Affiliate Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links, meaning that if you purchase an item we recommend, we may get a small commission. Please read our full disclosure policy here for more details.
A radar detector is a very useful device that can prevent you from getting a ticket if you don’t notice a speed-limit sign. Although they are a bit costly, they will pay off the first time you evade a speeding ticket.
Mounting a radar detector on a motorcycle can be slightly more complicated than installing it in a car. It might also happen that a suction cup loses suction, which can lead to the device falling off while you drive. So, before mounting the device, be sure to buy a proper mount made especially for motorcycles. Many radar detectors can be purchased only with suction cup mounting brackets.
In this guide, we will show you how to safely and securely mount a radar detector on your motorcycle. All of the methods we cover require buying the mount, and you can find plenty of those online for a very reasonable price. There are a variety of methods to do it, so let’s check them out!
-
Mounting a radar on a handlebar
This is an obvious and common way. A radar detector can easily be installed on any handlebar if you have a proper mount. Once you have selected where to place it, be sure to tighten the screw of the mount so that it doesn’t move. Also, don’t tighten it too much, or it might break.
If you also care about the actual look of your motorcycle, be sure to find a mount that fits your bike. It should look like it’s a part of the bike and not just something bolted on.
-
Pinch Bolt Mounting
Some mounts will come with a unique control mount system, which attaches to the brake or clutch side of the motorcycle. It’s a pretty quick and straightforward process. Just remove your factory pinch bolts and substitute them with those that come with the mount. That way, your radar detector will be very close and easy to reach.
-
Mounting on a mirror
If you are a motorcycle rider, you have probably noticed an unused hole in the mirrors. Many motorcycles have that. If you buy a mirror mount, slide the stem through that hole and tighten it with a screw. Since the mirrors on a motorcycle are pretty stable and well tightened, your device will be safe, too.
Also, you don’t need to buy a specialized mirror mount. Depending on your mirrors, you might be able to attach any mount on them.
-
Mounting using a motorcycle fork tube
This is probably the simplest and the fastest method. However, it can’t be applied to all motorcycles. On the other hand, a fork tube can be used for mounting on most Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Honda, and BMW motorcycles.
You can slide one of your stem mounts into the fork tube and attach the device. It’s as simple as that!
-
Mounting a device on a motorcycle fairing
Most chopper/cruiser motorcycles have big fairings. Simply put, a fairing is a piece of plastic that manipulates the airflow.
Depending on your mount, you might need to drill between two and four holes on a fairing. Once you put the mount on, tighten the screws, and that’s it.
Q: How far can police radar detect your speed?
It depends on the vehicle. For example, a big truck can be detected from a very long distance, usually more than 2 miles away. However, sports motorcycles can bounce back a pretty weak signal, which would require the radar to be around 300-400 feet distant to measure the speed.
Q: Can police detect that you have a radar detector?
There is no way that police can detect your radar detector with any device unless they see it. However, radar detectors are legal in most countries, including more than 40 states in the USA.
Q: Does police radar work in the rain?
Heavy rain can have a slight impact on the radar range but not on its accuracy. However, laser guns (or LIDAR) will be profoundly impacted by the rain due to a different principle it works on.
Q: What is a City Mode on my radar detector?
While in City Mode, your radar detector’s sensitivity will be reduced. It’s used to prevent receiving “false” signals generated by many devices, such as automatic door openers.
Q: Can a radar detector detect LiDAR?
Radar detectors are usually pretty accurate devices for detecting police radars. However, LiDAR works quite differently and is much harder to detect. It uses a very narrow signal, unlike the radar, which can be detected even if you are miles away.
Q: What is the best radar detector for a motorcycle?
When it comes to purchasing a radar detector for a motorcycle, you should pay attention to the ratio of quality and price. Some devices are overpriced and are not much better than some that are much cheaper. However, some of the best on the market are Escort radar detectors, including Escort Max 360 and Escort Redline.
Conclusion
So how to mount a radar detector on the motorcycle? All of the methods we mentioned are pretty good when it comes to your device safety. However, you should choose an approach based on where you want to put the radar detector and how easy you want the process to be.
The simplest way is to mount it using a fork tube. Although it can’t be applied to all motorcycles, it can be done on most of the “popular” ones.
However, if your motorcycle has fairings, you can use that as an advantage and mount it on the fairings. You will need to drill a few holes, tighten the screws, and that’s it.
If you decide to mount a radar detector using a suction cup, you should be very careful. You should have a good look at your windshield and determine if the actual suction cup can be firmly attached. When you choose to attach it, make sure that the glass is NOT curved on that spot since it will fall off sooner or later.
