Does anybody know anything about a radar detection system put on a zx14? If so please let me know. What ever information anybody has to give please feel free to let me know. The cost, how it works and if it works, if its worth putting on your zx14. Thank you.

Please tell me you wear more gear than what's in that picture while riding...

ZX142009,

First I would find out if RADAR detectors are legal in your state. If so, then start researching the different kinds of detectors on the market. I know Cobra, Whistler and Escort make OK off the shelf units. You can go into Best Buy or any electronic/car stereo store and ask the salesperson questions.

Now, for mounting the unit, I use a Ram mount for my GPS, RAM-Mount. They have a lot of mounts for different things. Checkout the web site. Then you would need to power it too. That means installing a 12V power plug (cigarette lighter plug), I have not, my GPS runs on batteries.

Now if you want to know how a RADAR works, here is a link to Basic Radar Operations, Basic Radar

Hope this helps!

BearsZX72

* Last updated by: BearsZX72 on 9/23/2010 @ 12:53 PM *

Ok BearsZX72. Thank you. And no loadedmind I don't wear all my gear all the time I ride. I usually wear it around this time of the year. During the summer it gets so hot that wearing all that gear will dehydrate me. I usually wear pants and a long sleave shirt.

zx142009: Here is my rant on gear.

First, I realize we've never met and you don't know me from Adam, but let me start off by saying that, because you're on this forum and because you're a fellow rider, I automatically genuinely care for your well being as much as I do everyone else here on this board. Seriously.

I really wish you'd reconsider your gear choice - regardless of the weather. I've been down twice now: once on a ZX-14 and once before on a Yamaha FZR600. Thank God, both times, I was wearing full gear. I realize how hot it gets because it was near 100 most of the time during our summer over here and plenty of humidity to go along with it.

When I started back riding a little over a year ago, I had a regular jacket I wore during the cooler months and gloves to go along with it, as well as a half balaclava for the neck. When it got hotter, I went out and bought myself a summer mesh jacket, complete with CE-approved armor in all the right areas: shoulders, elbows and back. When you shop for a mesh jacket that breathes, make sure you look at the label to ensure it's not 100% polyester because this material doesn't do well when friction is applied on one side with your skin on the other side. I then bought a pair of summer gloves that breathe much more than the other pair used during cooler riding days. Lastly, I bought some Alpinestars boots that actually breathe while at speed. I found a guy on Craigslist selling them super cheap.

If you're in stop-n-go traffic, even though all this gear breathes quite well, I sweat my butt off, but, fortunately, where I live, there's not all that much traffic - about 5-10 minutes worth during my 30-mile commute. If you have the situation where your commute is almost all stop-n-go traffic, please don't let this deter you from wearing all of the aforementioned gear (and get some kevlar jeans if you can) and just be sure to keep some water in your tank bag, or use a bladder backpack system to keep yourself hydrated. I really want you to avoid having to pick asphalt out of your skin should the unthinkable happen. It's no fun. I've watched it and heard the poor fellow scream bloody murder the whole time. I don't ever want you to have to go through that. No man should have to and, thankfully, with today's technology and the right decisions made, you CAN avoid all of this completely. You'll see the acronym ATGATT on this and other forums. All the gear, all the time. I care what happens to you and the rest of the folks here. Please, please wear the gear despite how much of a pain in the butt it might seem.
END RANT

Now, about laser and radar. Depending on where you live and what your police force has been budgeted for, you may not have to worry about laser as much as other regions of the U.S. You're bound to know someone who knows someone who's on the police force and can get an inside tip on what's being used to detect speeders. Try and find out what's predominantly used. That said, I'd still recommend you buy the latest and greatest based on what your budget/conscience will allow. Laser is one of those things that, if he's tagging you and no one else, you're done for - unLESS, you have an effective laser-jamming device onboard. These vary quite a bit and you'll hear plenty of wild claims about what they can/can't do. Laser is line of sight. It's instant. Without something to "confuse" that laser as he aims it and presses the trigger, nothing in the world will keep him from getting an accurate read-out of your speed. Traffic lawyers hate seeing Laser as the device used for detection on speeding tickets because it's a death sentence most every time. The only ammo lawyers have, when defending your case, is contributing factors (such as environmental surroundings) to trip up the cop.

There is a man who blogs about his real-world experiences with cross-country travel using laser jamming devices, as well as radar (K, X, Ka band, etc). You can check him out here Specifically, check this one which is specific to laser jamming and the technology used behind it all.

As you'd probably imagine, there's plenty of information out there on the "interwebs" regarding the use of laser jamming and different ways to get around being detected. What's important to understand about laser is that it's nothing like radar and is more accurate than any previous speed detection devices used by law enforcement - period.

Right now, after researching several different detectors, the one I've found that keeps coming out on top is the Escort Passport 9500 series. Granted, it's $500 and it can't really help you with laser, but it has a feature where it automatically marks a spot (using GPS) when a legitimate tag from LEO happens as well as false positives from things like store's door sensors so that it's more effective as you continue to use it.

Going back to laser - the best you can hope for is to have the detector go off because the LEO tagged vehicles in front of you. This is why it's important not to stand out in a crowd of cars. Example - three-lane highway where a clump of cars, 5 or so, are in the middle and far right lanes. You come zipping past them doing 10mph or so more in the far left lane. You're an easy target. And, I don't have to tell you this, doing 10+ more than other vehicles is EXTREMELY easy to do on our bikes. So, you need to pick your time/place for speeding. It's a numbers thing - the more often you speed, the better your chances of getting caught, like anything else really.

Now, let's talk products. The Cheetah M25 is specifically meant for motorcycles and is claimed to be a laser jammer. I haven't spoken with anyone that owns one so I can't give you a real-world analysis, but there are folks on bikeland.org, sport-touring.net and advrider.com that profess its effectiveness. To throw some names at you from people that are in the know about laser devices - Veil Guy (from the previous URL I gave you) is one, Radar Roy is the other. Check out this site for more info on avoiding speed detection on a bike as well as this one which is a top-rated forum for all things speed detection. I use the same username for sites - loadedmind, FYI.

Hope this helps. Again, please reconsider wearing full gear. Please? :)

* Last updated by: loadedmind on 9/24/2010 @ 8:09 AM *

I forgot to post the most important link for laser jamming here. This is the FAQ for laser jamming and has excellent information for anyone even remotely interested in avoiding laser detection along with recommendations for the best laser jammers. Because of the ZX-14's abilities, I recommend everyone on this forum read this article. Here it is if you prefer to copy/paste the URL instead of clicking on ^ that link up there:
http://www.radardetector.net/forums/laser-jammers-general/46293-laser-jammer-frequently-asked-questions-faq-glossary.html

I hear you Erik. And thanks for your insight from a previous LEO's perspective.

It seems, from all the reading I've been doing, that most folks don't really get how laser works and somehow associate the way it works to older radar. Unlike conventional radar, laser is deadly accurate and works 99% of the time. The ONLY way to help you avoid being accurately detected is by attempting to jam the incoming laser. Even the most dedicated, respected laser experts will tell you that even using the most expensive laser jamming equipment is no gauruntee you'll still be undetectable because of the plethora of variables factored into the equation. If you bother to take the time to read the FAQ from that laserjammer website, you'll understand why laser jamming methods are so much more complex than typical radar. And it doesn't help that the laser jammers which are actually effective cost so much - $700 and up. So, $500 for the Escort and $700+ for the laser jammer to truly have even half a chance to avoid that "performance award". Hmmm.. full exhaust, power commander, new jacket or ticket avoidance... lol

I love it when OTHER PEOPLE get pulled over!"'Bout time" I always say I ALWAYS hope it's a drunken driver!

* Last updated by: blue07 on 9/24/2010 @ 11:31 AM *

Aww man thank you for all of that insight about the gear loadedmind. I've been riding for a year now and I jumped from a 600 zx ninja to the beast zx14 only cause I'm 6'6" tall. It looked like I was riding a scooter. Its like night and day. The funny thing is I got a speeding ticket on the 600. But for now on I will definately wear my gear. My co workers all ride and everybody doesn't strap up like that, so me only riding for a year follows the crowd. I would ride with just shorts and a t shirt. Not doing nothing stupid, but you know. Hit about 90 to 100mph some times. Not anymore from the stories that you and the other people been telling me. O yeah I live in Virginia and we can't have radars. If so, pretty yellow ticket will be with me.

Daaaaaamn!!! I don't want no part of that. I need to stay healthy

YUP WEAR YOUR GEAR MATE !!

* Last updated by: bean07 on 9/28/2010 @ 8:43 PM *

yikes bean

In other words, WEAR GEAR PEOPLE. No, it can't save you from having broken bones or even from dying if the accident is serious enough. But, a back protector can keep you from serious damage to the back, the right helmet can save your life, tactically located CE-approved armor can save those other areas in most incidents. Basically, you're giving yourself a sporting chance to survive your next "get off".

Damn bean07, when did that happen? How long where you in the hospital? Any side effects, life long pain or disabilities from this? And what is the back story on the "mishap".

Hey if u go to Cops and Crashes Stories,in Now Im Another Statistic towards the bottem of the second page it'll let yer know! side effects yup I still dont care

* Last updated by: bean07 on 9/30/2010 @ 5:08 AM *

You can find here information for Radar Detectors For Bikes

ATGATT people will come out of the woodwork on this one LOL
I wear a jacket and a full face and gloves as Im a big guy and getting decent pants that will last is darn near harder then flying without wings for bullfrogs ( trying to be nice )
Only thinig worse then a ATGATT person is a dried drunk or a heavy bible thumper or someone who is both

As for gear We know our risks and if I wanted preaching I would go to sunday school . Yeesh guys give him a break I also wouldnt wear shorts but thats my choice not yours or his . We all take the risk we think is ok for OURSELVES not what you may be afraid of . I know some of the guys on the touring forum that wouldnt leave without looking like a stormtrooper and thinking anyone that has a different opinion is stupid or crazy makes me wonder if you are that afraid maybe you should sell your bike and get a car . Lets face it all the gear all the time wont do much good if you hit something straight on at 40 miles a hour .
If this gear makes you invinceable then do you wear it all day even in your car as a helmet would save damage in a car also ?????

now back to the question
I have looked and also am thinking of a lazer jammer as they seem to use those more around here as radar dectors are pretty common and the laser alarm goes off after you have been hit so too late there .
I found that many recomend the radarbusters site with radar roy LO l
cheesy name but his name come up a lot when researching this stuff . so good luck as I cant shell out the $00 to 1K right now and let us know what you think

PS: I would change your Avatar just to get the preaching lowered a bit

As for gear We know our risks and if I wanted preaching I would go to sunday school . Yeesh guys give him a break I also wouldnt wear shorts but thats my choice not yours or his . We all take the risk we think is ok for OURSELVES not what you may be afraid of . I know some of the guys on the touring forum that wouldnt leave without looking like a stormtrooper and thinking anyone that has a different opinion is stupid or crazy makes me wonder if you are that afraid maybe you should sell your bike and get a car . Lets face it all the gear all the time wont do much good if you hit something straight on at 40 miles a hour .
If this gear makes you invinceable then do you wear it all day even in your car as a helmet would save damage in a car also ?????

You can call it preaching, you can call it "mothering" - whatever, I don't care. I'm still a huge proponent of ATGATT and will continue to advocate it until I die. Maybe I just care more about the skin of others than you.. I'm not calling anyone names and I'm not saying they'll go straight to hell if they don't wear gear. I'm saying it might just save you from MONTHS of agony where they're picking gravel out of your skin and muscle tissue - all because of no gear.

How can you possibly compare this to a car? Cars have airbags and seat belts. Sure, you can wear a helmet in a car if you like, but the point is, if you wreck, your skin isn't at risk. It just doesn't make sense to go any faster than 5 mph on a motorcycle, fully exposed to everything, without wearing some sort of protection against the "fleshy parts". Do it if you like - it's your skin, but if the gear is available and, pardon the expression, it doesn't cost you an arm and a leg, why wouldn't you do everything you could to keep yourself from unnecessary agony?

So, call me preachy or whatever - that's fine. I'd rather someone get onto me about that than to see a fellow rider go down without the gear.

Regarding radar detection - the site I mentioned before has just about all the information you could ever hope to find regarding laser jamming and detection technology. Heck, some folks have the same laser guns LEO's use that they'll let you rent for testing purposes. It seems that, the only way (and it's not a sure way) to avoid a ticket is to have both a radar detector AND laser jammer on board, strategically located. And, it should go without saying that you need to check with your state's regulations for what's considered legal. LEO that have been shooting laser for a while now know exactly what to look for if they can't get a reading on you.

CHECK OUT AMAZON.COM...THEY HAVE A WIDE ARRAY OF RAM MOUNTS THAT WILL SUIT YOUR NEEDS.....AND EVEN DIRECT WIRE POWER CORDS SO YOU DONT HAVE TO RUN THOSE UGLY CIG LIGHTER ADAPTERS....HAPPY SHOPPING

Thanks for posting that video scotty - good stuff! When they mention the kill switch, basically, if you're going noticeably faster than traffic around you and you don't bother to slow down, then engage the switch to turn the cheetah off, what will most likely happen is the LEO will take off and pace you, then cite you for what his speedometer says. And, since all police vehicles are required to have their speedometers certified for accuracy (ask me how I know), your chances for getting out of the ticket are pretty slim unless you know a good lawyer. Just be smart about it is all.

* Last updated by: loadedmind on 12/15/2010 @ 7:59 AM *

FYI
"The use of a radar detector in a passenger vehicle is legal in all states with the exception of Virginia, Washington DC. and on military bases.
Radar detectors are illegal in all commercial vehicles weighing over 10,000 pounds
In Canada, the only three provinces that allow their use are Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan.
Many overseas countries also ban their use, such as Portugal, Finland and Spain.
In areas that radar detectors are illegal, law enforcement use a device called the Spectre that is able to detect the use of radar detector in your car or truck. For more information on the Spectre, click here.
Laser Jammers and Radar Jammers are illegal in the states of Nebraska, Minnesota, Utah, California, Oklahoma, Virginia, Colorado, Illinois and Washington DC.
If you decide to use a laser jammer in one of the states that they are outlawed, consider getting the Blinder M-20 or M-40 or the Lidakek LE-30. The Blinder and the Lidatek are the only laser jammers made today that give minimal "error codes" to the police laser guns."