Whistler Cruisader Radar on a Rockster

[rbertalotto]

I wanted a "stealth" radar detector on my BMW Rockster. Without a fairing, there aren't a lot of places to mount a conventional unit where its hidden from casual view but still servicable.

After a bit of research, I went with the Whistler Cruisader. This is a motorcycle specific unit. Waterproof, back lite display, shows ambient temperature and DC Voltage. An optional wireless, in helmet "heads up" LED display is available. Currently, Crutchfield www.crutchfield.com has them on sale with a free heads up unit for $199.00 (if you used this Referral Code, you might get another $20 off...pfhxy-vyvew-uuc4c...I'm not sure how it works, but this was in the paperwork I got with my unit)

Anyways, on to the install. Extremely easy as it is a total "plug and Play". The only electrical connection to the motorcycle is 12V for power.

The unit mounted nicely right to the left of the instuments.

I simply bent a piece of aluminum flat stock and using double sided tape, stuck the bracket to the main unit. I wrapped the whole unit with electrical tape for added insurance. The existing dash screw hold the unit firmly.

The front antenna (yes, it has a rear facinmg antenna)mounted under the fairing.

I used the supplied bracket that was bent to facilitate moving the unit as far back as possible.

Double sided tape and a stainless steel bolt hold things securely.

The remote temperature probe was next...

Simple...Wire tie is included with the kit.

The rear antenna was next. I fabricated a bracket out of aluminum and painted it flat black to match the bike...

That bracket you see with the hole is for my removable SW Motech painer racks

Although the unit has an in helmet heads up display, I also installed the LED flasher included with the kit.

The left LED is the radar allert, the right LED is for the bikes alarm system.

The heads up display that is mounted in your helmet is a pretty trick device.......I used a spot of Velcro to attach it in the ear speaker cavity on my Nolan helmet (YMMV)

I took the bike out for a ride and found an active radar speed trap (my lucky day), I went by them four or five times testing the front and rear performance. They were using K band and I had over a mile and a half in each direction with full alert. This is plenty good enough for me. I'm a big fan of the Escort 8500, but I'm not sure in this situation, it would have performed any better.

More pictures here:

http://public.fotki.com/Rbertalotto/motorcycle/motorcycles-current/bmw-r1150r-rockster/

 

[DERAIL412]

interested in getting one...

I just got a ticket in Alabama on a short trip. 7 miles over spead limit and the fine is $209... I should invest in this and hopefully eliminate another run in with the law!!!

Like the unit. Are you still pleased with the functionality? I did some research online and have seen good and bad reviews. What made you decide on this over the escort? Fact that it was made for motorcycle?

BTW, nice bike!

 

[rbertalotto]

In my book, the best units out there are the Valentine #1, Escort 9500 and Escort 8500.........But none of these are easily concealable and none of them are waterproof. You can purchase aftermarket waterproof cases for all of them, but you end up with a big bulky unit that on a naked bike such as the "R", the unit will stand out like a sore thumb and this might just cause a police officer to give you a second look as you ride by...........

I haven't had this unit long enough to comment on it's performance, but the one speed trap I did use it through, it gave plenty of warning. I have the Whistler 3450 remote radar detector on my Honda VFR, and this unit is excellent. As far as I can tell, it is the equal of my Escort 8500. It has saved me countless times. They appear to use similar antennas sop I'm guessing the performance will be similar.

In any event, anything is better than nothing when you are riding through these back road towns and accidently going 5 or 10 over the limit. This is where 95% of the time my radar detectors save my bacon.

 

[The_Veg]

It does look very interesting. I went out to the garage to eyeball where I'd put everything and on the GS there seem to be few good spots for the forward-receiver in order to have clear exposure to a good wide field forward. There is a nice unobtrusive spot for the display-unit though.
I am curious about the fact that the rear-receiver seems to be laser-only. I've been radar'd from both ends, but I've never been laser'd from behind. What gives?

 

[rmarkr]

Laser

It does look very interesting. I went out to the garage to eyeball where I'd put everything and on the GS there seem to be few good spots for the forward-receiver in order to have clear exposure to a good wide field forward. There is a nice unobtrusive spot for the display-unit though.
I am curious about the fact that the rear-receiver seems to be laser-only. I've been radar'd from both ends, but I've never been laser'd from behind. What gives?

I think the laser detector will only work if it has direct line of sight - hence the rear laser detector. The front radar detector will pick indirect signals.
A neat trick with the Whistler system - equip your wingman with the helmet (wireless) setup - he'll/she'll be warned as well, without having the whole setup on both bikes.

 

[rmarkr]

Forgot to mention

Roy
The display unit you have has been improved to prevent water intrusion - the 4control buttons are now sealed at their edges. Mine failed after the first rain shower, but was promptly replaced with the upgraded unit. So, keep it dry.

 

[The_Veg]

Thanks mark. So what review would you give this product, if you've had it long enough to say much?

 

[gregfeeler]

Nice install post.

Excellent post on your installation. I can't say too many good things about my Valentine1 - it's paid for itself many times over. However, it's out for all to see and where I have it mounted the rear laser is blocked. This Whistler unit would install really well on my K75S and K1. Keep us updated about on-the-road performance. Thanks!

 

[Rinty]

radar

I just attach my Escort 8500 to a flat Ram support plate with hook and loop patches, and the plate hooks up to a 1 inch Ram ball on my steering yoke with a 3 1/2 inch arm. When I'm not using it, I unscrew the tightener screw on the arm, unplug the Escort from the power supply, and take the whole works inside. It takes about 10 seconds.

Rinty

 

[rmarkr]

Whisler Impressions

I'm pleased with my detector:
FOR
Sensitive and adjustable, I've picked up signals when the LEO unit was well out of sight,
Reasonable quality, faulty component was promptly and courteously replaced,
Mounts inconspicuously on my K100RS, display unit is mounted to a bracket attached to the left fork clamp,
Displays system voltage and temp - neat
Helmet unit works well, batteries last for days,
AGAINST:
Dash LED is ineffective in bright sunlight - needs helmet unit. (there may be an audio wireless unit available)
Expensive - $300 plus $150?? for helmet unit,
Unit must be a permanent install.
My 2 cents worth

 

[rbertalotto]

Expensive - $300 plus $150?? for helmet unit

Crutchfield and others have it for $200 with helmet display as noted above.

 

[rmarkr]

$300

Looks like I was had - by Radio Hut - was marked at $329 - and after some whining I got 10% off.
I was wrong about the wireless head set - it is not avalable - the dash LED can be substituted with a buzzer.

 

[rbertalotto]

Where are you seeing a substitute buzzer. I sent an email to Whistler to inquire about this and they informed me that there was only a "Voice Module" available, but I did see something in the owners manual about a tone generator.

I'd rather have an ear speaker with a tone generator because I find the helmet LED thing not as effective and you are right about the dash LED, in most cases it's hard to see and does a poor job of "alerting" you

 

[OfficerImpersonator]

IBut none of these are easily concealable and none of them are waterproof. You can purchase aftermarket waterproof cases for all of them, but you end up with a big bulky unit that on a naked bike such as the "R", the unit will stand out like a sore thumb and this might just cause a police officer to give you a second look as you ride by...........

Were I given a "second look" by a cop because I had a legal piece of equipment on my bike (except in Virginia), I'll have a nice equal protection lawsuit on my hands. I'll thank the jurisdiction for awarding me enough money to go buy a brand new bike.

You can only be pulled over for committing a traffic violation, or for probable cause in investigating a crime. If you are pulled over because a cop thinks he/she sees a perfectly legal radar detector on your dash, you've just been handed a nice lawsuit against the police department.

 

[rbertalotto]

A LEO might simply pass you by if you are going 5-10 MPH over the limit. But some LEOs, not all, have a "thing" about radar detectors and you might get a ticket for 10 over if he/she sees the radar detector..............Don't asik me how I know this....

 

[OfficerImpersonator]

A LEO might simply pass you by if you are going 5-10 MPH over the limit. But some LEOs, not all, have a "thing" about radar detectors and you might get a ticket for 10 over if he/she sees the radar detector..............Don't asik me how I know this....

I do know that my LEO next door neighbor says radar detectors don't work. I don't have the heart to tell him how many times my Escort 8500 has saved my bacon from the bacon.

Laser is a different story, but my years of experience tell me that my radar detector will give me more than adequate warning of all K and Ka band police radars - especially the LEOs dumb enough to leave their units on all the time.

But if you were able to get a cop to admit in court that he picked you for a performance award instead of another equally deserving rider/driver, you'd have an equal protection argument to present to the given jurisdiction's lawyer.

I think everyone pulled over for speeding on a highway full of speeders should ask the officer why they singled you out over all the other speeders. If they give a dumb answer (i.e. riding instead of driving, radar detector, etc., you have every right to repeat that answer to the judge when you fight the ticket.

 

[rkasal]

Question about radar detectors

Are you putting a bluetooth in your helmet to hear the warning go off or is the light in the line of sight for those who don't put a head's up display in their helmet.

For a head's up display, is it reliable and doesn't interfer with vision. Trying to get a handle on whether I want a detector and the set-up.

Thanks in advance.


Randy Kasal

 

[The_Veg]

I think everyone pulled over for speeding on a highway full of speeders should ask the officer why they singled you out over all the other speeders.

In my experience the answer you will get is "you broke the law so I pulled you over." Revenue is too important to let cops jeopardise its' collection with answers that could provide any leeway in court and I think that that is how they are training them these days.