What Radar Detector for a bike?????????

[cali_beemer]

I am looking at radar detectors for a bike. It seems the Valentine 1 is a popular choice and has a dual radar in it. Is this the preffered choice? are any of these waterproof? I saw the price of the V1 and damn near wet myself. It sure was expensive....I could almost pay for a ticket or 2 with how much they want for one.

[Drachenfels]

Valentine 1 - don't bother w/ anything else. Don't forget that it's NOT just the ticket, it's the points on your license that also affect your insurance.

 

Another option: get a Ural. /grin.

[markgoodrich]

Valentine owners think it's the only thing worth having. You seem to be looking for something less expensive. Escort units do a fine job for me. I've had a Valentine, got two tickets in a row, in my car. Instant-on radar in low traffic areas and/or laser mean you're caught. My current Escort is a refurb, cost $150. Picks up radar just fine. Nothing you can do about instant, though, if you're railing along out in the boonies.

[cali_beemer]

If I were to look at a Escort is there a particular model to get?

[Deadboy]

If you got an escort you can just look for the red and blue lights in your mirror.....

 

V1 is the best....you can always get your $$ back easily enough (sell it on ebay). Must have been a while since you got a ticket in California, $400 is basically the going rate for most tickets these days!

[Paul Mihalka]

There is a recent radar detector thread here:

 

http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=648783#Post648783

[cali_beemer]

If you got an escort you can just look for the red and blue lights in your mirror.....

 

V1 is the best....you can always get your $$ back easily enough (sell it on ebay). Must have been a while since you got a ticket in California, $400 is basically the going rate for most tickets these days!

 

Knock on wood.....I have no tickets. Your radar detector possibly saved me on our last ride.......LOL

[TonyT607]

+1 on the V1.

[RockBottom]

I just wish I could find a RAM mount for the Romulan cloaking device I bought on Ebay from a nice Nigerian woman.

[FLrider]

If you got an escort you can just look for the red and blue lights in your mirror.....

 

 

 

Ooohhhhhh! badabing... :rofl:

[Paul Mihalka]

"If you got an escort you can just look for the red and blue lights in your mirror....."

 

I dunno. My cheapo $150 "refurbished" Escort 8500 saved me from a few red and blue light shows. Good that the County Sheriffs around here like to sit in the bushes with their radar turned on.

[tomk99r11]

Gee, if you just drive the speed................Good Grief, jus think somewhere out there that tedious mentality is alive an well. Ride it like you stole it!

[Art..]

I drove for quite a long journey with both the V1 and Passport 8500 side by side on the windshield. Most times, the 8500 gave a fractionally earlier warning than the V1. The V1 arrows are hard to give up, but the 8500 plugs right into my comm system.

 

 

 

If you got an escort you can just look for the red and blue lights in your mirror.....

 

V1 is the best....you can always get your $$ back easily enough (sell it on ebay). Must have been a while since you got a ticket in California, $400 is basically the going rate for most tickets these days!

[bobbybob]

Another +++ for the Escort Passport 8500 REFURB unit from their Ebay store. Save some $$$'s! Don't worry about the naysayers, the Escorts work great. If you'd spent $500 on a detector, you'd be swearing it was the best too.

[FLrider]

If you'd spent $500 on a detector, you'd be swearing it was the best too.

 

You can spend $200 on one without the arrows. Just be prepared to spend another $500 for your chiropractor to adjust your neck as you spin it off it's axis trying to figure out just where the LEO is! ...and please don't tell me it doesn't matter where he is shooting from.....

[allikanbe]

It doesn't matter where he is shooting from. I slow down regardless. The V1's lack of an audio output that I can plug into my autocom is a deal breaker for me.

[Mike05]

The V1's lack of an audio output that I can plug into my autocom is a deal breaker for me.

 

Are you using a GPS as well? If so, this may work for you.

 

Valentine makes a "REMOTE AUDIO ADAPTOR" seen here.

 

 

I have mine mounted under the seat, wired between the Garmin Zumo GPS & Autocom. I loose V1 audio (loudness) control at the radar detector itself (on/off still works) but actually keep the Remote Audio Adapter volume button taped down on a pre-set level anyway.

 

Radar Detector sound alert now thru ear plugs, even slightly mutes music while it's going off (per Autocom).

 

 

 

[allikanbe]

Right, thanks. I have a Bel Sti Driver RD that has an audio outlet. I bought the Bel Sti because it is undetectable by RDD and RDs are illegal in Virginia.

[Tourstart]

The V1's lack of an audio output that I can plug into my autocom is a deal breaker for me.

 

Are you using a GPS as well? If so, this may work for you.

 

Valentine makes a "REMOTE AUDIO ADAPTOR" seen here.

 

 

I have mine mounted under the seat, wired between the Garmin Zumo GPS & Autocom. I loose V1 audio (loudness) control at the radar detector itself (on/off still works) but actually keep the Remote Audio Adapter volume button taped down on a pre-set level anyway.

 

Radar Detector sound alert now thru ear plugs, even slightly mutes music while it's going off (per Autocom).

 

 

 

Should be connected to the control of the motorcycle, so it reduces the throttle automatically when a radar is detected :-)

[FLrider]

I have one of these but when I switched to Viz Alert, I removed it. Still have it anyone wants to buy it cheap.

 

I didn't like it because I don't like being wire connected to the bike.

 

The Viz Alert is an LED modulator that goes in your helmet. Depending on the color that fires off, it tells you whether it K, KA, X or Laser. It's also hooked up to my LJ.

[bobbybob]

The V1's lack of an audio output that I can plug into my autocom is a deal breaker for me.

 

Are you using a GPS as well? If so, this may work for you.

 

Valentine makes a "REMOTE AUDIO ADAPTOR" seen here.

 

 

I have mine mounted under the seat, wired between the Garmin Zumo GPS & Autocom. I loose V1 audio (loudness) control at the radar detector itself (on/off still works) but actually keep the Remote Audio Adapter volume button taped down on a pre-set level anyway.

 

Radar Detector sound alert now thru ear plugs, even slightly mutes music while it's going off (per Autocom).

 

 

 

 

Holy crap--that danged thing is as big as *another* radar detector---just to be able to get sound outta that $500 marvel.

[notacop]

Yeah, but, if you slowed down a few miles an hour you'd get no ticky and you'd buy less fuel. Remarkable concept!!

[Fubar]

Gee, if you just drive the speed limit................Good Grief, jus think somewhere out there that tedious mentality is alive an well.

Yeah, I'm personally keeping that one going.

Ride it like you stole it!

Only on on-ramps. Hit triple digits three times today. Bye-bye, Mr. Mustang GT.

For giggles I like to test distances for radar on stationary speed display signs and trailers. I know, I need a hobby. About 100-150 feet to get any reading. I assume those used by LEO's have greater range but cages present so much more reflection than we do that unless I'm all alone on the road I'm not really concerned with 75 mph occasionally. Haven't had a citation in 10 years.

Then there is laser...... Valentine. For all your extra-legal motoring. Or just peace of mind.

[SuperG]

Why are only the valentine and escort being mentioned , are these motorcycle specific radars?

Why can't a standard (automotive marketed) radars like Whistler, k40 and soon could be used?

What sets V1 and escort apart from the others ...other than the price?

[allikanbe]

Why are only the valentine and escort being mentioned , are these motorcycle specific radars?

Why can't a standard (automotive marketed) radars like Whistler, k40 and soon could be used?

What sets V1 and escort apart from the others ...other than the price?

They are not motorcycle specific; they are just very popular and they work well. I standard auto radar works, of course. I move my Beltronics Sti Driver from bike to car. Check www.radardetector.net for reviews if you are interested.

[Fubar]

Why are only the valentine and escort being mentioned , are these motorcycle specific radars?

Why can't a standard (automotive marketed) radars like Whistler, k40 and soon could be used?

What sets V1 and escort apart from the others ...other than the price?

Everything I've ever read, every comparison of any note, has rated the Valentine first outright or tied for it in every area. Mind you, I talking about side-by-side, same vehicle, same road, etc., controlled testing and it has been a couple of years since I read one, but always the same result.

Just another opinion on the pile.

As stated, like a lot of GPS's, not bike=-specific, these are auto-targeted electronics.

[Heck]

This is as bad as an oil thread.......

 

To be on track though,

I have used the Escort 8500 and I currently use the V1.

Don't notice much difference in sensitivity- they both are great.

Cant beat those directional arrows though....They make the difference.

[Art..]

Besides the built in audio jack, the Escort 8500 has another feature that is VERY handy. It has automute. After about 3-4 seconds of blaring warning, the detector reduces the warning volume to a tolerable level, without the user touching it.

 

I have both the V1 (in my truck) and the 8500 (on the bike). I have run them side by side for thousands of miles, just to convince myself that the Escort is as sensitive as the V1. It is.

 

For $150, the Escort is a bargain for bike use.

 

(Yeah, I drive a lot)