Motorcycle Radar Detectors Reviewed

Speed limits are put in place to protect drivers, passengers, and pedestrians — but a split second can make all the difference. We should follow the speed limit at all times to stay safe. But there are times when you twist the throttle a little further – if caught, you can end up with a hefty ticket or jail time – and who would want that?

This is where a motorcycle radar detector can be your best friend and can alert you from afar to lower your speed when it approaches a speed gun. It sounds like a worthy investment, right? Well, if you set foot in the market to get one, you will be overwhelmed with the available options.

We reviewed some of the best motorcycle radar detector units out there, and shortlisted a few as our best picks! Read our comprehensive buying guide and in-depth reviews to find out what’s right for you.

Why Use Motorcycle Radar Detectors?

Choosing A High-Quality Motorcycle Radar Detector

Speed Receptiveness

While compiling our best motorcycle radar detector review, we paid close attention to speed receptiveness. You should have the option to select the sensitivity. While driving on a highway, you may want to crank up the sensitivity to be notified about every signal. In contrast, if you are riding within the city limits, it is better to stick with low sensitivity.

Detection Range, Ability & Performance

Your motorcycle radar detector should be able to pick up signals emitted by a surveillance spot from a reasonable distance — enough to slow down and avoid a ticket. And the best motorcycle radar detector can pick up on all frequencies. Some of the commonly used bands are:

Display & Design

When choosing a motorcycle radar detector, you want to get something that is sturdy, can withstand pressure, and is easy to mount. Unlike a car, a motorcycle police radar detector is not housed in a cabin, so you need that extra protection. It should be mounted appropriately and must remain attached to the motorbike on bumpy roads. The display should be big enough so that the rider can quickly glance at the screen.

Preloaded/Updated Database

Your motorcycle police radar detector should have enough pre-installed and loaded maps for efficient guidance in your region. Whether it’s a speed trap or a fixed-speed camera, your radar should detect it. There should be an option to upload new maps and routes as and when needed — should you decide to move.

Mounting Style/Location

The most common motorcycle radar detector mount is a suction cup mechanism. The problem is that the suction strength goes down over time due to wind and vibration on the road. The display should be easy to see – without having to take eyes off the road – for a long period of time. Depending on your motorcycle radar detector, you can mount it on your bike’s handlebars, crutch or brake area, side mirrors, or the motorcycle’s fairing area.

Features

Some features to look for while choosing the best motorcycle radar detector are:

Price & Warranty (Value For Money)

You will be surprised by the variation in price when it comes to choosing a motorcycle police radar detector unit — you can get one for $100 while some cost over $2000. The higher the price, the more the features, and the better the result!

Considering how much you can save on speeding tickets, it is a wise investment. The warranty also varies, but the more coverage you receive, the better. You would not want to pay out of your pocket to get the unit fixed if anything goes wrong.

1. Escort Passport 9500iX

No one likes being handed a speeding ticket! This is where a motorcycle radar detector can save the day. You need something that tells you in advance when you are approaching a radar gun. After a considerable amount of reviewing on city roads and highways, we feel the best motorcycle radar detector is the Escort Passport 9500iX, which is why it is our top pick in the review.

The Escort motorcycle radar detector provides long-range warnings on various bands, which include K, X, Superwide Ka, and instant POP bands. False alerts are the least of your worries, as the Escort Passport 9500iX has several GPS powered functions which reduce false alarms from automatic doors and motion sensors from nearby vehicles.

The motorcycle radar detector comes loaded with several fixed speed gun locations across the US. The best part is the Escort motorcycle radar detector’s display. You are notified promptly even if you lose sight of how fast you are going; the device will alert you if there is surveillance ahead on the road.

2. Beltronics RX65-Red

Ranking second in our radar detector motorcycle reviews is the Beltronics RX65-Red — a powerful device with a lot to offer. The device operates on a range of bands, including X, K, Ka, and POP. You are timely alerted about a surveillance stop so you can slow down comfortably. Owing to its Non-VG-2 detection feature — the Beltronics RX65 is not flagged or detected by many police detection devices such as radar guns.

Despite the motorcycle radar detector's capability to pick up on a variety of frequencies, it limits the unnecessary false alarms. The auto-scanning feature on the motorcycle radar detector can distinguish between different bands.  And you have the option to choose between a highway or a city mode. The highway profile can pick up on a multitude of frequencies — far and wide. The city mode, on the other hand, lowers sensitivity detection to avoid false alerts from other sources.

The Beltronics RX65 is quite simple to use — adjust the settings to what suits you best. Once you start using the motorcycle police radar detector, you will notice that its detection capabilities are entirely accurate.

3. Escort Passport 8500 X50

If you want to buy a motorcycle radar detector – but are tight on a budget – do not worry! We recommend a remarkable device that is as capable as its expensive counterparts. And in our opinion, it is the best budget motorcycle radar detector. The unit can detect all frequencies and bands such as X, K, and Ka except lasers. An added advantage of the Escort Passport 8500 X50 is the number of customization options. You can put it on self-start mode to start when you power up the engine. Or change sensitivity when you reach a certain route.

The Escort motorcycle radar detector allows you to change screen settings as well. So if it's bright and sunny, you can choose the dark mode or keep it on the auto-adjust mode. Most motorcycle radar detector devices detect signals from a variety of sources, such as radios or automatic doors. The Escort Passport 8500 X50 makes use of technology to control sensitivity and to make sure there are no-fail calls. VG-2 devices cannot detect the motorcycle radar detector. 

So you can drive in peace with the assurance that you will not be pulled over for having a radar detector on your motorcycle. It even guides you on how far out a radar gun could be — the device starts flashing as it nears a radar gun.

4. Escort iXc

Coming in at number four in our motorcycle radar detector review is the Escort iXc — one of the best motorcycle police radar detectors available on the market. It comes with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity and offers cloud-sharing options. It allows you to receive over-the-air updates on the device. The Escort iXc is smart – it learns and adds new routes to its memory – with a built-in GPS system.

It alerts you on approaching speed cameras and red lights. And when you are driving on quiet roads around town, the low-speed muting feature self-activates for a comfortable ride. The Escort iXc is a successor to the ever-so-popular Escort iXAs. The iXc has better range detection, false-alert filtration, and comes with Wi-Fi capability — so no need to use your phone to store data on the cloud. 

One issue we noticed with the Escort motorcycle radar detector is that it picks up a lot on nearby vehicles using motorcycle radar detector and laser jammer systems.

5. Escort MAX360

On number five in our radar detector motorcycle reviews, we rank another Escort motorcycle radar detector — the Escort MAX360, which in our opinion, is a wise choice to go for! Whether a surveillance spot up ahead is using laser or radar gun to detect speeders, the motorcycle police radar detector makes sure you don't get caught when speeding.

What makes the Escort MAX360 unique is its capability to adjust to your speed — all thanks to the speed-sensitivity feature. False flags are next to none with the use of better technology. The built-in GPS unit and the received frequencies work together to filter out false alerts.

Similar to other motorcycle radar detector units, the Escort motorcycle radar detector features an extensive database packed with almost all permanent police surveillance locations. If you come across something that is not already marked — you can add them to the database upon discovery.

You are always connected to Escort's online community with the Escort Live function. If another user comes across a speed camera or radar gun, you will be alerted. The Escort MAX360 has excellent voice alerts, which makes you concentrate more on the road than on the device.

6. Adaptiv Technologies TPX 2.0

Apart from the many Escort motorcycle radar detector units out there, you may have come across some TPX motorcycle radar detector reviews or Adaptiv TPX motorcycle radar detector reviews. This is because Adaptiv Technologies TPX 3.0 motorcycle radar and laser detector unit and its predecessors are probably the best cordless motorcycle radar detector on the market.

So last but not least – we introduce you to Adaptiv Technologies TPX 2.0 – an impressive device for your motorcycle. The Adaptiv TPX motorcycle radar detector has enhanced sensitivity detection. You will be notified about upcoming speed guns as well as lasers way ahead in time.

The Adaptiv Technologies TPX 2.0 is built to perform in all weather conditions. The device has a weather-protected design — so even if it’s raining or snowing, you will get accurate readings. The buttons are of decent size, so even if you are wearing gloves, you can operate the device without any problems.

The best part is that the Adaptiv motorcycle radar detector has excellent audio and video output, and uses a 3.5mm auxiliary slot — which seamlessly connects to your motorcycle's speakers. You get a universal motorcycle radar detector mount plate adapter to mount the device on a different bike if you upgrade your wheels.

Types of Motorcycle Radar Detectors

You can choose one from any of the following motorcycle radar detector units available on the market.

Mounting A Radar Detector On A Motorcycle

Mounting A Radar Detector

Now we will guide you on how to install your motorcycle radar detector mount. Follow the steps to install a radar detector successfully:

Reading A Motorcycle Police Radar Detector

Once activated, you will be able to receive alerts from potential radars with different frequencies and bands. Via the displayed frequencies and bands, you can infer if it's a false alert or a legit surveillance point.

For instance, if the signal for a Ka-band with a frequency range of 34.2 to 35.2 GHz, it is more likely from a radar gun.

People Also Ask (FAQs)

Can cops use a radar on motorcycles?

Yes. A radar detects metal objects that come in contact with its beam, which is often 24 degrees wide. However, a bike has to be much closer to it, approximately 300 to 400 feet, as opposed to a car for an accurate reading.

How far do motorcycle radar detectors detect? What is the range of these motorcycle detectors?

The detection range varies from detector to detector, some can detect police radar guns miles ahead, while some only alert when you are less than a mile away.

Are motorcycle radar detectors legal in the united states?

Yes, they are legal in most states except for Virginia and Washington DC. Before buying a motorcycle radar detector, make sure it is not against the law to use a motorcycle radar detector.

Do motorcycle radar detectors work in all weathers?

Yes. A radar can function in all weather conditions. But If there is heavy rain, the detection will not be as accurate as under normal conditions.

What are the best motorcycle radar detector brands?

Some of the top motorcycle radar detector manufacturers are: Escort, Beltronics, and ADAPTIV Technologies.

What is the best motorcycle radar detector mount?

Conclusion