Motorbike Radar Detectors

**humvee** · 23rd August 2005, 01:01

In the past I have always mounted my radar behind the windshield on my bikes (vf750 & vfr750) and that has worked well but my current one is tinted & i have since learnt the expensive way it does not work through the tinting. So I have a few options stop using radars (not an option) change the windshield to a non tinted one (prefer not to) or mount radar someware else.

Any help or suggestions would be great. Im also looking at getting a new radar detector (prob valantine 1) what would your suggestions be? How have you guys mounted yours?

**What?** · 23rd August 2005, 07:21

Tint won't make any difference to radar detection. Mine used to work just fine behind an opaque screen. Laser detection may be reduced, though, but (generally) if your laser warning sounds, you are stung anyway.

**Blackbird** · 23rd August 2005, 07:43

What? is spot on - no reduction in signal strength with normal microwave but up to 40% apparently with a laser. If you're really serious about lasers, get a jammer/diffuser but do your research as a lot of them are a rip-off. Escort do one to go with their X50 detector and Bel do a proven one too. That's the extent of my knowledge!

Use the search facility to find other threads on detectors as there are a lot of them. The Escort 8500 X50 and Valentine1 are reputed to be the best available. I've got the Escort and it's pretty impressive. Regarding mounts, check out www.motorcycleradar.com. They do VFR mounts. I bought a custom mount from them for the Blackbird and both the product and service was great. Took 4 days to come from the States.

Got my Escort from Ryan Gounder at DiscountBay for about $500. If you look up DiscountBay on the membership list, you can email him.

Hope this helps

Geoff

**Lou Girardin** · 23rd August 2005, 08:11

How did you find out it didn't work? Did you get get pinged with minimal warning?
If so, it means the cop used 'instant on' mode. There isn't much defence to that unless you pick him up sampling cars ahead.
Remember, 1st in line, gets the fine.
The Blinder M10 laser jammer is tried and tested, works well.

**humvee** · 23rd August 2005, 11:31

He locked on to me took my speed and then pulled be over all without the radar making a single cherp or showing any signs of detecting him. I also know with ~90 % certianty he was not using instant on. The tinting is very dark almost black. The detector works fine in my car. and worked on my old bike. But now I think about it it has never ever gone off on my new bike

**Lou Girardin** · 23rd August 2005, 13:52

A tinted screen won't prevent it detecting a signal, except for metallic coated screens used on some US cars, instaclear is one. Does your detector power up correctly?
Was the cop mobile or using a handheld unit?

**scumdog** · 23rd August 2005, 13:55

Originally Posted by Lou Girardin

A tinted screen won't prevent it detecting a signal, except for metallic coated screens used on some US cars, instaclear is one. Does your detector power up correctly?
Was the cop mobile or using a handheld unit?

Hmmm, academic. He got done. Next.

**pritch** · 23rd August 2005, 14:05

Check these out

http://www.saeng.com/cockpit.htm

**Lou Girardin** · 23rd August 2005, 16:04

Originally Posted by scumdog

Hmmm, academic. He got done. Next.

We're just fighting the good fight. Trying to avoid it happening again.

**humvee** · 24th August 2005, 10:19

Yes it powers up correctly. I also know it works perfectly fine in a car and also on my old bike and the only differerance is the tinted screen is almost black on my current bike (its aftermarket and was on the bike when I got it.)

the cop was using one of those ones that you dont even need to aim the just point out the back of the cop car desplaying speeds of traffic approching and if he wants to lock on he just pushes the button to lock on.

**humvee** · 24th August 2005, 10:24

thanks for the link pritch I'm wondering about http://www.saeng.com/2590.htm as any of the dash or handle bar ones will suffer the same issue.

Have any of you guys tried fork mounting radars?

I was looking at a valantine 1 with remote display and sound (prob not into helmet though)

**humvee** · 24th August 2005, 10:26

Originally Posted by Lou Girardin

A tinted screen won't prevent it detecting a signal, except for metallic coated screens used on some US cars, instaclear is one. Does your detector power up correctly?
Was the cop mobile or using a handheld unit?

If its not the tinting what could it be?