Radar/Laser Detectors

Sentinel · September 19th, 2013, 12:02 PM

OK so I was trolling the pics thread when I saw a dude with a red N250 sporting (the bike, not the dude) a radar detector.

WTF?

I mean - seriously?

I know - you can go 65 in a 35 easy-peasy, but still....

Lemme think about it......

OK - so it's not so crazy.

Is there an accessory wire set up in the fairing I could grab as detector power?

Falcor · September 19th, 2013, 12:09 PM

Radar detectors aren't going to save you from a speeding ticket. They are meant for fast cars or bikes so they know when to gun it to run away. They CAN potentially warn you a split second before they capture your speed to slow down some but 9/10 times they already have your speed by the time that thing goes off.

Alex · September 19th, 2013, 01:44 PM

I don't run one on the ninjette, but that's less due to its inherent speeding capabilities, and more due to just not having a ton of room in the cockpit. I continue to run them on larger sport touring bikes, as they are easier to integrate.

The new-gen 250 and the 300 don't have accessory ports like the pre-gen 250 did, but it's not challenging to find a switch power lead to splice into to run any low-current accessory like a detector.

dfox · September 19th, 2013, 02:53 PM

with widespread use of laser systems, no, radar detectors are useless.

use judgement. it'll keep you out of 99% of tickets if you're even somewhat intelligent about it.

Alex · September 19th, 2013, 03:39 PM

They are by no means foolproof, due to laser taking off, as well as LEO's using the instant-on features available in all modern radar units. But every once in awhile they can save you. This summer, over a 16,000 mile trip, it saved me twice, giving me enough time to slow down prior to passing a radar trap.

choneofakind · September 19th, 2013, 04:05 PM

Backup plan, act nice when you get pulled over. For sure saved me from 2 tickets.

rasta · September 19th, 2013, 04:09 PM

I have a Valentine 1 radar. Industry standard, for ~$400. Saved me from a ticket when I initially got it. Back in June, I had it on and was cruising in my cage. Saw a cop at the bottom of a hill with his gun pointed right at me. Thanks to the hill, I was going 75 in a 55.

Cops are smart these days. If they're not carrying a laser, they'll wait until they see you to turn their radar on. Which makes having a detector pointless because once you see a cop, it's too late. When all was said and done, the ticket cost a total of $418.

If anyone wants to buy my Valentine 1 in MINT condition, I'll be more than happy to sell it lol.

Tigerpaw · September 19th, 2013, 04:44 PM

In the car...

I think they are still useful, even with laser. Mine will go off if the cop is using it on people way ahead of me. Not a huge cushion, but cheaper than a ticket.

big-daddy-59 · September 20th, 2013, 12:58 PM

Then of course, there's those of us for whom having a radar detector would result in a bigger fine anyway. I live in the state of Virginia, and they've been illegal here since before I first moved here in 1987.

rasta · September 20th, 2013, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big-daddy-59

Then of course, there's those of us for whom having a radar detector would result in a bigger fine anyway. I live in the state of Virginia, and they've been illegal here since before I first moved here in 1987.

That stinks! In the story I posted above, the cop saw my radar (I put it on the floor after I saw him blurp me, but he still saw it). He said, "Yeah, those don't work as well anymore because we wait until we see you to turn the radar on."

Although him seeing the radar pretty much canceled out any chance I had of getting off with a warning.

CC Cowboy · September 20th, 2013, 01:06 PM

I had one on a Yamaha Venture Royale I took across Canada back in the 80's. When I got home I got rid of both.

Tigerpaw · September 20th, 2013, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

I had one on a Yamaha Venture Royale I took across Canada back in the 80's. When I got home I got rid of both.

The Yammy couldn't outrun the mounties?

CC Cowboy · September 20th, 2013, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tigerpaw

The Yammy couldn't outrun the mounties?

That bike aout ran my buddy on his 82 GS1000S Katana. I'm just not the windshield, saddle bag kinda guy. I though it looked like Prince's bike. It was fun once. Got old fast. Felt like a two wheel sports car instead of a motorcycle.

dfox · September 20th, 2013, 02:31 PM

with radar, they can help if there are cars ahead of you, you can see even the instant-on radar if the officer is trying to get the speed of someone in front of you. but, in my opinion, watching the brake lights of the cars in front of you is easier and cheaper.

they do nothing with laser. they're generally pin-point beams that are aimed at your headlights/grill/front license plate, not your windshield. Unless that beam directly hits your unit, you're sol.

radar detectors give a false sense of security these days. it's better to not have one and force yourself to pay attention, imo. I have driven across the country twice, at a good clip, with no tickets.

Soujyu · September 20th, 2013, 03:05 PM

I'm one of those who has put a radar detector on their bike, and from what most folks have mentioned here, the cops are using laser and instant-on techniques to basically render them fairly worthless especially if you are the only one on the road.

I've been toying with installing a laser jammer, though.

jackliu239 · September 20th, 2013, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

The new-gen 250 and the 300 don't have accessory ports like the pre-gen 250 did, but it's not challenging to find a switch power lead to splice into to run any low-current accessory like a detector.

Where is this accessory ports located?

xSean13 · September 20th, 2013, 03:10 PM

Hmmm, on familiar routes, I know the possible hiding spots for police to sit in and shoot radar, so I'll slow down accordingly or hide behind a big truck or something.

Alex · September 20th, 2013, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackliu239

Where is this accessory ports located?

There are 2 sets of them. One pair of wires is behind the dashboard near the front of the bike. Look at the main wiring harness for two wires that aren't connected to anything; one of them is the pos and the other is the negative. The second set is on the right side of the bike behind that small removable body panel.

More (but related) info in these threads:

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=3056
http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=141222

Shofet · September 21st, 2013, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falcor

Radar detectors aren't going to save you from a speeding ticket. They are meant for fast cars or bikes so they know when to gun it to run away. They CAN potentially warn you a split second before they capture your speed to slow down some but 9/10 times they already have your speed by the time that thing goes off.

Not true at ALL.

Cops will shoot the cars in front of you first, thereby notifying your detector up to a mile (in optimal conditions) in advance. Sometimes they are faulty, yes.

If you're all alone on the road, then yes as soon as your detector goes off you're already hit and boom too late.

My whole family owns Valentine 1's and they can attest to the numerous times it's warned them seconds in advance, just enough to drop from 75-80 to a safe 65.

Falcor · September 21st, 2013, 01:46 PM

IF you have someone in front of you. if you have a radar detector on your bike and you speed, otherwise why would you have one? Why would you be right behind somebody. Wishful thinking, cops will always target a sport bike or car first.

But like I said it IS possible to be warned ahead of time sometimes and slow down, so technically I am partially true not completely untrue.

Rugby Winger · September 21st, 2013, 02:25 PM

I have a radar and laser jammer on my car. It jams the signal for a second allowing to slow down. It has never let me down.

View Poll Results: Radar detector?
Heck yeah. I never ride naked, even on Puny Pony.	4	33.33%
LOL Hell No, WTF? You gonna speed with 11 horsepower?	8	66.67%
Voters: 12. You may not vote on this poll

September 19th, 2013, 12:02 PM	#1
Sentinel ninjette.org newbie Name: Mars Location: Bremerton Join Date: Sep 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2007 N500, 2010 N250, 2011 N1000. Posts: 6	Radar/Laser Detectors OK so I was trolling the pics thread when I saw a dude with a red N250 sporting (the bike, not the dude) a radar detector. WTF? I mean - seriously? I know - you can go 65 in a 35 easy-peasy, but still.... Lemme think about it...... OK - so it's not so crazy. Is there an accessory wire set up in the fairing I could grab as detector power?

September 19th, 2013, 01:44 PM	#3
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	I don't run one on the ninjette, but that's less due to its inherent speeding capabilities, and more due to just not having a ton of room in the cockpit. I continue to run them on larger sport touring bikes, as they are easier to integrate. The new-gen 250 and the 300 don't have accessory ports like the pre-gen 250 did, but it's not challenging to find a switch power lead to splice into to run any low-current accessory like a detector. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

September 19th, 2013, 03:39 PM	#5
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	They are by no means foolproof, due to laser taking off, as well as LEO's using the instant-on features available in all modern radar units. But every once in awhile they can save you. This summer, over a 16,000 mile trip, it saved me twice, giving me enough time to slow down prior to passing a radar trap. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

September 19th, 2013, 04:44 PM	#8
Tigerpaw ninjette.org guru Name: Tom Location: Dayton, OH Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 '09 Boulevard C50. '08 250r(TOTALED BY DEER) Posts: 467	In the car... I think they are still useful, even with laser. Mine will go off if the cop is using it on people way ahead of me. Not a huge cushion, but cheaper than a ticket. __________________________________________________ CHEERS!!!

September 19th, 2013, 12:09 PM	#2
Falcor The Luck Dragon Name: William Location: Stuart, FL Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja ZX-6R B/W Posts: 738	Radar detectors aren't going to save you from a speeding ticket. They are meant for fast cars or bikes so they know when to gun it to run away. They CAN potentially warn you a split second before they capture your speed to slow down some but 9/10 times they already have your speed by the time that thing goes off.

September 19th, 2013, 02:53 PM	#4
dfox ninjette.org sage Name: Fox Location: Boston Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): 08 250R Posts: 881	with widespread use of laser systems, no, radar detectors are useless. use judgement. it'll keep you out of 99% of tickets if you're even somewhat intelligent about it.

September 19th, 2013, 04:05 PM	#6
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	Backup plan, act nice when you get pulled over. For sure saved me from 2 tickets.

September 19th, 2013, 04:09 PM	#7
rasta Your face Name: Wes Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Honda CBR650f Posts: A lot.	I have a Valentine 1 radar. Industry standard, for ~$400. Saved me from a ticket when I initially got it. Back in June, I had it on and was cruising in my cage. Saw a cop at the bottom of a hill with his gun pointed right at me. Thanks to the hill, I was going 75 in a 55. Cops are smart these days. If they're not carrying a laser, they'll wait until they see you to turn their radar on. Which makes having a detector pointless because once you see a cop, it's too late. When all was said and done, the ticket cost a total of $418. If anyone wants to buy my Valentine 1 in MINT condition, I'll be more than happy to sell it lol.

September 20th, 2013, 12:58 PM	#9
big-daddy-59 ninjette.org newbie Name: Frank Location: Southwest Virginia Join Date: Sep 2013 Motorcycle(s): none yet Posts: 8	Then of course, there's those of us for whom having a radar detector would result in a bigger fine anyway. I live in the state of Virginia, and they've been illegal here since before I first moved here in 1987.

September 20th, 2013, 01:06 PM	#11
CC Cowboy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Whodat Location: Ware Is.,MA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '13, Jun '14	I had one on a Yamaha Venture Royale I took across Canada back in the 80's. When I got home I got rid of both. __________________________________________________ If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough!

September 20th, 2013, 02:31 PM	#14
dfox ninjette.org sage Name: Fox Location: Boston Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): 08 250R Posts: 881	with radar, they can help if there are cars ahead of you, you can see even the instant-on radar if the officer is trying to get the speed of someone in front of you. but, in my opinion, watching the brake lights of the cars in front of you is easier and cheaper. they do nothing with laser. they're generally pin-point beams that are aimed at your headlights/grill/front license plate, not your windshield. Unless that beam directly hits your unit, you're sol. radar detectors give a false sense of security these days. it's better to not have one and force yourself to pay attention, imo. I have driven across the country twice, at a good clip, with no tickets.

September 20th, 2013, 03:05 PM	#15
Soujyu ninjette.org sage Name: W Location: Austin, TX Join Date: Mar 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250R (sold), 2012 Tuono V4R Posts: 512	I'm one of those who has put a radar detector on their bike, and from what most folks have mentioned here, the cops are using laser and instant-on techniques to basically render them fairly worthless especially if you are the only one on the road. I've been toying with installing a laser jammer, though. __________________________________________________ 2010 Kawasaki Ninja 250R - "Aria" (sold) 2012 Aprilia Tuono V4R - "Perrine" Proof that Harleys and Ninjettes are friendly with each other

September 20th, 2013, 03:10 PM	#17
xSean13 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Sean Location: Middle TN Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250r (sold) / '03 CBR 600RR Posts: A lot.	Hmmm, on familiar routes, I know the possible hiding spots for police to sit in and shoot radar, so I'll slow down accordingly or hide behind a big truck or something.

September 21st, 2013, 01:46 PM	#20
Falcor The Luck Dragon Name: William Location: Stuart, FL Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja ZX-6R B/W Posts: 738	IF you have someone in front of you. if you have a radar detector on your bike and you speed, otherwise why would you have one? Why would you be right behind somebody. Wishful thinking, cops will always target a sport bike or car first. But like I said it IS possible to be warned ahead of time sometimes and slow down, so technically I am partially true not completely untrue.

September 21st, 2013, 02:25 PM	#21
Rugby Winger ninjette.org member Name: Roderick Location: Missouri City, Texas (Greater Houston) Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 60	I have a radar and laser jammer on my car. It jams the signal for a second allowing to slow down. It has never let me down.

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