Classic Motorcycle Cruise Controls
Classic Motorcycle Cruise Controls
Cruise control systems have been around for a number of years in various guises: throttle lever lock, push button, and more recently computer-controlled electronic devices. In addition, there are a number of devices on the market designed to take pressure off the wrists and hands when riding for long periods of time.
Some touring motorcycles (BMW, for instance) have cruise controls fitted as standard equipment, and riders have become so satisfied with these that they will only buy a replacement bike with one.
However, the technology for a fully computer-controlled-system does not come cheaply. As a result, not every long distance rider can afford a bike with a cruise control system, or an after-market version professionally manufactured, for that matter.
For riders on a tight budget, a number of companies offer inexpensive alternatives to a full cruise control system.
Low-cost options
Two companies in particular offer low-cost alternatives to fully computerized systems: RyKel Industries, Inc. and Breakaway Products Inc. Market leader is the RyKel company's CrampBuster. The patented wrist support is not only one of the cheapest on the market at $10.95, it is also one of the most popular.
The CrampBuster is simply a rest or support for the wrist. Shaped like a letter P, the unit fits over the handlebar grip.
Turn it clockwise to adjust the required height and it is ready to use.
When the rider places the weight of his wrist onto the flat section of the CrampBuster, the action causes the unit to tighten on the grip. To increase the throttle opening, the rider simply applies a small amount of pressure onto the support (only a small amount of pressure is required because of the leverage the unit offers). The company offers a number of styles and two diameters: the standard diameter of 1-1/8", and a 1-3/8 variant for the Harley Davidson type over-sized grips.
Another popular product is the Breakaway cruise control. This throttle locking device is marketed by Breakaway Products Inc.
Consisting of a slipper ring inside a housing, the Breakaway can be engaged with a thumb-operated button and disengaged by any one of three methods: operation of a release lever, closing the throttle manually, or squeezing the front brake lever. The unit retails for $199 and is available for most popular cruisers.
Car drivers have enjoyed the benefit of electronically-controlled cruise controls for many years. But there are some good, technical, reasons why it took so long before manufacturers started to fit these devices to motorcycles.
Primarily it is not easy to do. The first obstacles to overcome, from a design perspective, are the installation restrictions that a motorcycle poses. These restrictions apply not only to the actual space required for any additional hardware, but also to where this hardware can be located, because of the possible interference from electrical noise.
Electrical noise is always a consideration when it comes to all automotive applications of electrical items. But in this case, it is particularly important. Although it is unlikely, there is the possibility of the computer chip within a cruise control system locking when hit by a high voltage electrical spike (noise).
In most cases, the computer simply stops working; but should this spike hit during the acceleration phase, there is the possibility that the bike will keep accelerating until full throttle is reached.
In short, while electrical noise could interfere with an engine's ECU and cause a misfire, the same noise could interfere with the computer controlling a cruise control with deadly results.
There are two other aspects of fitting a cruise control to a motorcycle that are unique. Firstly, the control switches are positioned on the handlebars, and as such, are subject to climatic changes, and traveling in pouring rain at more than 100 mph is not a good environment for any electrical item!
Secondly, and somewhat harder to overcome during the design phase, is the power-to-weight ratios of most modern motorcycles and the implications this has for controlling the cruise speed.
For instance, if we consider a generic car, producing 200 hp and weighing 2800 lbs., and a typical cruiser motorcycle at 650 lbs (with a 180 lb rider), the car carries around 14 lbs per hp, whereas the bike carries 6 lbs per hp. If the same cruise control was fitted to the motorcycle as the car, the car would gradually increase the throttle position for a hill, whereas the bike would be popping wheelies with the rider groping for the off switch!
Needless to say, manufacturers of motorcycle cruise controls have to take into consideration all of these and many more design challenges when considering the manufacture of a system. One company, considered by many to be at the forefront of cruise control design, is Australian company Motor Cycle Cruise Control (MCC), based in Victoria, New South Wales.
The MCC system is sold all over the world and is a popular option with many classic bike owners who travel long distances.
Cruise control systems have been around for a number of years in various guises: throttle lever lock, push button, and more recently computer-controlled electronic devices. In addition, there are a number of devices on the market designed to take pressure off the wrists and hands when riding for long periods of time.
Some touring motorcycles (BMW, for instance) have cruise controls fitted as standard equipment, and riders have become so satisfied with these that they will only buy a replacement bike with one.
However, the technology for a fully computer-controlled-system does not come cheaply. As a result, not every long distance rider can afford a bike with a cruise control system, or an after-market version professionally manufactured, for that matter.
For riders on a tight budget, a number of companies offer inexpensive alternatives to a full cruise control system.
Low-cost options
Two companies in particular offer low-cost alternatives to fully computerized systems: RyKel Industries, Inc. and Breakaway Products Inc. Market leader is the RyKel company's CrampBuster. The patented wrist support is not only one of the cheapest on the market at $10.95, it is also one of the most popular.
The CrampBuster is simply a rest or support for the wrist. Shaped like a letter P, the unit fits over the handlebar grip.
Turn it clockwise to adjust the required height and it is ready to use.
When the rider places the weight of his wrist onto the flat section of the CrampBuster, the action causes the unit to tighten on the grip. To increase the throttle opening, the rider simply applies a small amount of pressure onto the support (only a small amount of pressure is required because of the leverage the unit offers). The company offers a number of styles and two diameters: the standard diameter of 1-1/8", and a 1-3/8 variant for the Harley Davidson type over-sized grips.
Another popular product is the Breakaway cruise control. This throttle locking device is marketed by Breakaway Products Inc.
Consisting of a slipper ring inside a housing, the Breakaway can be engaged with a thumb-operated button and disengaged by any one of three methods: operation of a release lever, closing the throttle manually, or squeezing the front brake lever. The unit retails for $199 and is available for most popular cruisers.
Car drivers have enjoyed the benefit of electronically-controlled cruise controls for many years. But there are some good, technical, reasons why it took so long before manufacturers started to fit these devices to motorcycles.
Primarily it is not easy to do. The first obstacles to overcome, from a design perspective, are the installation restrictions that a motorcycle poses. These restrictions apply not only to the actual space required for any additional hardware, but also to where this hardware can be located, because of the possible interference from electrical noise.
Electrical noise is always a consideration when it comes to all automotive applications of electrical items. But in this case, it is particularly important. Although it is unlikely, there is the possibility of the computer chip within a cruise control system locking when hit by a high voltage electrical spike (noise).
In most cases, the computer simply stops working; but should this spike hit during the acceleration phase, there is the possibility that the bike will keep accelerating until full throttle is reached.
In short, while electrical noise could interfere with an engine's ECU and cause a misfire, the same noise could interfere with the computer controlling a cruise control with deadly results.
There are two other aspects of fitting a cruise control to a motorcycle that are unique. Firstly, the control switches are positioned on the handlebars, and as such, are subject to climatic changes, and traveling in pouring rain at more than 100 mph is not a good environment for any electrical item!
Secondly, and somewhat harder to overcome during the design phase, is the power-to-weight ratios of most modern motorcycles and the implications this has for controlling the cruise speed.
For instance, if we consider a generic car, producing 200 hp and weighing 2800 lbs., and a typical cruiser motorcycle at 650 lbs (with a 180 lb rider), the car carries around 14 lbs per hp, whereas the bike carries 6 lbs per hp. If the same cruise control was fitted to the motorcycle as the car, the car would gradually increase the throttle position for a hill, whereas the bike would be popping wheelies with the rider groping for the off switch!
Needless to say, manufacturers of motorcycle cruise controls have to take into consideration all of these and many more design challenges when considering the manufacture of a system. One company, considered by many to be at the forefront of cruise control design, is Australian company Motor Cycle Cruise Control (MCC), based in Victoria, New South Wales.
The MCC system is sold all over the world and is a popular option with many classic bike owners who travel long distances.
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