Theoretical question... Well sort of

[Preacher]

Hello all,
So this being my first post I thought I would drag a question out from crazy town.... :D

I have a 2018 DL1000 and I absolutely love it, however it's missing the one thing that would make long distances effortless, that being a real cruise control. Now I know there are some aftermarket versions and throttle locks but ime not keen on this for a number of reasons.  So all that being said the 1050 has a built in cruise control which got me to wondering what sort of crazy alchemy would be required to retrofit a 2018 with the controls from a 22 bike and make it work.....

Any thoughts or a slap for potential stupidity eagerly awaited 

[UK_Vstrom650]

Hmm, sounds like it would be expensive, though I seem to recall an Australian (?) firm sells aftermarket electronic cruise controls for bikes Inc the V Strom. I don't think it was cheap, but probably cheaper than trying to take 1050 parts and fit them to the 1000.

[kwackboy]

Trade your 1000 in for a 1050 .. it'll be cheaper 

[UK_Vstrom650]

https://www.mccruise.com/collections/Suzuki
I think this was the one

[Preacher]

Trade your 1000 in for a 1050 .. it'll be cheaper 

Maybe but the 1050 is fugly  as hell. Sorry 1050 owners 

[BigAldo]

You don't say why you are not keen on the throttle lock solutions.
'Proper' cruise controls need tied into the canbus system to both monitor and control the following:
Throttle position sensor
Clutch actuation
Brake actuation
Speed sensor
Gear position sensor
So if your own bike does not have reasonable access to these via the canbus, then an electronic after market solution seems unlikely.
Not impossible but tricky (expensive).

[Preacher]

The biggest concern is potential jamming with the lock, having never used one. If it's an unfounded concern then fair enough and I may think about it as an alternative.

[kwackboy]

Throttle locks don't lock the throttle solid , you can release it as soon as you close the throttle.

I've got one on my BMW , never had any issues.

[Hugo Magnus]

I had a Kaoko (sp) on my 650 it was OK but no substitute for the real thing.

[purplebikeunicorn]

I'm with kwackboy, it doesn't take a lot of force to keep a throttle open, far less than you'd need to input to close it again, as demonstrated by my bike when a small bit of dirt was causing it to stick... 

[STORMY]

Gives you an idea about what’s involved

[Artyman]

I bought one of those cheap throttle locks from China, about £18, and it does me fine for those times when I'm on a trip or need to adjust something. And its so easy to override it - you just twist the throttle to the stop. The american one looks much better (Atlas?) but it's silly money and to be honest, even having a throttle lock, I find that I only use it now and again and not as often as I thought I would use it.

With that sort of money for the Aussie version, I'd sooner spend the money on tyres or a new rear shock, or a comfy seat or even a ferry ticket to be honest.

[2112]

Just to throw in my opinion on cruise control, it's one of those things that if you've never had it, you'll never miss it. My last three bikes have had cruise control and it's now on the 'must have' list for any replacement bike. Previously, I have scorned cruise control as an unnecessary complication & cost, only suitable for autobahns and pointless in the UK. However, I find I use it all the time on the Tiger as it is soooo easy to use, just tap a button and it's set, roll off the throttle or touch the brakes or tap that button again and it's off. Simples. Use it around town to slip past speed cameras, in 40/50mph speed limits and even in flowing countryside, it is just so much more relaxing. Never mind when you are batting through Europe with 100's of kM to go before a hot shower & a cold beer beckon. If you ride with fiends they will also love sitting at a rock steady & predictable speed too.

If you're sure your bike is a 'keeper' I would seriously consider fitting an aftermarket cruise control kit. It is expensive, but only you can decide if it's worth that investment ? However, it will transform the dynamic of your bike and I'm fairly certain enhance your enjoyment of it too. I only know of one person who has fitted the MC Cruise electronic cruise control and that was to a Honda Pan European 1300. It was quite easy to fit but took a little bit of setting up. Once set up it was trouble free and my mate must have had it for years before chopping it in for a Goldwing a couple of years ago. Now it's DCT automatic AND cruise control, sounds relaxing.

[The Doctor 46]

 

  I wonder if you could have a chauffer to ride your bike whilst you sit on the back and read a book?   

[Brockett]

Makes no difference, driving a car or riding a bike my mind wanders off gets up to all sorts of nonesense. The one thing that always escapes me is keeping to speed limits. Not talking about silly speeds but a couple or five mph over the top is about average. Therefore in my car I tend to drive A roads with cruise control "on".  If I could opt for cruise control on  all of my bikes, I would.

[Rixington43]

I am firmly of the view that all the riding/driving aids I don't have are soft options for wimps who can't ride or drive properly and all the ones I do have are utterly essential and I'd never be without them.
Both lists are only getting longer

[Rusty Nuts]

Heated grips are a fine example. For lightweights only. Until I hit 52 and fitted a pair. Essential now.

[kwackboy]

Blimey...
I had heated grips over 25 years ago and I've only just turned 50 ..