Vista Cruise Throttle Lock - K8 install

[Warchild]

When you spend 24-hours in the saddle during a competitive Endurance Riding event, a throttle lock is almighty useful to give your hand a brief 20-30 second rest to get rid of the "tinglies" by getting the blood flowing again. I don't use it except for that purpose only.

Installing one on the K8 was a complete ass-pain to do, but the results were actually quite excellent.

Final Install:


http://www.superblackbird.com/K8/photos/VistaCruise/Installed.jpg


I used the Vista Cruise lock for the Honda 2-cable throttles, which has a small "ledge" to it:


http://www.superblackbird.com/K8/photos/VistaCruise/VC_ledged.jpg


So I needed to grind off this ledge... you'll see why here in a bit:


http://www.superblackbird.com/K8/photos/VistaCruise/ledge_grinded.jpg


Now for the ass-pain part.... the K8 throttle sleeve has several large ridges that are used to help retain the factory grip in place... these ridges have to go.


Here is a photo comparing the OEM throttle grip with the BMW "Sport Grip", which is about the finest grip you can use for spending hours in the saddle at the vibe-prone 4500-5000 RPM range on the Busa. These are the de-facto standard in the Iron Butt-riding/Endurance Riding scene:

http://www.superblackbird.com/K8/photos/VistaCruise/GripComparo.jpg


Since I was swapping the OEM grip out for the excellent Beemer grips anyway, I had to grind these two ridges off the throttle sleeve....


http://www.superblackbird.com/K8/photos/VistaCruise/ThrottleSleeveRidges.jpg


There is a third ridge on the outboard end of the throttle sleeve... off it went, too....


http://www.superblackbird.com/K8/photos/VistaCruise/SleeveOuterRidge.jpg


Now this next step you don't want to dick up.... drilling two small holes to pass through a small retaining bolt that will affix the throttle lock in place. One hole through the throttle lock, and it's attending hole in the throttle pulley housing. There is more than enough room within the housing to hold the small bolt you will use here. Remember.... measure twice, cut once! :thumbs up:


http://www.superblackbird.com/K8/photos/VistaCruise/drilled_holes.jpg


Now you can mount up the Vista Cruise and adjust away! I ended up not using the nyloc bolt you see below, rather, the washers and small bolt only. The fastener cut its own threads into the plastic, and has been holding steady for several hundred miles now.


http://www.superblackbird.com/K8/photos/VistaCruise/nut_bolt.jpg

The BMW grip is just a couple millimeters longer than the OEM stock, so I needed to add a washer or two on the Bar End Weight so it would "stand-off" from the throttle grip and not rub up against it.

That's it! :thumbs up:

Like I say, installing the Vista Cruise on the K8 is not the trivial job it is on most bikes, but it's well, WELL worth the effort if you are serious about Long-Distance Riding. Any questions, fire away.... :smoke:

[Tybalt]

Like I say, installing the Vista Cruise on the K8 is not the trivial job it is on most bikes, but it's well, WELL worth the effort if you are serious about Long-Distance Riding. Any questions, fire away.... :smoke:

Want to do mine?:rofl: Nice War:thumbs up:

[Greenbean]

OK I feel you on wanting cruise in a big way,

Is there a way to do this and keep the stock grips?

I really want a mechanical type cruise but maybe an electrical type. I can't decide right now... even thought about the cheap pieces of plastic for a few bucks just to give my fingers a rest but am unsure right now...

Would you do it again,

[gpman]

Looks good War, I am thinking about ordering the TM, did you compare the Vista to the Throttlemiester? have you ever used the TM?

http://www.throttlemeister.com/ps.main.html

[GEN 1 FALCON]

I have the Throttlemeister and I love it, I use it regulary as I commute on the highway to work. I have heard good things about the Vista Cruise Control too! Clean looking install!

[JFS77]

Not wanting/trying to thread crap ... doesn't the use of a throttle lock void most insurance policies?

[Greenbean]

Not wanting/trying to thread crap ... doesn't the use of a throttle lock void most insurance policies?

Good question man,:umm: I think they are both "marketed" as not locking the throttle...

Maybe the TM is the better since it looks just like some other ber end weight but has a red stripe on them...

I am going to look into the TM I think...