Cruise Control

[Yamahahammer1300]

Ok, I am looking for a better mod than the ones I have tried so far.
Throttle buster- cheap, but getsa in the way.
Caterpillar O ring- cheaper, but doesn't hold that well.  Maybe my grips are tired, since they are original, not sure.
Suggestions are welcome.  Mechanical lver electronic preferred.
At least I amtrying not asking about oil or tires, eh?

[TexasDave]

I have a Throttle Meister on my 84 and it works great. It also looks good as it is polished stainless and replaces both bar ends. It does take a little effort to get it adjusted just right and is about $150. It is a mechanical friction device rolling on and off with the bar end. I was thinking of trying an Atlas throttle lock on my 93. This looks like a well made item for about half the price of the throttle meister. It is a lever locked design and fits between the grip and kill switch.

Dave

[aviationfred]

I use a Vista Cruise throttle lock. A bit bulky, but it works fairly well. Will hold speed well enough too rest your throttle hand on long rides.
Can be sourced from Cycle Gear and eBay.


Fred

[TexasDave]

I use a Vista Cruise throttle lock. A bit bulky, but it works fairly well. Will hold speed well enough too rest your throttle hand on long rides.



Fred

I agree with Fred on this. Probably the best bang for the buck.

[Sparky84]

Guys,

I'm unsure of the benefits of Cruise Control on bikes, can you advise of the Pro's.

I admit that with every trip there are sections where you have to slab it but it doesn't take too much effort to twist the throttle and hold it 

Yes, I have had trips where I've done 1000k's back to back with some fairly straight roads which included Eyre Highway 90k straight.

Apart from the occasional left hand on throttle while giving the right a rest, I cannot see a reason for Cruise Control but please correct me

Cheers Alan

[Pat Conlon]

....Apart from the occasional left hand on throttle while giving the right a rest, I cannot see a reason for Cruise Control but please correct me

Don't do that Alan. A throttle lock is much safer than using your left hand to hold the throttle open.

Kinda like heated grips. They are not needed most times, but the times they are, they are nice to have.

[roverfj1200]

https://www.murphskits.com/product_info.php?cPath=25&products_id=422

I have this one fitted to mine.

http://home.mysoul.com.au/rover/page05.htm

[ribbert]

I just happen to have all four types on bikes in the garage, OEM electronic, Omni, Vista and friction ring. Of the three mechanical types the Vista is the best, the Omni works well but looks like and an after thought and the friction knob I only ever used once, it's a Kaoko which is probably the best (and most expensive) of that type but I don't like the way it activates, it's not a clean action and can be engaged unintentionally.

I use my throttle lock mostly for adjusting mirrors, picking bugs out of my helmet, adjusting clothing, tightening my helmet, getting things out of my pockets, tucking in my neck warmer, checking zips, taking photos etc, all manner of things you can only do with your right hand. I do occasionally use it for wrist relief and it allows a far greater range of movement all over on longs trips without stopping to stretch. Standing on the pegs with my knees locked or swinging my arms around for example.

Having ridden many miles with them all, the Vista would be my recommendation.

Noel

[ribbert]

....Apart from the occasional left hand on throttle while giving the right a rest, I cannot see a reason for Cruise Control but please correct me

Don't do that Alan. A throttle lock is much safer than using your left hand to hold the throttle open.

Kinda like heated grips. They are not needed most times, but the times they are, they are nice to have.

.... and heated vests, Pinlock visor inserts, GPS, ear plugs, polar fleece neck tubes, lambswool seat covers, decent lighting, all season jackets, intercoms (or music and phone), grippy tyres etc. Yes, we've all ridden for years without all this stuff and done just fine, it's often difficult to see the value in something you haven't tried.

You will use and enjoy all of these things way more than you imagined before you had them.

Noel

[PaulG]

Guys,

I'm unsure of the benefits of Cruise Control on bikes, can you advise of the Pro's.

Another reason is to help stave off Carpl Tunnel Syndrome.  Once all the items re vibration damping are checked off (balanced carbs, greased mounts, bar ends, etc), cruise control can help extend your riding life.  Not fun to have though it can be alleviated through surgery.

It was one of the main factors in ending Freddy Spencer's GP career.  Once it becomes chronic it will never go away.

That reminds me... haven't bought myself an Xmas present this year so this might fit the bill for the start if riding season in April. The Cramp Buster just doesn't do it anymore.

[Sparky84]

....Apart from the occasional left hand on throttle while giving the right a rest, I cannot see a reason for Cruise Control but please correct me

Don't do that Alan. A throttle lock is much safer than using your left hand to hold the throttle open.

Kinda like heated grips. They are not needed most times, but the times they are, they are nice to have.

.... and heated vests, Pinlock visor inserts, GPS, ear plugs, polar fleece neck tubes, lambswool seat covers, decent lighting, all season jackets, intercoms (or music and phone), grippy tyres etc. Yes, we've all ridden for years without all this stuff and done just fine, it's often difficult to see the value in something you haven't tried.

You will use and enjoy all of these things way more than you imagined before you had them.

Noel

OK, then What suspension upgrades should I be looking at doing?
Cheers Alan

[fj-f3a]

In 2006, I fitted the Australian made MC Cruise cruise control to my FJ and have never looked back. A properly engineered electronic cruise control which meets all the necessary safety standards.
As the name implies, a "cruise control" comes into it's own when cruising. For the times when, say, you have to ride on the free way due to time restrictions or sum such, just turn on, press set and cruise.
Benefits are immediately noticeable. Constant speed up hill and down dale, relaxed riding with you right hand just resting on the bar like your left hand, better fuel economy (true) and possably less speeding fines.
With a proper cruise control, you have the added assurance that when you touch the brake or clutch, it disengages.
To the best of my knowledge, all FJ's have a reed switch on the speedo which switches to ground. In conjunction with a 47K resistor, I used this switch to provide the speed reference pulses to the electronics. No external sensor required.
However, they are not cheep, but what price safety. The alternative, choose the curvy roads option on your sat nav.

[oldktmdude]

. The alternative, choose the curvy roads option on your sat nav.

Have they got other settings?

[GS Jockey]

In 2006, I fitted the Australian made MC Cruise cruise control to my FJ and have never looked back. A properly engineered electronic cruise control which meets all the necessary safety standards.
As the name implies, a "cruise control" comes into it's own when cruising. For the times when, say, you have to ride on the free way due to time restrictions or sum such, just turn on, press set and cruise.
Benefits are immediately noticeable. Constant speed up hill and down dale, relaxed riding with you right hand just resting on the bar like your left hand, better fuel economy (true) and possably less speeding fines.
With a proper cruise control, you have the added assurance that when you touch the brake or clutch, it disengages.
To the best of my knowledge, all FJ's have a reed switch on the speedo which switches to ground. In conjunction with a 47K resistor, I used this switch to provide the speed reference pulses to the electronics. No external sensor required.
However, they are not cheep, but what price safety. The alternative, choose the curvy roads option on your sat nav.

BUGGER OFF!
This 'Moditis' affliction is bad enough without people like you coming along putting up posts like this.
I'm going for a run on the FJ just now, but I'll send you an email later if that's OK, for a bit more information. I've had a look at their site, but you can give me stuff about the FJ fitting.
Cheers, and Happy New Year.
Dave.

[ribbert]

In 2006, I fitted the Australian made MC Cruise cruise control to my FJ and have never looked back....

No doubt electronic cruise on a bike is the way to go. As we all know, bikes are far more responsive than cars and far more prone to speed fluctuations. For me it's more about speed monitoring. Where I live they cut you no slack. I just got another ticket in the mail this week - 64 in a 60 zone - $198!! That's a bit over 2mph over the limit. (also recently $238 for merging into a bike lane more than 50 metres before a corner, $370 for 115kph in the country, $216 for 65 in a 60 zone and more earlier in the year)

With every Police vehicle fitted with mobile radar and every speed detection device set to these tolerances (including the coppers themselves) and the cops having roadside discretion taken away from them, speed monitoring is essential if travelling on major roads.

IMO staying within these tolerances while concentrating on driving or in hilly country is unachievable and becomes more a game of luck rather than good management.

Those MC units have a very good reputation but are expensive, almost as much as I've paid over the last year in speeding fines!

Noel