Throttle Rocker / Cruise Control FAQ

compiled & edited by Kristian #562
Please read the Disclaimer before attempting any work in this FAQ.
Last Updated: 13 June 2007, by Winter #1935

• Introduction
• Throttle Rocker Options
  • Caterpillar
  • Throttle Meister
  • Throttle Rocker (no longer available)
  • Throttle Rocker II
  • Cramp Buster
  • Universal Throttle Boss
  • Vista Cruise
  • Wristwrest
  • Tilt Cruise Control
  • Kaoko Throttle Lock
  • Alternatives
• Other Suggestions to make yourself More Comfortable

A Throttle Rocker is a device attached to the Throttle which helps keep your wrist from getting sore on long trips. A Cruise Control is a device that can be used to hold the throttle open. There are pros and cons to the use of these devices, and different people like different devices (no doubt there is also healthy debate over these definitions!).

Are there any drawbacks? Sure: You do not want to be using it around town because you will not have the "feel" of the throttle (which is important in situations where the environment changes very quickly). And you do not want the device to get stuck in the on position.

• A better and less expensive solution is an o-ring from Caterpillar as shown. The o-rings are about US$2.50 each. Gerry, #951

• For a cheap but good throttle lock slip an "o" ring over the throttle and let it sit between the plastic handgrip and the throttle body that clamps to the bar. I have one on my F650GS. Holds the throttle where you leave it but can easily by moved by touching the handgrip. Regards HUB, NZ
• Here is a free one. O-Ring Throttle Lock . When you change the oil, the kit should come with a new o-ring for the oil fill cap. It is the right size for the throttle grip. (my old F650ST classic). KenH25.
• I REALLY like my new rubber O-ring. Cost about $1 at an auto parts store. Just slide it up to create friction, or slide it to the end of the bar to store it when not needed (I have the Dakar with hand guards; this keeps it from falling off the end of the bar). But a bigger, tractor-sized one would provide more friction, so I'll probably look for one of those to replace it. The FAQ has a picture of the Caterpillar brand (yellow color); black would be nice. Scott, ID
• Needless to say, there is no liability on my part for any accident or injury caused to or by anyone using these 'O' rings as they are not designed or meant to be used on motorcycles. Use them at your own risk. lagondacoupe
• Not a safe product to use. I know this little things work, but other things work too, like holding the actual bar like you are supossed to. For anything that "Holds" the bar for you, it better probide some good steering capabilities for me, other way out of my bike! Safety First ladys and gentelmen... FIUF650

• The Throttlemeister works by creating friction between it and the handgrip. It should be adjusted so when it is engaged (fully turned counterclockwise) the throttle will not close easily, You can vary the amount of friction (resistance) by not fully engaging it. During the initial setup the resistance is set by the number/thickness of washers used. The bolt needs to have blue LocTite to keep the bolt from coming loose, and last but not least heated grips use a different spacer from non heated grip applications. Peter Jensen #233 97ST VT USA
• Well I've owned both of these units though not on the 650. Both work well. The Throttlemeister is a fine piece of machine work but it doesn't hold the throttle open any better than the wrist rest. Tony, Homeless (CO)
• I think the wrist rest or throttle rocker is very dangerous. It is way too easy to get a glove hung up on it and it is always in the way when I'm not using it. I got rid of it. Marty has the right idea with the rubber grommet, and in the FAQs there is a Part # for one from John Deere (I think) that fits perfectly. The best thing for me is the Throttlemeister. It's never in the way. Colorado Bob.
• Anyone use the Throttlemeister? They came with my bike when I bought it used, and I can't seem to get it to work just right. I don't have heated grips, if that matters. When adjusting the washers, I either have too much grip or not enough! And when it did work right for about 10 minutes, it seemed kinda hard to use... ugh, they look nice and seem like they should work nicely. Omnikron.
• I had it on my '97 ST and it worked fine. Transferred it to my '99 with heated grips and it still works pretty good. With the grip heat on & the T-meister off, it seems to make the grip pretty hard to turn. You don't need to crank the TM all the way tight to make it work. It's safer to just tighten it about 1/2 or 3/4 of the way, then if you need to slow down all of a sudden, you can just twist the grip forward to decelerate. If it's all the way tight you won't be able to move the grip at all. Yes, the T-meister works with heated grips (on a classic F). However, sometimes with the grips on high-temp, something expands in there and it seems to cause the T-meister to stick a little. I've had them on a couple of bikes and like them. They are 1/2 the price they were a couple of years ago, so you can be happy as far as that goes. The "Cat" o-ring seems pretty cool and very inexpensive, but I haven't tried it. I don't like those wrist-rests, because you still have to have your hand on the bars, basically. William--USA
• I sure don't think a better one than "Throttlemeister" is available, period! My '99 has this one and I've used most before and the one I mentioned above is best. Pricey at over a hundred dollars, but exceptionally well made and easy to use, IMO. Not sure they are available for the newer 650's as yet, but I would be surprised if not. Randy748/Calif
• http://www.throttlemeister.com/ ... had mine for 19k miles plus. It can't be beat for long distance rides. Worth the $$$. beem_dubya #1328
• I've installed ThrottleMeisters on the last couple of bikes, and am glad I did. I like the fact that it doesn't really look like an add-on; it looks like it belongs there. No wires, no switches, just a nice clean install. Maybe that's one reason I don't have a problem with handlebar vibration. too. They work great inside the stock hand-protectors on the Dakar The Second, but I never could make 'em work with the Magura bar / Acerbis handguard combo on Dakar The First. Might be worth noting that I frequently do long-distance days, but the TM is not something most of us will use every day Sadlsor #1444

• I have Throttlemeister's on my 650 and think their great - my only complaint (and I've talked to others that have experienced this same thing) is that when I use my heated grips, they swell and tighten up causing the Throttlemeister to get tight so I have to keep fiddling with it to maintain my setting. The throttle gets tight and my wrist start to hurt from having to rolls on/off with so much force. Then when I turn the grips off I have to fiddle with it again because it's too loose. Any of you hear experience this? I don't lock it though, my preferred setting is that the throttle rolls off ever so slowly when I take my hand off the throttle.

  It's actually quite frustrating. Especially when I watch my boyfriend use a 5 cent O ring (literally) on his bike and I spent hundreds of dollars. As much as I like the Throttlemeisters, I think I'll try the O ring on my next bike - he's used it for years and loves it. I think there is something to it. They look great though! Throttlemeister has pictures of my bike up on their site showing the install. Actually, maybe I should call them about it - maybe there's an easy solution they can offer. I do like them. JacquiG

• Throttlemeister warns you in the instructions about heated grips. I turned mine on and then did the install, but I've never experienced any issues heat on or off. Greg #1245 SEVa
• Yes, just make sure you order the Throttlemeister "with" handguards. norbrat

The Throttle Rocker is no longer available. See the Throttle Rocker II and the Cramp Buster for alternatives.

• I have used one for 2 years and it is great. Cost between $7 and $12 depending on where you get it. http://www.throttlerocker.com/. I've used the Throttle Rocker on 4 bikes in the past few years, and think it's the best 10 bucks I've ever spent. I've got 3 right now, 1 on the RT , 1 on the F650 and one waiting for the time Donna wants one on her F650. I guess she's just tougher than me and her wrist doesn't get tired! DaveJ#888(Hannibal,MO).
• Am I the only person who likes the Throttle Rocker? It works wonders for me. I push it as far to the outside edge of the grip as I can so I can still just grab the grip by itself if I want to. I rest my hand on it when I need it and roll it out of the way when I don't (city streets and tight twisties). Never had a problem with it hanging up with my gloves (which do have straps) or jacket. I will admit that it took a little getting used to at first. Rebecca
• I like the throttle rocker, too. I tend to ride with my index and middle fingers over the front brake at all times, so my ring and pinky fingers do all the work for the throttle. I used to come back from weekends of sport riding with a pinky that did some pretty funky things. I got the throttle rocker, and keep it on, at the far end of the grip, at all times, even in city traffic. You get used to it fairly quickly, and it's never caught on any of my gloves. Only problem is that you have to readjust it fairly often. Being on the outer edge of the grip, leverage is working against it, and it slips a little bit. I also use a rubber grommet between the bar end weight and the throttle grip on long trips. The problem (for me) is that the grommet slips just a little bit, so I have to squeeze a bit with my right hand to keep the grip in place. Since there always seems to be a bit of adjusting going on for wind, hills, etc., it seems that I'm fighting the tension on the grip more than it's helping me. As a result, I don't use it very often. Robin #790 Chicago '01 GSD
• The Throttle Rocker -- fine on long freeway/straight highway rides but I nearly killed myself this past weekend using one on a ride down Hwy. 1. My Held glove caught on the rocker and kept 1/2 throttle on while I was trying the stop as quickly as I could. Bad combo. I now slide mine off onto the bar end when I'm not just cruising along. I'm not the only one that has had this experience. I should have believed what I was told and not used it on that kind of road. BradG#1002.
• No experience with the Throttle Boss but I like my Throttle Rocker. Cheap, easy to put on (5 sec), easy to adjust (another 5 - 10 sec), easy to rotate out of the way when I don't want to use it (traffic or twisties). It lives in the tank bag until I'm going to be out on the highway for 2 or 3 hours. Mike639 - Covington, WA
• Unlike a simple throttle lock, the rocker doesn't help you if you want to take your hand off the throttle and stretch or use your right hand to put your sunglasses in the tankbag, adjust the mirror, etc. I took off my throttle rocker, as did a couple riding friends. It was nice to have on long straight roads, but it was always in the way on twisties, and required a conscious decision to move it out of the way when the road got interesting. More than once I found myself un-intentionally accelerating in a curve as I shifted my position on the bike, not because I intended to turn the throttle. I'll stick with the throttle lock. Scott S in WA
• I haven't used one on my BMW, but I've used it on other bikes, and I HATED it. Glad it was only $10; I gave it away (almost threw it away). I haven't used the Cat rubber washer trick mentioned on the FAQs, but I'm sure it works much better and is much cheaper. I have had a Throttlemeister on most of my bikes in the past 10 years, and I'm spoiled. I can take my hand completely off the handlebars if I desire. Some have mentioned in the past that with the heated grips, the throttle gets hard to move, but if you install the Throttlemeister with the heat turned on all the way, it will work fine. Colorado Bob
• I've used one on a R1100R and a R1100RT with heated grips with good results.  My F650 doesn't have heated grips. DaveJ#888
• No heated grips but the rocker doesn't squeeze that hard. It seems like it's mostly friction that keeps it from just spinning around. I love to hate mine but it's still on the bike. You really should slide it off when riding in conditions where you're going to work the throttle hard and often. I nearly did myself in on the first trip I had it when I came into a tight turn with too much pressure on it. Hard to slow down with the gas cranked on! I have bar ends and lever guards so its simple to slid if off the end of the grip and onto the bar end. Now that I'm used to it I use it on any highway/slab ride longer than a few miles. Not really a substitute for a throttle control but a bunch cheaper. bg#1002
• I tried one and was not impressed. instead installed a set of 909 grips, leaving space at the little finger and bar end weights to wedge in. works great. '03 F650GS.

Q. Anyone out there use a throttle rocker with BMW heated grips? My SO has one and I'm wondering how it work, particularly on long trips, and whether the rocker has caused any problems with the heating element in the grip.

• Yes, I do. Only on long trips.
• I leave my throttle rocker on the bike all the time without any problem. But I have Hot Grips« not the overpriced BMW grips. My cheapo grips are probably LOTS more reliable than the overpriced factory stuff. Heck, you can buy about four new pairs of Hot Grips« for what BMW gets for one pair of theirs. You can get a pair of Hot Grips« for what BMW gets for just ONE replacement GRIP (never mind the handlebars and the rest of the crap they sell with the factory rig). Just spin it out of the way when you're in town. No problem. Flash 412 (CO)
• I love mine - lets me rest my hand/wrist on long trips. It easily rolls out of the way for in town riding (which you'll want to do). It's on the bike all the time. No problems with it on my bike with the BMW heated grips. Rebecca '01 F650 GS, '89 Hawk GT
• I use it on my (overpriced) BMW Heated grips and find it works well, almost. I find it annoying when racing about town and leave it off unless I am going for a long multi hour ride. The heat from the grips comes through with no problem. Overall, worth the $8 I spent on it. Dakar, San Antonio, TX.
• I have the BMW heated grips. I use a rocker for very long trips. (Not around town, and never for off road.) So far no problem. mspeed 1023 -- Toronto, Canada -- '01GS
• I have it on mine with the OEM heated grips and it works great and hasn't caused any problems as of yet. '03 black GS, Colorado Razz
• I've not had the best of luck with mine...seems to slowly twist away from where it should be (I have heated grips...but this happens with or without the heat), not to mention slow speed issues in town. Finally went with a primitive, home-built "throttle lock" which traps a big rubber washer between the end weight and the throttle grip's end. Tightening the knurled knob squeezes the rubber washer, and increasingly adds drag to turning the throttle. This added drag helps low speed throttle control (makes it a smoother transition from "cable slack" to just barely on) and will also keep the throttle open with much less effort fighting against the throttle return spring. On my K-bike (non-heated grips), I installed a Fin-Q grip (I think from J.C. Whitney), which has a rubber paddle built-in to the grip itself. Needless to say, you'd better get this grip installed in the right position the first time! No rubber band, just the molded plastic gripper. Not an issue, as the "throttle lock" I built for the bike works fine under ALL conditions (except dropping the bike on the right handlebar grip). Marty #436-Chicago-97 F650F
• Marty do you have the rubber band type shim that makes it fit tight? I first tried mine without it and it did the same thing. When I added the rubber band under it, it works just fine. I leave mine on all the time, as Flash says just roll it around out of the way when you don't want it. I find myself using it more and more these day's in more conditions. They do take some practice to use and I would suggest practicing only on the open freeway where steady speed is the norm. After some use you will get the hang of it and become accustomed to moving it for adjustment. It reminds me a little of learning to use clipless pedals on a bicycle. At first they are scary and annoying but after time you wouldn't be without. Will in CA

• Throttle Rockers are no longer available. The Throttle Rocker II is a totally useless piece of crap. The thing to get is a CRAMP BUSTER which is not mentioned anywhere. Cramp Buster owns the patent that the original Throttle Rocker used. Cramp Busters are CHEAPER and BETTER than the useless crap that Throttle Rocker sells these days. Flash #412

• http://crampbuster.com/ says, The CrampBuster will rotate forward all day long. Yet when downward pressure is applied by your hand, the throttle is regulated effortlessly and accurately ? without squeezing. Flash #412
• http://www.cyclegadgets.com/Products/product.asp?Item=CRB

• Here's another one, a rubber rest I started using this season - I like it a lot. (Universal Throttle Boss).  It's the first time I've used such a product and it really reduces strain on the throttle hand. Very economical, $10.00 US. Universal Throttle Boss by Kuryakyn, about $10 U.S. That's what I use and I love it. It's a small rubber rest for the heel of your hand, that takes the strain off your hand. From the moment I began using it I couldn't believe what a difference it made, very comfy, and now when I ride a bike without one it feels like something is missing. Extremely easy to install, remove or adjust (takes seconds). www.kuryakyn.com. Click on any of the manufacturers & follow links to "grips & levers". I have one and it takes 20 SECONDS to put on. The Kuryakyn throttle boss is what I'm referring to - it's just a well-designed piece of rubber that you strap onto the grip. You can adjust it easily in another couple of seconds if it isn't sitting quite where you'd like it to. It's a great little gadget - now when I ride a friend's bike, I miss having that little pad there. Here's the text from their website: "Regardless of what type of bike you ride, the Throttle Boss will make riding any distance more comfortable. Designed to fit any type or size grip, the Throttle Boss can be installed in seconds to provide a cushioned "platform" to rest one's palm. When not in use, it can be quickly removed (without tools) and stowed in a jacket pocket, tool bag, etc." Cathy983 Halifax
• I'm considering the Kuryakyn Universal Throttle Boss. I was under the impression that it is very easy to put on and take off. In fact, I was thinking in terms of seconds. However, the installation instructions provided by Kuryakyn on their website say that the average installation time is 20 minutes. Does anyone have this on a 650 GS? Does it really take 20 minutes to put on? Thanks. Can anyone comment on the relative merits of the Throttle Rocker and the Universal Throttle Boss? Thanks here, too. mspeed #1023 Toronto, Canada
• Yep, best 3 quid I've spent for a while. Andy Leeds UK #982

• One of the best ones that I have ever used is a Vista Cruise (~$20). It needs to be slightly modified to fit the GS (opening filed a little bigger), but is easier to activate and de-activate than the Throttle Meister. And the TM doesn't work with bar ends. Michael #883.

• Bob's Wrist Rest is the way to go! Available from Bob's BMW, the beautifully machined stainless steel "bar end" type set up works with heated grips, looks great on the F, and allows full resting of the right wrist. Brian 1025
• I think the wrist rest is the way to go on the f650 especially with heated grips. The grips really expand when the heat is applied. The wrist rest has much more adjustment than the competition. Steve#417

• I have recently installed a 'custom' Tilt Cruise control on my Dakar - when I saw this device on the advrider forum, I had to have one. It is very simple to install and use; just use your little finger to very easily tilt the lever, and the 'smarts' inside do the rest - pistons move an o-ring to cause friction against the throttle. The heat from heated grips will not interfere with its operation. The ends are stainless steel replacement bar end weights.
  
  The gentleman (a BMW rider himself) that made it resides in Canada, and has built this precision instrument for mainly bigger GS's, and built only a few for the F650 so far, as they are labor intensive to build this quality unit, and it is not his main income earner. Its not cheap at $US125, but is looks and works 'the business' for a custom job. Fizz.
• Tilt Cruise Control Off
  Tilt Cruise Control On
• Now had the unit for a week. The best 'quality' about this unit is that it is so very easy to engage and dis-engage the 'tilt cruise', with or without big padded gloves; no real pressure is required due to the clever internal piston action; nothing to turn, nothing to roll-on or off like comparitive products I considered; for me, easier = safer, and worth the price premium; the high quality looks/finish is an added bonus. The tilt cruise has two tiny springs pushing its O ring the that allow the throttle to be withdrawn very easily also in an emergency; my last crash cost $AU6,000 in bike repairs, so I dont mind paying $115 more than the Caterpillar O ring, for a safer unit. Fizz
• I bought one of these and put it on my R1150R. Its a nice device and the gentleman who makes them is great to do business with. Acejones

I am considering ordering a Kaoko throttle lock for my 05 GS. It looks like it might be easier to use when riding with heavy gloves due to the large grooves on the locking nut. Does anyone have any experience with this unit? How does it compare to the Throttlemeister? The Throttlemeister seems to be a heavier unit and it might help reduce handlebar vibrations. Can anyone comment on that? Green Bean

• My friend just stuck a Kaoko on hers. Looks great and she likes it. I have a throttlemeister- it's great and heavy. You pick, I think you will win either way. chicken little
• I have the Kaoko (the weighted one) on mine. The protruding part does make it easier to control and you can visually determine how much friction is engaged by its position. The only negative I can see is the plastic lock nut. It might ware out faster. trekkingbee

Other opinions:

• I have thought about it occasionally, but have never bitten the bullet. I do remember hearing a rant from someone - either here or on advrider - about the plastic parts wearing too fast. codemonkey
• PM churchlady. She and her husband stillkickin have a Kaoko and another type and can offer a good comparison. If I'm thinking right, they don't much like the Kaoko. If you haven't already, check out the Caterpillar O-ring option. That's what I use and I've never considered anything else. my husband loves his Vista-Cruise but that can be a little trouble to install. greer #2085
• I got one of those for the Dakar at the BMW Rally in VT from Adv.Workshop.Unless you travel on a loooooong highway is not worth it to set up.Too many twists to set and bite the rubber.Doing it at 80mph is not wat you want.Just my oppinion... CLAUDIU
• Got the Kaoko lock on my Dakar for a while now, mad at myself for not getting one sooner. It really great. Get one, you'll be happy. michnus
• I had a Kaoko. Easy 2 minute install. But, did not like it at all. Sold it on Ebay. I would think it was off, and then next thing I know, when I pull in the clutch, the engine is revving like crazy, can't shift. I found that it would engage itself when I did not want it to. Unless I turned the friction nut several times around and around, the sudden throttle engaging would happen. You can't just turn the friction nut a single turn and be good to go. This isn't safe when you need to shut it off in a hurry. Clumsy to operate IMO. My husband has a Throttlemeister and to disengage it, you just turn the throttle off and it is off for good. Very easy to operate. As far as I know they don't have those for the 650 though. f650gsgrrl #2321
• Kaoko sucks (still have it, on his bike). Throttlemeister is the way to go. I don't honestly know what he paid for the Kaoko, because he had the Atlanta dealer put it on for the ride home. It's plastic, so if you use your heated grips, that kind of causes it to get stuck in one position or another. The throttlemeister is easy to install, smooth operating, very nice (I had something very similar on a VLX I used to own).
  
  I paid $131 for the throttlemeister from the Greensboro dealer, but that also includes the matching left bar end. Don't know if you can order with out the match or not--I wasn't paying a whole lot of attention and just asked them to order a throttlemeister for me. churchlady

• http://www.mccruise.com/

• I would suggest that part of the problem is the bar adjustment of your bike (too high, too low, turned in or out too far). Try adjusting them up or down in height. Also, MSF class teaches to keep the "wrist down" (safety thing so when that first jolt of acceleration hits, they can't twist WFO just trying to hold on)...I find that a neutral wrist position works best for long boring drones in the Midwest. Not sure if you can turn the clutch/brake lever assembly to a better angle on the Fs (I think their "pinned" to the bars), but might be worth an effort if it works. As someone mentioned, the gloves (especially wrist straps) can cut off circulation when the wrist is bent. And wussy me finds it a struggle to hold that throttle WFO for hours on end (strong return spring?)...so I built a custom throttle lock that places a huge rubber grommet between the bar end weight and throttle end, and a tighten the bar end against the throttle grip to give enough friction to almost hold it in place, but easily twisted by hand (YMMV). To do this, I replaced the standard bar end weight bolt with a piece of 6mm threaded rod, Loctited & jam nutted against end of bar. Then (in order, from inside to outside) big rubber grommet (fits around outside of jam nut, and thicker), tiny bushing to fit between bar end weight and threaded rod (optional, YMMV), bar end weight, washer/bushing, threaded knurled plate on the outside of weight (rotating it adjusts "friction" by squeezing weight against grommet/throttle end). Finally, a nylon acorn nut to protect YOU against threaded rod end AND to keep the threaded plate from vibrating away. Marty #436-Chicago-97 F650F
• The numbness you describe can come from impinged nerves in the cervical spine (aka neck). Perhaps you're tense when you ride and that shows up as neck tension. It has for me. You might experiment some with riding positions to see if you change you upper body posture. BradG 1002, N, CA '01GS
• Throttlemeisters are unnecessary if you RELAX your wrist and just leave it there holding the throttle in position. If you tense your wrist up you'll get cramps and be miserable. Learning to relax your body on the bike will enable you to do many more miles in comfort. paul
• Does your hand get numb? If it only takes 10 minutes you may have Carpal Tunnel. My hand would ache and get numb constantly. I had the surgery and it totally cured my problem. It may be worth seeing a doc. Steve #417
• ...as the temperature has dropped; part of it is using the heated grips. Forgetting that no, they won't melt or loosen; I've instinctively grabbed the throttle tighter. Loosening shoulders and leaning forward a bit has helped, too. jsanford #1839
• Remove the handles from steering. Press a cork 15 cm. into the hole. Fill it up with melted lead or pellet from shotgunn amo. Press inn a new cork the last 3 cm to secure the pellets from running out again. Put back the handles again and I do guarantee that most vibs are gone. This is a great cure for most vibs in the steering on any bike. triumphfunduro

Hand Cramping?

• Relax your grip-- you are probably gripping the bar too tightly---every now and then take your hand off the grip and flex you fingers. You only need to have a very light grip on the bars--this will come with more practice. Bill No. 391 Las Vegas
• Buy a Cramp Buster. Don't screw around. Buy one today, direct. Flash 412 (CO)
• After you allay the hand cramp, the next thing will be leg cramps on those 300+ mile trips; Hickory sticks found at the roadside and duct tape will fix you right up. motoplaner #1671
• As a newbie... 1) You are probably using some muscles you havent for a while 2) This will be counter-intuitive - but get your shoulders and elbows relaxed - when I was starting I was always too tense there - and it translated to tensness other parts of the body. MrA #1680