TomZ
Member
Here's something I came up with to detect vehicles approaching from behind and overtaking. It's a rear radar unit called a Varia 315 that Garmin sells for bicycles. What this device does is detect vehicles approaching from as far back as 140 meters (about 450 feet). Although not intended for motorcycles, it is easily adapted as described below. For readout, I used an old cell phone and the free Varia app from Garmin. The app connects the phone and radar unit via Bluetooth. It displays multiple vehicles approaching from behind and indicates closing speeds by color changes. It generally does not show vehicles if they are traveling slower than the motorcycle, but it does show them as they pass through the blind spot or stop in an adjacent lane. I find that I use it much like the rear view mirror in a car by glancing at the phone display in front of me rather than having to look in the side mirrors. Also, it warns visually if a vehicle is up coming fast when I'm stopped.
For mounting, the bicycle seatpost mount that Garmin provides with it is easily taken apart to yield a small mounting puck that can be attached to a top case. One of the attached photos shows the mounted unit. It's unobtrusive: Most people would not even notice it or know what it's for. The unit attaches to the mounting puck with a twist lock (insert and twist 90 degrees to lock). To avoid having it come loose or be removed by prying hands, I mounted it in the topcase with a thumbscrew (see photo) that locks the unit in place but can be easily backed out to allow removal for recharging etc.
This is very much an experiment and strictly for my own use. I would like to have an audio alert of fast-approaching vehicles to my helmet communicator, but have not yet been able to do that. Also, I'm still thinking about where to best mount the phone, and about extending an unswitched USB charger to the topcase. What I can report is that the radar unit serves the intended purpose very well and gives me added safety when riding.
For mounting, the bicycle seatpost mount that Garmin provides with it is easily taken apart to yield a small mounting puck that can be attached to a top case. One of the attached photos shows the mounted unit. It's unobtrusive: Most people would not even notice it or know what it's for. The unit attaches to the mounting puck with a twist lock (insert and twist 90 degrees to lock). To avoid having it come loose or be removed by prying hands, I mounted it in the topcase with a thumbscrew (see photo) that locks the unit in place but can be easily backed out to allow removal for recharging etc.
This is very much an experiment and strictly for my own use. I would like to have an audio alert of fast-approaching vehicles to my helmet communicator, but have not yet been able to do that. Also, I'm still thinking about where to best mount the phone, and about extending an unswitched USB charger to the topcase. What I can report is that the radar unit serves the intended purpose very well and gives me added safety when riding.
Attachments
-
127.5 KB Views: 45
-
167.9 KB Views: 45
-
133.7 KB Views: 44
-
97.7 KB Views: 43