Stiff Throttle Help

bigdon · 07-23-2012, 07:02 AM

03 1150 GS Adventure 66,000 miles
My throttle Action is stiff on my bike. I think it's just too much spring and is hard on my old hands and wrist.

Is there a way to take some spring tension out of it?
On my XChallenge it had two springs and I was able to unhook one of them. It was much better.
Does the 1150 have two springs?

Thanks

JimVonBaden · 07-23-2012, 07:13 AM

At that mileage it is time to replace the cables.

Jim

bigdon · 07-23-2012, 07:22 AM

The cables were replaced a couple of years ago!

JimVonBaden · 07-23-2012, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdon

The cables were replaced a couple of years ago!

All of them? Did they clean and lube the Bowden box? How is your grip, is it smooth or gritty?

There are no springs you can remove or adjust.

Jim

bigdon · 07-23-2012, 08:38 AM

I don't know that they replaced them all! The dealer worked on it.
The throttle is smooth and not gritty. It snaps back with authority.
It has such a strong spring that I really have to crank on the throttle lock to make it stay.

No springs that can be adjusted.

I may have to go to a different bike then. I hate to do that because this one is juuuust right except the throttle. I rode 1100 miles in three days and now my hands and wrist are killing me!

bigdave-gs · 07-23-2012, 08:45 AM

Wow, I wonder if the PO put something on the bike because of the old cable. 1150 throttles are known for ease of twist.........hmmmmmm might chech everything make sure nothing has been added.

bigdon · 07-23-2012, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdave-gs

Wow, I wonder if the PO put something on the bike because of the old cable. 1150 throttles are known for ease of twist.........hmmmmmm might chech everything make sure nothing has been added.

What would I be looking for?

ultane · 07-23-2012, 10:37 AM

Gretchen's throttle was sticking on time. Turned out the entire assembly was rubbing on the metal thingy right next to the hand grip.

I might be wrong... Just ask my X...

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

bigdon · 07-25-2012, 12:29 PM

I have ordered new throttle cables. Will clean, lubricate, and inspect all moving parts.

Anything else I should do?

JimVonBaden · 07-25-2012, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdon

I have ordered new throttle cables. Will clean, lubricate, and inspect all moving parts.

Anything else I should do?

Just make sure the fast idle cable move freely, and the wedge in the Bowden box moves smoothly.

Jim

bigdave-gs · 07-25-2012, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdon

I have ordered new throttle cables. Will clean, lubricate, and inspect all moving parts.

Anything else I should do?

Do not lub ! ! ! The inside of the cable cases are teflon and liquid lubricant attracts dirt that will damage the inside of the cables.

JimVonBaden · 07-25-2012, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdave-gs

Do not lub ! ! ! The inside of the cable cases are teflon and liquid lubricant attracts dirt that will damage the inside of the cables.

Good catch! I was only thinking about the Bowden box and grip.

Jim

PS Were the cables lubed last time? Might be the problem.

erkmania · 07-25-2012, 03:40 PM

In my experience, gloves and handgrips also make a difference. I have Held gloves that have kangaroo hide in the palms. Whatever is done to treat the leather causes them to be 'slicker' than other hides. I have to grip the bars more with these gloves than gloves I've had in the past. I have the best friction between the gloves and the grips when I've been riding awhile in hot weather and my palms are damp with sweat.

Also, the stock grips seem to get 'slicker' as they age (at least on my 2000 RT) and that caused them to slip in my hands if I didn't grip them tightly.

The point is that you might want to be sure the grips and/or gloves aren't causing you the need to grasp the bars too firmly.

eric2 · 07-26-2012, 06:18 AM

I would look also at the cable guides as they can wear and get grooves in them. If nothing else, you can fit lighter springs on the TB's. Also, an accident can kink the cable if the bars get knocked around.

When the new cables come in compare them with the old once you take them off. The new ones when held up and down
should simply fall through the outer cable from their weight.

Good idea to replace them now, had a friend drop near $1000 to have his fixed last year when the main one broke hundreds of miles from home. Lots of towing and lost time, hotel stays etc.

JimVonBaden · 07-26-2012, 06:30 AM

Wow, $1000 for cables and a tow?

Cables are pretty cheap, under $200 IIRC, and swapping them out is about 2 hours work, for someone with experience. It took me four hours to do it for the repair video, and I was filming and taking photos.

Jim

07-23-2012, 07:02 AM	#1
bigdon ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2005 Oddometer: 2,069	Stiff Throttle Help 03 1150 GS Adventure 66,000 miles My throttle Action is stiff on my bike. I think it's just too much spring and is hard on my old hands and wrist. Is there a way to take some spring tension out of it? On my XChallenge it had two springs and I was able to unhook one of them. It was much better. Does the 1150 have two springs? Thanks __________________ ADV Relay Rider 08 (The Texas Connection) Ride Pooie Ride Don't stop riding until you get to the crash , you might save it!

07-23-2012, 07:13 AM	#2
JimVonBaden "Cool" Aid! Joined: Feb 2005 Location: Alexandria, VA Oddometer: 41,483	At that mileage it is time to replace the cables. Jim __________________ Click here for BMW Maintenance and Repair DVDs and Corrections. "Combo-Order Discounts!"

07-23-2012, 07:22 AM	#3
bigdon ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2005 Oddometer: 2,069	The cables were replaced a couple of years ago! __________________ ADV Relay Rider 08 (The Texas Connection) Ride Pooie Ride Don't stop riding until you get to the crash , you might save it!

07-23-2012, 08:38 AM	#5
bigdon ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2005 Oddometer: 2,069	I don't know that they replaced them all! The dealer worked on it. The throttle is smooth and not gritty. It snaps back with authority. It has such a strong spring that I really have to crank on the throttle lock to make it stay. No springs that can be adjusted. I may have to go to a different bike then. I hate to do that because this one is juuuust right except the throttle. I rode 1100 miles in three days and now my hands and wrist are killing me! __________________ ADV Relay Rider 08 (The Texas Connection) Ride Pooie Ride Don't stop riding until you get to the crash , you might save it!

07-23-2012, 08:45 AM	#6
bigdave-gs Explorer Joined: Oct 2009 Location: Central Texas Oddometer: 1,898	Wow, I wonder if the PO put something on the bike because of the old cable. 1150 throttles are known for ease of twist.........hmmmmmm might chech everything make sure nothing has been added. __________________ It is said, some lives are linked across time, connected by an ancient calling that echoes through the ages. 2004 R1150GS Adventure Bumble Bee 2007 Victory Jackpot Premium Custom 2004 Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom...ect

07-23-2012, 10:37 AM	#8
ultane sqeezin the bag Joined: Feb 2008 Location: the dry side of the blood brain barrier in SW Id Oddometer: 857	Gretchen's throttle was sticking on time. Turned out the entire assembly was rubbing on the metal thingy right next to the hand grip. I might be wrong... Just ask my X... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ I might be wrong, just ask my X... If a man speaks, and there is no woman present to hear him,.. Is he still wrong?

07-25-2012, 12:29 PM	#9
bigdon ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2005 Oddometer: 2,069	I have ordered new throttle cables. Will clean, lubricate, and inspect all moving parts. Anything else I should do? __________________ ADV Relay Rider 08 (The Texas Connection) Ride Pooie Ride Don't stop riding until you get to the crash , you might save it!

07-25-2012, 03:40 PM	#13
erkmania Retarded User Joined: Mar 2004 Location: San Diego, CA Oddometer: 567	In my experience, gloves and handgrips also make a difference. I have Held gloves that have kangaroo hide in the palms. Whatever is done to treat the leather causes them to be 'slicker' than other hides. I have to grip the bars more with these gloves than gloves I've had in the past. I have the best friction between the gloves and the grips when I've been riding awhile in hot weather and my palms are damp with sweat. Also, the stock grips seem to get 'slicker' as they age (at least on my 2000 RT) and that caused them to slip in my hands if I didn't grip them tightly. The point is that you might want to be sure the grips and/or gloves aren't causing you the need to grasp the bars too firmly. __________________ Sticks and stones, love. 2011 BMW R1200GS, 2004 KTM 950, 1996 ATK 605 ESDS

07-26-2012, 06:30 AM	#15
JimVonBaden "Cool" Aid! Joined: Feb 2005 Location: Alexandria, VA Oddometer: 41,483	Wow, $1000 for cables and a tow? Cables are pretty cheap, under $200 IIRC, and swapping them out is about 2 hours work, for someone with experience. It took me four hours to do it for the repair video, and I was filming and taking photos. Jim __________________ Click here for BMW Maintenance and Repair DVDs and Corrections. "Combo-Order Discounts!"

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