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Thread: My motorcycle radar detector setup

  1. #1
    Senior Member Clovis's Avatar
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    My motorcycle radar detector setup

    A lot of people have asked me about my radar detector setup, so here it is.



    Since I switched to this system I have been pulled over exactly 0 times for speeding in the last 13 months. My last ticket prompted me to do this. It would have been a lot cheaper just to get this from the start versus paying for 5 speeding tickets.

    The setup has the benefit of getting your attention plus anyone behind you.

    The total cost for this setup is about $700.

    Radar detector: $450
    Mount: $50
    Screamer / Visual Alert system with direct wire $190

    Kiss those speeding tickets good bye = priceless!

    The detector:
    Don't skimp out on a cheaper radar detector. I have the Escort 9500 IX.

    This detector is the current top of the line model and retails for $500. I purchased mine off Amazon for $440. Currently (as of 5/27/13) Amazon has it listed for $449.99. The 9500ix has superior long range detection and also has GPS. The GPS reads out your speed which is handy but the key feature is it will filter out false alarms. Automatic door openers, stop lights, ect all use radar and will set a detector off. With the GPS "auto learn" feature it remembers picking up the same frequency at the same location and after a few times it will flash "stored" and block it out.

    It also alerts you to red light cameras.

    If given the option, go with the BLUE display.

    http://www.amazon.com/Escort-Passpor...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

    Mounting system:

    Get a ram mount, accept no substitute. These things are the best. I got mine from:

    http://www.themountdepot.com/

    The detector base plate works by securing the detector via magnets. It comes with a square metal base plate which you super glue to the bottom of your radar detector. It comes with double sided sticky tape but that sucks, just super glue that sucker. This lets you quickly remove the radar detector and take it inside with you, stow it or whatever. The magnets hold the detector secure. I've never had a problem after 13000 miles with this particular setup. But if you want extra security, just buy a security strip from motorcycle radar (see below).

    With RAM mounts you need to buy every part individually.

    The base plate itself (holds your detector) Part # RAP-300-1U
    Diamond Base Plate with Standard Sized Length Arm - RAM-B-103-238U
    Break/Clutch assembly mount with 1 inch ball - RAM-B-309-1U

    *** If you want a mount to hold your smart phone, GPS or anything else get a 2nd break/clutch assembly mount with 1 inch ball, a second diamond base plate with standard length arm and this:

    Universal Finger Gripping Cradle - RAM-HOL-UN4U

    I use my phone for music, GPS, weather maps, ect -- ie everything so I like having it where I can glance down at it.

    Alert system

    Lastly, you need something to alert you. Head on over to motorcycleradar.com

    Purchase:

    1) 1x Radar Screamer Audio Alert,
    2) 2x Radar Screamer visual alert options (one for each mirror)
    3) 1x Direct wire cord ($20 online versus $30 at Cartoys).

    If you're worried about the detector falling off (won't happen, but could in a crash) then get a security strap for $3.25.

    The screamer comes with a toggle switch that has 3 settings.

    High - Off- Low

    The screamer is loud and the LED lights are bright. You can't use the lights without the screamer however. Get both, you may not hear the screamer at high speed. The lights are what gets my attention.

    You will almost always have it on high but moving to the middle disables the flashing lights and screamer. Handy for when passing a police officer. The idea is you would use high in the day and low at night.

    I found it best to mount the screamer speaker somewhere on the dash and the LED visual alerts on my mirrors where they get my attention and also the riders behind me can see them.

    I hope this helps!
    "If not us, who? If not now, when?"




  2. #2
    Senior Member One-ops's Avatar
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    Re: My motorcycle radar detector setup

    Thanks Man I've been wondering what setup you had!

  3. #3
    Senior Member Ezzzzy1's Avatar
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    Re: My motorcycle radar detector setup

    TOO MANY WIRES! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!
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  4. #4
    Senior Member FZRguy's Avatar
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    Re: My motorcycle radar detector setup

    It helps but most def not foolproof...esp. with LIDAR. I've got the Adaptiv TPX with visual alert and TECH mount for total of $410. I'll post a pic later.
    Last edited by FZRguy; Tue May 28th, 2013 at 01:52 AM.
    John
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  5. #5
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    Re: My motorcycle radar detector setup

    or you could just not speed.

  6. #6
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    Re: My motorcycle radar detector setup

    Quote Originally Posted by #1Townie View Post
    or you could just not speed.
    That does not compute in his head.

  7. #7
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    Re: My motorcycle radar detector setup

    yeah but i still have to be a dick. lol

  8. #8
    Senior Member Cars-R-Coffins's Avatar
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    Re: My motorcycle radar detector setup

    Nice set-up. I'm guessing it either keeps you from getting pulled over or if you do get pulled over guarantees you'll get a ticket. Haha.
    "That which does not kill you only postpones the inevitable."

  9. #9
    Senior Member Clovis's Avatar
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    Re: My motorcycle radar detector setup

    The left white wire is just plugged into my aux port to charge my phone.

    I haven't been pulled over yet. It usually saves me from getting nailed at least twice everytime I go for a long ride. Ask the folks who went on the devils spine trip how it works!
    "If not us, who? If not now, when?"




  10. #10
    Senior Member FZRguy's Avatar
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    Re: My motorcycle radar detector setup

    John
    KTM Duke 690

  11. #11

    Re: My motorcycle radar detector setup

    Looking at getting a radar after I got a rather nice driving award.

    What are your guys thoughts on v1 , 9500xi and I'm curious about that adaptive tpx model

    Any advice?

  12. #12
    Senior Member Clovis's Avatar
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    Re: My motorcycle radar detector setup

    V1 is a good detector but lots of false alarms.

    I would go with the 9500ix because it will filter out false warnings. When you drive by a location 3 times and it reads the same frequency and the same spot (GPS) it learns it and filters it out. It also has an outstanding detection distance. On a realatively flat road I've picked up cops from 2 miles away.

    I don't know anything about the TPX but my thought is the setup is only as good as the detector so might as well go out.

    A buddy of mine found a 9500i for $250 -- which is the ix without the auto learn feature or data base of redlight/speed cameras. You can manually mark a location to filter it out however.
    "If not us, who? If not now, when?"




  13. #13
    Gold Member bulldog's Avatar
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    Re: My motorcycle radar detector setup

    Just remember cops do not need to clock you to give a reckless/careless driving. Got pulled over in my car and knew my radar detector did not go off. The cop clearly saw my radar detector (yes top of line at time) so when I asked what he clocked me at he simply said “I did not clock you, but I CAN give you a careless driving ticket”. Which he did!!!

    Moral of story is they can help, but they can also make a situation worse. As the cop told me “we know why you guys have radar detectors”.

    Clovis, knock on wood man, because I use to think a radar detector was the greatest thing too and would free me of tickets…but it isn’t! Not to mention you better start buying the newest one yearly because cops know we use them and their technology changes….like FZR Guys said…LIDAR! Plus always ways we cannot beat like air surveillance where they measure distance vs speed.
    Bulldog's Motto: F*ck around and I'm going to bite you!!!

  14. #14
    Gold Member asp_125's Avatar
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    Re: My motorcycle radar detector setup

    ….like FZR Guys said…LIDAR! Plus always ways we cannot beat like air surveillance where they measure distance vs speed.
    Riding remote stretches in the SoCal desert and in Utah, I notice regular painted white stripes on the shoulders about 2ft x 6ft. Yeah, started scanning the skies for slow flying aircraft.
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  15. #15
    Gold Member bulldog's Avatar
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    Re: My motorcycle radar detector setup

    I've even heard that LASER is nearly impossible to beat. Basically by the time a radar detector goes off it is already too late as they have already clocked you. Only hope is to pick it up when they target someone else, but even that is hard as they are very accurate and aimed at one specific car.
    Last edited by bulldog; Tue May 28th, 2013 at 03:55 PM.
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  16. #16
    Senior Member One-ops's Avatar
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    Re: My motorcycle radar detector setup

    They do this on the stretch of 470 by my house

  17. #17
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    Re: My motorcycle radar detector setup

    With Clovis, it's not so much the radar detector you have to worry about, it's trusting his iPhone's GPS.

  18. #18
    Senior Member Cars-R-Coffins's Avatar
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    Re: My motorcycle radar detector setup

    Quote Originally Posted by One-ops View Post
    They do this on the stretch of 470 by my house
    And your house is located...?
    "That which does not kill you only postpones the inevitable."

  19. #19
    Senior Member FZRguy's Avatar
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    Re: My motorcycle radar detector setup

    From my exp., Laser is mostly used from the side of the road. In car radar is Ka or the older K band. My TPX is good at receiving Ka or K band usually with enough warning, depending on where you are riding. LIDAR is instant on and you are probably too late by the time you get warning. Like others have said, the technology is always changing and my detector from 2009 is already kinda outdated. The new model TPX is better. I like it b/c it is designed by motorcyclists specifically for use on a motorcycle. The Escort and V1 are very good detectors but not really designed for use on a moving motorcycle (don't have large buttons you can operate with gloves, not water resistant, not as simplistic to operate). Not knocking them, just sayin' that's why I went with the TPX.
    Last edited by FZRguy; Wed May 29th, 2013 at 01:00 AM.
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  20. #20
    Geriatric Curmudgeon Lifetime Supporter Nick_Ninja's Avatar
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    Re: My motorcycle radar detector setup

    "Its all about the motorbikes, always has been and always will be.". ~~ Ewan McGregor 2007

    "It's hard to play the blues when nuthin's really wrong."~~ ---- Joe Walsh 2012

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  21. #21
    Member Chaos's Avatar
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    Re: My motorcycle radar detector setup

    Quote Originally Posted by Drano View Post
    With Clovis, it's not so much the radar detector you have to worry about, it's trusting his iPhone's GPS.

    2006 R1 "Raven"


  22. #22

    Re: My motorcycle radar detector setup

    H.A.R.D. Helmet Activated Radar Detection. Keeps your bike from looking like your office at work.

  23. #23
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    Re: My motorcycle radar detector setup

    Quote Originally Posted by #1Townie View Post
    or you could just not speed.
    Yeah okay. Here you go bro. One. In two years.

  24. #24
    Senior Member Clovis's Avatar
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    Re: My motorcycle radar detector setup

    That reminds me, I need to post up my new set up - changed the setup last summer, the new one is even better
    "If not us, who? If not now, when?"




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