Seeking info:

How well is radar used against small fast moving motorcycles?

Also, detectors are legal in my province but I get the impression I'm going to have to hide it when I tour some of the NW USA this summer. Maybe set it up in my tank bag...

Do cops pull bikes over in the middle of the day in Montana and Wyoming if under 100mph or is it night time speeds that matter?

Montana HiPo and local PoPo will usually allow 5MPH over on highways and 10MPH over on the freeways. But then again that comes down to each officer and his discretion. If you are caught over the speed limit on residential or in towns, you will prob be tagged. As many people seem to think, the speed limit in MT is not 100. It has been reduced to 75 on the freeway. So you can and should be able to do 80 until dusk. Then slow it down to 75.

But as stated this will be decided upon the stopping officer and his current mood.

* Last updated by: anamosity on 4/15/2009 @ 7:40 AM *

ErikR, thnx for the info. I'd heard some different things but that sets a pretty clear understanding.

anamosity, didn't mean to infer the speed limit over 75 - I was wondering if cops bother to pull vehicles over during the day - got it. I remember the "wise and prudent judgement" days and $5 daytime tickets - different days now.

Yeah, not many places to use a radar detector legally.

iceman99,

No worries man. Just wanted to make sure you knew what the deal was out here in Montana.

FYI, radar detectors are also illegal in BC... I've heard from numerous sources that a lot of cops will be harsher on vechiles with detectors so you might end up with more tickets in the end.

Not that I have one (yet), but radar detectors are in fact legal in the province of BC.

I run a Valentine One radar/laser detector, and it is legal in both Alberta and British Columbia.

Paul

I have a question about radar detectors that no one seems to ever talk about. When a detector gives you a warning does it not mean that at that moment the cop is reading your speed? Or do the detectors sense the transmitters before actual contact? Is there really time to slow down once you've been warned? I suppose hard braking might work.
I've had pretty good lock with visual contact. That is, upon seeing a cop I brake hard, loosing up to 40 MPH quickly, but without skidding. I've never been stopped even when it was obvious what I did. I've gotten a few head shakes and grins.
Last time I was in Traffic School the instructor, an ex cop, sort of said that upon seeing a detector the officer assumes you are methodically breaking the law and you will get the book thrown at you. The usual excuse.....Gee I didn't realize I was ....is not going to work. So only if you can positively avoid detection with your own unit would it be beneficial to have one. (The ones that detect lazer can't be hidden.)
Anyony actually have one and know if there is adequate prewarning in the detection?

Sharkey I have an article from Super Street bike mag that is all about this, and though it is a few yrs old it is still pretty informative....

I will try to dig it out the crates sometime tomorrow and I can scan it to you or just type some info to you!

I've noticed that the leo's play that little game around here too!

mre14,
Thanks for the offer but I think Erik has answered my questions. Basically there may be a slight advantage to having a detector but I wouldn't be confident about systematically going around speeding and thinking I had any immunity. I think, for me, it wouldn't be worth the price. I usually go with the flow, which is normally 9MPH over the posted limit.
If I want to speed for the sake of speed I go to a special place where other cars wouldn't normally be around and certainly no cops with radar. I maintain active awareness when riding of all drivers and conditions around me which would include spotting LEOs. My front shocks are set pretty stiff so I do minimal nosediving.
150 - 55 = 1.5 seconds! __________________________

* Last updated by: Sharkey on 7/19/2009 @ 7:32 PM *

You break from 150 to 95 in 1.5 seconds??? No way.... What do you have, a fat tire up front? If all you did was stiffen front shock then heck maybe I should do that too!

It might be a little more than 1.5 seconds it's just difficult holding on and braking with my right hand while holding my watch up where I can see it, with my left hand, while keeping an eye on the road. My secret is I use a seat belt!