Valentine 1 Mounting

LeftBase · Feb 12, 2009

Good Morning!

Just had a shiny new V1 delivered yesterday. Reading the literature, it looks like the best place for it will be a velcro mount on the clutch fluid reservoir.

How does this work for you other V1 users?

I'm a little concerned that the rear facing radar antenna and laser detector would be blocked by the large mass of rider on the seat.

Is there another mount for these that works better?

Cameron

tcfjr · Feb 12, 2009

I put my V-1 inside a V-1 Security Enclosure from forum member cateye77 (see this thread for details), and mount it on a RAM ball on the brake reservoir. With a security bolt on the RAM arm, I feel comfortable leaving the V-1 on the bike during short stops, but generally take it off if the bike's in a motel parking lot overnight. The enclosure also lets me keep it mounted in the rain.

Before I got the enclosure, I velcroed it directly to the break reservoir. (When I sent the unit in to Valentine for a free firmware upgrade, they had to replace the outer casing where the velcro was attached; when they sent it back, they included a new sheet of velcro, ready for me to apply.)

I prefer mounting the unit on the right side of the bike. I think this gives it the best view, since most radar units will be parked on the right side of the road.

LDRydr · Feb 12, 2009

Mine's in my tankbag and works fine, except I don't get the laser function. It stays dry there. I use a waterproofed remote display mounted on the dash.

juniorfjr · Feb 12, 2009

LDRydr said:
Mine's in my tankbag and works fine, except I don't get the laser function. It stays dry there. I use a waterproofed remote display mounted on the dash.

Is that the one made by Valentine? I don't see the signal quickly enough with it on the handlebar and am considering the remote.

TriggerT · Feb 12, 2009

Started out with it on the brake reservoir, but then I added a N-Line dash shelf. Thinking of selling the Skyway mount I have, so PM me if you are interested in it.

LDRydr · Feb 12, 2009

juniorfjr said:
LDRydr said:

Mine's in my tankbag and works fine, except I don't get the laser function. It stays dry there. I use a waterproofed remote display mounted on the dash.

Click to expand...

Is that the one made by Valentine? I don't see the signal quickly enough with it on the handlebar and am considering the remote.

Yes. I've mounted the remote in a little sun-shade, and had a guy on eBay waterproof it. But I also have it wired into my Starcom so I hear it first, then look at the remote. I learned the hard way that the V-1 is not waterproof. And when you send it in for repair they know it was water that caused it to stop working.

My dash (as I see it):

Bounce · Feb 12, 2009

I use the same shelf and have the V1 to the right, the sirius antenna to the left and used to have my Street Pilot 1 in the center until I upgraded to a 2610 and mounted it on the steering stem via a Touratech mount.

Bustanut joker · Feb 12, 2009

LDRydr said:
My dash (as I see it):

Sure is a "busy" cockpit..

Where the Hell ya put the T.V.?

:jester:

LDRydr · Feb 12, 2009

Bustanut joker said:
Sure is a "busy" cockpit..

I wanna be an airline pilot when I grow up :lol:

juniorfjr · Feb 12, 2009

Duct taped to the back of his helmet, so the pillion can watch videos.

Patriot · Feb 12, 2009

Hey, we all need to have a farkle contest.

yes, I was a pilot and here's my current cockpit...

Auburn · Feb 12, 2009

tcfjr said:
I put my V-1 inside a V-1 Security Enclosure from forum member cateye77

And I velcro it to the N-Line shelf so I can remove when I stop.

LeftBase · Feb 12, 2009

Thanks for all the good advice, though I suspect LDRyder and Patriot just like to show off...

I had no idea that this thing can't get wet, but a call to the mfg confirmed it. Sounds like a prominent warning in the manual would have saved some of us some trouble.

So, I'm trying to get in touch with cateye77 to see if he still sells them.

Cameron

LDRydr · Feb 12, 2009

LeftBase said:
Thanks for all the good advice, though I suspect LDRyder and Patriot just like to show off...

Who me? :huh: Seriously, my needs may be very different from yours. Everything, and I do mean everything, on the dash of my bike is waterproof (not to '07 Iron Butt Rally standards, but close). It's a rally bike. I don't stop to put rain covers on equipment, or a rain suit on myself, as it means time spent not looking for bonii.

But I suspect your setup may be different. If you don't have a way to hear the detector then you need it mounted where you can see it. But my experience in miles of riding is you'll never see that little red light when you need to. The sun will be too bright, or you're looking somewhere else. A Radar Screamer or a Marc Parnes Visual Alert can help out.

The other important factor in mounting is whether or not you'll be removing the V-1 when you're away from the bike. Just like a GPS it will be a hot target for sticky fingers. That's another reason why mine's hidden away in the tankbag. Yes, I gave up the laser function but it's worth it to me to not be worried about it every time I stop to eat.

This is just my .02 and, as always, YMMV. But some of us have already been down this road.

LeftBase · Feb 12, 2009

Yeah, I need to be prepared for severe enough conditions- I do ride in a couple of rally's a year, and make for the relatives' homes in the Bay Area in CA a few times each summer.

So, I've got some of the same concerns you do.

I think you and I talked at the Utah 1088 last year. I sure would have liked a bird dog then. (Sorry, I'm a recovering truck driver)

Capt. Bob · Feb 12, 2009

LeftBase said:
So, I'm trying to get in touch with cateye77 to see if he still sells them.
Cameron

He does.

I too have mine mounted to a N/line shelf. Mine is thru bolted (the container) to the shelf.

Good luck.

Phugedaboudet · Feb 13, 2009

so this begs the real tough question: which is better? the V1 or the TPX? If the V1 doesn't like water, and I want to mount whatever detector I get so it's exposed enough for laser detection, is the TPX the only option?

Phugedaboudet · Feb 13, 2009

A cupholder, FTW!

Patriot said:
Hey, we all need to have a farkle contest.
yes, I was a pilot and here's my current cockpit...

Patriot · Feb 13, 2009

Personally, if I could use any detector regardless of weather problems, I'd run the Escort 9500i.

You can run the audio alert helmet option or a loud speaker on the bike that blares high decibel noise.

The internal GPS function is a really good thing and the false alarm prevention system is superior.

Setting new photo traffic camera locations to give warnings, known speed traps and hiding places to alarm, and the stock internal database of both can save you or at least alert you to be careful at those locations.

I went with the Adaptiv because it's for motorcycle designed (same reason I have a Zumo 550 GPS).

Weatherproof (Mine is tested in the field by now), and I have both the wireless audio alert in my helmet and the led visual alert above my dash. It is not the best for false alarms, but it does work well overall and seems to be sensative to laser now that the LA State Police are using laser rifles on the state roads and local interstates.

The reason I've read folks like the V1 most is the arrows indicating where the radar is coming from. Folks seem to like that and use it to determine how to react at speed.

Hope this helps,

Mike in Nawlins'

Valentine 1 Mounting

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