Radar Detectors???
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 8,251
Likes: 3,990
From: Windwardside, Saba N.A.
This thread made me think (which is rare enough by itself).
In fifty-three years riding motors, I've NEVER had a ticket on a motor. Never.
Been needlessly hassled by too many cops, but never got a ticket. Never.
Had a few in cars, trucks etc, but never on a motor.
Being an old road racer I've had very few traffic citations, and I attribute that to situational awareness because I damn sure sometimes exceed the posted limit.
Can't remember the last ticket I got, maybe ten years ago. In my 4WD Suburban.
Run a hotrod Valentine One in the truck, modified by the same E-Systems guys that do the ones for Red Flag Aggressor Squadron pilots. Something to do with custom varactor-tuned Gunn diode circuit. Damn sure works for me. Like my dog, it's not for sale.
In fifty-three years riding motors, I've NEVER had a ticket on a motor. Never.
Been needlessly hassled by too many cops, but never got a ticket. Never.
Had a few in cars, trucks etc, but never on a motor.
Being an old road racer I've had very few traffic citations, and I attribute that to situational awareness because I damn sure sometimes exceed the posted limit.
Can't remember the last ticket I got, maybe ten years ago. In my 4WD Suburban.
Run a hotrod Valentine One in the truck, modified by the same E-Systems guys that do the ones for Red Flag Aggressor Squadron pilots. Something to do with custom varactor-tuned Gunn diode circuit. Damn sure works for me. Like my dog, it's not for sale.
Last edited by Sierra977; Sep 23, 2015 at 06:23 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 9
From: la grange, il (near chicago)
wenterkin
when i do use a radar detector, it is more so i can avoid a ticket because of missing a speed limit sign or getting caught not paying attention to the speed, not so i CAN speed.
usually i go about 3 mph faster than traffic. i just feel safer not being with traffic
no traffic, i go around 2-3 over
but there have been times when i got caught because i missed a sign and didn't slow down, or like got off the xpressway and went was i thought was 35 but actually 50
having two cars, one being smooth and quiet as silk and the other one a real noisy bumby cage, you can get lulled in the silk
when i do use a radar detector, it is more so i can avoid a ticket because of missing a speed limit sign or getting caught not paying attention to the speed, not so i CAN speed.
usually i go about 3 mph faster than traffic. i just feel safer not being with traffic
no traffic, i go around 2-3 over
but there have been times when i got caught because i missed a sign and didn't slow down, or like got off the xpressway and went was i thought was 35 but actually 50
having two cars, one being smooth and quiet as silk and the other one a real noisy bumby cage, you can get lulled in the silk
I'll give the cops' perspective on detectors. Although I can't speak for every officer anywhere, I've been doing this a long time, and most my brethren tend to feel the same.
When I am using radar, it is not transmitting full time. I identify my target, then hit them with the beam. All the detector does is tells the driver they're about to be pulled over.
When walking up to the vehicle, the presence of a detector (or the suction cup print on the windshield and power cord going under the seat or in the console) is what I call my descretionary decision maker and write for the entire amount. I consider those who use detectors to have made the choice to violate the speed, and cut no breaks. On the other hand, if no detector, and not doing something stupid, driver will most likely get warning or reduced fine.
Just my thoughts.
When I am using radar, it is not transmitting full time. I identify my target, then hit them with the beam. All the detector does is tells the driver they're about to be pulled over.
When walking up to the vehicle, the presence of a detector (or the suction cup print on the windshield and power cord going under the seat or in the console) is what I call my descretionary decision maker and write for the entire amount. I consider those who use detectors to have made the choice to violate the speed, and cut no breaks. On the other hand, if no detector, and not doing something stupid, driver will most likely get warning or reduced fine.
Just my thoughts.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 428
Likes: 153
From: Raleigh NC
I have an Escort Max in my car but I also run an app on my phone called WAZE, which is a GPS but also will tell you traffic and the location of police officers (provided you have other people in the area running the app and will hit the button when they see an officer of the law running radar). I initially questioned if Waze was actually accurate, and I can tell you that it warned me of every officer at least a mile quicker than my detector did pretty much on every trip I have gone on in the car over the last year. So instead of running the detector on the bike with all the associated "stuff" to make it work, I just use my phone instead...for those that have never tried it, its a free app....its friggen AWESOME!! It warns of road hazards, cars pulled on the side of the road, and is the most accurate GPS I own (better than my TomTom or Garmin, as it uses google maps which is always up to date) plus its FREE!!!!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 4,726
Likes: 1,787
From: Toledo ohio
radar
I have never used radar on a motorcycle or car. Just another distraction. In fact, after 3 ultras, I switched to a Roadking. Lots less distraction and can actually hear the pipes again. That being said, I got only one speeding ticket years ago, coming up over a hill and passed a cop, he pulled me over, and said I "looked like" I was speeding. I went to court, had it reduced to 55 in a 50 and 1 point, and insurance didn't get notified (Maryland). Glad they didn't catch me doing 101 on my RK in a 50. LOL
Last edited by Magnut1; Sep 30, 2015 at 10:47 AM. Reason: added when
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