Please note what I wrote: >The main point of the headlight bucket (the test subject was >a dual-headlight Suzuki GSXR1100) was that without the bucket, detection >range was only about 300-500 feet, but once the bucket was added, detection >range increased to about 3000-4000 feet.
You tested an R-6, the Suzuki was a 10 year old model (the article was published a long time ago). I doubt you had a 4000 foot straightaway at the track to validate your tests, whereas they had a 2 mile straightaway in the middle of Nevada. Just a couple of points, and not to discount your empirical findings: 1) Two different bikes, so there will be some differences 2) The parabolic effect on radar return became well known, so I would imagine that somebody probably was able to design a work-around to minimize this problem. The parabolic effect only added to the return that the rest of the bike gave off. What was notable was that a GSXR1100, with a frontal area far smaller than a Honda Civic, gave a return 4 times stronger than same. Remove the buckets, and the return dropped significantly. 3) I think I was quoting X-band readings, but both X and K band were tested. I dont thing Ka was around at that time. 4) On your watercraft readings: I never intended to convey that fiberglass gives no return: it does. What sort of return it gives compared to metal I do not know. And the PWC has an engine, correct ? Shape of the object being tracked has a great deal to do with return: Just examine a B1 or B2 bomber, the F-117, or the new F-22. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Saturday, January 19, 2002 10:54 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Radar Detectors The difference here is you are quoting what you read in a magazine and I am telling you what I experienced with the radar gun in my hand. The number plate was plastic, and there were no headlight buckets behind it. It was an R-6 set up for racing that did not even have the stock fairing bracket under neath but a much reduced size aluminum one. As far as detection range, I would estimate it at about 1/4 mile. The range of detection was identical to that of stock R-1's with headlight buckets. Sounds like they are guessing, I am not. I am using a Stalker Sports Pro Radar gun transmitting on K band. Trust me on this, I had a speed reading on the motorcycle long before he was anywhere near close enough to be able to tell I was holding a radar gun if he did not know I was there. In case you think speed had something to do with it, like slow speed giving it more time to react, about the first reading I got was around 100 MPH and it proceeded to climb from there. That means the entire length of time expiring for radaring was less than 6 seconds. A detector would have gone off long before I could have picked him up, but do not bank on the fact that you have to be within 300 feet to be detected. As a further comment, I have radar'd even more personal watercraft than motorcycles, which are fiberglass with even less metal showing, and they will reflect a signal from more than 300 feet also. I will admit that they are being tested on water and the reflection of the radar off the water may help, but point being, dont rely on the 300 foot guess. RSRBOB In a message dated 1/18/02 12:21:32 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: << Bob, I have to disagree with you on that statement about headlight buckets and number plates, but his earlier statement about headlight buckets was taken out of context. Of course, if the number plate was metal, then that would be a great signal reflector. >> The information contained in this e-mail including any attachments may constitute Corvis Corporation Proprietary Information that is subject to Non-Disclosure Agreement and cannot be disclosed to any other party without the express consent of Corvis Corporation. If you are neither the intended recipient of this e-mail nor responsible for delivering this e-mail to the intended recipient, note that any dissemination, distribution, copying, or retention of this e-mail is prohibited. If you believe you have received this e-mail in error, we request that you notify the sender by return e-mail and then delete this e-mail and any return e-mail immediately.
