Throttle Lock vs Electronic Cruise Control
Discussion
Thinking about a new bike as a stablemate to my 15 year old VFR800.
I want a middleweight, road oriented, adventure styled touring bike. Versys 650 is top of list but will look at a V-Strom and Tracer as well.
I do like the idea of cruise control on a bike though - obviously not available on any of the bikes I'm considering - and would push me towards a more expensive/older bike if I really want this feature.
A throttle lock (I read good things about Kaoko) would seem to be a second best option.
Anyone have experience of using both and can offer an opinion if it's worth putting more money into a bike for. I don't do a huge amount of motorway riding, but suffer from a bit of fatigue in my wrist and would enjoy riding more if I could relive this from time to time.
I want a middleweight, road oriented, adventure styled touring bike. Versys 650 is top of list but will look at a V-Strom and Tracer as well.
I do like the idea of cruise control on a bike though - obviously not available on any of the bikes I'm considering - and would push me towards a more expensive/older bike if I really want this feature.
A throttle lock (I read good things about Kaoko) would seem to be a second best option.
Anyone have experience of using both and can offer an opinion if it's worth putting more money into a bike for. I don't do a huge amount of motorway riding, but suffer from a bit of fatigue in my wrist and would enjoy riding more if I could relive this from time to time.
Edited by Seight_Returns on Tuesday 13th October 15:53
Edited by Seight_Returns on Tuesday 13th October 15:55
See link below to a topic i started about throttle locks and well I'm still undecided.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
As said said in the link referenced above anything mechanical wont hold the same speed up hill and down dale anyway...you'll set it on the flat and at the face of a decent hill , the revs will drop and the bike will slow..going downhill of course, the opposite will happen..
5 of us bought ThrottleJockeys(!) for a European trip , within 100 miles they where all in a bin at the petrol station, they interfered with the controls to much .
I do now have cruise control on my newer bike and along with heated grips, , makes longer trips and motorway journeys much more bearable. If you really think you need cruise, purchase a bike with it fitted would be my advice.
5 of us bought ThrottleJockeys(!) for a European trip , within 100 miles they where all in a bin at the petrol station, they interfered with the controls to much .
I do now have cruise control on my newer bike and along with heated grips, , makes longer trips and motorway journeys much more bearable. If you really think you need cruise, purchase a bike with it fitted would be my advice.
Mccruise.com are doing yamaha now but mt07 /tracer aren't on the list yet. It is pricey though, compared to a bit of budget creep to a Tracer 900 Gt?
I test rode the Tracer 900 Gt, the cruise control worked fine, same as a normal car system. Definitely better than a throttle lock but a throttle lock might work for you if just want to give your hand a break. Why not try one on a bike you already have if it's affecting a new purchase decision.
I test rode the Tracer 900 Gt, the cruise control worked fine, same as a normal car system. Definitely better than a throttle lock but a throttle lock might work for you if just want to give your hand a break. Why not try one on a bike you already have if it's affecting a new purchase decision.
I've never liked the idea of a throttle lock. Other than you needing to vary the throttle for going up a hill, down a hill, round a bend, with or against the wind, they look like they add too much time to close the throttle if you need to in a hurry, even if the engine can be disconnected with the clutch.
I've used similar to this before.
https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/...
It allows you to relieve pressure on your hand around the throttle and instead just rest it. You can still close the throttle in an instant if required.
I've used similar to this before.
https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/...
It allows you to relieve pressure on your hand around the throttle and instead just rest it. You can still close the throttle in an instant if required.
I chopped in my VFR800 Anniversary for an MT10 to get much more upright and for cruise control. Plowing up and down motorways I wouldn't ever want to go without. With a Puig touring screen & spoiler plus the comfort seat it came with, it has tremendous weather protection and comfort, is stupidly capable when you want it plus actually has much better range than feared (up to 150 miles per tank).
having had cruise in cars for years and seen the benefits
i finally have it on my two current bikes after years of not having it, just would not be without it particularly at the moment with largely free flowing m'ways
still a novelty so i do take both hands off the bars occasionally and wave to others with my right hand - what a child
i finally have it on my two current bikes after years of not having it, just would not be without it particularly at the moment with largely free flowing m'ways
still a novelty so i do take both hands off the bars occasionally and wave to others with my right hand - what a child
My 16 Tuono didnt have cruise so I bought a throttle lock - ally thing cost me about £35. It does the job when I was on tour
Couple things I found with it. When riding it was noticeable on the left side of the throttle grip and terms of feeling the bar. When you set the speed its not constant as although the throttle is going up or down hills will have you changing speed at times by quite a bit
It definitely gave my wrist a rest which was needed and for the money worth it but its a very simple cheap product
My 19 Tuono has cruise as standard - I use it all the time and couldnt be without it. Average cameras are the main thing I use it for when not touring
Couple things I found with it. When riding it was noticeable on the left side of the throttle grip and terms of feeling the bar. When you set the speed its not constant as although the throttle is going up or down hills will have you changing speed at times by quite a bit
It definitely gave my wrist a rest which was needed and for the money worth it but its a very simple cheap product
My 19 Tuono has cruise as standard - I use it all the time and couldnt be without it. Average cameras are the main thing I use it for when not touring
When I had a VFR800 years back and looked at getting cruise control I remember reading about someone who had fitted a car addon kit to the VFR - it looked a little bit Heath Robinson and obviously not as nicely integrated as OEM, but it did seem to do the job.
If you could still get the relevant parts and bits needed (which may be a big "if" nowadays given how many cars have it as standard) and were handy with the spanners, it might be option.
If you could still get the relevant parts and bits needed (which may be a big "if" nowadays given how many cars have it as standard) and were handy with the spanners, it might be option.
I see there are various retrofit CC Options for bikes that have electronic throttles (McCruise) that seem to have few disadvantages apart from cost. Options for bikes with cable throttles seem much more limited - fair play to someone who got a car CC working on a motorcycle, but I don't think I'd be that brave.
As someone said above - getting a throttle lock for my VFR and seeing if it's enough for me before deciding on a new bike seems the sensible way forward.
Tiger XRX has CC and is the bike I secretly want, although is more bike than I need - man maths may prevail as usual !.
As someone said above - getting a throttle lock for my VFR and seeing if it's enough for me before deciding on a new bike seems the sensible way forward.
Tiger XRX has CC and is the bike I secretly want, although is more bike than I need - man maths may prevail as usual !.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff