Triumphrat

jaben · 11-04-2005

This topic seems to be taboo for some reason. I would think there would be more specifically designed units for motorcycles. But here goes......
Who uses a radar detector?? What type is good and how can one mount it to a TBS neatly? I have seen numerous mounting systems that look good but too high tech for my classic. My mechanic has a Bell battery op. unit with an attachment to go in his jacket breast pocket, but I have no such pocket in either of my jackets. also does anyone make a weather proof unit for motorcycle use? I also think someone should incorporate a radio or mp3 player in one for bikes. OOOPS I have run off on a rant, Back to my question. Who, What, and How?
Not that I ride unsafely, but I do enjoy some spirit when conditions permit. Our local Enforcement tend to hide in bushes or under bridges and a little warning would be greeeaaattt! :brk:

JWoodsie · 11-05-2005

Dunno much about them to tell the truth. They have been illegal here in most Australian states since about 1980. The coppers have radar detector detectors. Big fines, demerit points. I believe they are still legal in western australia.

BigAl8295 · 11-06-2005

JC Whitney has a mount for radar detectors or anything else that size. It's in their motorcycle catalog and bolts on the middle of the handlebars.

parrycm · 11-07-2005

Why do you think it might be taboo? I used radar in the keyword search and got a bunch of hits in various forums.

There's a couple of battery operated models out there, plus accessories such as H.A.R.D. (basically an LED in your helmet).

My ideal solution would be permanently and discreetly mounted to the bottom triple clamp under the headlight, and would have a wireless warning in the helmet. So that means a custom mount, a waetherproof detector or a box for it to go in, and it would need to be bluetooth compatible, or use H.A.R.D.

That's probably going to set me back $600 - too much!

BTW, I thought radar detectors were illegal in Canada, or did the law change?

jaben · 11-07-2005

Well with 226 views and three replies it just seems like a topic people avoid discussing. Most of the threads I looked at seem to have someone jump on their high horse with the "responsible riding" side of things. Like I said I ride responsibly but feel our traffic laws are a bit obsolete and our enforcement (my Brother inlaw is a top traffic cop in Victoria) is just a money grab. I got a $400 ticket for 30km over. The only reason I was going that fast was to pass a bad driver that had cut me off twice in 2 kms prior. Just try to get the cop or judge to believe you!
I just want a fair fighting chance.
Detectors are illegal in Alberta and a couple of other Provinces but not here in Beautiful British Columbia.
Do you know of a weatherproof detector???

DaleE · 11-07-2005

The coppers have radar detector detectors.

So I've just got to ask: has anyone come up with a radar detector detector detector yet?

[ This message was edited by: DaleE on 2005-11-07 21:21 ]

Bear · 11-07-2005

I have a Cobra unit that I bought back in 1988 and it still works.. I keep it on my Harley cause I can not hear it on the Triumph with all the wind noise. the one I have has about 200,000 miles on it, when it rains I just cover it with a plastic bag, I can still hear it through that..it has been on 2 BMW's and my 99 Harley..Cobra builds good units..it has really saved me a lot of money over the years..YES I exceed the speed limet, its sort of a game between me and my cop friends as they try to catch me. If it isn't illeagle up there go for it. :-D color me fast in Iowa

bueller · 11-08-2005

RIDE WITHIN THE LAW AND DIE might sound dramatic but in melbourne I ride in such a way as to stay out of harms way.If that means speeding,lane splitting etc so be it.
I cant imagine other cities are so different and here as long as you can spot a speed camera you would be very unlucky to get caught as patrol cars are a rare sight indeed.
Most kids in high powered cars are sideways up to the speed limit,cut lanes with no signal and dont slow down for corners BUT they dont speed much until after 11pm.

Bear · 11-08-2005

I need to explain speeding just a little here, when I talk about, yes I speed, I'm talking I run about 5-10 miles over the limet on the open highway. there are about 8 of us oldtimers that still ride here in eastern Iowa all over 65, we do run about 60-65 on secondary roads and about 75 to 80 on the interstate.. but around town, maybe but at a lower rate, we all practice defensive rideing.

I was by no means saying that we was raceing or anything like that. although sometimes a couple of us do prowel the one ways looking for kids on hot rod Sportys that we can mess with :hammer: must be from all the Gerital we drink, :-D

:razz: and no, I'm not bashing Harleys here..

rickykarate99 · 11-09-2005

A lot of cops here in the U.S. use laser instead of radar. It was marketed to law enforcement and touted as much less suspectible to detectors. Which is true -- usually radar detectors aren't much use when you are being actively radar'ed (OK, I made that word up), but they're helpful for hearing the cop work the traffic ahead of you. I'm not sure about the effectiveness of laser detectors, but it seems like they'd be a lot less effective since laser is just a narrow beam of light rather than a broad radio signal. For me . . . I've found that it makes more sense to just think about where the cops are likely to be:
overpasses
highly travelled straight stretches of road
someplace with a coffee shop close by

So the places to speed (within your personal limits) are:
rural spots
outside of city limits
away from bridges and overpasses, hedges, other hiding spots
curves (don't know why, I just don't see cops actively working curves all that often -- it may be the cosine error that happens when you're shooting the beam at someone that's not in a straight line from you)
otherwise, I just figure it's a calculated risk.