Stiff Throttle on 12GS

[robp]

Has anyone else suffered from a slightly stiff and sticky throttle on a 12GS? Mine is just over a year old with heated grips.

 

[Deano]

sounds like your trottle cables need lubing (I know how that sounds ). Depending on how dry they are and how low they have been sticky, you might need to replace them to get that smooth silky feeling back.

Another thing to check is that the cables havent kinked anywhere or are being routed through a tight angle.

 

[birdseye]

No problems, nor should you have any with modern cables. Much more likely that there is a kink somewhere. Oil the cables as a last resort because they will then gather crud and need repeated oiling.

 

[buzz1145]

Had my 1200gs in for 6000mile service a week ago. Was told there was a problem with the throttle cable which needed replacing under warranty. I hadn't noticed anything amiss. Had the new cable fitted Friday. The bike seams smoother now.

 

[robp]

Cheers gents. Think I might get the dealer to take a look.

 

[Paul Wakefield]

Has anyone else suffered from a slightly stiff and sticky throttle on a 12GS? Mine is just over a year old with heated grips.

If it only happens when the grips are switched on, they may be the cause. Quite common and an easy fix.

Paul

 

[Deadskin]

If it only happens when the grips are switched on, they may be the cause. Quite common and an easy fix.

Paul

Happened on my first 1200 easily fixed by my dealer
shame as a cheap cruise control worked rather well

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

No problems, nor should you have any with modern cables. Much more likely that there is a kink somewhere. Oil the cables as a last resort because they will then gather crud and need repeated oiling.

Also, I never oil 'modern' cables as they are usually plastic lined. Oil can cause the plastic to 'swell' over time and make the problem worse.

Andres

 

[chasr]

My first 1200, and my neighbour's, both suffered the 'sticky throttle with heated grips switched on' syndrome. Easily fixed.

 

[Tobers]

My 1200's throttle was getting stiffer & stiffer - eventually I could take no more and Vines replaced the cables at about 10k miles, totally transforming the bike.

After a while (another 6k miles I suppose) they started getting stiffer again. I lubed them with silicone lube - no oil as stated above!! - and things got a bit better, but they always stiffened up again.

I did find that the main cable can get trapped between the tank and the frame which will squash it and increase resistance. Also, the throttle cams on the throttle bodies are shrouded in silly black plastic bits which rub on the cams.

Pain in the bum really. Get your dealer to put new cables on and the bike will be 20% faster.

 

[robp]

What's the issue with heated grips that is easily fixed? I assume don't switch them on?! I took the hand protector and bar end off this afternoon and found that the handlebar had an amount of rusty looking water in it. I cleaned this out and put some WD40 type stuff in and now seems all ok. The symptoms were that the throttle felt 'sticky' rather than stiff - annoying all the same. Will see how it goes now - if it comes back will take it to the dealers for a look.

 

[Paul Wakefield]

Not switching them on is one solution. There is a rather more satisfying solution but its so long since I had it done, I can't remember exactly what it was - I think it involved a spacer on the handlebar end to stop the expansion as things heat up casuing friction between the bar end and throttle.

Paul

 

[robp]

Anyway, the WD40 type stuff fixed the problem. Throttle is back like it was again - I didn't realise just how stiff it had actually got as it just gradually increased over time. If it re-occurs, then will ask the dealer to take a look.

 

[skywalker]

Take off the black plastic cover at the back of the right handlebar assembly.Its attached by 2 small black torx screws.You will then see the connections for the switch gear & heated grips.To the left of the heated grip connector is a silver torx screw -slacken this off slightly & slide the whole handlebar unit up the bars until you have left approx 3mm between the end of the grip & the handle bar end weight. Retighten the silver screw then reattach cover.

 

[nick]

It is not the cable, it is a combination expansion of the heated grip and/or the hand protector having been twisted and then re-tightened. It is a fine balance to get it right.

Remove the bar end weight, then add a washer before re-fitting it. The extra spacing will fix it.

 

[Alcat]

Has anyone else suffered from a slightly stiff and sticky throttle on a 12GS? Mine is just over a year old with heated grips.

I also had this problem a few months ago. At the same time the throttle heated grip packed up.. On removal I found one of the wires to the heating element had come adrift and was jamming the throttle rotation. The choice was buying a new heated grip (£85!) or spending half a day peeling back the rubber and trying to get enough bare wire to re-solder the wire tails back together... I chose the latter, and so far I have had no more problems.

 

[Bigtwin]

Cheer up - can't be many people who get a stiffy riding a 1200...

 

[slartibartfast]

Take off the black plastic cover at the back of the right handlebar assembly.Its attached by 2 small black torx screws.You will then see the connections for the switch gear & heated grips.To the left of the heated grip connector is a silver torx screw -slacken this off slightly & slide the whole handlebar unit up the bars until you have left approx 3mm between the end of the grip & the handle bar end weight. Retighten the silver screw then reattach cover.

I had a trawl to find the cure for my stiff throttle when the heated grips are switched on. This did the trick and I had a nicey comfy run today with toasty hands.

I lived with this since I got the bike and assumed they were all like that !

Now fixed