Motorcycles, Travel & Adventure

Motorcycle TourMagazine

We have been supporters of Radar Detectors for a long time. It is an unfortunate reality that many of the speeding tickets written in the United States have nothing to do with road safety or even speeding for that matter; but simply a means for quick and easy local revenue.

Since it is us vs. them, we are always looking for the next best thing to give us an edge while enjoying the bikes.

Each year at the Powersports Expo in Indianapolis literally thousands of new products are introduced. Last year the Top Ten were chosen and the Adaptiv TPX Radar and Laser Detection System ($309) found itself right in the middle of this exclusive club, and with good reason.

What you have here is a radar and laser detection system designed specifically for motorcycles, and that's key.

For years now we have been making do with radar detectors that were designed for automobile use and have had to be adapted for use on a motorcycle. Some of these units are really very good, but they all have a hard time standing up to the rigors of life on two wheels. Vibration, dust and dirt and, most of all, rain will take out most car-type detectors in a very short time.

The Adaptiv TPX Radar Detector is a sealed unit, making it waterproof, dust proof, vibration proof and able to take the tough environment of today's motorcycling.

The Adaptiv TPX Radar Detector is the brain child of partners Wayne Chen and Adam Gold, both of whom were fed up trying to adapt an auto-style detector to fit and work well on their motorcycles.

Their answer is a clean and well designed detector that works as advertised, carrying with it the blessing of the Speed Measurement Laboratories, who have certified the Adaptiv TPX.

Unlike other units, with light and flimsy phone-style wiring, the TPX's heavy-duty harness is created for out door use and the quality shows.

The main unit sits on a durable bracket and attaches with an audible click. Once on it is not going anywhere until you easily take it off. Other mounts can be adapted for the TPX as well. We have been using RAM mounts for a number of years and a simple adapter let us use what we had with the TPX's bracket. We had the TPX installed on our Honda VFR800 in no time. Easy.

Five large buttons will be found on the TPX's keypad, which is backlit with a soft blue light and they can be easily operated - even with bulky winter gloves on. If you want a more stealthy approach the lights can be turned-off. The Adaptiv TPX has a number of different models - City, Highway, City NoX, all controlled by a single button depending on where you are riding.

Although you can wire it directly to the battery, we chose to find a switchable hot wire, so we'd never let the VFR's battery run down.

Now as innovative as all this seem, Adaptiv was not done yet. You can have the best and most reliable detector on the planet, but it will do you absolutely no good if you are not aware of its warnings. Here the TPX comes through in a number of ways.

First there is an audible alarm, which is fairly loud, but what we really like was the tiny optional LED Visual Alert ($45) mounted atop the dash. With the wire snuggled neatly behind it the LED Visual Alert looks almost stock and will definitely get your attention, even if the audible alarm does not.

For those of you who, like us, have pre-installed communication systems, the TPX allows for your 3.5mm audio jack to be easily plugged in, allowing for warning to come right through your headsets.

For those of you who do not have the luxury of one of the many communications systems out there Adaptiv has a Wireless Headset ($70) that easily attaches to just about any modern helmet. This worked as advertised too.

On the road the TPX performed perfectly and we were able to compare the TPX against Brands E & V1 at various "Radar Hot Spots" we are aware of and it was equal, if not better, to the task than the competition.

Thank you Sparta, NJ Police!

These days it seems there is a large selection of detectors to help keep you safe from greedy town revenuers; but when you take a look at the rugged TPX Radar and Laser Detection System from Adaptiv, with its clearly motorcycle and rider inspired design, the large easy to use controls, its ease of operation and the optional LED Visual Alert and Wireless Headset, plus its ability to be mounted on any modern machine with a 12-volt system, then the choice is simple.

The TPX Radar and Laser Detection System is a clear winner.

Adaptiv Technologies LLC • 866-232-7848 • www.radarforbikes.com