Cruise Controls....

All,
Thinking about installing a Cruise Control (throttle lock) for longer trips...
What type, brand, models work the best on our older XJ's? Mine's an '82 XJ1100J.
Mike

 

I don't like cruise, great if you are the only thing on the road, but have you ever found yourself behind a clunker & the cruise senses an incline & nearly shoots you up the guy's chuff ? scary.

 

I run the $5 cramp buster for trips over 100 miles or so. Still not really used to it so I don't use it much so I haven't really gotten used to it so I don't use it much...*repeat*

I too am not a fan of throttle locks. see also suicide shifters. Like to be able to chop it controllably at an instants notice.

 

vista cruise controls seems to be the hot sellers around here.

there's a little lever that you just clamp down with your thumb and it holds the throttle. flip up with your thumb and it releases. they are around $25. i'm waiting to get myself one if anyone can ever keep em in stock long enough for me to buy when i get some time after work. my hand gets tired a lot from holding the throttle. my left hand never gets tired but it's not holding anything in position.

there are some electronic ones for around $200. they work much like they do in cars.

 

Hum, I don't think I'd want to pay $200..not really worth it to me.
I mainly just want to be able to let go of the throttle for a moment now and then to do things with my right hand that are harder to do with my left hand. If I'm riding with a group that means suddenly slowing down unexpectedly and that's not that great...
I'll check out the Vista.
Mike

 

I have not got mine yet but I found this Crampbuster Oversized Chrome Cruise Assist - CB4-C - 1-3/8 inch diameter - Wide Paddle - Throttle Control on
http://www.cruisercustomizing.com

 

A "Modified" NEP Throttle Lock is a GREAT Cruise Control!

http://www.casporttouring.com/thestore/NEP.html

The Product is BASIC.
Its a Throttle Lock.
It's shipped with a small ALLEN Set Screw that you tighten.

Here's how to make it GREAT.
Ditch the ALLEN Set Screw.
Substitute an ALLEN -->> Cap Screw.

You can Adjust the Cap Screw "On the go"!

Take the Stock Throttle Lock Unit and SAND the Gripping surfaces to be as smooth as glass.
Once that's done, ... you can ADJUST the Cap Screw to put -->> Just enough drag on the Throttle to EQUALIZE the Tension of the Throttle Return Spring.

You get to relax your grip.
You get to make Throttle Adjustments.
It's like riding a Bicycle!!!

Here's the rub.

You need to make-up a TETHER and Tie-off the THUMB Lever and Cap Screw.
If the screw falls-out ... a piece will fall-off.
Having it TETHERED saves the day.

 

you do have to know what size your handlebars are.

the little lockdown mechanisms sold by vista and nep are for 7/8 bars. if you got 1 inch like me. you can plan on the more expensive kit with a few more parts.

 

Another vote for Vista cruise. I got one for my bike, and feel it was one of the best things I ever put on her. You'd be surprised how much you use it.

Not very helpful for hilly terrain, but most times I don't mind holding out till the road levels out or there is a straight so I can relax my hand.

I absolutely hated waiting to the point of total numbness, or waiting until no one was behind me to drop my right hand and let the bike slow down so I could regain feeling in my hand. Now I don't mind long trips at all.

I got mine for 18 bucks used, but they run about 25-35 bucks. Install is a breeze.

http://www.amazon.com/MOTORCYCLE-VISTA-CRUISE-CONTROL-UNIVERSAL/dp/B002EYZZSC

 

If I hit the road for more than an hour or two; my right hand would go "Dead"!
I improvised a solution.

Off Ebay, I bought a PAIR of Crutch Grip Foam Rubber Pads.
I split No.-1 OPEN right along the MOLD Seam Line.
Now, you have a Grip which is SPLIT OPEN.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Replacement-Crutch- ... ltDomain_0

A Clean, neat, precise incision is necessary,

Now, I put a round Shovel Handle in the Vice.
I Taped-down the end of some Duct Tape --> Sticky-side UP!
Wrapped the tape around the Shovel Handle and Taped-down the other end.

On this Jig, ... I mounted the OPENED Crutch Grip and gropped it to the Tape to keep it motionless.

Split the No.-2 Grip along the SEAM.
A clean, neat incision that will match-up to Grip No.-1's cut.
Mix-up some Epoxy.
Join the #-1 and #-2 Foam Grips with extreme precision on the Jig.

When cured ... peel the JOINED FOAM GRIPS of the Jig.

Using MASKING TAPE ...
Wrap the THROTTLE GRIP so the TAPE is Sticky Side UP.
Place the CUSTOM WIDE FOAM GRIP on the Throttle Grip.

Let the NEW Grip --> Overlap.
Tape it for Marking-UP by Securing the MIDDLE and Close to each end,

Use a FINE LINE SHARPIE and a PRECISION Ruler.
Mark the Overlap for cutting.
LENGTHWISE
MATING SURFACE ANGLE.

Remove Custom Grip.
Return to Cutting Jig.
CUT the ANGLE for Installation and Gluing.

Mount the New Grip on the Throttle Grip.
Use adhesive on the old grip.
Epoxy the SEAM
Wind tightly and precisely with Dental Floss.
Make is as nest as a face-lift on an aging actress.

Ditch the Floss when the jobs done.

 

Between the cost of those grips, the epoxy, sharpie, ruler, your pretty much at the cost of a REAL throttle lock, not to mention it taking longer than just installing a Vista Cruise right out of the package.

I love ya rick, but that mod seemed a bit overkill. Not to mention, needing a bit more precision modding than just following the 3 step instructions of installing the Vista...

 

Yet another vote for the Vista Cruise -- had one on my bike for 15 years now and it works like it says it does. Just have to play with it a bit to get the friction level just right.
I've got mine set so it'll hold the throttle open when I want, but I can still turn it manually (with a bit of grunt) any time I want.

 

That's for the "Older Guys" whose hand HURTS after squeezing the Throttle Grip most of the afternoon.

It's awkward feeling at first.
But, if you have Arthritis ... it's a beautiful thing.

 

+1 on the Vista Cruise.

Here's a cheap-O Hillbilly throttle lock for anyone wondering if you want to buy a "real" one:

Get a short length of small rope like weedeater pull cord.
Tie it to the bar or mirror.
While riding, jam some of the cord between the throttle and switch housing.
Practice in your driveway first, so you know just how much cord is needed to give the right amount of drag. The free end of the cord is the "emergency" release.

 

lately i've been buying those big aftermarket foam grips. the circumference being bigger then stock grips. works great on my arthritic hand.

now i keep em instead of selling them with the bike. when it comes time. i put the stock grips back on. they are getting kinda expensive to keep buying with each new bike.

now that i have a vtwin cruiser. they work much better then stock. as the vtwins have a little vibration to them.

 

Alot like Times idea, I use a zip tie.
Wrapped around the gauge side of the switch housing and throttle.
Tight enough to hold but, loose enough I can manually shut it down.
After you've used the same zip tie for awhile the catch loosens up and you can slide the tie back and forth in the lock for easy adjustment.

 

+ one on the hillbilly mod! I love seeing these kinds of things