Radar Detectors

turnone said:

I have swapped to only riding small displacement bikes on public roads.

Bikes, especially sportbikes have a very low signal on radar and almost impossible with laser. No detector made is going to give you enough warning under most circumstances. Best bet is to change your riding style or bike.

I recommend Aprilia RS125. You can hold it open for hours. I rode it 350 miles in the TN/NC/GA mountains and it was wide open 85%+ and it didn't blow up. Top speed on flat ground 98 MPH.

I had a $3500 incident last year on the 1199. Expensive lesson to learn.

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yeah, but 98 is still 33 above the limit, a jucy ticket!

I have previously posted with the custom install of my Passport 8550 Plus with GPS and no regrets in spite of spending a little $$$. Having a fully active system with jamming vs. just passive is huge. Plus the GPS integration which filters out about 95% of false alarms is huge.

I use custom Fit-Ear wired plugs for the system so I get only audio alerts on any / all X, K, Ka and Lidar alerts. As an update for those who are interested I have also been incorporating Waze police alerts through the same system, so I get the Passport system alerts AND Waze (via iPhone) through the helmet. All audio and between both systems I feel pretty covered - even though there are no guarantees.

I am also getting my Google Glasses later today and will let everyone know how it works with the Escort and Waze applications. Gotta get me geek on!

996racer said:

yeah, but 98 is still 33 above the limit, a jucy ticket!

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True!
My little achievement award was for 31 over. It will cost me over $550 before it's all said and done. Plus however much it inspires me to spend on equipment.

996racer said:

yeah, but 98 is still 33 above the limit, a jucy ticket!

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I'm rarely tucked in at maximum throttle on flat ground going 98.
So small bike = lower average speed. Both times I have been pulled over on the 125, one verbal and one written warnings.
Any big bike will go so fast so quickly that you are much more likely to see 98+ often.

It's my recommendation. Is prefer it to have another 10 HP it it works well enough.

turnone said:

I'm rarely tucked in at maximum throttle on flat ground going 98.
So small bike = lower average speed. Both times I have been pulled over on the 125, one verbal and one written warnings.
Any big bike will go so fast so quickly that you are much more likely to see 98+ often.

It's my recommendation. Is prefer it to have another 10 HP it it works well enough.

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I have been aggressively trying to limit my top speed on public roads to avoid the type of situation you experienced. It sounds like you were in an area similar to VA where reckless and above aren't just moving violations they are criminal offenses and, unlike moving violations, will give you a permanent criminal record if you are convicted. VA is also unique in that we are the only state that outlaws radar detectors (as far as I know). Just curious - were you able to get the serious criminal charges knocked down? I figured if/when it happened I would hire one of the more well known traffic attorneys around here, spare no expense and hope for the best. I recently decided it wasn't worth the risk since a record can have far reaching career implications so I have been trying to keep top speed down and just blast through twisties and relax on the straights.

I'm with Turnone. I keep the DRZ SM around for playing around in the city.......much less likely to end up with a zip-tie around my wrists.

Capt CF said:

I have been aggressively trying to limit my top speed on public roads to avoid the type of situation you experienced. It sounds like you were in an area similar to VA where reckless and above aren't just moving violations they are criminal offenses and, unlike moving violations, will give you a permanent criminal record if you are convicted. VA is also unique in that we are the only state that outlaws radar detectors (as far as I know). Just curious - were you able to get the serious criminal charges knocked down? I figured if/when it happened I would hire one of the more well known traffic attorneys around here, spare no expense and hope for the best. I recently decided it wasn't worth the risk since a record can have far reaching career implications so I have been trying to keep top speed down and just blast through twisties and relax on the straights.

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Felonies dropped and some of the traffic stuff. Plead guilty to speeding and wreck less op. Or whatever KY calls it. Hired the most expensive attorney in the small town along the interstate where I was 'detained'. That was $1700 of the $3500 for about 3-4 hours of his time.

Changed he risk equation for me. Not worth the hassle.
No points since OH doesn't assess for out of state convictions. They are on my permanent record, just no points.

turnone said:

Felonies dropped and some of the traffic stuff. Plead guilty to speeding and wreck less op. Or whatever KY calls it. Hired the most expensive attorney in the small town along the interstate where I was 'detained'. That was $1700 of the $3500 for about 3-4 hours of his time.

Changed he risk equation for me. Not worth the hassle.
No points since OH doesn't assess for out of state convictions. They are on my permanent record, just no points.

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Thanks for sharing. I kind of figured you were successful at dropping most of it. I agree on the risk equation as well. I'd rather bend it around some curves than go flat out down the highway. Been there done that.

I hate riding on the highway anyway. I always called it 'highway frogger'. Undercover detective was in 'hot pursuit' for 10+ miles and I had no idea. Never drove past him. I normally see them, so it came as big surprise to see blue lights. This was on the way home from first service where dealer said "it's okay to open her up now". I was in a bit of a hurry otherwise I would have taken the river roads home. Costly mistake. I find it impossible to ride on the hwy at sane speeds. I fall asleep from boredom.

So back on topic, radar and laser detection and excellent observation still won't always keep you out of trouble. Laser jamming sounds appealing if it works. I've never investigated it.

My opinion... and my opinion only:

Radar detectors give you a false sense of security. They can work, sometimes. Looking far ahead and being observant, in combination with a detector, will help tremendously. As for a laser detector, pointless in spending the money.

There are so many variables as to when they will actually give you a good warning with time to slow down and when they just let you know you just got clocked. I won't get into all those unless someones asks. A good cop who knows how to use radar and is paying attention will get you most of the time.

If I see a radar detector on the dash of someone I pulled over I make it a point to ask them about it. I ask if it was on (you laugh, but about 50/50 it isn't even on). Then I ask if it worked. The common response is; "Yeah, told me you got me." Of course, there are probably plenty of drivers who did not get stopped because it worked properly.

If you're gonna run, ok go ahead. Most cops won't chase you if they physically can't do it (i.e. Car vs bike in moderate to heavy traffic) or don't feel the risk of injury is worth it. (sad that the motorcyclist who flees the police and crashes gets paid out big $$ because the police "Made him crash" by pursuing him. I swear civil jurors are jokes; but I digress) You ARE, however, putting a lot of blind faith in the other drivers you are weaving thru.

Oh, and if you do "flee", better look up. If there is a Helicopter you're done for 99% of the time.

And a bit a legal stuff: In CA (Those are the laws I know) it is Illegal to have jamming devices. You can be arrested and taken to jail for that; along with your bike/car being impounded.

Staymates788 said:

My opinion... and my opinion only:

Radar detectors give you a false sense of security. They can work, sometimes. Looking far ahead and being observant, in combination with a detector, will help tremendously. As for a laser detector, pointless in spending the money.

There are so many variables as to when they will actually give you a good warning with time to slow down and when they just let you know you just got clocked. I won't get into all those unless someones asks. A good cop who knows how to use radar and is paying attention will get you most of the time.

If I see a radar detector on the dash of someone I pulled over I make it a point to ask them about it. I ask if it was on (you laugh, but about 50/50 it isn't even on). Then I ask if it worked. The common response is; "Yeah, told me you got me." Of course, there are probably plenty of drivers who did not get stopped because it worked properly.

If you're gonna run, ok go ahead. Most cops won't chase you if they physically can't do it (i.e. Car vs bike in moderate to heavy traffic) or don't feel the risk of injury is worth it. (sad that the motorcyclist who flees the police and crashes gets paid out big $$ because the police "Made him crash" by pursuing him. I swear civil jurors are jokes; but I digress) You ARE, however, putting a lot of blind faith in the other drivers you are weaving thru.

Oh, and if you do "flee", better look up. If there is a Helicopter you're done for 99% of the time.

And a bit a legal stuff: In CA (Those are the laws I know) it is Illegal to have jamming devices. You can be arrested and taken to jail for that; along with your bike/car being impounded.

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I do agree with your statement.
The radar detector has protected me mostly in the twisties since you can pick up the signal from a few corners away.
Keep it close to the speed limit on the highways since the instant on will always get the better of you (what's the fun in hauling ass going straight anyway )
So will laser but luckily it is only used on a few major highways in NM.
Running is only an option if you know the area and can disappear on back roads without endangering yourself or anyone around you.

zaster said:

This is where my Escort 9500IX is mounted. It is held down by industrial strength Velcro and powered through the battery tender connector.
Saved me from getting expensive tickets at least a couple of dozen times.
Laser still gets you though

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From what I understand about laser, if you take the laser ticket to court and the judge follows the law it should be dismissed. I'd read that Laser guns don't have any sort of calibration and therefore can be won in court easily.

...Maybe I'm wrong/mistaken so don't quote me.

NightmareSTi said:

The hell did you do worth $3500

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Better than my $9100 in damage from a drop in a parking lot.

....at 2mph...

White13Pani said:

From what I understand about laser, if you take the laser ticket to court and the judge follows the law it should be dismissed. I'd read that Laser guns don't have any sort of calibration and therefore can be won in court easily.

...Maybe I'm wrong/mistaken so don't quote me.

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From what I experienced, laser is not very reliable in targeting a small profile vehicle like a 1199. If you are riding in the close vicinity of a cage while being clocked you will have a strong argument that it wasn't you.
If you were the only target around.....you are screwed
Edit...forgot to mention that if the radar equipment was not calibrated the morning before it was used, the ticket will be thrown out.

White13Pani said:

From what I understand about laser, if you take the laser ticket to court and the judge follows the law it should be dismissed. I'd read that Laser guns don't have any sort of calibration and therefore can be won in court easily.

...Maybe I'm wrong/mistaken so don't quote me.

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Usual. Wrong.

"Fixed distance, zero speed" calibration.

Moreover its not the laser, its the cop. Cops testify that THEY determined your speed and the laser substantiated it. In cop LIDAR/Doppler school they make the students accurately give a vehicle's speed and use the LIDAR/Doppler unit to check for the human accuracy, and they testify to that in court.

zaster said:

From what I experienced, laser is not very reliable in targeting a small profile vehicle like a 1199. If you are riding in the close vicinity of a cage while being clocked you will have a strong argument that it wasn't you.
If you were the only target around.....you are screwed
Edit...forgot to mention that if the radar equipment was not calibrated the morning before it was used, the ticket will be thrown out.

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It all depends on dispersion. At 1,000 feet the LIDAR has a beam width of three feet. If you are like 300-400 feet away he can bounce it off your headlight and get a target speed"¦And..it returns a value in 0.3 sec.

The "morning of" theory is internet lure.

White13Pani said:

From what I understand about laser, if you take the laser ticket to court and the judge follows the law it should be dismissed. I'd read that Laser guns don't have any sort of calibration and therefore can be won in court easily.

...Maybe I'm wrong/mistaken so don't quote me.

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Ummm.... You are half right. Yes you are correct that laser guns do not have any form of "calibration". However, most courts will not consider that argument and request you "move on" with your testimony. But, always worth a shot you never know what kind of judge you will have.

zaster said:

From what I experienced, laser is not very reliable in targeting a small profile vehicle like a 1199. If you are riding in the close vicinity of a cage while being clocked you will have a strong argument that it wasn't you.
If you were the only target around.....you are screwed
Edit...forgot to mention that if the radar equipment was not calibrated the morning before it was used, the ticket will be thrown out.

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You are confusing radar and laser.

Radar, sends out a large beam of radio waves... The return signal will be the "strongest" signal. usually the largest object. But it can also be the closest. Most radar guns have "fast" mode which will then bounce back the signal for the fastest moving vehicle. THAT is how we usually get motorcycles. Plus, you actually are visually estimating a speed first and then confirming it with the radar.

As for the radar gun not being calibrated.... Before and after a shift we do not "calibrate" the gun, we check it for accuracy. In court, the officer is required to testify that it was checked to be functioning properly. There is no exact way this needs to be said. If you are fighting a ticket and the officer fails to mention this, you can bring that up to the judge and it might get dismissed. Nothing is a guarantee.

As for laser... it is a small, narrow, single beam. It only bounces off the vehicle that it is pointed at; more specifically, "aimed" at. There is absolutely no "confusion" as to which vehicle it was obtaining a speed from. That is why most agencies prefer laser because that becomes a mute argument real quick.

If the officer has the gun up to his face and aiming it like a rifle, it's laser. If he is holding it out like a pistol, its radar. You can ask to see the locked speed but it is not a requirement for the cop to show it to you. Don't get all butt hurt if he doesn't show you. Most will show you upon request, however. In fact, I always offer it.

Usual Disclaimer: CA Only because those are the laws I am familiar with and although most states are similar, they are all different.

NOLA said:

Usual. Wrong.

"Fixed distance, zero speed" calibration.

Moreover its not the laser, its the cop. Cops testify that THEY determined your speed and the laser substantiated it. In cop LIDAR/Doppler school they make the students accurately give a vehicle's speed and use the LIDAR/Doppler unit to check for the human accuracy, and they testify to that in court.

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Let me pick your brain on this one then... That is not a "Calibration" That is just a test of it being able to properly determine distance.... A functionality test.
That is what I do with my radar gun & tuning fork, but for it to actually be "calibrated & certified" it gets taken to a company for that part.

NOLA said:

It all depends on dispersion. At 1,000 feet the LIDAR has a beam width of three feet. If you are like 300-400 feet away he can bounce it off your headlight and get a target speed"¦And..it returns a value in 0.3 sec.

The "morning of" theory is internet lure.

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Oh yeah, forgot"¦(I don't know if I can actually reply to my own reply)"¦

Or you can just ride at night, LIDAR can't be used, by most departmental regs, at night. They have to switch to Doppler. (Louisiana anyway)

Staymates788 said:

Let me pick your brain on this one then... That is not a "Calibration" That is just a test of it being able to properly determine distance.... A functionality test.
That is what I do with my radar gun & tuning fork, but for it to actually be "calibrated & certified" it gets taken to a company for that part.

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Yup, more like a "does it work" test. But most use the "Known distance, zero speed" to have a demonstrable value. And yes, like equipment tooling, has to be sent back for certification at a set period of time. Each state is diff tough.