It wasn't an issue with the Barnett cables, but was an issue with (*most of) the switched cables from Europe. The feeling was just the opposite of "wooden" - squishy or vague would be my description.
Of course, it wasn't all down to the switch - the construction of the cables themselves was sub-par. The inner wire was woven of too few strands and not tightly enough, the outer housing was wound of round section wire (vs. square section of the originals), end fittings crimped vs. soldered. All of that made for a very "stretchy" cable, poor braking action and feel. This is exactly why I had Barnett make cables in the first place.
The one problem I did have with the Barnett cable was the switch. It was originally meant for a Harley clutch(?) cable to disengage cruise control. Inside, separating the contacts was a foam washer which worked fine on a clutch cable that had slack in it when not "pulled", but became a problem on Loop brake cables which have some tension on them at all times. The foam disc sacked out and then the brake lights would stay on. The switch comes apart easily though, so I replaced the foam disc with a rubber o-ring and that restored it to proper working order.
Both of my Ambos are running cables without switches (one from Barnett an the other made by Motion Pro). To activate the brake light, I've rigged up switches hooked to the brake arms as shown here:
http://www.thisoldtractor.com/moto_guzzi_loopframe_brake_light_switch_alternative_2_-front-.html* For a very short time, Stucchi (before they went bust and reorganized as LGC) sold a very heavy made switched cable that was nearly the equal of the factory originals.
