Modern Vespa

What works?

What does not work?

Anyone?

R

8)

Would this really help on a scooter?

If you're surrounded by cars, it's hard for them to get a fix on you, isn't it?

But if not, it would seem that they'd have you before you had a chance to react to the alarm

Plus, once they'd clocked you and pulled you over, aren't they going to get annoyed--seeing a radar detector on your handlebars?

Not speaking from experience though,
just from the physics of the situation

Many of the best roads for riding are posted at 55 when you routinely exceed that.

Something small that would squeal like heck when they lit you up would be nice....

Joel?....Dan?

R

8)

For a car, Valentine 1 - for a bike, no F clue.

If you have a fly screen any of them could be suctioned on to it.

Personally I just use my eyes.

+1

Valentine is the best there is.

Valentine 1 is absolutely the best. Although if you ran into an instant-on or laser, you have very little to no reaction time.

rule of the game is never be the first and never be the last of the pack.

The best by far is factory fitted to all modern and vintage scooters. It's called a speedometer.

I've been using it for over 30 years and only once has it malfunctioned costing me £30

If you have trouble accessing this design feature send me in cash $100 and by return I will provide full operating instructions!!!

Plus, they are illega in some states right? Not sure where you'd hide it if you were pulled over, with it suction cupped to your visor. I guess you could just rip it off and try and throw it in the woods!

They're only illegal in Virginia and Washington, DC (and military bases).

I have seen many detectors used. I have wrote citations to some who use.
Generally speaking if you have an experienced Radar operator he will get you before the detector can help you. The eyes are the best defense.

Just for info sake...
Most RADAR units made within the last 10 years can differentiate a motorcycle from a semitruck. They respond and return the fastest radar return not the largest. My radar unt can detect the fastest and slowest vehicles at the same time. great for visual comparison. but good luck getting one and using it.

I think radar detectors are stupid! Nothing makes me more angry then an ass hole who cant drive the speed limit. I guess my familys life is less important then getting somewhere 5min sooner?

Valentine is the best by far, I use it for my daily cage trek up 280. Even at the least sensitive setting, it will pick up the use of radar at least 1/2 to a mile ahead... assuming the cop has it on. If you ride familiar roads, you get to know the beeps and whether they mean a real threat and can back off (if necessary). For the most part, I use it as a reminder to check my speed, there are certain roads where you know they hang out and it is just not worth it. I have used other, cheaper units and no comparison.

I have been nailed on a surface street with instant on, although the detecter never went off at all so I really doubt whether the cop actually clocked me. Of course, his unit showed 43 in a 35, but it was not worth fighting, pay the tax, I mean ticket, and go to on line traffic school.

The best defense is keep it reasonable, don't be an a** (either on the road or after you are pulled over) and learn the roads where they hang out.

Don't they integrate a laser unit on those radar guns? I just hope that most cops still think of scooters as slowpokes incapable of speeding compared to a crotch rocket. Unless you're blasting down the freeway, then all bets are off!

And Connecticut too, IIRC.

Best info I could find was that Connecticut repealed their radar detector law in 1998. Several states do regulate radar detector use in some vehicles, so please check your local laws. YMMV.

I haven't had one for about five years now, but in My Hayabusa days (2000-2003) I 'wore' a Bel cordless detector in the inside breast pocket of my jacket wired to an earplug speaker in my helmet.

It was effective to a useful degree, but usually only in detecting radar being used against traffic ahead of me, or if the police unit was 'leaking' enough to give it's presence away before I came into range.

Occasionally the Bel would detect a radar unit coming from the rear if the signal was being reflected back to me from objects ahead like signs and billboards.

Instant-on police radar will get you every time if you're the intended 'target' or you're the first one to get in it's way regardless of the detector used....in a lot of cases, all the 'beeping' warning really means is 'Pay up sucker".

I managed to only 'earn' two speeding tickets on the Hayabusa in the three years and 37,000 miles I owned it, that's not too bad considering the glorius mayhem the bike was capable of every time the key was turned.

I could have used that Bel detector one time since, and that was the ticket I was given for beating up a Sportster on an uphill race with my 650 Burgman in August 2007 during the Sturgis rally.

PM'd you Dan's email address.
He would be a good one to ask about this. He has been using them since the escort in the early 80's...

I had a detector for many years and seemed to get a ticket every year or two. It was kind of distracting, always barking at something besides a cop. When my last one got stolen I decided to just stay within 10 mph of the speed limit, and haven't had a ticket for a dozen or so years. Much more relaxing. Hardly any jurisdictions will ticket for less than 10 mph, except for school zones with kids present or similar safety situations.

Poor Bend Cyclist can't post for awhile now - he has been annointed with the 'Evil' moniker for having 666 posts (nice touch admins!). Maybe he can stay off MV until Halloween is over!

Desi B.

I have used a Valentine One since 1994 constantly upgraded with their latest goodies (at a fair price, they let you upgrade). Literally within a week of getting a new car I hardwire the V1. I run from NC to ME and NC to MA several times a year and straight through VA, for 14 years it has NEVER been detected - it is stealth. When heading north (I drive it through the night) I usually cross the Hudson around sunrise, and CT shortly after. The V1 has been a lifesaver when really running fast, but you must use common sense.

To be completely honest though, I would never think I would need a detector on a scooter. A few miles to 10-15 over the limit one should be alert enough to deal with the situation, IMHO. Even running 80 mph on my GTS in a 65, as long as I am not the only one, I just don't worry about it. If you are the lone ranger you will get caught, V1 or not. Don't be foolish. Ride within your limits, mind the weather and the traffic.

If I ever get a new BMW GS where I could run with tons of camping junk incredbily fast, I would install a V1 on that.

For the record, I do get to Germany regularly and have experience running 155 mph +

Here is a pic from last year in a BMW M6:

I don't know what radar detectors work best ... but Hillary swears by her newest radar scrambling device!

Ride within the speed limit.

When necessary....