So as everyone man know it is waaay to easy to get a speeding ticket on a bike and generally they are more than a little over the limit so can be quite expensive.

I'm looking to get a GOOD radar detector even if that means a decent chunk of change.

Does anyone have any advice for what to look for or any brands in particular to consider?

I own the Escort Passport 9500i and it's great.

It has a GPS sensor in it so it can "learn" false alarm spots, and it automatically adjusts sensitivity based on your speed because at 70mph you're not likely to be around a bunch of grocery store parking lots with there automatic door systems, so it makes the system more sensitive to radar signals, but at 5-10MPH it makes it a little less sensitive thus already eliminating many many false alarms.

Its a little big to fit on your bike, but it can be done. I have it in my car, and it's saved me from at least 4+ tickets.

If it saves you ONE ticket, it's paid for itself, and i can assure you unless you always follow the speed limit (specifically the 65mph MAX limit on the freeway) it will save you at least one ticket.

We have the Speed Legal H.A.R.D. systems here at the shop.  They work with your Escort, Beltronics, or Valentine 1.  It flashes a small LED light in your helmet to let you know the radar detector is going off.  It is a wireless system too.  I have a couple in the shop.  Come check them out!

Everything now is Lidar - meaning its a laser. So your speed can be detected instantaneously. After my speeding ticket (60 mph in a 35 zone) in November of 2008 I did A LOT of research. Motorcycle police have Lidar on them so you'll only know once they've got your speed. The only way to avoid them getting your speed electronically is to put a Lidar Jammer on your bike - only problem is, it's illegal.

Many people who have Jammers in their cars keep them hidden, although the cops will know if they try to get a reading on your car and a number doesn't pop up. Radar is very old school and will most likely be seldom used by cops.

http://www.radarbusters.com/radar-detector-accessories/motorcycle-mounts/motorcycletallstemmount19mm.cfm

You are going to need to mount your radar detector with something of the sort of that which is provided in the link above. Only problem is, with the Valentine One or which ever system you choose to get you'll end up having to take it off after each ride simply because if you leave it out there, it's going to get stolen. You also will have to find a way to water-proof it which can be easily done if you lookup radar mounting on bigger forums.

I never got a radar detector simply because its way too expensive to get anything that's good. The 2 systems already mentioned in the previous posts on this forum are THE BEST. In my opinion the Valentine One is the absolute hands down winner, except its expensive. You can buy used ones on their website or off craigslist. If you get one off craigslist, ask the seller for the serial number and go to valentine one's website. There you can input the serial and see what version it is. It's best to go with the latest version.

I could go on and on about this because after my ticket I was traumatized...my first and only (knock on wood). But really using your eyes and being vigilant is the BEST detector.

Quick Tips:

1. If cars are mysteriously going slow in a big group but you don't see brake lights...most likely there's a cop amongst the crowd.

2. Remember what the police car and police motorcycle headlights look like. Train your mind to remember what they look like so you can spot them in your mirror. As Wuzer said, if they wanna get a motorcycle most of the time they tail them for a while. (I've had this done to me and let them tail me at a huge distance, and then gotten to a freeway division and just taken off).

3. This is bad but true: Remember most patrol cars can't keep up with your motorcycle, but motorcycle cops can. So if you do decide to run (because I have 3 or 4 times since my ticket and gotten away without them capturing my license plate):

- Remember if you're on the freeway, to get off and go through sidestreets. Try to get into a big mall parking structure, go walk around for 10 minutes and get back on the freeway.

- If you're on streets already, just lane split away. If you're smart about where the police car cameras are mounted...then you'll be able to get away w/o your plate being caught.

- Whatever you do DONT continue on the freeway, in their field of vision because then a helicopter will be called and you'll be screwed. If your plate is caught, then they'll just wait at your house. It helps if you're a student around SD to have your address with your insurance back at your hometown That way when they look you up...they get confused.

Hope i'm not getting you into trouble and wow that was fun to write. Hahaha  

+1 on being the coolest local shop in town 

with regards to what Vidur said:
Remember what the police car and police motorcycle headlights look like. Train your mind to remember what they look like so you can spot them in your mirror.

also keep in mind that police are now "stealthing" their cars by putting the blinkers at the very very top of the windshield so some police cars no longer have the huge giveaway blinkers mounted to the top of the car.

LIDAR isn't as common as you think it is. Anyone who's owned a radar detector that detects both laser and radar will tell you that. There are some key differences on the operation of LIDAR vs. RADAR systems that usually makes RADAR the unit of choice.

I've owned my Escort 9500i for around 3 years now, and I can safely say I've only had a laser pointed at my car twice, while i've had KA and K band radar systems pointed at my car hundreds and hundreds of times, and I've done a lot of driving - In LA, Orange County and here in San Diego

I have a buddy in Costa Mesa PD and he says Laser is the new thing out, along with instant on Radar (POP) -- and if your detector detects that (8500, 9500i and ix do) you're basically already caught because its instant.

But there are draw backs to LIDAR, he says that most officers don't like using laser because it has to be pointed at the car pretty precisely, much more than RADAR systems (because RADAR systems have a large beam spread - about 10 feet wide for every 40 feet from the source) because of this spread - officers can sometimes just sit in there car and have there RADAR pointed in the general direction and pickup speeds (when in reality they might even be tracking a vehicle other than yours! or multiple vehicles)

My guess is, late at night, most officers don't want to exit their vehicle, and aim their LIDAR systems, and much rather prefer the simplicity of radar.

Here is some info on LIDAR vs RADAR from a law enforcement source.
http://www.policeone.com/columnists/lom/articles/120325-Radar-vs-Lidar-Which-will-work-best-for-you/

Just some FY to add to the radar dector post...
It's been a while since I have received a ticket (knock on wood)
My last ticket was Christmas 2 years ago. I have a radar detector and yes it has saved me from some tickets in other states such as AZ and othe Cali surrounding states where dectectors are illegal. But back to the ticket, my radar didnt even chirp and I saw his freakin gun out. SO I asked to see his "radar" gun he said he got my on is "Lidar." Moral of the story, my radar detector didnt do squat. Thank goodness for traffic school. Dont speed on the 76!!!

Ya I hear ya, Its just rare out here in Cali to see cops with radar. I mean our stations have money. They dont need to use the old school stuff. I dont know the model of it but it was a whistler. Damn think blew up on a trip. Started smoking then all of a sudden sound was gone. I found it comical