One motorcycle radar detector please!

[Donzzz]

Alright so I bought my Gixxer in May this year and have ridden about 6000Ks until now. However $420 in fines and 60 demerit points later I find myself looking over the net for a decent radar detector.

It seems there arent many in the market specifically designed for motorbikes. Theres the TPX radar detector made by Adaptiv that is built for motorcycles. Although it has many biker friendly features (like water-resistance, big glove-hand sized buttons, daylight display, etc) its performance doesnt measure up when compared with the Escort 8500, Bel RX65 and Valentine One.

Trouble is, its quite a pain installing and effectively using the latter on motorcycles since - you guessed it right - they are made for cars. Its not impossible though and its something I absolutely have to get done if I'm to make it through this summer and the next (gulp)...

Anyone have any experience with installing radar detectors on their bikes. There are a number of things to be considered as I understand:
- Hard wiring for power (coz wireless just doesnt cut it performance wise especially for POP)
- a decent mount (handlebar or tank)
- wireless headset to hear the alert
- wireless led inside the helmet for alerts again
- waterproofing etc

Any info will be gladly received, except if you give me a 'Why dont you just avoid speeding, buddy' which I will promptly ignore!

~donny

[ynot slow]

Slow down,seriously though easier said than done.

If you mount the detector see if a piece of rubber can be mounted under the radar,helps the vibrations,and the detector is relatively finicky mechanism inside,and bumps etc don't help.

[Mully]

Swoop has got a jammer-type thing in the nose of his bike.

Maybe give him a yodel.

Oh, and slow down Rossi.

[LBD]

Mate...my TPX works well, and has saved me from many infringments...I do not take anything away from its ability compared to the other units.

I have had 2 infringments in the last 4 years....both when the detector was off the bike.

[NinjaNanna]

what's your budget?

Personally I have a Bel STi with hardwire kit (use the park light circuit to pick up a switched 12V circuit) plus an all weather cover. Mounting is via a RAM Mounts kit.

To hear the thing I've used two approaches, when it was on my ZX9 I had a butchered amplifier out of a set of PC speakers under the seat and mixed the headphone output of the detector with my MP3 player, the amplifier fed speakers in my helmet so I could hear both the radar and music. This worked the best but also meant I was wired to the bike.

On my R1, I set it up with a little signal detector kit from Jaycar and a loud buzzer that sounded whenever it goes off. Not as good because everybody has to listen to it screaming is head off when you fire up the bike, Mr Police Man hears it going off too but the upside is no wires.

When I move it onto my new (to me) bike the ZR750 I'll be going back to the amplifier setup because I missed the music while I was riding the R1. But I'll probably look to see if I can set it up for both options.

Another guy I ride with keeps it simple, he just has an "over the ear" style eairpiece that he plugs straight into the radars headphone socket and that works for him. Depends on your helmet and shape of your head I guess. Doesn't work for me cause it hurts my ears.

Another guy on here simply bluetacks a piece of rubber tubing over the inbuilt speaker on the detector and pushes the tube up under his helmet close to his ear, apparently that works to?

Another option that would be worth investigating would be a bluetooth transmitter to plug into the detectors headphone output and a blueant style comms kit to pair it to. Trouble with these though is that while they are wireless they need battery power and if your battery goes flat your stuffed. The same thing goes for the HARD system from Beltronics.

As you are probably working out by now the hardest thing with any radar detector setup is making sure you can hear it at ticketing speeds. If you can't hear/see it you might as well not have it.

[Rych]

Why dont you just avoid speeding, buddy :D

[LBD]

Why dont you just avoid speeding, buddy :D
There is that....but now that the police are setting up Dummy transmitters in high risk areas, a radar detector is becoming a safety tool as well....warning motorists of a historical accident prone location.

[Gremlin]

Depends on what you want, altogether, and how much you want to spend.

At the top end (which I'm close to), you use a Baehr communications box, that controls any audio inputs you want (different sizes available, depending on how many sources you have). I have a GPS, CB Radio and Radar Detector all plugged into this. This then feeds via one cable to my helmet. All hardwired so no batteries, but I am connected to the bike (not a bother, I'm used to it). Box prioritises the feeds based on whats plugged in where.

There are similar systems like Starcom that cost a bit less... I use mine a lot, so went for quality. It's also modular and expandable, rather than having two audio devices, one in each ear and then you get a third...

oh... and slow down... it worked for me. Sell your horrible sportsbike and get something more practical that doesn't speed as much...

[skippa1]

katman should be here soon. Wait for the lecture....:facepalm:

[slofox]

223058

223059


Ram mount for TPX. All up cost a titch over $100, delivered.

Whilst the TPX might not warn you of a radar three km away, I'm not sure you absolutely have to know that far out...Surely 1km gives you plenty of time to slow down..? (Unless you're at 300km/hr or summat...).

No radar detector gives you immunity from speed detectors no matter how sensitive it is. Instant on can catch you anyway if the operator is skilled.

If you want to fang around at illegal speeds, choose your where and when. Be canny. Don't feel that you have to blast past everything on the road. A little patience can save you much grief...

[HQfiend]

It seems there arent many in the market specifically designed for motorbikes. Theres the TPX radar detector made by Adaptiv that is built for motorcycles. Although it has many biker friendly features (like water-resistance, big glove-hand sized buttons, daylight display, etc) its performance doesnt measure up when compared with the Escort 8500, Bel RX65 and Valentine One.

Trouble is, its quite a pain installing and effectively using the latter on motorcycles since - you guessed it right - they are made for cars. Its not impossible though and its something I absolutely have to get done if I'm to make it through this summer and the next (gulp)...

Anyone have any experience with installing radar detectors on their bikes. There are a number of things to be considered as I understand:
- Hard wiring for power (coz wireless just doesnt cut it performance wise especially for POP)
- a decent mount (handlebar or tank)
- wireless headset to hear the alert
- wireless led inside the helmet for alerts again
- waterproofing etc

You haven't done enough research!

TPX is a good detector with comparable range and detection to the top of the line stuff. They just couldn't fit all the extra crap in and keep it waterproof. Check the reviews at radarroy.com or speedlabs.com
Other options are available as stated above with water-resistant cases for car detectors and hard wiring leads or wireless headsets are available too, different strokes for different folks.

If you are relying on a detector to keep your licence then start saving for the ticket and work licence now, as they're not infallible and the cops are starting to learn that we have detectors and are using counter tactics now. Also with everything else going on while riding a bike quickly you probably won't notice or react in time to another thing flashing at you or beeping in your ear.

Good luck...................................don't become another ACC statistic to be used against us!

[Toaster]

katman should be here soon. Wait for the lecture....:facepalm:

Accompanied by the themesong for the muppet show.

[Brett]

oh... and slow down... it worked for me. Sell your horrible sportsbike and get something more practical that doesn't speed as much...

Shhhh you, none of that nonsense now.

Although, when I have ridden the KTM 650/990 SM for example, I definitely felt less inclined to speed, so maybe the idea does have some merit.

[puddy]

Shhhh you, none of that nonsense now.

Although, when I have ridden the KTM 650/990 SM for example, I definitely felt less inclined to speed, so maybe the idea does have some merit.

Yeah! I have the same thing when I ride a GN250. Don't think i'll buy one though.:shutup:

[SVboy]

Radar detectors are not the total answer as I found to my cost in the weekend. Officer in the long grass by the road went to instant on. I still had "time" to go from "You are walking Sonny" to "huge fine, but still riding" territory......so thanks mr Bel, I think..........

[imdying]

katman should be here soon. Wait for the lecture....:facepalm:I think you miss his point. He definitely isn't against having a good time, or even speeding for that matter... he's just a time and place sort of guy.

[onearmedbandit]

katman should be here soon. Wait for the lecture....:facepalm:

:facepalm:

Yay you're the first person I've used this new icon on. If you had even bothered reading any of his posts instead of jumping on the bandwagon you'd know, as pointed out by imdying above, Katman is not against speeding at all.

Fail.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Swoop has got a jammer-type thing in the nose of his bike.

Maybe give him a yodel.

Oh, and slow down Rossi.

tsk tsk. whats next, ECM? (actually it is theoretically possible...)

[HenryDorsetCase]

I think you miss his point. He definitely isn't against having a good time, or even speeding for that matter... he's just a time and place sort of guy.

So am I these days. Colombo street, past a school wearing nothing but Sidis and a cheeky grin, on the back wheel. What could possibly go wrong?

[slofox]

So am I these days. Colombo street, past a school wearing nothing but Sidis and a cheeky grin, on the back wheel. What could possibly go wrong?

Ummmmm...your money could fall out of yer pocket..?

[onearmedbandit]

Ummmmm...your money could fall out of yer pocket..?

What pocket? He's only wearing his Sid's.

[skippa1]

:facepalm:

Yay you're the first person I've used this new icon on. If you had even bothered reading any of his posts instead of jumping on the bandwagon you'd know, as pointed out by imdying above, Katman is not against speeding at all.

Fail.

Interesting. Katman appears to have a bandwagon and you have jumped on it.
Seriously man, I dont really care what he is for or against. If you're asking me to read his dribble.....forget it, what scares me is I think he believes his own shit. They dont seem to have the icon I am looking for here.

[Gremlin]

So am I these days. Colombo street, past a school wearing nothing but Sidis and a cheeky grin, on the back wheel. What could possibly go wrong?
mmmm I don't believe you... do you even own a pair of Sidis?

[skippa1]

I think you miss his point. He definitely isn't against having a good time, or even speeding for that matter... he's just a time and place sort of guy.

Sorry man, you must have the wrong guy....I dont actually want to get his point:whocares:

[onearmedbandit]

Interesting. Katman appears to have a bandwagon and you have jumped on it.
Seriously man, I dont really care what he is for or against. If you're asking me to read his dribble.....forget it, what scares me is I think he believes his own shit. They dont seem to have the icon I am looking for here.

No, see what I did was actually read his posts, and found, that while his delivery is not the most tactful approach, I was in total agreement. You on the other hand, by your own post, haven't read his posts and instead let others make your mind up for you.


Sorry man, you must have the wrong guy....I dont actually want to get his point:whocares:

Then why even bother to mention him in the first place? Trying to get some notoriety?

[skippa1]

No, see what I did was actually read his posts, and found, that while his delivery is not the most tactful approach, I was in total agreement. You on the other hand, by your own post, haven't read his posts and instead let others make your mind up for you.

Ohhhh I seeee.....because you are in total agreement, I cant have read his posts. :violin:




Then why even bother to mention him in the first place? Trying to get some notoriety?

Yeah.......that must be it because all those that make it big start here. You misunderstood my post, I brought it up as a caution, not because I think anything of him or his dribble.:weird:

[TheWatchMan]

Depends on what you want, altogether, and how much you want to spend.

At the top end (which I'm close to), you use a Baehr communications box, that controls any audio inputs you want (different sizes available, depending on how many sources you have). I have a GPS, CB Radio and Radar Detector all plugged into this. This then feeds via one cable to my helmet. All hardwired so no batteries, but I am connected to the bike (not a bother, I'm used to it). Box prioritises the feeds based on whats plugged in where.

There are similar systems like Starcom that cost a bit less... I use mine a lot, so went for quality. It's also modular and expandable, rather than having two audio devices, one in each ear and then you get a third...

oh... and slow down... it worked for me. Sell your horrible sportsbike and get something more practical that doesn't speed as much...

Hi Gremlin - I'm a newbie and noticed this because what you describe is exactly what I'm looking for.... don't the cops use something similar too?

[pritch]

I was told that the maximum speed from which you can slow down to legal on hearing the alarm is 130kph. That sounds about right, but even 160 to 130 is better than walking.

I use an Escort. Water proofing is not too much of a problem, you can buy a plastic case - but I didn't. If the forecast is showers I use a zip lock plastic bag and rubber band. Not very elegant but cheap. If it's actually raining I don't need the detector, I won't be speeding. These days I probably won't be riding in the rain anyway.

There's a variety of mounts available, as well as local sources ebay will have options. Check for camera mounts too.

[WALRUS]

What's with all the ancient thread bumps lately?

Are radar detectors legal in NZ? Over here they are illegal to even own, let alone to use.

[pritch]

What's with all the ancient thread bumps lately?

Are radar detectors legal in NZ? Over here they are illegal to even own, let alone to use.

We're a bit more civilised - so far. They're still legal although one Minister of Transport a few years back thought they shouldn't be, but then he thought using a cell phone while driving was OK.

Hadn't noticed the thread was ancient, I'll have to start checking.

[babysteps]

Ummmmm...your money could fall out of yer pocket..?


What pocket? He's only wearing his Sid's.

Prison Wallet......

Go to the track if you want to go speeds that would need a radar detector

[Temporary-Kiwi]

apparently it only kills if you don't have blue/red flashing lights .
in my misspent youth I regularly rode as near to the redline as possible, I did ride with forethought as to where/what hazards were upcoming, and I regularly practiced brake/swerve, avoid tactics.
now I ride at more reasonable pace as I'm older and don't heal as good.
but the only times I've had crashes have been due to not expecting gravel on tarseal corners- something which I usually do .
to me , blaming speed for crashes is like blaming a bullet for killing, not the person.
so if your going to speed - make sure you are highly skilled at avoiding obstacles, controlling slides, and have a great radar detector !

[F5 Dave]

Prison Wallet......

Go to the track if you want to go speeds that would need a radar detector
Look I hope you don't mind me saying; but Fuck off Grandma. :banana:

[Flip]

I don't go anywhere without it.
Had 2 in 15 years, saves me about a grand each year and I have no demerits at all, haven't had a ticket in 14 years. Mine mounts behind my big bike screen and I can hear it no probs. I could put the output into a $15 blue tooth decice but have never bothered to do it.
The detector goes in both car and bike. I drive a bit faster than I ride these days. My detector is just a standard belltronics 950 I think which was cutting edge 15 years ago. It's not water proof at all. If its raining it gets put away. The mounting is 3 bits of velcro and a tiny aluminium bracket.
Detectors and not the be all and end all, it won't detect a rozza who turns on his radar if he is right infront of you, IMHO most of the rozza are not the sharpest knife in the draw and check every on comming car so you usually know when they are around.
The fatherest distance I have picked up one was 12 km on a north canterbury straight. He was parked outside the local Culverton donut shop.
While they are legal I will continue to use one. I wouldent consider building a jammer as I have too much to loose by running an unlicenced radio transmitter for QRM.
You have got to get in the habit of asking your self, if I was a rozza where should I park to catch as many drivers as I can with the least effort and watch your speed there. Speeding around any donut shops is an risky thing to do.