Advice on "throttle boss / assist" dilemma

KCJones

KCJones

Joined
Apr 20, 2018
Messages
244
Location
Harrisburg, PA
Bike
1991 ST1100
Although I am looking at a throttle-lock, I find that whatever solution I get there, I need a throttle 'boss' paddle of some kind.

On my previous primary touring bike (VStar 1300 Tourer), I had Kuryakyn ISO Grips with their "hard install" throttle boss and it cured me of ANY cramping whatsoever.

Meanwhile, the ST has the thinnest grips of any bike I own, and I been a crampin' quite a lot (I'm prone to it, always have been). I know I cramp less on thicker grips (big hands) and have NO issue with thicker grips AND a good solid throttle boss installed.

One obvious answer is do like about every other bike I've owned and install Kuryakyn ISO's with their boss attached. HOWEVER, the ST is also the first bike I've had with heated grips, and I'm loathe to give them up.

I've tried the traditional plastic cramp-buster, and it's just a no-go. Too "slippy". I just got the Kuryakyn "universal" strap-on rubber cramp buster and rode about 120 miles with it yesterday... Better, but still slips enough that it doesn't really help. Constantly have to 'fiddle it' back to a good spot, and it stays there maybe 15 minutes...

I do know Kuryakyn makes 'clamshell' grips to fit over the GL1800 heated grips. But I don't know if they're compatible with the ST, and they definitely wouldn't work with the bar-end weights.

Final note: I have had throttle-locks in the past, and will get one here too. But that's a different thing and won't solve this problem.

I'm kinda outta ideas. Hoping someone here can suggest an 'add on' cramp buster that works (i.e. stays put) or perhaps something I've not even thought of.
 
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I came up with a great solve for simular problem. I contacted Grip Buddy and asked for a custom job.
I came to my ST 7/8 grip from riding full dress Harleys, and knew the much thicker grip worked most of the time for me.
I asked for grip buddies with the inside diameter made for the 7/8 grip. I asked that the outer diameter be the same as the grip buddy would be for the bigger Harley grips. He did not understand at first so I hope I am saying this in a way that everyone else can understand it.
Also with the grips now being much thicker the cramp buster dose not slip. My heated grips take all of 30 or 50 seconds longer to heat up.
I hope this helps you, Dave.
 
Dave.David said:
I came up with a great solve for simular problem. I contacted Grip Buddy and asked for a custom job.
I came to my ST 7/8 grip from riding full dress Harleys, and knew the much thicker grip worked most of the time for me.
I asked for grip buddies with the inside diameter made for the 7/8 grip. I asked that the outer diameter be the same as the grip buddy would be for the bigger Harley grips. He did not understand at first so I hope I am saying this in a way that everyone else can understand it.
Also with the grips now being much thicker the cramp buster dose not slip. My heated grips take all of 30 or 50 seconds longer to heat up.
I hope this helps you, Dave.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I'll check it out.
 
My solution, albeit a bit expensive, was to use the BrakeAway throttle lock and the Grip Buddies. The Grip Buddies are wonderful and not very expensive. The BrakeAway is expensive, but sooooo worth it!
 
KCJones said:
Hoping someone here can suggest an 'add on' cramp buster that works (i.e. stays put)
Click to expand...

I used the narrow Cramp Buster on the throttle and the wider CB on the left grip. I used Grab-On grip covers over the stock grips and they seemed to stay put fairly well. Later BMW grips were swapped and with the grip covers the CBs stayed put even better. But you want to keep the heated grips.

If you still have the plastic CBs I'd try them again with the grip covers and also take some sandpaper and rough up the inside. Making some 'grain' parallel with the bar might increase the grip.


Dave.David said:
I hope I am saying this in a way that everyone else can understand it.
Click to expand...

Seems clear enough—you want a Grip Buddy for the ST (7/8") that is thicker so as to match the diameter of a Grip Buddy on an H-D (1")
 
ST Gui said:
Seems clear enough—you want a Grip Buddy for the ST (7/8") that is thicker so as to match the diameter of a Grip Buddy on an H-D (1")
Click to expand...

Very close, and the same detail that the grip Buddy Guy wasn't getting right away.
I want a grip buddy for the St, 7/8 that is thicker so as to match the "outside" diameter of a grip buddy on an HD.
 
Dave.David said:
I want a grip buddy for the St, 7/8 that is thicker so as to match the "outside" diameter of a grip buddy on an HD.
Click to expand...

Yeah I got that. Specifying 'outside' a second time didn't seem necessary since once the GB is on the grip the only diameter we're concerned with is the outside diameter. You wanted the same feel (OD) of GBs on the ST as you would have with a GB on an HD. Since the bars are two different sizes the grips are two different sizes and the GBs are two different sizes so thicker/thick enough ST GBs would increase the OD to what you wanted.

So do you recall how thick they ended up being? My G-Os were stock and maybe <1/8" before installation. I might consider inquiring about some GBs.
 
The solution is cheap and easy, but not exactly beautiful...

Slip an old bicycle tube over the hand grip. Make sure it fits snugly. The rubber will grip the camp buster without slipping.
 
ddemair said:
The solution is cheap and easy, but not exactly beautiful...

Slip an old bicycle tube over the hand grip. Make sure it fits snugly. The rubber will grip the camp buster without slipping.
Click to expand...

Or use self adhesive tennis racquet handle grip tape available at your local sports store or online similar to this:

s-l1000.jpg
 
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You overestimate the the common sense of the common man. And you had the benefit of reading it, letting it sink in. When heard over the phone and thinking of a response rather than what was said, as most do, miscommunication happens often.
For this reason only, specifying outside diameter becomes necessary. I know we have some smart guys and gals on this site, but as a few have said, "Never underestimate the stupidity of the masses."
ST Gui said:
Yeah I got that. Specifying 'outside' a second time didn't seem necessary since once the GB is on the grip the only diameter we're concerned with is the outside diameter. You wanted the same feel (OD) of GBs on the ST as you would have with a GB on an HD. Since the bars are two different sizes the grips are two different sizes and the GBs are two different sizes so thicker/thick enough ST GBs would increase the OD to what you wanted.

So do you recall how thick they ended up being? My G-Os were stock and maybe <1/8" before installation. I might consider inquiring about some GBs.
Click to expand...
94936e5da9c5475a3d49863c74eec586.jpg
a27e7b4af1eee3285b756f2990bae814.jpg
 
The left side grip is not round just because of me moving my hand as I ride. But the right grip with the cramp Buster, you can see where the Buster has dug into the grip buddy. At this point the grip buddy and the crampbuster are practically the same outside diameter.
KCJones said:
Although I am looking at a throttle-lock, I find that whatever solution I get there, I need a throttle 'boss' paddle of some kind.

On my previous primary touring bike (VStar 1300 Tourer), I had Kuryakyn ISO Grips with their "hard install" throttle boss and it cured me of ANY cramping whatsoever.

Meanwhile, the ST has the thinnest grips of any bike I own, and I been a crampin' quite a lot (I'm prone to it, always have been). I know I cramp less on thicker grips (big hands) and have NO issue with thicker grips AND a good solid throttle boss installed.

One obvious answer is do like about every other bike I've owned and install Kuryakyn ISO's with their boss attached. HOWEVER, the ST is also the first bike I've had with heated grips, and I'm loathe to give them up.

I've tried the traditional plastic cramp-buster, and it's just a no-go. Too "slippy". I just got the Kuryakyn "universal" strap-on rubber cramp buster and rode about 120 miles with it yesterday... Better, but still slips enough that it doesn't really help. Constantly have to 'fiddle it' back to a good spot, and it stays there maybe 15 minutes...

I do know Kuryakyn makes 'clamshell' grips to fit over the GL1800 heated grips. But I don't know if they're compatible with the ST, and they definitely wouldn't work with the bar-end weights.

Final note: I have had throttle-locks in the past, and will get one here too. But that's a different thing and won't solve this problem.

I'm kinda outta ideas. Hoping someone here can suggest an 'add on' cramp buster that works (i.e. stays put) or perhaps something I've not even thought of.
Click to expand...
 
Dave.David said:
You overestimate the the common sense of the common man.
Click to expand...

Let's not make this into something it isn't. I understood what you wrote just fine and didn't need to let it sink in.

I didn't estimate anything. You said you hoped you were explaining it clearly enough for everybody to understand and my response was that it seemed clear enough. Apparently my mention of the bare bar diameters caused confusion. My comment was/is solely about what you posted here for the forum and not about your phone conversation.
 
ST Gui said:
Let's not make this into something it isn't. I understood what you wrote just fine and didn't need to let it sink in.

I didn't estimate anything. You said you hoped you were explaining it clearly enough for everybody to understand and my response was that it seemed clear enough. Apparently my mention of the bare bar diameters caused confusion. My comment was/is solely about what you posted here for the forum and not about your phone conversation.
Click to expand...

But it is also about my phone convo, of the 1 man who's read (with time to read and reresd) and commented on this, and the 3 men I've said the same sentence too, in 3 different phone convos, (heard me but did they lision,) only 1 said he understood the first time. What I don't understand is why you and only you is making a issue about this. No need to answer, it doesn't matter anymore. Can we drop this now.
ST Gui, I have read a lot of your post here over the last year or more, most I can respect, agree with, and disagree with but on things that are opinions, not facts. Everything I wrote here is fact, and I don't know why I should have to keep explaining myself or even why I'm being questioned.
I do hope the original poster has found my solution (that I am currently using ) helpful in anyway to him.
 
Try a genuine Throttle Rocker, KC.
https://www.throttlerocker.com
I’ve run a non-Velcro version on my ST1100’s BMW Sport grips for many years and miles. I also have the Velcro version on the left grip. The non-Velcro TR can be adjusted while underway... very handy. You can shim under it with tape or bicycle inner tube if necessary. Perfectly ergonomic design. Highly recommended. I use my TR, modified Vista Cruise throttle lock, and AudioVox Cruise Control on every ride. FWIW YMMV

John
 
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