BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

I wonder if it would be easier on the cruise control assembly if, when cruising, you keep only your left hand on the grip, and/or keep your right hand on the fixed, unmoving, bar end?  Since the cruise control physically twists the grip, I'm thinking a tightish right hand might make it work harder and eventually wear on the motor or cables over the life of the unit.  If you have a naturally tight grip, it might also negate the control's acceleration or deceleration action. 

When using the cruise control, I tend to follow a similar procedure to that which has been described above.

That’s how I ride with cruise control, my right hand palm rests on the bar end. That way it’s resting near to the controls for quick reactions but can’t accidentally affect the cruise.


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[size=0px]"the cruise control physically twists the grip"[/size]
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I have never noticed this? My grip returns to the idle position when I let it go with the cruise engaged, same with my previous bike (Triumph Trophy) are you sure the earlier models do this?

Could be the difference between cable and "fly by wire" throttle.

Gavj,  If, by "returns to idle", you mean it automatically returns to the last selected speed after you've accelerated by twisting the grip, that's normal.  If, by"Idle", you mean it's returned to the grip fully forward (as if the bike were turned off), that's NOT normal.  That should only happen if you've disengaged the cruise control or have hit the brakes.

I think David has the answer, both the Triumph and my RT are fly by wire throttles. To cancel the cruise you turn the twist grip back against a stop which turns off the cruise. Im assuming earlier systems just lock the throttle cable, where the fly by wire systems get the throttle position from the ECU.


Reminds me of an afermarket cruise control system a mate of mine had on a Morris Marina (showing my age now  :)) ) It used a diaphram and an air valve to hold the throttle position, ok untill you went down a hill and the bloomin  thing sped up  :wonder:

Gavj,  Showing MY age:  My first bike was bought on vacation in Britain in [size=78%]'71, and had a then state of the art cruise control, with consisted of a knurled screw that just immobilized the throttle grip!  Prone to the same artless speed-up downhill (and vice-versa), and god forbid you spilled the bike!  The engine would scream and the wheel would spin enough to make the bike brake-dance.  Love the RT's cruise control;  kinda like you have a ghost driving the bike for you, uphill or down.[/size]
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Nothing wrong with a rubber band between the throttle twist grip and the handle bar switch. Worked a treat on my Honda C90 (in 1975),  allowing the use of hand signals when turning right. Technology, who needs it, just something to go wrong.

Aye-men, David.  Bit of a Luddite Lad myself, but must admit to loving the cruise control and adjustable screens.  The former is a safety feature too, since it allows the quick use of two hands for small tasks without the bike slowing and slewing while your attention is elsewhere. 

On a Camhead RT with cruise control, there are five separate cables fitted. Two cables from the throttle twist grip connected to a pulley inside the splitter box. Then two more cables go from the same pulley to the throttle bodies. A fifth cable links the cruise control unit to a second pulley inside the splitter box.

If, when the cruise control is activated (set),  the speed is increased or decreased on the handle bar button, the throttle twist grip can be seen to open or close. Hence, why relaxing grip on the throttle when the cruise control is set/adjusted is a good practice. Agree with jackronner, if accelerating, then release grip of the throttle, the cruise control will pick up the previously set speed. Rolling off/closing the throttle position will de-activate the cruise control.

1 / Turn on cruise
2/ Remove Hands From Bars
3/ Lean on TopBox and relax


:-)

Sullivj wrote: 1 / Turn on cruise
2/ Remove Hands From Bars
3/ Lean on TopBox and relax


:-)

missed getting onto back seat.

Sounds like you have both been on an i2i MCA Course.

David. wrote: Sounds like you have both been on an i2i MCA Course.

Nah, no mention of pouring a coffee from their flasks.