Escort install on my Goldwing

[pshivers]

I just joined up a few days ago and thought I would post a few pics of my Escort Passport 8500 X50 Blue install on the Wing.


This is the 8500 mounted to a radar detector/GPS shelf made for the GL1800 Goldwing. The RD is held in place on the shelf using four 3M Dual-Lock "buttons".

I added a form fitting clear cover to help with protecting the RD unit from water exposure.

The RD is well protected from rain by the windshield while moving, but was getting a few drops on it while in slow moving traffic in the rain.

I run the voltage meter display, (handy little extra that comes with the X50, No officer that isn't a radar detector, it is a VOLTMETER! ) :wink: Gives a nice audible warning if voltage is too high or too low.


I mounted the Escort SmartCord - Direct Wire to the bottom of my left handlebar switch housing, enabling me to mute the RD with my left thumb while operating the motorcycle.

Audible radar/laser warnings are routed to my helmet speakers through a device that connects my GPS, Cell Phone and radar detector to the helmet headset and integrates well with the other on board systems that require audio (AM/FM/CB/Intercom/MP3/XM Radio & Traffic plus my HAM radio).

I'm looking into adding a Blinder system, VEIL and a black bra for the front of the Wing. Lots of reflective area on the Wing between the Quad-Headlight, Foglights AND PIAA 1100X driving lights, and I do have a fair amount of chrome....



I got laser tagged while riding up in the mountains here in Southern California, (Angelus Crest Highway), The CHP never even lit up the Escort and the warning from some sportbikes coming the other way I guess was a couple of seconds too late. Not too bad, 72 in a 55, still going to run me almost $200. My fault I guess, I was just enjoying the road and not paying much attention to my speed.

One of my favorite "Goldwing" pictures:

Deals Gap July 2006



If you have any questions or suggestions for my setup, please let me know!

[xXCriticizeXx]

nice bike, nice setup, and nice GPS. It looks like a garmin which i actually just bought my dad for x-mas. :wink:

[pshivers]

nice bike, nice setup, and nice GPS. It looks like a garmin which i actually just bought my dad for x-mas. :wink:

Thanks!, It is a Garmin 2730 that I bought "new" almost a year ago. Garmin has already discontinued it and replaced it with the 2820 and the Zumo 550 bluetooth models. Still a very nice GPS, I really like XM Traffic rerouting capabilities.

[AirMoore]

Hey, nice bike.

I like the set-up and those are some good pictures. (Heck that thing is stuck-full of electronics, looks like a F22 raptor Cockpit in there).


I understand what its like to get cruising on a bike, and completely forget about the speed.

Looks like your about to scrape some chrome in that picture in the twisties with the bike following you. (Was that at The Gap, or in Cali?)


Amazing you made it clear across the country to go to Deals Gap, did you trailor the bike out there... or ride in a group?

Anyways, nice to have you on here... good set-up, nice bike... the ultimate touring machine.

As for the wheelie by that Goldwing... someone has got some guts... its like having a small car on one wheel. :shock:

[pshivers]

I like the set-up and those are some good pictures. (Heck that thing is stuck-full of electronics, looks like a F22 raptor Cockpit in there).

I guess this shot will give a better view of the full cockpit...

Not the first it has been compared to a aircraft...

Looks like your about to scrape some chrome in that picture in the twisties with the bike following you. (Was that at The Gap, or in Cali?)

That was at Deal's Gap back in July right after Wing Ding in Nashville. I had to tighten my footpegs up after that day, seems the Kury ISO mini-wing foot boards tend to loosen after a lot of scraping! (I used some loctite this time). I had the suspension upgraded to a full Traxxion system while at Wing Ding, really made a for a big improvement in cornering and ride quality.

Amazing you made it clear across the country to go to Deals Gap, did you trailor the bike out there... or ride in a group?

I rode most of the way by myself, joining up with my GWRRA chapter in Oklahoma after visiting relatives in Texas for a few days. We rode in a group till we got to Nashville. I did the return trip (From Deal's Gap to Southern California) by myself, found I didn't like riding in groups for several days in a row. I like to go when I'm ready to go and stop if and when I feel like it. The group riders had to stop too often for gas and "BIO" breaks!

I have not any idea why they couldn't strech a tank of gas like I can :?: :?:

:wink:

[AirMoore]

Whoa... that gas tank is bigger then the one in my car!

How many miles can you get from top-to-bottom of the tank(s)?


Also check and make sure your Escort is level with the road... it seems the RD is tilting a bit downwards (the antenna) in the 'cockpit' picture.



Yeah personally I can only scrape my toes in the corners, then again I have a Superbike so the ground clearence is a bit different... still I can imagine the floorboards being beat up after a day there at Deals Gap.

[pshivers]

How many miles can you get from top-to-bottom of the tank(s)?

Also check and make sure your Escort is level with the road... it seems the RD is tilting a bit downwards (the antenna) in the 'cockpit' picture.

The OEM tank from Honda holds 6.7 gallons and th AUX saddlebag tank holds 5 gallons. I average 35-40 mpg on the Wing (I could do better if I would keep it under 80 mph :!: ), that gives me a range of 400-450 miles between required stops. I usually start looking for a gas stop around 350 miles or so when I'm out on the road.

Your right, the RD is at quite a bit of an angle :!: (just checked it with a level). I'll bend the sheet metal for the RD shelf a bit and get it level. I wonder if that is part of the reason why the RD didn't see the CHP's laser :?:

[AirMoore]

How many miles can you get from top-to-bottom of the tank(s)?

Also check and make sure your Escort is level with the road... it seems the RD is tilting a bit downwards (the antenna) in the 'cockpit' picture.

The OEM tank from Honda holds 6.7 gallons and th AUX saddlebag tank holds 5 gallons. I average 35-40 mpg on the Wing (I could do better if I would keep it under 80 mph :!: ), that gives me a range of 400-450 miles between required stops. I usually start looking for a gas stop around 350 miles or so when I'm out on the road.

Your right, the RD is at quite a bit of an angle :!: (just checked it with a level). I'll bend the sheet metal for the RD shelf a bit and get it level. I wonder if that is part of the reason why the RD didn't see the CHP's laser :?:

Wow, 400+ Miles.

Heck after 140miles, I am looking for some Petrol.




Yeah, Laser is very directional... because it is such a narrow beam, radar would also be impacted by this... this could be why the Escort missed the laser alert.

(The Escort is a very solid detector for laser [2nd best there is]... I would especially think it would alert on a bike nearly everytime it was hit).

To bad the sportbike riders didn't go by just a few seconds sooner to warn you... because no RD will really be effective against laser, a jammer is your best bet.

[pshivers]

Thanks for pointing that out, It explains a lot :!: :!:

I'm not certain about installing a Blinder as I live in California, near as I can tell it is just an infraction if caught, but what do they do about the vehicle with a "permanently" mounted jammer, Impound it ?? The laws reads they are illegal to operate or posses in California...

Still thinking about it though, can I even have one delivered in California?

[RadarRick]

Hey Paul. What a nice set up all round. That Wing is ready to cross a country or two in a heart beat 8)
Like that wheelie, but i still think your crazy
Good work and thanks for sharing
RR