Garmin introduces radar for XT2

bdalameda

bdalameda

PaleoCyclist
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67
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Salinas, California
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Africa Twin
I'm not sure if this has been posted yet. Garmin has introduced a Radar blind-spot and rear view warning system that is compatible with the Zumo XT2 or your smart phone.

www.garmin.com

Garmin zūmo™ R1 Radar | Rearview & Blindspot Motorcycle Radar

zumo R1 Radar is a rearview and blind spot motorcycle radar with external lights, audio alerts and full-screen radar display when paired with your phone or zūmo XT2.
www.garmin.com www.garmin.com
 
An expensive solution in search of a problem... :unsure:

What about using your mirrors, turning your head and leaning forward to overcome the blind spot?
This technique seems very reliable, pretty fail-safe and even corrosion resistant to me...

But of course they all only want our best... our money...

That handlebar remote makes way more sense, but only avail for the XT2...
They had such already with the SP26** series (even as OEM Honda kit), but soon "forgot" about such essentials... (mainly because you're "supposed" to buy a new satnav every year...)
 
I have an Innovv bike-cam (front and rear) and they also have a range of blind spot solutions - more affordable especially when they have a sale on (which they do several times a year)...

I know this won't integrate with the Garmin but a neat solution nevertheless... https://innovv.com
 
Probably works as well. But it's too expensive I think.

I bought myself a 2-pack of "convex wide angle blind spot mirrors", that I taped on the mirrors on the bike. Believe I gave $4.99 on Amazon, and the double sided tape came included. It took a total of 17 seconds install them as well. (1) clean the mirrors, (2) put them on. And the added bonus of having no cables and perhaps the most important thing: I didn't have to upgrade my XT > XT2 so i saved a few bucks there as well.

Works great for increasing the viewing angle, and I already know how to use the mirrors.

Something like those in the attached picture (but not this exact model).
 

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canada_67 said:
I have an Innovv bike-cam (front and rear) and they also have a range of blind spot solutions - more affordable especially when they have a sale on (which they do several times a year)...
Click to expand...
I'm attracted to the Innov, merely as crash evidence should I need it, but without the radar add- on. Somehow I've ridden my whole life without it...

But I'm with Martin here. Head on a swivel, check blind spots with a head turn. Reliable as the rider, no wiring, nothing to breaky.

Oh, and it costs nothing.
 
Sadlsor said:
I'm attracted to the Innov, merely as crash evidence should I need it, but without the radar add- on. Somehow I've ridden my whole life without it...

But I'm with Martin here. Head on a swivel, check blind spots with a head turn. Reliable as the rider, no wiring, nothing to breaky.

Oh, and it costs nothing.
Click to expand...
That assumes that your OEM neck is still in good working order. ;)
I do have issues as my poor head will only turn so far either way (some days worse that others).
I have to pull up to 'intersections' with a certain approach to be able to see both ways.
If it is a 'slanted' intersection (not perpendicular), I have to be really careful.
Old Arthur is a constant companion of mine, just not a pleasant one...
 
The one feature I like is the rearview license plate light that comes on if a vehicle is coming up on you from the rear. This is a step above the typical add-on brake lights for better visibility when you hit the brakes as it works anytime a vehicle is coming up behind you regardless if you are braking or not.
 
bdalameda said:
The one feature I like is the rearview license plate light that comes on if a vehicle is coming up on you from the rear. This is a step above the typical add-on brake lights for better visibility when you hit the brakes as it works anytime a vehicle is coming up behind you regardless if you are braking or not.
Click to expand...
That is useful because when a driver comes flying up from behind you at a crazy fast speed, they could be on you after you do a head check.
 
Reflective tape costs even less, has no wires and doesn't break.

People coming up behind me, don't tailgate. I suspect it might be because the reflective tape is so bright in their headlights, they back off to a distance more comfortable to their eyes.

I remember one time on a night shift at RAF Mildenhall when I could see the reflective tape on the maintenance stands way off on the other end of the flightline. I couldn't see the dark green maintenance stand...but the tape was still able to be seen in my headlights. If you're parked on the side of the road with your engine off, lights and other electrical gadgets don't work. But the tape will.

Chris
 
Uncle Phil said:
That assumes that your OEM neck is still in good working order. ;)
Click to expand...
This is true, UP. At my young not-quite-70yo age, I'm quite blessed to be able to say that I've not yet had any replacement parts installed, nor any non-organic-biological pieces installed. Not yet.
I have had a part or two removed, but nothing added or substituted yet. And I like it that way. (You could say I'm an unrestored vintage model, all original and OEM.)
I can only pray that it continues this way. Well, pray, and stop riding motorcycles, but one of the two ain't happening, not voluntarily anyways.
 
Sadlsor said:
I have had a part or two removed, but nothing added or substituted yet. And I like it that way. (You could say I'm an unrestored vintage model, all original and OEM with a couple of parts missing.)
Click to expand...
There, fixed it for you! :biggrin:
I've got more than a couple of parts missing and more than couple new parts installed ... ;)
I think my factory warranty has long expired or else has been voided due to the modifications! :think1:
 
There are radar systems for cyclists that alert when a car is approaching from the rear. I know several cyclists who have one. I'm a cyclist, but I don't have one.

The way I see it... there's no point in being alerted to a car approaching from the rear if there's nothing you can do about it. I ride with as much consideration as possible for motorists so there would be nothing I could do anyway.

I feel like the motorcycle radar system is similar. Riding aware and defensively is far better than useless information.
 
Daboo said:
Reflective tape costs even less, has no wires and doesn't break.
Click to expand...

Larry Fine said:
Which is the really reflective stuff that normally looks like one color but reflects another color?
Click to expand...
1736474091637.png

1736474156835.png

I like the effect on the front. The two reflective white strips on the front of the side cases look almost like additional headlights.

1736474118912.png

Chris
 
The R1 Radar would be more of a distraction in heavy traffic, leading to the rider ignoring its signals. And the cost is not $600... unless you have the XT2.

@Larry Fine, I've not seen that reflective tape to match the 3M strips (white or red) that is sold in truck parts stores. That stuff lights up like a flood light. The stuff I'm talking about is typically 12" x 2" and is either all white or white/red.
 
But how effective is the reflective tape during the day? Bright lights can be seen and command attention during the day.
 
Larry Fine said:
Which is the really reflective stuff that normally looks like one color but reflects another color?
Click to expand...
See below;

Reflective Tape Help, Please | Lighting / Visibility

Excuse me for being so ignorant on a fairly simple question, but what is the brand of reflective tape that is invisible except when hit with headlights? I want everyone to see me, but I loathe the thought of my bike looking like the rear of a utilities truck with all of the red/white/yellow...
www.st-owners.com www.st-owners.com
 
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