The cheapest cruise control...................in the world!

[Mikeybikey57]

I noticed that there are several threads relating to cruise controls on this site and most of them seem to be relating to some pretty expensive/complex set ups, so I thought i'd throw this out here to see if anyone might be interested.

I picked this nifty little idea up when I had my Triumph Tiger, having seen it on one of the related forums. It's a silicone O-ring from a Caterpillar bulldozer but it also made an excellent cruise control for my Tiger. I took it off before selling my Triumph and then found it in the bottom of my one of my old pannier bags a couple of days ago. I tired it on the S10 and saw that it works really nicely on that bike too.

I just removed the hand guard end bolt, moved the guard out of the way a quarter inch or so and rolled it over the bar end to fit. To use it, I just roll it toward the throttle grip until it drops into the gap between it and bar end. When I want to "turn it off", I just roll it out of the gap by sliding my hand back toward the bar end and it rolls back to it's original position. It doesn't have any adjustability as such but exerts just enough grip on the throttle to hold it open against the spring. I doesn't lock the throttle into position and I can still open and close it quite easily when riding and once it'd been used a couple of times it felt surprisingly intuitive.

I originally got a pair from my nearest CAT dealer a couple of years ago (Part No. 8M4991). I paid about £1.50 each for them but I guess they'd now be a couple of quid / bucks each or possibly cheaper if you look on t'internet. Good hunting ::008::

 

[Don in Lodi]

LOL, that's essentially what the Kaoko does for a hundred times more. ::008::

 

[terrysig]

used it on my concours ages ago and confirm it works the same on the s10.

 

[oregon-rider]

::008:: Good thinking ::002:: I will try it this spring ::022:: Thanks !

 

[hANNAbONE]

have used this on many a BMW and Triumph.

Yup - it works.

 

[Maxified]

I tried an O-ring from Home Depot about a decade ago to accomplish the same task. It only lasted a couple of seasons, so I guess it was not of Cat quality.

 

[viewdvb]

I wonder why manufacturers universally make their throttles to snap shut when released and every rece scrutineer checks that it is working that way. Oh yeah - safety! What do they know?

 

[JaimeV]

That's great!! ::012:: ::012::

Thanks!!

 

[markjenn]

I've used o-rings a few times, but only when I had no other options (like for a rental bike). I'd never consider them an acceptable substitute for a Throttlemeister or Kaoko. What I do think is an acceptable substitute is a Go Cruise for $20 which is night-day better than an o-ring.

- Mark

 

[EJV]

O Ring. Sheesh. You are banned from Tenere's. Go buy a KLR.

::013::

 

[tomatocity]

I like the idea and yes I do own a KLR. The O-ring is simple and inexpensive. I will only use a cruise control when on an open road with reasonable traffic. Thanks for the idea.

 

[Rasher]

I've used o-rings a few times, but only when I had no other options (like for a rental bike). I'd never consider them an acceptable substitute for a Throttlemeister or Kaoko. What I do think is an acceptable substitute is a Go Cruise for $20 which is night-day better than an o-ring

I would agree, for ten bucks it works and is not going to jam up just when you REALLY need to shut off the gas.

 

[terrysig]

i suppose it would look better if it were black...that is if you care about those sort of things!

 

[troll]

i suppose it would look better if it were black...that is if you care about those sort of things!

I am sure Cat makes a black one of similar dimensions. ::26:: ::26::

 

[FCELIS]

Hello!! I came to this by looking some cheap improvements on my S10.. so what i want to share is what i think is the cheapest of em all of CC.
Prob some of u will point out on how risky/bad for me and the motorcycle is my idea ..but... whatever ....here it is something i used as a kid.

Would u believe me that the S10 COMES ALREADY WITH A THROTTLE STOP / CC ?? Yup... that means u dont buy any thing..

Just access the throttle cable tension adjuster through the plastic black hose. Give all the tension allowed and BAM.. u r done
.. now your throttle wont move back if u release it... and if u want u still will be able to roll it back to idle speed with your hand..

Hope this helps..

Pd.. sure its dangerous.. just try to use it on highway so release tension when entering the city for example, it requires some skills to master it so if u feel not 100% yet in control of your motor ycle.. well dont try it

All best

 

[squarebore]

I wonder why manufacturers universally make their throttles to snap shut when released and every rece scrutineer checks that it is working that way. Oh yeah - safety! What do they know?

Exactly

 

[Curt]

Hello!! I came to this by looking some cheap improvements on my S10.. so what i want to share is what i think is the cheapest of em all of CC.
Prob some of u will point out on how risky/bad for me and the motorcycle is my idea ..but... whatever ....here it is something i used as a kid.

That might be the most expensive solution of them all. Even buying a 2014 ST that comes with cruise control would be cheap compared to all the repair and hospital bills and inheritance taxes!

Because of the return cable, this method would even work on dirt bikes. But I knew a guy who died because he installed heated grips improperly. He hit an inconveniently located tree, and his dying words were about a stuck throttle.

 

[scott123007]

Well, I hate to break it to all you worry warts, but regardless of what throttle lock you want to spend your money on, or not, if an emergency exists where you don't have time to twist your throttle back with your own hand, your throttle is going to stay stuck where you left it. A proper electronic cruise control or maybe the "breakaway" system are the only ones that will return with just the application of the brakes.

 

[Don in Lodi]

Well, I hate to break it to all you worry warts, but regardless of what throttle lock you want to spend your money on, or not, if an emergency exists where you don't have time to twist your throttle back with your own hand, your throttle is going to stay stuck where you left it. A proper electronic cruise control or maybe the "breakaway" system are the only ones that will return with just the application of the brakes.

I too was going to say wow... every throttle lock ever made (except maybe the break-away design) has the same potential as the over tensioned cables to cause mayhem. I've read of that cable trick long ago. I always had the thought that it puts a bunch more side load on something to cause the bind, not to mention the tension on the cables themselves... that really can't be good for things.

 

[djm_ct]

What I do think is an acceptable substitute is a Go Cruise for $20 which is night-day better than an o-ring.

I bought a Go Cruise and ended up throwing it in the spare parts heap. It always seems to want to twist sideways on me and wants to walk back and forth on the grip. Just too fiddly for my taste. Bought a Kaoko and am happy with it