Bandit Alley
GENERAL MOTORCYCLE FORUMS => PRODUCT REVIEWS => Topic started by: Grissom on June 29, 2007, 10:55:18 AM
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What type of "Throttle locK" or cruise control type devices are you guys using ? :motorsmile:
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Throttle-Meister here... although not a true "cruise control" rather a throttle lock. Pricey but worth it and reduces the bar buzz.
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Throttle-Meister here... although not a true "cruise control" rather a throttle lock. Pricey but worth it and reduces the bar buzz.
I have been looking at them, are you using the std. or heavy version? Are you able to set it with one hand?
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I've got the TM standard version. I can set it with one hand. I do think something like the Vista-Cruise or NEP throttle locks would be easier to set - and a lot cheaper.
I find I don't use it as much as I thought I would though. Not enough flat ground with consistant speed traffic around here to get much chance to ever lock the throttle for long. I find I get a lot more use out of my Throttle Rocker (old-style - before they went to the velcro setup).
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I have been looking at them, are you using the std. or heavy version? Are you able to set it with one hand?
Standard version here.... very easy to install and clean appearance plus you retain the entire width of your grip.
I'm not real good at quickly setting it with one hand but a couple of twists with the outside palm will get it there. I usually just reach around with the left hand and give it a twist - looks funny but it's quicker for me.
I don't use it a lot but really appreciate having it when the time is right. I junked my Throttle Rocker - too many opportunities for bad stuff to happen IMHO. I did learn to rotate the Rocker forward out of the way when not in use... way safer that way.
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http://forums.banditalley.net/viewtopic.php?t=8836
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http://forums.banditalley.net/viewtopic.php?t=8836
For those that have tried the NEP did you have to modify anything in order for it to work?
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I know this is an old thread. However, I want to share my latest winter project with my fellow banditos. Even though I live in Central California there are approximately 2 months out of the year that I choose not to ride due to the dense fog. Anyway, during that time I decided to go all out, by purchasing and installing a "real" cruise control. The unit is an universal model by Audiovox, model CCS-100. I picked it up on Amazon.com for $85 including shipping. Anyway, the installation is fairly straight forward. The servo and vaccum canister (the vaccum canister does not come with the unit, it is something you can easily construct from PVC pipe) tuck in nicely behind the side fairings. Wiring of the unit is very simple, provided you have a schematic and ohm/volt meter. The hardest part of the installation was removing the carbs and connecting the cruise control cable to the throttle linkage on the bike. But, once I figured out that the cable must pull down, not up, it was fairly simple. Nevertheless, the cruise control works better than anticipated and much smoother than some car cruise controls. It basically has the same features with on/off, set, coast and accel/resume. It disengages with a touch of the brakes and extremely smooth. Needless to say, I couldn't be happier with unit and operation. Unfortunately, I don't really know how to attach or post pictures, or I would. I took pictures of the entire installation. So, if anyone is interested, let me know or if someone can help me post them that would be great too! :motorsmile:
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Real cruise control sounds great, but I'm not as ambitious as you so I just bolted up a Vista Throttle lock a while back. It's great on long highway runs, it locks easily with a flip of your thumb and it's cheap (approx $25), but needs input up and down the hills :wink:
(http://www.jcwhitney.com/wcsstore/jcwhitney/images/imagecache/G_20801G_CL_1.jpg)
http://www.jcwhitney.com/VISTA-CRUISE-CRUISE-CONTROL/GP_2010944_N_111+10211+600014745_10111.jcw
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I've heard of that being done before and there MAY even be a thread buried in here somewhere on it - or it may be from one of the older versions of the board and it's lost... but here's the basic idea done on a Kawi Concours:
http://www.murphskits.com/audiovox/1index.html
The schematic is probably different, but the idea is the same.
And you can easily post pics here by following the instructions in the Board FAQ on the subject:
http://forums.banditalley.net/index.php?topic=520.0
You'll need to have your pics hosted on a share-friendly site that doesn't require viewers to login, like Photobucket. (http://photobucket.com/)
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:thanks:Red01, I appreciate the tips to post pics and including the hyperlink to the instructional thread. If I can remember my user id and password for Photobucket, I'll be able to post the pics sometime tonight. I think other riders may be interested in viewing how well this particular unit fits the bandit.
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d88/Groundpounder/bike%20cruise%20control/cc.jpg)
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d88/Groundpounder/bike%20cruise%20control/ccvaccumcanister.jpg)
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d88/Groundpounder/bike%20cruise%20control/servoaftdirection.jpg)
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d88/Groundpounder/bike%20cruise%20control/wireconnectionservovaccanister.jpg)
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d88/Groundpounder/bike%20cruise%20control/carbsvaccumandbeadssetup.jpg)
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d88/Groundpounder/bike%20cruise%20control/cccablerightside.jpg)
(http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d88/Groundpounder/bike%20cruise%20control/cccableleftside.jpg)
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Hope the pics help and didn't take forever and a day to load. For less than a hundred bucks, this set up is well worth the money and time to install. :motorsmile:
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hey Groundpounder,how did you run the servo cable?did you go under the motor?Also did you hook up the vac line,first carb?
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As you can see, I mounted the servo on the right hand side on top of the R/H fairing mounting bracket. The servo cable was then routed on the inside of the frame, back around the battery and then down on the L/H side along the wiring for the starter and alternator, then behind the motor and the to the center of the carbs. The cable had to pull in the "down" direction. I could not get it to work pulling up. I hooked up the vacuum lines exactly as pictured. However, later I discovered that I only needed two connections and went with carbs 1 & 3. IMO, it worked better than advertised. It's a great set up and the only way to go for those seriously long rides. I would set it according the speed on my GPS and just go...no worries...just great enjoyable riding.
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thanks,I also did the over the top pull and just couldn't get the wire loop to hook around the throttle wire cam and fit it back into the pulley.Will try your way and probably be buggin you again...lol
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Real cruise control sounds great, but I'm not as ambitious as you so I just bolted up a Vista Throttle lock a while back. It's great on long highway runs, it locks easily with a flip of your thumb and it's cheap (approx $25), but needs input up and down the hills :wink:
(http://www.jcwhitney.com/wcsstore/jcwhitney/images/imagecache/G_20801G_CL_1.jpg)
http://www.jcwhitney.com/VISTA-CRUISE-CRUISE-CONTROL/GP_2010944_N_111+10211+600014745_10111.jcw
I installed this on my B1250. Problem with this is the metal collar that holds the plastic collar that is attached to the throttle grip. I can screw the tensioner tighter but the 90* bend at the collar have a flex to it. At some point, no matter if I tighten it more, it will only flex at the bend. The metal collar does not hold the plastic collar tight. In the garage, stationary, it will hold just fine. Once the bike is moving, the vibration allows the collar to move. On a perfectly level road, even a slight down slope road, I lock the throttle at 75mph and it will slowly loose speed. It is not the slop of the throttle. If it was, then at some point, the slop will be use up and the falling speed will stabilize. Someday, I'll fab another metal collar with a heavier gauge material.
I had a NEP type on my old bike, Kawasaki Concours and it worked fine. I thought I go with something a few dollars more but it did not turn out as I hope.
I kept it on anyways since it is good for a few seconds of throttle hand scratching if I need it. In the end, I am more happy with the Throttle Rocker. It relief me of my death grip on the throttle and my hand is happier at the end of the day. If you get one, get one with a wide paddle. The smaller paddle one does put a tiny bit of pressure on the heel of your palm and on a very long day, I can feel the irritation.