection.

DON'T buy a cheap one,cause they're shit.

The sti xr is awesome and can be easily swapped between car and bike.

You'll need to get a hard wire kit for your bike,but it's only $20-$30 to buy.

You'll need a mount as well, but you don't need to buy an expensive option,.



Although I don't own a Bel Sti (yet) my own research echoes Naphzoline's advice. I'm uneasy about the TM ones - these things get stolen. Also its a delicate bit of electronics - a warranty is worth having.

[Morepower]

LDB has a TPX and is happy with it. A review I found rated it below the Bel Sti but nevertheless it is the only motorcycle specific detector on the market.



Although I don't own a Bel Sti (yet) my own research echoes Naphzoline's advice. I'm uneasy about the TM ones - these things get stolen. Also its a delicate bit of electronics - a warranty is worth having.

Yes warranty is worth having my first Bel Sti lasted 2 weeks. I use a battered Escort X50 on the bike and it is probably slightly better than the Sti although I understand the innards are very similar. The X50 is very abused , held together with hot glue and Duct tape , has a hissy fit sometimes when it gets wet but still going so a fairly robust unit.

[naphazoline]

One thing i should mention,is that the STI XR has "total shield",which makes it invisible to "detector detectors".

Not sure they use them here yet,but if they outlaw detectors,then one with that feature is a big plus.

[bully]

if its going on the r1, mine killed 3 or 4 sti's before i had to settle for a v1 which isnt as good.

[Ixion]

Could that have been related to the heat sensitivity noted by Mr Jantar ?

[naphazoline]

........ I'm uneasy about the TM ones - these things get stolen. Also its a delicate bit of electronics - a warranty is worth having.

I can vouch for that.

I got a second hand sti of tard me that was advertised as being "NZ model" and it seemed alright for a couple of months.But then it had an epi' every now and then,and finally died 2 weeks ago.

I rang up to see if i could get it serviced,and when they quizzed me on it,they said it was a parallel import,and that they wont touch them if they aren't a New Zealand model.

Lesson learnt.I got a brand new one,and a warranty to boot.:sunny:

[1wheel riot]

i herd valitien 1 is the best.

[Big Dave]

My favourite radar detectors are Taxrat's on the Daytona and Zedman's on the Zed.
One out, one back. :done:

The KR crew recommend these guys:
http://www.radardirect.co.nz

[crazyhorse]

Get a cobra - they're good and heaps cheaper and good. Did I mention they are good??? Yeah, thought so :)

[beyond]

You've got 3 main choices.

1)beltronics sti xr $1000-$1400

2)valentine v1 $?

3) escort 8500 about $700-$800

I did a shitload of research before i ended up buying the sti xr,and would have to say,that any other choices would be a WAY less effective option.

The valentine v1 seems a bit bulky,and in an independent test,the beltronics sti xr smoked it in radar detection.The v1 was marginally better at laser detection.

DON'T buy a cheap one,cause they're shit.

The sti xr is awesome and can be easily swapped between car and bike.

You'll need to get a hard wire kit for your bike,but it's only $20-$30 to buy.

You'll need a mount aswell,but you don't need to buy an expensive option,.
I got a piece of steel bent and drilled to fit the steering damper cover on my blade,and it's awesome.It also cost me nothing!:Punk:

My choices might seem expensive,but they only need to save you 2-3 times,and they've paid for themselves.


Totally agree... Bel STI xr is all I have ever used and it's saved me heaps. I got the ram mount and hard system about 3 years ago and it was $1700 all up. Expensive yes but man it's saved me bacon from the bacon :) Over and over again.


I had mine wired in by Colemans but for some reason it went off over 5,000rpm all the time so had to hard wire it to the battery and just have to remember to unplug it after a ride. No big deal though.... all works a treat and yes, they are the only radar detector that are invisible to radar units.

[rapid van cleef]

Well I thought I would just throw in a couple of things to think about. I am also looking into a radar detector to avoid accidental speeding. I will not speed in suburbs/ towns etc. So only looking for protection out in the country where false alerts, would be I pressume, kept to a minimum. I did a tour of scotland a few years ago and 2 of the guys I was with had detectors, 1 was a Road Angel, the other was built into TomTom GPS. A few times the alarms went off on the guys bikes and we got hand signals off them to watch our speeds, cops were never seen. So maybe they were false alarms, or maybe the cops were on adjacent roads, I dunno. Speeding in towns is stupid anyway, for all the other road users and pedestrians around. More spirited riding should, in my opinion, be kept to open roads, where there are limited other road users. Bearing that in mind, would a Cobra/Whistler be fine for me if it just enables me to pick up 'speed traps' around the corner,further down the road etc, through the hedge rows??????? I do not need it on in towns.

There are tons of people buying Cobras and similar from trade me, they cant all be crap can they?

[aahsv]

Bel Sti xr +1 - saved me today - cops were everywhere :2guns:

[LBD]

LDB has a TPX and is happy with it. A review I found rated it below the Bel Sti but nevertheless it is the only motorcycle specific detector on the market.
.

Yup I swear by it....not at it.

The screamer did not work from new and was replaced gratis....not that i use it, the LED on top of my speedo works fine for me.

[Swoop]

Bel STi.

Does NOT cost "over a thousand". Purchased mine for $800 brand new from a reputable NZ supplier, with a warranty.

Another save today. Reason: range of detection.

[rapid van cleef]

what are the range detections of all these units like valentine, bel sti, escort compared to a codra. this info is hard to find..well at least i cant find it!

[Winston001]

Bel STi.

Does NOT cost "over a thousand". Purchased mine for $800 brand new from a reputable NZ supplier, with a warranty.

Another save today. Reason: range of detection.

Fair enough - where can we buy one at that price?

[Winston001]

what are the range detections of all these units like valentine, bel sti, escort compared to a codra. this info is hard to find..well at least i cant find it!

Check these sites out:

http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleID=100542

http://www.motorcycleradar.com/products_pg2_4.htm#8500-X50

http://www.delonixradar.com.au/new-zealand/

[Kiwi Graham]

Well after everbody elses extensive research I have decided on a Bel STi (driver/XR) with rain cover and helmet gizmo. It will swap easily between bike and truck, not cheap but hopefully effective, anybody got Father Christmas's address?

[Jizah]

Yeah I was leaning towards the TPX but one bad review has put me off. So I think I will be getting the Bel STi too. Will still be buying offshore though.

[Pex Adams]

There is a million treads on KB about these - and in my opinion you have 2 options..

1. Slow down
2. RUN!

Because there is no way I could justify spending that sort of money on something that still 'may or may not work!'

I've had one speeding ticket in the past 5 years - $180. Versus spending $1200+ on a radar detector.. I'll take my medicine, and add to the police slush fund thanks..

[Morcs]

I run a whistler cruisader, intergrated bike radar, waterproof etc...

Never been ticketed whilst using it, and thats saying something for me.

[slofox]

Anybody know about the Bel Vector XR650? or xr 850?

[Qkkid]

Well after everbody elses extensive research I have decided on a Bel STi (driver/XR) with rain cover and helmet gizmo. It will swap easily between bike and truck, not cheap but hopefully effective, anybody got Father Christmas's address?

Good choice thats what i have on my B king Graham.

[Swoop]

There is a million treads...
"A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single footstep"

[sinned]

Well after everbody elses extensive research I have decided on a Bel STi (driver/XR) with rain cover and helmet gizmo. It will swap easily between bike and truck, not cheap but hopefully effective, anybody got Father Christmas's address?
You won't regret this purchase. I swop the STI from car to bike and I now have the detector in a tank bag. This means the laser detection won't work but radar is the biggest threat and I have never run into a laser check (I knew about). On Ka band it never gives false alerts, however, if you have K band turned on for the new camera vans you will get alerts in built up areas eg servo door openers and roadside how fast are you going displays.
Enjoy.

[sondela]

I had mine wired in by Colemans but for some reason it went off over 5,000rpm all the time so had to hard wire it to the battery and just have to remember to unplug it after a ride. No big deal though.... all works a treat and yes, they are the only radar detector that are invisible to radar units.

I have a Cruisader which works great, cept it does the going off with high rev-acceleration thing too.. drives me nuts..

[Swoop]

I have a Cruisader which works great,


cept it does the going off with high rev-acceleration thing too.. drives me nuts..

So it really "isn't" that great then. There is nothing worse than getting false alerts.

[sondela]

Well it appears to be an installation glitch rather than a fault in the detector, and it has saved me from many a fine.. so yeah, it's great :D