Escort SR1 radar install Ducati 998

It doesn't take many miles on a Ducati 998 to realize this is without a doubt the fastest way to lose your license (besides a Ferrari). So I've been toying around with radar detectors, AA battery models, since magazine reviews give them such high ratings and its soo easy to just stick one to the windshield and you're done. Problem is they simply don't give the range I need (they basically tell me I just PASSED a cop. Gee, thanks). I have experience with both the Valentine-One and the Passport Escort ZR-1, and I like the performance of those models. I chose to install a ZR1 since it allows me to install all the pieces separately on the motorcycle and connect them centrally via a CPU.

I thought I'd just go down to the recommended Escort radar installer and have them install the unit into the bike, since the manufacturer claims the unit must be professionally installed. So I go there and it doesn't take long to realize -- What was I thinking?? Installing the unit into a motorcycle isn't as easy as I thought -- if you want it done right.

So I called Escort and the got the low-down on the 'professionally installed' requirement. Could I do this myself? The unoffical answer is yes -- they put that requirement on the product because it involves tapping into the electrical system and ensuring the laser shifters are level -- something their lawyers have determined average joe is not capable of handling without either frying himself or destroying some expensive electronics.

So I decide to take on the challenge -- and will post the pics here for other duc owners who may want to give it a try. I learned a few things that would have helped me had the information been available, so hopefully they will help you.

 

The location of the main components are a no-brainer.

Install the remote-mute switch on the left so your right hand is free for the front brake.

The radar display is very slim, and is mounted front and center. The volume control is here but can also be operated via the remote mute switch. The unit is velcro mounted so it can be detached and wrapped in a ziplock bag in the off case (for me) of rain.

The additional LED is drilled and mounted just below the indicator lights cluster. Fits very nicely there and looks great. The light flashes red on alarms, solid green otherwise.

The amplified speaker is a 25 USD part that I didn't consider at first that I wish I had known about, its not part of the kit. It allows you to hear the radar unit, at speed, with all the wind noise and a full face helmet. The volume can be controlled using the remote mute switch or the volume controller on the radar display. I leave it turned all the way up, and it is very loud (so loud that if you don't have your helment on, say in the garage, you might want to plug your ears). The speaker unit is positioned so it points directly at the rider for maximum effectiveness. In addition, the radar display has a standard earphone jack on the side that works too.
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Remote mute switch mount is straightfoward, fits nicely here and doesn't interfere with other switches

 

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This pic shows the front radar mount and laser shifter (jammer). The problem I had here is the kit doesn't have what it takes to mount these as a single unit (on a car the laser shifers are installed on outside edges of the front of the vehicle). Per the manufacturer the laser shifters must be mounted level with the road surface, which poses question about the effectiveness on a motorcycle, that will be another story someday I'm sure. But in a straight line it should work fine. So I crafted the aluminumn vertical spacer you see in the pic to allow the unit to be mounted as one and still allow the laser shifter to be adjusted for level (with rider on bike).
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This next pic shows the speaker mount. The escort speaker is amplified and first very nicely in the space shown. So nicely, in fact, the temptation is to just wedge it there (will it stay??). But my experience has been that if it can happen, it will, so it will fall out if you don't secure it somehow. Hmmm. The mount provided by the manufacturer is huge and will not work. But if you take the speaker apart (4 screws, back of unit), then let the guts slide out, you can then drill an 1/8" hole next to the manufacturer's mount. Then use a small zip tie to secure the unit to the frame. That should do it.
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side pic speaker mount and front radar receiver/laser shifter.
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This pic shows the wiring harness from the front of the bike to the rear where the CPU and power connections will be made. The plastic tubing is not part of the kit -- get it from Radio Shack. The yellow line will be hidden by the body panels, the red section will be visible. The big mistake I made here was I started routing this on the left side of the bike. After a few hours it became evident that Ducati used the left side of the bike for hot components and the right side is for electrical. Wish I had known that. Took everything apart and moved eveything to right side. Much better.
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Front view radar sensor mount
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This pic shows the CPU and connectors to the various components. I chose to install under the seat so it will be waterproof and easily accessible. Since the manufacturers kit includes cables long enough for a passenger car, you will have to cut some of the wires down to length. Most connections are rj10, the same connectors by telephones (not the phone line rj11, but the handset, rj10. They are about a millimeter smaller. I couldn't find these at Radio Shack but no problem at an electronics specialty store, about 10 bucks for connectors and crimping tool). The other connectors you will need to cut down are the power and ground leads, standard 20 guage wire. I didn't bother with the speaker and mute wires, which are mini-phono jacks. All this gets velcro'd to the frame, so its not vibrating/moving around. Be sure to leave enough play to allow the suspension travel to work without ripping everything apart!
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This pic shows how the power is supplied to the CPU and the speaker. The Ducati dealer suggested I tie into the rear taillight, but that is a bad idea because then the seat can be removed with disconnecting everything. I opt for the rear license plate light, which is switched -- VERY IMPORTANT, unless you want a dead battery. The Ducati wires are on the left, just create 3-way pigtails for power and ground and connect everything together. The CPU only requires 1 connection, which powers the front and rear radar and laser sensors. The speaker requires a separate connection, since it is amplifled. All can be connected to the same power source as long as it is switched.
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Here is the rear laser shifter. Pretty stealthy as it blends into the license plate frame nicely. The problem with the manufacturers mount is it designed to mount to a passenger car license plate frame -- doesn't work for motorcycle. But no problem, see next pic. The shifter must be level (+/- 5%)with the road surface, just bend the bracket by hand.
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This last pic shows how to mount the rear laser shifter. Unscrew the mount shown by (1) and remount bracket 90 degrees. Then mount entire assembly by pre-drilling and screw with large wood screws into plastic ducati license plate frame (2). Take unused manufacturer's firewall rubber piece, cut to length and twist rubber pieces over pertruding screw ends. Wire tie laser sensor wires (3) so as to not come near hot exhaust. I couldn't fit the rear laser sensor wire through the factory holes under the seat so drill 1/4" hole under seat and run wire into seat area (use manufacture's 2nd firewall plug, and tie a loop knot in wire to prevent wire stress, see previous pic).

Now the hard part -- stay out of trouble ...
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Good question, was worried too, but hasn't been a problem yet even with track use, hard braking (even locked front brake). So we'll see ...