Author Topic: Cruise Control VS. Cramp Buster?  (Read 5991 times)

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Offline B.O.X.N.I.F.E.

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Cruise Control VS. Cramp Buster?
« on: August 15, 2009, 06:04:51 PM »
In prep for my long trip I'm looking at cruise control type products. IM NOT LAZY! I had a ganglion cyst in between my wrist bones removed about a year ago and have had really bad fatige problems due to scar tissue ever since. I've lost some functionality in that wrist and it gets weak easily.

Soooo, I found two products. Need something economical. A) is a cruise control. Do these work??

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MOTORCYCLE-THROTTLE-LOCK-CRUISE-CONTROL_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem2ea736c74eQQitemZ200373880654QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

B) is an assist type device, the Cramp Buster. Any experience with this unit and how well it works?

http://www.crampbuster.com/
1974 CB550

32 days and 5,536 miles on a CB550...

http://kerncountykid.blogspot.com/

and a couple years later, 38 days and 9,102 miles...

Forever West

... and all of it in a 4 mintue video

<a href="Not a valid vimeo URL">WWYY?[/url]

Offline MCRider

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Re: Cruise Control VS. Cramp Buster?
« Reply #1 on: August 15, 2009, 06:17:53 PM »
I use both a throttle lock and a twist assist.

I hate the term cruise control as I would never engage my throtle lock for a period longer than a minute or so to shake out the numbness in my hand, safety issue.

The twist assist products are great. You can actually turn or at least hold position of the throttle with just the weight of your hand rather than your grip.

I place mine under my mid-palm. They usually recommend placing them towards the little finger of your palm. Try it closer in you may like it better.

I've done many 700 mile days on my FJR like this.
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1988 NT650 HawkGT;  1978 CB400 Hawk;  1975 CB750F -Free Bird; 1968 CB77 Super Hawk -Ticker;  Phaedrus 1972 CB750K2- Build Thread
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Offline CB750F2

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Re: Cruise Control VS. Cramp Buster?
« Reply #2 on: August 15, 2009, 06:32:54 PM »
I use the Aussie version of the Twist Assist and I am very happy with it. I found that after a while the clamp would gradually slip around the grip so I have drilled a hole large enough to take a cable tie and used the cable tie to increase the clamping force on the grip - problem solved. Pat
Regards
Pat from Australia

Offline B.O.X.N.I.F.E.

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Re: Cruise Control VS. Cramp Buster?
« Reply #3 on: August 15, 2009, 06:35:46 PM »
Cool, I'll go with the assist.

What grips you guys running? I have Ourys, which look like about 1 1/4 wide, so I'm not sure which unit would be a tighter fit, the standard or oversize.
1974 CB550

32 days and 5,536 miles on a CB550...

http://kerncountykid.blogspot.com/

and a couple years later, 38 days and 9,102 miles...

Forever West

... and all of it in a 4 mintue video

<a href="Not a valid vimeo URL">WWYY?[/url]

Offline CB750F2

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Re: Cruise Control VS. Cramp Buster?
« Reply #4 on: August 15, 2009, 06:44:38 PM »
I use the standard Honda grips for a 1978 CB750 F2. Pat
Regards
Pat from Australia

Offline MCRider

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Re: Cruise Control VS. Cramp Buster?
« Reply #5 on: August 15, 2009, 06:45:52 PM »
Cool, I'll go with the assist.

What grips you guys running? I have Ourys, which look like about 1 1/4 wide, so I'm not sure which unit would be a tighter fit, the standard or oversize.
I use Oury's also. Fine inexpensive grip. I use this assist Throttle Boss: http://www.ironbraid.com/boss.html

One size fits all. Pop it off and put on second bike in seconds.
« Last Edit: August 15, 2009, 06:48:10 PM by MCRider »
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1988 NT650 HawkGT;  1978 CB400 Hawk;  1975 CB750F -Free Bird; 1968 CB77 Super Hawk -Ticker;  Phaedrus 1972 CB750K2- Build Thread
"Sometimes the light's all shining on me, other times I can barely see, lately it appears to me, what a long, strange trip its been."

Offline OldSchool_IsCool

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Re: Cruise Control VS. Cramp Buster?
« Reply #6 on: August 15, 2009, 06:46:38 PM »
I have a "CrampBuster: which I mount all the way inboard.  I can grip normally with the Buster in the crook between my thumb and index finger, or, simply rest my palm on the Buster when I need to get some blood flowing again.  
Can I have a motorcycle when I get old enough?
If you take care of it.
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Lot’s of things. You’ve been watching me.
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Offline B.O.X.N.I.F.E.

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Re: Cruise Control VS. Cramp Buster?
« Reply #7 on: August 15, 2009, 06:58:34 PM »
I have a "CrampBuster: which I mount all the way inboard.  I can grip normally with the Buster in the crook between my thumb and index finger, or, simply rest my palm on the Buster when I need to get some blood flowing again.  

Do you use the skinny or wide one?
1974 CB550

32 days and 5,536 miles on a CB550...

http://kerncountykid.blogspot.com/

and a couple years later, 38 days and 9,102 miles...

Forever West

... and all of it in a 4 mintue video

<a href="Not a valid vimeo URL">WWYY?[/url]

Offline fmctm1sw

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Re: Cruise Control VS. Cramp Buster?
« Reply #8 on: August 15, 2009, 07:13:37 PM »
Just glad I'm not the only one that gets a numb hand.....
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Offline OldSchool_IsCool

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Re: Cruise Control VS. Cramp Buster?
« Reply #9 on: August 16, 2009, 04:32:02 AM »
I have a "CrampBuster: which I mount all the way inboard.  I can grip normally with the Buster in the crook between my thumb and index finger, or, simply rest my palm on the Buster when I need to get some blood flowing again.  

Do you use the skinny or wide one?

Box,

I have the wide one.  I had thought of cutting it down, but I've gotten used to it.  Had I known the narrow was available, I prolly would have bought that, but I got it at a swap meet and that's all the vendor had.
Can I have a motorcycle when I get old enough?
If you take care of it.
What do you have to do?
Lot’s of things. You’ve been watching me.
Will you show me all of them?
Sure.
Is it hard?
Not if you have the right attitudes. It’s having the right attitudes that’s hard.

Offline RatBikeRandy

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Re: Cruise Control VS. Cramp Buster?
« Reply #10 on: August 16, 2009, 08:03:34 AM »
The throttle locks are GREAT.  Wish I had one on all of my bikes.  Much more useful than the cramp buster when you need to let the blood flow back to your hand by hanging down.

Offline MCRider

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Re: Cruise Control VS. Cramp Buster?
« Reply #11 on: August 16, 2009, 09:03:17 AM »
The throttle locks are GREAT.  Wish I had one on all of my bikes.  Much more useful than the cramp buster when you need to let the blood flow back to your hand by hanging down.
Yes the lock vs the twist assist are really 2 different things, that's why I have both. The twist assist will delay perhaps the numbing, but only the lock will give you real relief.

The OP showed a Vista Cruise model which is really their clunky Universal model. I wouldn't use it.  Vista Cruise has others of a simple design. See the last one on the page here.  http://www.casporttouring.com/thestore/Vista-Cruise.html

NEP also has a simple design.

Both brands are available everywhere.  Google around.
« Last Edit: August 16, 2009, 09:06:20 AM by MCRider »
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1988 NT650 HawkGT;  1978 CB400 Hawk;  1975 CB750F -Free Bird; 1968 CB77 Super Hawk -Ticker;  Phaedrus 1972 CB750K2- Build Thread
"Sometimes the light's all shining on me, other times I can barely see, lately it appears to me, what a long, strange trip its been."

Offline verboten1

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Re: Cruise Control VS. Cramp Buster?
« Reply #12 on: August 16, 2009, 09:17:28 AM »
I used a throttle lock on my trip to the arctic ocean, and it was a life saver.

I got the honda 2 cable model for my kawasaki, and it worked out very well, just had to trim my oury grip a little bit extra
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Offline ofreen

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Re: Cruise Control VS. Cramp Buster?
« Reply #13 on: August 16, 2009, 10:14:36 AM »
Here's a NEP that's been on the bike for about 25 years.  I saw a new one not long ago for less than 15 bucks.  Looked just like this one -
Greg
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Offline B.O.X.N.I.F.E.

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Re: Cruise Control VS. Cramp Buster?
« Reply #14 on: August 16, 2009, 11:40:54 AM »
I dig the NEP unit, 15$ aint bad.

My Oury's are on whith adhesive. I've always known I'd have to cut them off to replace them. Are there any cruise units that won't require me to remove the grip? I am going to go ahead and get the cramp buster, but this trip is so long I think a cruise might be needed.
1974 CB550

32 days and 5,536 miles on a CB550...

http://kerncountykid.blogspot.com/

and a couple years later, 38 days and 9,102 miles...

Forever West

... and all of it in a 4 mintue video

<a href="Not a valid vimeo URL">WWYY?[/url]

Offline ofreen

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Re: Cruise Control VS. Cramp Buster?
« Reply #15 on: August 16, 2009, 01:17:57 PM »
The NEP doesn't require grip removal.
Greg
'75 CB750F

"I would rather have questions I cannot answer than answers I cannot question." - Dr. Wei-Hock Soon

Offline B.O.X.N.I.F.E.

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Re: Cruise Control VS. Cramp Buster?
« Reply #16 on: August 16, 2009, 01:21:17 PM »
Awesome, I think I'll try to pick one up. thanks!
1974 CB550

32 days and 5,536 miles on a CB550...

http://kerncountykid.blogspot.com/

and a couple years later, 38 days and 9,102 miles...

Forever West

... and all of it in a 4 mintue video

<a href="Not a valid vimeo URL">WWYY?[/url]

Offline MCRider

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Re: Cruise Control VS. Cramp Buster?
« Reply #17 on: August 16, 2009, 01:45:02 PM »
Awesome, I think I'll try to pick one up. thanks!
On the Oury Grip, there is a large flange up against the switch. You may have to take a razor knife and remove that flange of grip rubber to make room for either the NEP or the smaller Vista Cruise. I have a NEP on my HawkGT and a smaller VistaCruise on my FJR.

IF the grip is off, I take a copper pipe roughly the size of the grip (I keep one around) and slide it over the grip, hit it with a hammer and it does a neat job of cutting that flange off.

Grips come off pretty easily if you jam a skinny screwdriver under it, shoot some WD-40 in there and it will breakdown the glue and off it comes.

I have reused the Oury's a few times. I think they are underrated and under known.
Ride Safe:
Ron
1988 NT650 HawkGT;  1978 CB400 Hawk;  1975 CB750F -Free Bird; 1968 CB77 Super Hawk -Ticker;  Phaedrus 1972 CB750K2- Build Thread
"Sometimes the light's all shining on me, other times I can barely see, lately it appears to me, what a long, strange trip its been."

Offline B.O.X.N.I.F.E.

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Re: Cruise Control VS. Cramp Buster?
« Reply #18 on: August 16, 2009, 04:32:48 PM »
They're cheap, I'll cut 'em if I have to. I love Ourys, fave grip on all the bikes I've sat on.
1974 CB550

32 days and 5,536 miles on a CB550...

http://kerncountykid.blogspot.com/

and a couple years later, 38 days and 9,102 miles...

Forever West

... and all of it in a 4 mintue video

<a href="Not a valid vimeo URL">WWYY?[/url]

Offline MCRider

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Re: Cruise Control VS. Cramp Buster?
« Reply #19 on: August 16, 2009, 04:45:22 PM »
They're cheap, I'll cut 'em if I have to. I love Ourys, fave grip on all the bikes I've sat on.

That'll work.
Ride Safe:
Ron
1988 NT650 HawkGT;  1978 CB400 Hawk;  1975 CB750F -Free Bird; 1968 CB77 Super Hawk -Ticker;  Phaedrus 1972 CB750K2- Build Thread
"Sometimes the light's all shining on me, other times I can barely see, lately it appears to me, what a long, strange trip its been."

Offline torrinh

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Re: Cruise Control VS. Cramp Buster?
« Reply #20 on: August 17, 2009, 05:27:13 AM »
I used a Throttle Boss which clamps to the end of your throttle grip so that you can use your palm to maintain a steady position. On a long trip my brother and I did between Eureka, CA and Sacramento, about 330 miles, my right hand kept going numb and was very uncomfortable. On a later trip of about 150 miles I didn't use the Throttle Boss. No numbness, and my wrist wasn't tired. I know some older riders will take off the throttle return spring for longer trips, relying instead on the push-pull action of the cables to close the throttle slides. I may try mounting the Throttle Boss inboard of the grip instead of on the end, but I have a feeling the numbness will return.
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Offline B.O.X.N.I.F.E.

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Re: Cruise Control VS. Cramp Buster?
« Reply #21 on: August 19, 2009, 10:40:25 PM »
Welllll, because my wrist has been really bugging me lately and the trip is approaching quickly, I'm going to try the throttle lock.

I'd prefer the assist, but I really think I'll have wrist problems otherwise.

Who has the NEP unit? I've read that some people have had to tap a hole in the throttle housing to secure it and I'd rather not do that. Any experiences with the unit?
1974 CB550

32 days and 5,536 miles on a CB550...

http://kerncountykid.blogspot.com/

and a couple years later, 38 days and 9,102 miles...

Forever West

... and all of it in a 4 mintue video

<a href="Not a valid vimeo URL">WWYY?[/url]

Offline CB750F2

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Re: Cruise Control VS. Cramp Buster?
« Reply #22 on: August 20, 2009, 12:42:10 AM »
BOXNIFE. Your last post makes me think that you think that I had to drill a hole through the throttle grip to attach my device. Sorry, but I have misled you. The hole that I drill is through the attachment and the cable tie fits around the outsdide of the attachment and through the hole. The cable tie is then pulled tight once the device is in the correct position assisting the clamping force. If a cable tie is not used the attachment will eventually slip around the throttle grip. The attachment is fitted to the outside edge of the grip. The device that I use looks much bigger than the ones that I see shown in the links and is shaped so that you can rest the heal of your hand on it. The CB750 F2 has a stiff throttle but just resting the heal on it is good enough to maintain speed. I hope that I have clarified a few things. Pat
Regards
Pat from Australia

Offline ofreen

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Re: Cruise Control VS. Cramp Buster?
« Reply #23 on: August 20, 2009, 04:22:36 AM »

Who has the NEP unit? I've read that some people have had to tap a hole in the throttle housing to secure it and I'd rather not do that. Any experiences with the unit?

If you get the 2 cable version for Hondas, no bike mods are necessary.

Check a bike shop, if you haven't already.  Cycle Gear has them, too.  Or try this link -

http://www.aerostich.com/nep-cruise-control.html
Greg
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Offline Sporkfly

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Re: Cruise Control VS. Cramp Buster?
« Reply #24 on: August 20, 2009, 11:24:41 AM »
Good to see I'm not the only one that has carpal tunnel syndrome on these boards ;) That's what you guys going numb tells me, anyway.

I blame all the wrenching on the SOHC4. Honda: Now with free CTS! Thanks for the link to the cramp buster, I think I might have to pick one up.
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