When I installed the Hot Grips on the SV650S, the Vista Cruise throttle lock would not fit. Still wanting some way to lock the throttle on long rides, I looked around. I had seen Throttlemeister locks on other bikes and liked the look and craftsmanship of the units. As I had just put Hot Grips on my 98 VFR800 as well as the SV650S, I looked at getting a set of Throttlemeisters for both bikes.

  If you don't already know, the Throttlemeister throttle locks are bar end weights that replace your stock end weights. The left weight is just a dummy weight. However, the right weight has a mechanism inside it that secures the end of the throttle grip when the weight is rotated backwards. A small ring protrudes out of the weight between the weight and the end of the grip. The friction between the ring and the end of the grip prevents the grip from returning to zero throttle. However, it is not so tight that you cannot twist the throttle back to zero even with the lock firmly engaged. They look sharp. I never got around to taking pictures before selling the bikes, sorry.

  Throttlemeister already had a set made for the VFR 800. However, they did not offer any for the SV650S. When I called them, I offered to take pictures and dimensions of the clipons and grips on the Suzuki. I then put the info on a small website so the guys at the shop could take a look at it to decide how to make locks for the SV. Within a week or so, a small package arrived. I had the locks installed in a matter of minutes. I had to do some minor tweaking of the end weight, get longer bolts and a few extra washers (all promptly sent by the guys at the shop). The final result was a perfect fit.

  The locks work very well. When they are being installed, you tweak the amount of friction by adding small spacer washers of varying thickness between the bar end and the inside of the weights. Once this is done, a slight twist of the end weight firmly secures the throttle at whatever position you desire. Operating the lock takes some practice. You have to hold the throttle where you want it while using the same hand to twist the end weight to engage the lock. The easiest way to do it is to just let off the throttle, grab the weight and twist it, then force the throttle to the desired position. Your speed will not remain constant unless you are on flat roads with no headwinds. These are not cruise controls. The bike will react exactly like it would if you just held the throttle at one setting and did not adjust for hills or anything else that would normally require throttle adjustments to maintain your speed. Because of the awkwardness of engaging and disengaging the lock, both of us tend to use them only on the open road in light traffic.

  The Throttlemeisters sell for about $125 a set. I got a special deal on the ones for the SV650S since I helped them make the prototype and test it ;-) I am told (not verified with Throttlemeister though) that you can order a set of the left end dummy weights for $20-$25 to use as just regular end weights. Some people report that doing so helps reduce the vibration in their grips because the end weights are heavier than most stock OEM end weights.

  Comparing the Throttlemeister to the Vista Cruise locks, I'd have to say that we both prefer the Vista Cruise. With your right hand in the normal riding position, the thumb naturally rests just under the lever on the Vista Cruise. This makes disengaging the lock a matter of simply flicking up your thumb, and you don't have to change your grip on the throttle at all. Engaging the lock is just as simple and quick. The Vista Cruise is just far easier to use and thus safer to use in my opinion. This also results in it being used more often. The Throttlemeister is a nice product. They look really good on the ends of your bars. They work very well once engaged. But because they are more difficult to engage and disengage rapidly, I will only use them if I have no other alternative. Unforunately, with Hot Grips installed, I have not figured out how to use a Vista Cruise, so the Throttlemeister is the only choice for now. Of course I could spring wads of cash for an actual electronic cruise control! Yea right!