Monday, April 1, 2024

Ultimate Guide to Motorcycle Cruise Control Options: Factors to Consider and Adaptive Technology Spotlight

motorcycle cruise control

When disengaged, your throttle will function exactly like it did from the factory. Yes, you can install an aftermarket cruise control system on your motorcycle. However, it is important to consider factors such as compatibility with your motorcycle’s make and model, cost, riding style, and installation complexity before making a decision. However, not every feature is rosy about the Electronic Cruise Control system. It’s not available on all motorcycle models; only certain high-end or touring bikes come with this feature pre-installed.

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Yamaha is continuously improving its motorcycles with new technology, and has recently introduced the Yamaha MT-09 Tracer 9 GT+ with adaptive cruise control. This addition makes it an attractive option for sport-touring enthusiasts. If there’s one thing we know about German engineering precision (hello, BMW.), they never disappoint.

Quick Buyers Guide — Motorcycle Cruise Control Options from Cheap to Expensive

The speed limiter is a feature where the user can set a maximum speed for the Hayabusa, e.g. 100 km/h. The motorcycle won’t ever exceed this speed, even at full throttle. Handy for those unavoidable highways littered with speeding cameras. The Ninja 1000’s bigger brother, the Versys 1000, got cruise control in 2019. But being an upright touring bike, that’s a less surprising bike on which to have cruise.

Mechanical cruise control that delivers a twist of comfort to any bike.

Adaptive Cruise Control Systems, an even more advanced technology, is something I’ll be discussing next. The newest player in the game, these systems adjust speed based on the proximity of vehicles in front of you. Currently, adaptive systems are generally limited to high-end touring models. This is important, because there’s a built-in safety feature that forces the cruise to automatically shut off if the speed drops below 80% of the set speed. Installing an electronic cruise control requires reading and then re-reading the instructions before you turn a screwdriver. In the interest of science, and perhaps due to my own desire to travel as comfortably as possible, I made the decision to research options for adding an electronic cruise control.

These work, after a fashion, but they’re not as effective as a real cruise control. My in-depth guide to motorcycle braking systems — everything you ever wanted to know. Moto Guzzi has had cruise control on their recent California cruisers, too (since 2016). One other similar bike to the Africa Twin that has cruise is BMW’s smaller F 850 GS and F 900 GS — but to me, that’s less surprising coming from BMW (sorry, very subjective, I know!). A few other motorcycles in the category are the Yamaha Ténéré 700 and Suzuki V-Strom 1050 — which got cruise, after the 1000 lacked it.

A buyer’s guide to middleweight sport bikes, from the most budget through to the most powerful. Indian’s 2025 model year Scout — released for mid-2024 — has cruise control as one of its options. It’s standard equipment in some markets, but in others it’s part of “Limited” trim. One complaint about the cruise on the Africa Twin is that the controls are on the right-hand side. This means you have to set cruise with the same hand that’s adjusting the throttle. This can be more fiddly than setting the cruise with the left hand, like nearly every other motorcycle.

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The unit mated perfectly with my ride and the performance is fantastic — as long as you take time to follow the directions step-by-step. I went on a quick jaunt around the area on varied road conditions. Again, it is important to read the instructions carefully and perhaps even take them with you on the test and tune portion of the ride. To be able to access the areas that I needed on the bike, such as the vacuum takeoff on the carburetors, I had to virtually disassemble the entire bike. Although some models of the Motorcycle Cruise Control units come with customized wiring looms, mine wasn’t one of those models, unfortunately.

The new BMW Motorrad Active Cruise Control (ACC) - BMW Press

The new BMW Motorrad Active Cruise Control (ACC).

Posted: Tue, 30 Jun 2020 07:00:00 GMT [source]

They are usually designed for specific motorbike makes and models. This type of lock ensures you don't constantly grip the throttle, tiring your wrist. Most of these throttle locks use a composite material that acts like a spring. The locks have no moving parts or switches and can be installed and removed in seconds. However, it is worth noting that these motorcycle throttle locks take up grip space and can make handlebars feel a little cramped. Relatively few motorcycles offer standard electronic cruise control, though a fatigued and aching throttle hand is no fun when you’ve still got many miles to go.

motorcycle cruise control

So for most motorcycles, Tuneboy is just engine management programming software. But something Wayne did along the way is enable various functions in the ECU, like cruise control and other things (auto-blipping for quickshifters, for example). I really like the BrakeAway because of its auto-release mechanism.

A few bikes provide this feature as an option, but some don’t offer it at all. Just as it’s crucial to consider the product’s price, don’t overlook the installation process. How potent is the system if it’s too complicated for you to install? Don’t forget, some systems might require professional help, leading to potential extra costs. A variety of adaptable aftermarket systems are available in the market, catering to the needs and budgets of different motorcyclists.

Cruise control is a feature on some vehicles that allows the driver to take their foot off the accelerator while the onboard computer maintains the vehicle’s speed. Within cruise control, you can typically also adjust your speed up and down using buttons. Unfortunately, you’ll need to use friction pads to refine the fitment on your bike.

You should also be careful when installing it because it could scratch the finish on your handlebars. What makes it even more comforting is knowing that your cruise control will instantly release the instant you touch the front brake. Unexpected things can happen fast and your first reaction will usually be to reach for the brakes.

I personally have used the Atlas throttle lock (on a Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa). To release the throttle lock, you do the same but in the opposite direction — cover the friction knob with your hand and roll the throttle forward. The Omni Cruise (pictured above) is a high-quality, hand-made throttle lock made by a guy named Brian in his studio in Anaheim, California. For those to whom this is important, it means it’s 100% American-made. But even for those for whom it’s not, it means each one is custom-made by a person who is dedicated to every single Omni Cruise being the same high quality.

Upon identifying the loss of traction, the system steps in to reduce power or apply the brakes as necessary, ensuring prevention of wheel-spin. In turn, this provides riders with increased stability and control over their bikes, especially during critical situations where maintaining a grip on the road is paramount. One step up is the active cruise control, a clever technology that utilizes radar sensors to automatically adjust the bike’s speed based on the road conditions ahead. Motorcycles with cruise control aren’t limited to high-end models alone.

Some popular options include the BMW R1200GS, and the Yamaha FJR1300. It’s essential to inspect any used motorcycle carefully for wear and tear, and to ensure the cruise control system is functioning correctly. How does Ducati pull off integrating cruise control into their models like the Multistrada and XDiavel? They’ve designed advanced systems that make long rides more comfortable than ever before. That’s a question many riders ask, especially those who love long road trips. The ATLAS isn’t simply a novel design, like some other throttle locks.

Kawasaki has for a long time been the Japanese manufacturer to bring high-tech features to everyday motorcycles earlier than the others. This was true with ABS, Traction control, and even cornering ABS (the consumer-oriented 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 had cornering ABS). The Ducati Multistrada V4 was actually the first motorcycle on the market with adaptive cruise control, but the difference was minor (just bragging rights). BMW first announced that the 2021 model of the BMW R 1250 RT would have adaptive cruise control. As I mentioned above, in principle, you set the speed and let the system figure out if it’s safe to keep going at that speed.

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