Cruise Control

[bigralphie]

How does cruise control stop you picking up speed going down a hill ?

[Giraffe]

I have a variation of this fitted to my bike. It is brilliant and v cheap alternative to 'proper' cruise control on long journeys so you can rest your wrist. You can shut the throttle easily as it only has enough friction to overcome the return spring. You won't maintain speed like 'proper' cruise control unless you're on level ground.
G.

Other versions:
Throttlemeister
Vista Cruise throttle lock
Brakeaway or the Throttler
BreakAway throttle lock.

[ghostbiker]

How does cruise control stop you picking up speed going down a hill ?

Well it dosent fully, but the version that was posted here for the bike would hold a throtle postition so down hill you would still be feeding it fuel, where as a true cruise control like fitted to trucks etc would at that be be negative throtle (ie clossed) so the engine would be holding you back a lot more than with the bike version. ok it wouldnt be enough to hold your speed (certainly not on an artic lol) but on a light car or bike it would be of a lot more effect.

though i still stand by that i wouldnt fit one, the dangers far out weigh the benifits in my mind.

[bigralphie]

Just wondered if new cruise controls on cars were smarter than the one on my mundaneo which is a bit crude

[rustyrider]

The older style cruise controls just operated the throttle so if you started to speed up due to a hill, it would close the throttle to slow you down.  If it still went too fast even on a fully closed throttle then it simple went too fast.  The more complex ones actually operate on the brakes as well so that won't happen.  I drove an SL55AMG Merc last year and that had the cruise control, traction control, ABS and anti-collision system all linked.  If you went beyond the set speed on the cruise control and shutting the throttle didn't get you speed down enough, it would apply the brakes.  In the same way, if you had the anti-collision switched on and got too close to the car in front it would also put the brakes on for you to maintain a safe distance.

[b3tarev3]

Anyone tried one of these....
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Go-Cruise-Univ...4cf89b4b67

Looks less intrusive than traditional crampbuster.

Being a tight arse i made one of these - i cut one out of a plastic butty box. It's been on my bike for over 12 months and i personally think it' great. On Scotland trips it makes the motorway work easy, plus it helps your group to stick at a steady speed if you take point.

Can't see what all the fuss is about the throttle being stuck open, when i need to brake the natural roll of your hand across the throttle grip as you reach for the lever shuts it off!.....Is a car on cruise control not the same if you take your foot off the accelerator, ie accelerator stays open?

Nowt wrong with them if you use them as intended, if you want to put it on then have a picnic whilst riding along then thats when trouble comes knocking.

[DryRob]

got too close to the car in front it would also put the brakes on for you to maintain a safe distance.

Can't see BMW using that in their cars  :lol

[rustyrider]

Can't see BMW using that in their cars  :lol

It could be switched off though, and you set what you consider to be a safe distance.  BMW would calibrate it in millimetres rather than metres.....

[b1ondini]

I've actualy bought one of these - not had chance to run out with it yet though.  Will update once we get some warmth!

[dolau]

My Pug has cruise control which was brillaint after three hours driving I was hit with a ten mile 50 limit on the A19 on Saturday and again on Sunday coming home with average speed cameras ever 1/4 mile- glad I wasnt on the bike

[dickturpin]

After B3TAREV3 comment, I've now made one as well. Not used it yet and may need some tweeks....we'll see how it goes.