Love the McCruise installed on 2005 ST1300

Nitesail said:
How do you like the Smuggler on the ST?
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I have one. To answer your question I think that they are a great addition. They are deceptive in how much they hold. I keep a couple of pairs of gloves, a thermos for water, snacks, GPS, a booster pack. My top case is always mostly empty because of it and is used to store my helmet when I stop. Having extolled it's virtues I will also say that I would never buy a new one at the price that they ask for them. As much I think that they are a great addition there is a limit. I bought a used one at a third the price of a new one.
 
Andrew Shadow said:
I have one. To answer your question I think that they are a great addition. They are deceptive in how much they hold. I keep a couple of pairs of gloves, a thermos for water, snacks, GPS, a booster pack. My top case is always mostly empty because of it and is used to store my helmet when I stop. Having extolled it's virtues I will also say that I would never buy a new one at the price that they ask for them. As much I think that they are a great addition there is a limit. I bought a used one at a third the price of a new one.
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Thanks for the info. I like how much they can hold. I like the idea of carrying certain things on top instead of in the side cases, my cameras specifically. I’d feel safer with them right behind me, in case of a tip over or slide, and I’ve never been a big fan of top cases, unless they’re integrated into the body. I might be able to justify the purchase of one if they were half the price they’re asking but it does seems like a lot, more in line with an OEM replacement part cost.
 
Nitesail said:
I might be able to justify the purchase of one if they were half the price they’re asking but it does seems like a lot, more in line with an OEM replacement part cost.
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They are on par with OEM build quality and are very well made and very sturdy. Not being a necessity to the operation of the motorcycle I can say that the price is hard to swallow.
 
Yep, I can endorse the MC Cruise. Fitted in 2000 to the outfit mainly because of pulling a trailer (lower speed limits in the UK and most of Europe whilst towing, and it's much easier to hold a constant speed with the cruise control). I can also endorse the after sales service. I had a broken handlebar control switch a few years ago (the switch still functioned but the case had been badly cracked - still don't know how that happened!) and they dug into the depths of their stockroom and found one of the right variant, from 20 years ago! Then a couple of months ago the cruise stopped working, in the last few days I dug out my 25 year old fitting instructions and followed the diagnostic procedures and narrowed the fault down to a faulty speed sensor (reads the magnets in the rear wheel in the early version of the cruise control) .

mcs027_sensor.jpg

When I got my hands dirty a couple of days ago I found the problem, one of the two connectors on the speed sensor had been snapped off..... hmmmm that would coincide with a dealer removing the rear wheel when changing the exhaust system (dealer now out of business). I've removed and replaced the rear wheel umpteen times in the past 25 years and never managed to do any damage to the sensor and this was also the first time MCCruise had ever heard of this. Anyway, back to the point, a quick email to MCCruise and they had one left (not used in the modern versions) so it's now ordered, paid for and should be on it's way in the next couple of days. You just can't fault that level of service :)
 
Andrew Shadow said:
I bought a used one at a third the price of a new one.
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My corbin Smuggler came to me for $80.ca plus shipping. The shipper threw in some other assorted bits that he was getting rid of. I heard one owner describe it's carrying capacity as about 8 or 9 cans (I think) of Moosehead. I am not a beer drinker,,, so I guess I will never get a chance to test that,,,, LOL,,, CAt'
 
Catmandu2 said:
My corbin Smuggler came to me for $80.ca plus shipping. The shipper threw in some other assorted bits that he was getting rid of. I heard one owner describe it's carrying capacity as about 8 or 9 cans (I think) of Moosehead. I am not a beer drinker,,, so I guess I will never get a chance to test that,,,, LOL,,, CAt'
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Now that's a great price!
 
Well, you all convinced me to buy a McCruise. Not that I need it for the amount of miles I ride, but I wanted one and I have a fear of items becoming discontinued in the future.

Couple of items of note:
  • No denying it is pricey. With ADVRIDER discount code, and shipping charges the total was $917.90 from McCruise. However, DHL also charged customs tax on it for $102.62, which I assume is new to the current tariff rules? Still, $1000 is cheaper than a new bike with cruise control from the factory. ;)
  • If you have the Helibars Horizon bars, which utilizes stock throttle cables that reroute through the right side... they are going directly in the way of where the throttle cable module box needs to rest and the cable runs. Not that big of a deal, I just had to remove it and reroute the actuator cable one additional time. Which is like step 1 and of course I didn't figure it out until step 10. :roflmao:

The kit is impressive. They literally provide everything (even zip ties) except:
  1. Rubbing Alcohol to clean for the foam tape and velcro.
  2. Engine oil (very small amount to lubricate under the throttle twist handle).
  3. Small dab of silicone to seal the throttle cable module.
  4. Thread Locker for the throttle body/throttle cable nut.

Install is fairly painless, with very detailed instructions. It is very satisfying how all the electric connections just "T" in to the correct harness. If it weren't for my other add-ons, it would have been a breeze. I still have to run the diagnostics on the unit itself and do the final actuator adjustment. Once that is done the body panels go back on. I have about 4 hours into it at the moment, but that is taking my time and making sure everything is well secured. I anticipate a total of ~6 hours from start to finish. If the bike were stock and I did it again, probably 3-4 hours.
The hardest part of the install (for me) was filing down one half of the clutch lever/reservoir bracket. It is easy enough once you get going, but I was concerned I would take too much off of the bracket. I think I ended up with not enough, but it is acceptable. This is the only modification that would "require" a replacement part if the cruise control were removed.

Tool list required if anyone else is interested:
  • JIS Screwdriver (especially important for the air breathers and mounts).
  • Flat head screwdriver for the supplied hose clamps and to pry up the breather screw covers.
  • Misc. Hex Head bits (Allen Keys). I think the body uses either a 4mm or a 5mm and the handlebar weight is a 7mm.
  • 8mm socket and wrench.
  • 10mm socket and wrench.
  • 5" extension.
  • Small impact driver (for loosening) also makes it easier.
  • Flat file and a vise for the "c" bracket modification.

Looking forward to trying it out and reporting back. At this point with the time and money invested, I will have to say I love it - right? :p
Ryan
 
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Ryan_B said:
Well, you all convinced me to buy a McCruise. Not that I need it for the amount of miles I ride, but I wanted one and I have a fear of items becoming discontinued in the future.
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The hardest part of the install (for me) was filing down one half of the clutch lever/reservoir bracket. It is easy enough once you get going, but I was concerned I would take too much off of the bracket. I think I ended up with not enough, but it is acceptable. This is the only modification that would "require" a replacement part if the cruise control were removed.
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Yeah, that didn't fly with me at all.

That's perhaps the one place where I defied the MC Cruise directions and don't regret it. I just passed the upper clamp bolt though the hole control unit bracket before threading through the clamp and into the lever perch. I replaced those M5 bolts with and 8mm hex head with socket head equivalents, which may have been a smidge longer than the OEMs, but I don't think so. It's easier for me to just drop a 5mm Allen wrench into my little baggie of goodies in the left fairing pocket than an 8mm combination or socket wrench.

It doesn't rotate when tightened and no modification to the clamp.

I also changed the button assignments to match the cruise controls of every Honda/Acura car I've ever owned or driven. I've posted the instructions provided to me by Tony Guymer, Director at MC Cruise previously, but will repeat here if requested.

And I designed some bitchin' labels to make up for the change to symbols MC Cruise did on their most recent control update.

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