Which radar detector?

[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!!!

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.

[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.

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!

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

[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!