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Thread: One motorcycle radar detector please!

  1. #1
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    16th March 2010 - 09:36
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    One motorcycle radar detector please!

    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

  2. #2
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    27th November 2006 - 19:32
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    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.
    Hello officer put it on my tab

    Don't steal the government hates competition.

  3. #3
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    4th February 2007 - 19:23
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    Swoop has got a jammer-type thing in the nose of his bike.

    Maybe give him a yodel.

    Oh, and slow down Rossi.
    Quote Originally Posted by rachprice View Post
    Jrandom, You are such a woman hating cunt, if you weren't such a misogynist bastard you might have a better luck with women!

  4. #4
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    2nd January 2009 - 19:08
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    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.

  5. #5
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    22nd September 2006 - 21:21
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    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.

    .... back in green and feeling great ....



  6. #6
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    11th March 2008 - 19:12
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    Why dont you just avoid speeding, buddy
    KAWASAKI --> YAMAHA --> HONDA --> TRIUMPH

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rych View Post
    Why dont you just avoid speeding, buddy
    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.

  8. #8
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    31st March 2005 - 02:18
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    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...
    Quote Originally Posted by Jane Omorogbe from UK MSN on the KTM990SM
    It's barking mad and if it doesn't turn you into a complete loon within half an hour of cocking a leg over the lofty 875mm seat height, I'll eat my Arai.

  9. #9
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    katman should be here soon. Wait for the lecture....

  10. #10
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    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...
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    . “No pleasure is worth giving up for two more years in a rest home.” Kingsley Amis

  11. #11
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    12th October 2007 - 18:54
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    Quote Originally Posted by Donzzz View Post
    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!
    Thought for the day: Some people are like Slinkies - not really good for anything but they're funny when they're pushed down the stairs. Also: Who picks up guide dog shit?

  12. #12
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    9th November 2006 - 18:42
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    Quote Originally Posted by skippa1 View Post
    katman should be here soon. Wait for the lecture....
    Accompanied by the themesong for the muppet show.

  13. #13
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    12th March 2005 - 23:42
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gremlin View Post
    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.
    Nail your colours to the mast that all may look upon them and know who you are.
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  14. #14
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    3rd November 2006 - 20:28
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    Quote Originally Posted by Brett View Post
    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.

  15. #15
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    23rd February 2007 - 08:47
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    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..........

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