Go Sportsters

[shunpiker]

They make a little lever that snaps on the "cruise control" star thingy so you can turn it on and off with the flip of your thumb. Makes it pretty functional.

[n8dawg6]

Originally Posted by Eye of the Tiger

While polishing the chrome for the first time ever, I just noticed that my Nightster has a little star wheel to tighten the throttle down for cruise control. I didn't even know what it was until I played with it a bit. ARRRRRRGGHH!!! I suppose I am pretty happy, but why didn't anybody tell me this before? I sure could have used that a few times.

honestly, I'm scared to use the damn thing. couldn't tell you if it worked or not. I figure if I got in a panic stop situation, it might cause confusion.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Originally Posted by n8dawg6

honestly, I'm scared to use the damn thing. couldn't tell you if it worked or not. I figure if I got in a panic stop situation, it might cause confusion.

Clutch in and ignore the engine bouncing off the rev limiter.
It shouldn't be so tight that you can't twist the throttle back, either. Just tight enough to hold the return spring.

[gus]

Originally Posted by Eye of the Tiger

, but why didn't anybody tell me this before? I sure could have used that a few times.

Almost all bikes used to have throttle tensioners. Sportsters have had them since they went to a quarter turn throttle in 1973.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Originally Posted by gus

Almost all bikes used to have throttle tensioners. Sportsters have had them since they went to a quarter turn throttle in 1973.

This is my first Harley, and the newest bike I've owned. If any of my old UJMs had throttle tensioners, I certainly didn't know about it.

[Scrivens]

Originally Posted by BobPS

I replaced the rear supspension of my Sportster (2002 Sportster) with Progressive 13.5" and the front spring with Progressive springs. Made the bike handles so much better.

If you want to make it a lot sharper, raise the fork legs 1/2" up the triple-tree. Mine is an standard '07 - not a lowered one - and has the long RK rear shocks on. Raising the legs is common on VStroms for handling and stability issues, and I tried it on the Sporty more out of curiosity than anything. Works a treat and lightens the feel a lot. Takes about 5 minutes to do, can be done on the side stand, but (carefully) slacken the bolts only enough until the legs just start to move. Tighten the upper bolts first when the levels are correct, then bounce the front suspension a few times and tighten the lower bolts.

[DS Hobo]

I had a 2000 883C before, but this bike I REALLY enjoy.

[BobPS]

Originally Posted by gus

Almost all bikes used to have throttle tensioners. Sportsters have had them since they went to a quarter turn throttle in 1973.

I only used (and always used) this throttle tensioner when warming up the bike. Mine was a carb'd Sportster and it always cough when cold. So, every time I started the bike, I turned this tensioner so the engine ran a at a higher rpm than idle, while I put on my jacket, helmet,and gloves. Once I was ready (about a minute), and the engine warm to the touch, I loosened the tensioner and ready to go.

[fastdadio]

Originally Posted by DS Hobo

I had a 2000 883C before, but this bike I REALLY enjoy.
Welcome to the club! I will never sell mine. Ever.

And to all you poor FF's that didn't jump on one when they were available, Neener-neener-neener!

[fastdadio]

I think all Sportsters have a tensioner. I keep mine set to a neutral tension. Easy to open and close. If I let go of the throttle, it will slowly vibrate closed and begin to slow down. Easy to adjust on the fly. Switching between my other bikes with a return spring, I don't even notice the difference. From a safety standpoint, whether you realize it or not, you always manually close your throttle anyway. Also, the Sportster has a bank angle sensor. Meaning, if it tips too far over it will cut out the ignition. So next time you FF's are out for a ride, play with it. I really like mine.

[shupe]

Originally Posted by Eye of the Tiger

While polishing the chrome for the first time ever, I just noticed that my Nightster has a little star wheel to tighten the throttle down for cruise control. I didn't even know what it was until I played with it a bit. ARRRRRRGGHH!!! I suppose I am pretty happy, but why didn't anybody tell me this before? I sure could have used that a few times.

A little history: From the earliest days of twist grip throttles (before 1910), Harley throttles did not auto-close.
They had a solid (not braided) wire inside the throttle cable housing that ran inside the handlebar.
It pushed or pulled the carb butterfly open, and had to be twisted closed to close it. Otherwise the throttle stayed where it was. By the early 70's the carb had a light return spring but the friction of the solid cable, by design, was too much for the spring to close the throttle.
In 1974 the Feds mandated self closing throttles (and left side shifters, right side rear brake), so H-D complied, but put in the tension screw and it's been there ever since. As stated, adjust it so it keeps the throttle from closing, but not so tight you can't over-ride it and twist the grip. You'll do so not only to close the throttle but the make minor speed adjustments.

[gusanito]

Originally Posted by DS Hobo

I had a 2000 883C before, but this bike I REALLY enjoy.

Put an 18" on the back, replace the fork oil with 270ml of 20w and raise the forks .7".
You'll be pleasantly surprised!!

[Randy]

Originally Posted by Eye of the Tiger

While polishing the chrome for the first time ever, I just noticed that my Nightster has a little star wheel to tighten the throttle down for cruise control. I didn't even know what it was until I played with it a bit. ARRRRRRGGHH!!! I suppose I am pretty happy, but why didn't anybody tell me this before? I sure could have used that a few times.

Wow! Is that what that is? And all this time I thought it was some sort of cable adjustment! I REALLY should read my owner's manual, huh??

But after reading this just now, I went out and played with it a bit... Just seems to make the throttle sticky and sorta notchy to me. I quickly turned it back the other way. IDK, maybe mine's defective or something, but it's not for me.

[BobPS]

Originally Posted by fastdadio

And to all you poor FF's that didn't jump on one when they were available, Neener-neener-neener!

It was the bike I wanted when I bought my Sportster ... unfortunatelly they didn't sell 1200 S here in Indonesia

[Eye of the Tiger]

Originally Posted by Randy

Wow! Is that what that is? And all this time I thought it was some sort of cable adjustment! I REALLY should read my owner's manual, huh??

But after reading this just now, I went out and played with it a bit... Just seems to make the throttle sticky and sorta notchy to me. I quickly turned it back the other way. IDK, maybe mine's defective or something, but it's not for me.

I just did a 400 miles highway trip, and had plenty of time to fool around with the thing. I got the hang of it pretty well. I only had a slight issue when a car suddenly decided to merge in front of me, but I forced the throttle closed manually. It definitely saved my hand from getting cramped up. Now I just need something to save my ass. These rear shocks are horrible