Cruise Controls

[sign216]

Anyone use cruise control devices and like them?

I've tried a couple, and they just seem like a bother.  The best was the throttle on my '58 BMW R50.  The throttle spring matched the cable resistance, so it just stayed at whatever position I put it at. 

For modern bikes, cruise controls appear to be more of a pain than the problem.  Am I wrong?

[lucian]

I never had cc until the custom14 and I really like it. It is a basic type with no pass feature but set it to speed and it keeps you right there. You can roll on the throttle to pass and it will resume when you let off, and cancels when you tap a brake or the clutch. The button to activate it is a pain with heavy gloves on and the green light on the dash when it's on is distracting as it's very similar to the turn indicator. I always makes me grin when your cruising on the highway with it on and start up a grade and you feel the motor start pulling to stay at speed, and it does. I would say it's a must have for a touring bike once you've had one. I notice a pretty good improvement in fuel mileage on the slab with it as well, and no tickets.

[rodekyll]

Your topic is cruise control, but your examples are throttle assists.  The former is an active control, the latter is passive.  Which are you discussing?

I've used a variety of throttle assists over the years.  They are all tradeoffs in function v [something].  For me the best has been the old tomaselli friction assist, where you use a big thumbscrew to set the tension on the throttle drum.  That fell out of favor for some reason.  Now my favorite is either a fat coated rubber band between the throttle drum end and the switch pod, or the "cramp buster"-type palm paddle.

I have a fer-real cruise control I've been tinkering up for the trike.  The big problem I see upcoming is that it wants to move the throttle drum when it works.  I have to get smarter than the linkage attachment point to solve that.  So far I have not.

[lucian]

RK are you talking fitting an auto aftermarket type unit? sounds interesting if that's the case.

[Ncdan]

One of the guys on

here gave me this one and its the best style I've ever used. So simple it's funny but works perfectly. I'll try and send a picture.

[malik]

+1 - I have these mounted on all my bikes, & have done for years - called "Go Cruise" & the packet says they are from www.2wheelride.com. I think I got the first ones from Aerostich. They now have a few versions, of varying complexity, but I prefer the simplest one. They are stunningly simple & work well. Don't leave town without one.

[antmanbee]

I also like the Tomaselli thumb screw and wish there was a way to have this on my Jackal and Calvin. I am looking for a good solution to this.

[sign216]

I never had cc until the custom14 and I really like it. It is a basic type with no pass feature but set it to speed and it keeps you right there. You can roll on the throttle to pass and it will resume when you let off, and cancels when you tap a brake or the clutch. The button to activate it is a pain with heavy gloves on and the green light on the dash when it's on is distracting as it's very similar to the turn indicator. I always makes me grin when your cruising on the highway with it on and start up a grade and you feel the motor start pulling to stay at speed, and it does. I would say it's a must have for a touring bike once you've had one. I notice a pretty good improvement in fuel mileage on the slab with it as well, and no tickets.

I did a search for that model but didn't come up with anything.  It is mechanical, or electronic?

[pete roper]

The Cali 14's all come with CC standard, it's electronic and another benefit of RBW and a canbus system in that it's really easy to incorporate into the software. Generally speaking, as its probably well known by regular forum visitors, I'm no fan of the Cali 14's overall but I loved the CC although as noted the control button could be better designed and its function is a bit simplistic. I'd crawl seven miles over broken glass to have a similar system on my 1200's.

Actually there's no need on the Griso any more as since I now have the Stelvio for touring duties the Griso will become more of a weekend weapon and CC will be less of a boon in those circumstances. On the Stelvio it would be a huge benefit though, especially on our up-coming round Oz jaunt.

Pete

[flower_king001]

I for one don't care for any type of cruise control on a motorcycle but her is a homemade device much like a "Go Cruise".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEmMvNYEq2o

[malik]

Love it. Again, simple & nothing to break.

[rodekyll]

RK are you talking fitting an auto aftermarket type unit? sounds interesting if that's the case.

I'm working with a ROSTRA automotive control, which seems to be OEM on a lot of automobiles and aftermarket for more.  It's been adapted to guzzi's already, iirc.  I'll let the guy who did it name hisself if he wants to.

The challenge with using a Rostra with the trike is that it's Convert based:  I need to count drive shaft ticks, not engine ticks for road speed, since there is no absolute relationship between rpm and mph.  My technical difficulty at the moment is the driveshaft speed sensor. 

[ChuckH]

I'm working with a ROSTRA automotive control, which seems to be OEM on a lot of automobiles and aftermarket for more.  It's been adapted to guzzi's already, iirc.....

I have a Rostra on my current bike -- an '07 R1200R BMW.  Before that, this unit was on a '12 Stelvio and before that on an '09 650 Strom.  Properly set up, it operates like the cruise in your car. 

I live in the Great Middle (a bit south of Indy), a long ways from anywhere.  My rides to rallies are generally long rides on boring roads.  The cruise takes the stress out of holding a somewhat constant speed for long periods of time.  I just sit there listening to my music and enjoying the scenery.

[Darren Williams]

I have throttle locks on all my bikes that don't have electronic cruise control. My right shoulder is a mess and I have to be able to move it around when on a long trip. I really like the Vista Cruise throttle locks and they are on a couple of my bikes. They can be set/locked and you can then turn the throttle either way (and it stays like an "O" ring or some other friction device) but it is off with a quick flick of the thumb.

The electronic cruise on the touring bike is sweet and just like you have in a car. Great for traveling cross country. It should be on any bike that is advertised as "touring".

[swooshdave]

One of the guys on

here gave me this one and its the best style I've ever used. So simple it's funny but works perfectly. I'll try and send a picture.

I love mine. Unlike the friction screw once you roll the throttle forward it behaves normally.

If you get one of these get the adjustable aluminum one, the plastic ones will break. A lot.

[Moto]

I posted a long, detailed description of mounting a Rostra on my Griso, but it no longer turns up in a quick search.

Still works great, just a like a car's. Invaluable for crossing the Great Plains.

Moto

[Moto]

The big problem I see upcoming is that it wants to move the throttle drum when it works.  I have to get smarter than the linkage attachment point to solve that.  So far I have not.

The Rostra does move the drum, which I worried about when I mounted it. But it's no problem in practice, and soon forgotten.

[PJPR01]

You may consider a Throttlemeister as well...nice looking, well machined and super easy to use in a natural motion.

http://throttlemeister.com/

[Jabo911]

Having arthritis in both hands, the cruise on my 1400 was a godsend. I tried it on an extended test ride and it made the difference of night and day. It has kept me riding.

[Huzo]

I don't have one and never used one on a bike, not to say that I wouldn't though. With those things that. clamp your throttle in one position, like Lucian's, assuming you have it set for 110 k on the flat, how can that be adequate throttle to take you up a hill if the setting remains the same ? The one mentioned that applies throttle to hold speed when a hill is encountered must be active. Is that correct ?

[charlie b]

Yes, the throttle locks are not really cruise control.  They just give you the opportunity to take your hand off the throttle for short periods of time.  I have had them on the bikes I have ridden as my shoulder is a bit messed up.

They are NOT cruise controls, but, on flat ground you can leave it set for 5 or 10min without losing or gaining much speed.  They work by friction so I would set mine so I could still move the throttle.  By adding or removing a touch of throttle I could go for quite a while without having to hold onto the throttle for very long.

But, I would have loved a real cruise control on a bike.  Many people have added the Rostra unit to bikes of all types.  There is also an Australian company that makes a cruise control specific for quite a few bikes.  It is a little more pricy ($500?).

[Huzo]

Yes, the throttle locks are not really cruise control.  They just give you the opportunity to take your hand off the throttle for short periods of time.  I have had them on the bikes I have ridden as my shoulder is a bit messed up.

They are NOT cruise controls, but, on flat ground you can leave it set for 5 or 10min without losing or gaining much speed.  They work by friction so I would set mine so I could still move the throttle.  By adding or removing a touch of throttle I could go for quite a while without having to hold onto the throttle for very long.

But, I would have loved a real cruise control on a bike.  Many people have added the Rostra unit to bikes of all types.  There is also an Australian company that makes a cruise control specific for quite a few bikes.  It is a little more pricy ($500?).

Do you know the name of the company ?

[tris]

I for one don't care for any type of cruise control on a motorcycle but her is a homemade device much like a "Go Cruise".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEmMvNYEq2o

That's neat, though I thought was looking at end of a coat hanger to start with 

[jvb]

https://www.mccruise.com/collections/moto-guzzi#

Australian company.

[ITSec]

Since my Norge is used for endurance riding (Ironbutt), it has been fitted with a Rostra (Audiovox) cruise control as a primary system, and I have a Throttlemeister throttle lock as a backup.

On any bike I'm using for long-distance riding, I'd fit at least a throttle lock and preferably a true cruise control.

Excellent instructions exist for both the older vacuum-based devices and the newer (and generally better) fully electronic cruise controls as add-ons to bikes not given factory cruise control systems.

[Xlratr]

Nobody mentioned the Kaoko throttle lock yet, so here's a picture of mine (on my previous Stelvio). I don't use it on short trips, but once you get used to it, it's really nice to have on a long haul. It's very solid and well made and looks like original equipment in my opinion. The ring has a left hand thread so when you hold it and twist the throttle it closes the gap to the rubber grip und holds it open. Rolling off the throttle removes the friction.




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[sign216]

Thanks for all the info.  I was looking for a throttle lock, rather than a true electronic cruise control.  I've played around with the Cramp Buster, which helps, but is too much of pain to put on/off.  Your alternatives are good.


Here's a stock image;

[Arizona Wayne]

My favorite throttle control is a 'Throttle Rocker' which is great also for earlier Guzzis that have strong carb throttle springs.  The TR negates the spring tensions and you can rotate it out of the way for when you get in the twisties.    I also have a Cramp Buster but found it inferior to the TR.  I actually swap my TR from 1 bike to another as needed for a trip.  Price is right too. 

[charlie b]

I always liked the Vista Cruise, but it was usually a bit more difficult to install.

[sign216]

+1 - I have these mounted on all my bikes, & have done for years - called "Go Cruise" & the packet says they are from www.2wheelride.com. I think I got the first ones from Aerostich. They now have a few versions, of varying complexity, but I prefer the simplest one. They are stunningly simple & work well. Don't leave town without one.

Malik and Ncdan, I'm getting your suggested unit.  Low tech, the way I like it.

If that doesn't work out, then I'll try the bar-end throttle lock that Xlratr and Pjpro1 use.