Valentine And Rain

Yamaha FJR Motorcycle Forum

Help Support Yamaha FJR Motorcycle Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
When it rains, I just cover my tank bag where my V1 is mounted and connected to my Mix-It audio multiplexer/amplifier. I can easily remove the V1 remote display and still have the audio output to my helmet.
Right on.

Thanks for the reply(s) - (LGizmo). It's a shame to spend that much on a radar detectors and not be able to hear it. I went with the Mix-it 2. As for the visual aspect, well the warning lights are just plain ineffective when exposed to direct sunlight. I'm trying to find a good place to mount the remote. The top of the tank bag doesn't seem to work all that well, but it is an improvement. Looks like a dash shelf will solve the problem. I have to substitute beauty over function thou.

RE: Keeping the V-1 in the tank bag:

Stupid Question Time: Doesn't the V-1 (or generally speaking, any radar detectors) require line-of-sight to be effective?

 
I think line of sight is only necessary for the laser detection....

Ooops... just read Jestal's answer and ignore mine... :rolleyes:

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Agree. I always had mine in the tank bag. Of course the locator arrows are worthless this way but the audio is all you need to slow down, right?

 
When it rains, I just cover my tank bag where my V1 is mounted and connected to my Mix-It audio multiplexer/amplifier.  I can easily remove the V1 remote display and still have the audio output to my helmet.
Right on.

Thanks for the reply(s) - (LGizmo). It's a shame to spend that much on a radar detectors and not be able to hear it. I went with the Mix-it 2. As for the visual aspect, well the warning lights are just plain ineffective when exposed to direct sunlight. I'm trying to find a good place to mount the remote. The top of the tank bag doesn't seem to work all that well, but it is an improvement. Looks like a dash shelf will solve the problem. I have to substitute beauty over function thou.

RE: Keeping the V-1 in the tank bag:

Stupid Question Time: Doesn't the V-1 (or generally speaking, any radar detectors) require line-of-sight to be effective?
For laser protection/detection - yes.

For radar protection/detection - no.

Radar will penetrate soft materials and a V1 will work about as well inside a tank bag as outside. Laser requires line of sight and translucent materials.
Thanks, all.

Woh: Where did I miss this little tidbit of info (maybe I should fully read the friggen manual)?

It's nice to know I can throw the detector in the tank bag and know it still works.

As for the "V-1 vs. Laser", my first experience went like this:

the V-1 goes “ape-shit” about the time the LEO lit me up.

So, shortly later, the conversation goes like this:

Officer: License, registration, and proof of insurance, please? (BTW: I’m in my cage). So he looks inside my car: "Is that a radar detector?"

Me: Yes.

Officer: Did it go off?

Me: Yes; but, apparently, not soon enough.

This story aside, the V-1 has twice since saved me from Laser hits - now that I know what to look for.

Bottom line: laser detection in rarely needed in the rain.

Again, thanks all.

 
It's nice to have the laser detection but it really isn't anything more than a toy in my opinion as it will not give you any warning that is really usefull.
Must respectfully disagree to some extent. It depends primarily on the situation at hand. Imagine two lanes east bound in big city rush hour traffic with an entrance ramp from the right. Traffic running 10-20 mph over posted limit & excursions above & below to help traffic merge. Laser speed trap 1/2-3/4 miles ahead with laser being aimed at the oncoming stream of nearest cars aternately in both lanes. My radar/laser detector (Escort 8500), many autos back (perhaps 1/4-1/2 mile) in the line of cars will generally trigger the alarm as the angle from the laser is not much different and at that distance there is sufficient laser beam spread as well as reflections off of other vechicles, etc. True, not as reliable as detecting a radar signal but still useful enough on occasion to be have paid for itself in saved ticket/added insurance costs on laser alone. The usefulness/dependability is dependant on the situation.

 
Radar will penetrate soft materials and a V1 will work about as well inside a tank bag as outside. Laser requires line of sight and translucent materials.
Key characteristics of the V-1 are that it shows the direction of the signal that sets it off, as well as the number of bogies it's tracking. To mount the thing in your tank bag eliminates any advantage you may gain from these features (e.g. knowing that you're being paced from behind or in the midst of a multiple cop action).

Zip-locks and the little storage hats work fine. After a thousand miles of insects, nothing's going to look good, anyway, so don't fret it. Did you buy the scooter to ride, or to look pretty while sitting on it?

Yoicks,

a.....

 
There just isn't much protection against laser. It is so instantaneous and so focused on one vehicle that nothing really helps. The times I have encountered laser the "warnings" from the detector were not what saved me.
The other problem with laser detection these days is that the center high mounted LED brakelights of some vehicles set it off and the Lexus adaptable cruise uses a laser signal that also sets off the V1.

It's nice to have the laser detection but it really isn't anything more than a toy in my opinion as it will not give you any warning that is really usefull.
Yah know, I'd agree with that.

Experience has taught me that with "Laser" radar, all I know is WHEN I'm getting ticketed.

But, I've learned not to put total trust into the V-1 anymore. I now know to watch the roads with the same intensity that I did before I had it, and that is working well, so far.

The V-1 has saved my butt twice since then, during laser pops, just because I know what I'm looking for (LEO's w/ Lasers). I know this isn't quantifiable logic, but if you are within 5-10 mph of the speed limit, I believe the V-1 gives you a fighting chance to shut it down in time. But, then again, maybe, I was just lucky those times!!!

I like the idea of leaving it in the tank bag and slowing way down while riding in the rain.

 
No shelf here, I have a dedicated mount for the Escort 8500. When it rains and I'm at speed I just go with it, a few wind driven drops have not harmed it in the past. It is mounted behind the W/S on the left side. if I slow to where its getting wet or the rain reminds me of the jungle, in the tank bag it go's---unplugged. The H.a.r.d. system just has to deal with it...I'm not stopping fer nothin'. I do use electricians tape to cover the case on the H.A.R.D. and most especially the "legal speeding" logo. It's tough to talk your way out of a ticket with that plastered to the side of your head

Jeff S

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Cars were between you and the cop using the laser and you were shielded. I have been in that situation a number of times and really don't even count that as a "save" as I wasn't the one targeted with the laser. I still say that the detectors are virtually useless against laser for a warning..
Gotta go with you on this one, as that is exactly what happened to me.

More luck than anything else.

 
Top