Q: Radar Detectors and Setup

I poked around the web a bit, but figured I'd ask here... so what is
the latest and greatest wrt radar/laser detectors for bikes? The first
question would be brand/model, the second would be setup. I have a
zx-11 and an old zx-10... so they have faux clipons, and low profile
windscreens. When I took traffic school a few months back, one of the
teachers was positive that CHP had gone to lasers only, but the Ka
warning seems to go off every time when I pass a chippie when driving
in my truck, so I don't think that is correct. And it has saved me,
too. Especially on HWY 88 in San Joaquin/Amador which is a notorious
speed trap (though with all of the idiots killing each other in
head-ons, I don't entirely bemoan this extra enforcement). I am not a
"speed demon", but I was told (again, in traffic school) that LEOs are
ticketing for even 3 over the limit now, and given the amount of
increased enforcement I've seen, I am paranoid to get out on the open
road these days w/out some protection. Thanks.

Zach

 

I'll confess to knowing little about radar/lidar detectors, but
although I tend to go fast, I get few tickets -- I've never gotten one
on a motorcycle and my last in the car was about 15 years ago.

The best detector is your eyes, coupled to your brain. Know where the
police are likely to be watching, and be sure that you are not the
best candidate for a ticket when riding there.

Al Moore
DoD 734

 

Many say the Valentine 1 is the best. It is certainly one of the most
expensive.
I use a Beltronics that is relatively high rated, but ratings are sometimes
mostly subjective.
They often do not alert you to laser, or to devices that are hidden by hills
etc. but they can lower your chances of getting a chickensihit ticket.
Mine has probably saved me about 5 times that I am sure of, so it's worth
it.
I mount it on top of the tank on my R1, and have a mount made for it on the
RS, and I have a small speaker velcroed into the padding of my helmet for
audible alerts.
Battery powered detectors like mine require fresh batteries every 10 hours
or so of use if you are using it with battery power only, or I can plug it
into a dc power source.
My advice, don't be the fastest vehicle in a group of others, and no one
will give a dam. If you are off by yourself and speeding, your risks are
higher.
Watch out for the MacArthur Tunnel south of the Golden Gate Bridge, they are
always lurking around there...

--
Jim Stinnett
VTR1000
R1100RS
YZF R1
http://www.moto-rama.com
--
Jim Stinnett
VTR1000
R1100RS
YZF R1
http://www.moto-rama.com

 

I do, and that's the problem. When I travel between here and
Amador/Calaveras, they are thick on upper HWY 88... of course, the
logical thing is to go 55 all through there (they even patrol a lot of
the backroads up there with radar, but given the deer infestation, it's
wiser not to go balls to the wall). I just don't want to get nabbed for
60. HWY 16 (between Sac and up towards Jackson) is a nice wide 2-lane
that is 65, which is reasonable. One CHP at night followed me for 15
miles on 88. I saw him go the other way and then turn around. My
detector kept going off, so I unplugged it and threw it in the glove
box. I was religious about following the 55/45/40/35 and when I got
into town, the guy was behind me the whole time, I thought he was at
least two cars back. Oops. No wonder it was going off constantly. A few
months ago, some jackass was tailgating me (I was doing about 60 in 55)
and my detector started going off. He started to pass and I was going
to wave him back, but since he was on my tail unreasonably, I let him
pass and get nailed, which he was. I follow the speed limits in town,
so that isn't the issue, it's mostly open, 2-lane highways.

 

The Bell 957R Remote radar detector sports all the bands plus you
get 2 laser detectors... one aimed forward and one aimed rearward...
http://akamai-lq.bizrate.com/resize?sq=400&uid=7301014

If you're good at fabricating... the remote lends itself to a sanitary
installation without the goofy antler looking mounts normally associated
with motorcycles...
http://home.comcast.net/~netters2/pics11-3-03/bigimages/RC45RemoteRadar.JPG

This installation required cutting the fairing and building a smaller
Delrin box to house the antenna...
http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/uploads/1125464889/gallery_3131_51_88776.jpg

I've been spared about 25 tickets with the Bel 957R except for one... that's the
day my detector went off and Mr. CHP had me painted at 66 in a 35 because he
laid 90 degrees from the road in ambush and employed deadly digital Ka... Ca
Ching $350.00 please... consequently I now travel the speed limit down that
deserted road...


Larry L
94 RC45 #2
Have a wheelie NICE day...
Lean & Mean it in every corner of your life...
If it wasn't for us the fast lane would rust...
V4'S are music to the seat of my pants...
1952 De Havilland Chipmunk...
Yank and bank your brains loose...
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/-xlax-/
http://home.comcast.net/~netters2/
http://www.fox302.com/index.pl?s=vg&user=netters2

 

You done that too, eh?

I did it once with some tailgating woman in a mini-van. I slowed and then
waved her around me when the detector went off. Mr. Leo was hiding among
the bushes far ahead and she brought him out of hiding. I knew she had
crossed the double-yellow as well as speeding off ahead of me. Must'a been
her unlucky day. That Escort 8500 has saved me a bunch of money over the
years -- and maybe making for fun at times when I can reel one into the
trap.

Oh well. I chalk it up as a form of "biker fishing."

B~