Anyone using a Radar Detector?
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 334
Likes: 12
From: Central Cal
They still can't detect a radar or laser that isn't switched on. Besides a laser once it hits you its too late. There is no early warning unless you are getting signal from the laser hitting another car. When that tone goes off you are caught. As for radar some of the traffic cops will wait till the last second and flip the switch. I think having a radar detector is useless and just another piece of clutter but that's just my opinion. Setting cruise at 5 over will save a lot of heartache and money.
A good radar detector will detect an instant on radar gun from a long ways away. You will know he is around long before he sees you. However if the cop is using lidar (laser) and you dont have a laser jammer you are probably gonna be toast. Before I got a radar detector in my cage I usually relied on hiding behind another car when I would see a CHP parked perpendicularly on the side of the road. That is the only way he is going to tag you with a laser. Imagine a sniper shooting through his scope. That is what a cop has to do with laser. If the cop is parked along the side of the road with traffic, he probably has radar Ka band turned on. That is easy to detect from approx. 1/2 mile away.
As far as Jammers being illegal in California, yes they are. But the citation is the equivalent to getting a tinted windows ticket. It is just a fix it ticket. So speeding ticket vs fis it ticket. Ill go with the later.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 863
Likes: 1,318
From: So Cal
Do you have a part number for that? Looks to have been called Harley-Davidson Road Tech 75 and built in 2004.
https://www.escortradar.com/pr072204.php
N/M found it. p/n 99699-04
https://www.escortradar.com/pdf/roadtech75manual.pdf
https://www.escortradar.com/pr072204.php
N/M found it. p/n 99699-04
https://www.escortradar.com/pdf/roadtech75manual.pdf
That would be the one. Anybody know why Harley stopped selling it?
I'm assuming liability, but I could be wrong.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
Before I retired I used instant on radar guns. They recorded and locked in the speed in an instant. Immediately after that I would see the speeder's front end dip down under hard braking.
I felt they were fined twice, first for the cost of the unit then the cost of the fine. Possibly more if they had equipment issues, no seat belt or other matters of concern. I would load up on anyone that was trying to get by evading speed limits with electronic devices. It was poetic justice.
I felt they were fined twice, first for the cost of the unit then the cost of the fine. Possibly more if they had equipment issues, no seat belt or other matters of concern. I would load up on anyone that was trying to get by evading speed limits with electronic devices. It was poetic justice.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 501
Likes: 136
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,385
Likes: 252
From: Southern California
The only value to having a Radar Detector these days is to:
- Let you know to look at your speedometer to see if you just got busted. That way you can pull over and wait for the Leo before they have to hit their lights.
- To intentionally **** off the Leo when he pulls you over so that you'll get a thorough, no charge, safety inspection of your bike as well as one or more citations for any additional infractions found.
- Help you to identify any and all businesses that have automatic doors.
They still can't detect a radar or laser that isn't switched on. Besides a laser once it hits you its too late. There is no early warning unless you are getting signal from the laser hitting another car. When that tone goes off you are caught. As for radar some of the traffic cops will wait till the last second and flip the switch. I think having a radar detector is useless and just another piece of clutter but that's just my opinion. Setting cruise at 5 over will save a lot of heartache and money.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 520
Likes: 37
From: houston, tx
I have the leftover remnants of the Whistler Crusader on my bike but broke a few years ago. If i could figure out how to remove the 2" round gauge from the dash and replace it with something then that will be the last piece. (think it died a slow death due to moisture getting into the display.)
Other than that, no need for a unit in a Harley around here. Seems that Harley's aren't at the top of the list to pull over for speeding. When i had a CBR600 I was running a V1 and laser blinders, but since then laser jammers are illegal in Texas and newer cars are equipped with blind spot radar, cruise control radar, automatic braking radar; and whatever else that puts off K or Ka signals and drives my V1 nuts.
Other than that, no need for a unit in a Harley around here. Seems that Harley's aren't at the top of the list to pull over for speeding. When i had a CBR600 I was running a V1 and laser blinders, but since then laser jammers are illegal in Texas and newer cars are equipped with blind spot radar, cruise control radar, automatic braking radar; and whatever else that puts off K or Ka signals and drives my V1 nuts.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,776
Likes: 2,252
From: wet coast BC
I once thought about a radar detector and decided against. I admit that I use the posted signs as a suggestion and drive to road conditions and my ability.
constantly aware of my surroundings I slow down before speed traps and nod to the officer going by.
There must be something to this method as so far I have only one ticket and that was when the city lowered the limit while I was at work and forgot to tell me about it in advance.
Not going to play the techno game. If I get pulled over then I was not paying attention and deserve it.
constantly aware of my surroundings I slow down before speed traps and nod to the officer going by.
There must be something to this method as so far I have only one ticket and that was when the city lowered the limit while I was at work and forgot to tell me about it in advance.
Not going to play the techno game. If I get pulled over then I was not paying attention and deserve it.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 35
Likes: 12
From: WA
Before I retired I used instant on radar guns. They recorded and locked in the speed in an instant. Immediately after that I would see the speeder's front end dip down under hard braking.
I felt they were fined twice, first for the cost of the unit then the cost of the fine. Possibly more if they had equipment issues, no seat belt or other matters of concern. I would load up on anyone that was trying to get by evading speed limits with electronic devices. It was poetic justice.
I felt they were fined twice, first for the cost of the unit then the cost of the fine. Possibly more if they had equipment issues, no seat belt or other matters of concern. I would load up on anyone that was trying to get by evading speed limits with electronic devices. It was poetic justice.
And the people using radar to trip detectors and cause people to brake - you might be the biggest idiots of all. Will you still be laughing when someone gets in a serious accident because they weren't expecting the car in front of them to suddenly slam on their brakes? Or how about when they slam on their brakes and careen into the bike next to them? I guess that's funny right? It's okay to put other people's lives and safety at risk because you were entertained.
I hope I never have to share the road with anyone in this thread talking this nonsense, cuz y'all are exactly the type that makes motorcycling dangerous.
Last edited by DaveTheDude; Jun 18, 2019 at 04:32 PM.
