Yamaha 1300 Tourer - Yamaha 1300 Tourer Fansite

Do you wince at the thought of attempting a slow roll because you know you’re going to snap your head back, or when trolling through the parking lot, does the slightest twitch of the throttle turn your otherwise well behaved pony into a bucking bronco? Welcome to the world of fuel injection. For someone who is used to being heavy-handed on a carbureted bike, getting used to the lighter touch that fuel injection requires can be a daunting, if not downright frustrating, task. This abrupt throttle response, or jerkiness, is called “throttle snatch”, but what can be done? Well, G2 Ergonomics has come out with the Throttle Tamer, which they purport solves this problem. It is a throttle assembly that has the cam lessened for the first 1/2 of the throttle pull, which means the throttle will have to be turned more in order to deliver the same amount of fuel, thus allowing a finer control over the throttle at low speed. After halfway, the cam pull is the same as stock.

They have two styles available for the 1300 – The bare tube that requires a grip, and an OEM throttle that has been modified.

They can be found here: http://g2ergo.com/shop/catalog/Metric-57-1.html
I’m lazy and opted for the OEM throttle. See my Final Thoughts at the end.

So let’s begin!

What you’ll need:
8mm hex tool
Phillips screwdriver

Recommended:
Small flat blade screwdriver
Torque wrench

Here’s what you get from G2 Ergonomics:

We’ll start by removing the starter/killswitch assembly.
Remove the two Phillips head screws holding it together:

The assembly comes apart into two pieces:

Remove the wiring loom from the bottom of the assembly:

Remove the bottom throttle cable from the retaining clip:

Turn the locking screw clockwise (towards the rear) on the top throttle cable all the way to the end of the threads:

Turn the throttle adjusting screw clockwise all the way up against the locking screw:
NOTE: This will loosen the cable and give it the maximum slack.

The 1300 has a push/pull throttle cable configuration.
With the throttle completely forward, CAREFULLY pull the cable up and out of its slot. A little patience and persistence here is the key:
NOTE: I used a small flat blade screwdriver to help pry the cable over the cam, as my patience, which my wife Tweety frequently points out, is not the greatest. I really don’t recommend you do this, as you could damage the cable!

Now rotate the throttle back and the bottom cable will come right out:

Time to remove the bar weight.
Carefully pry the end cap off:

Use the 8mm hex tool to remove the bar weight:

Slide off the old throttle assembly:

Here’s the old throttle (left) and the tamer side-by-side. You can see the notch in tamer that the cable will run down. This notch runs halfway around the cam:

As you can see here, the two throttles are identical otherwise:

Slide the throttle tamer on the bar:

Rotate the throttle back and install the bottom cable first:

Now install the top cable:
NOTE: It is far easier putting it back than taking it out!

Place the wiring loom back into the bottom of the starter/killswitch assembly:

Re-attach the starter/killswitch assembly with the two Phillips head screws:
NOTE: The starter/killswitch assembly should be butted up against the brake assembly.

Align the seam of the assembly with the seam on the brake assembly:
NOTE: This position works well for me. Adjust to suit.

Snap the lower throttle cable back into the retaining clip:

Insert the bar weight and tighten:
NOTE: Torque spec is 17 ft-lbs.

Replace the end cap:

Make sure the throttle is not right up against the bar weight and can move freely:
NOTE: If the throttle drags, then loosen the Phillips head screws and move away from the bar weight.

Turn the throttle adjusting screw counter-clockwise to tighten the cable:
NOTE: Spec says throttle freeplay should be between 0.16 – 0.24 inches. Personally, I tighten until the throttle just starts to drag, then back it off a couple of turns, until the throttle snaps back freely.

After adjusting to your satisfaction, turn the locking screw counter-clockwise to secure in place:
NOTE: Hold the adjusting screw as you tighten the locking screw, or they will turn together.

That’s it, you’re all done!:

Final Thoughts:

First, let me talk about the throttle tamer itself. I did order the one that had the OEM grip already installed. In this, I am disappointed. I had assumed that this would be their machined throttle tamer with an EOM grip attached, but I did not read carefully enough. What I received was an OEM throttle that had a groove cut in it. For almost $85, I expected more than a plastic assembly, as I can purchase an OEM throttle for $34. I would have been better off ordering the naked throttle tamer for $50 and a separate grip for $15, put it together myself and saved $20. Please be aware I am in no way disparaging G2 or implying that their advertising is misleading. Their description clearly states “OEM modified throttle”. At the time when I ordered, I just didn’t read it closely enough. My fault completely.

Now, the throttle tamer in operation. So far, I’m unimpressed. Once I had developed a softer touch with the stock throttle, I never really had a problem with slow-speed maneuvering, but on occasion I would unexpectedly jerk the throttle a bit too much for comfort and I was hoping the tamer would quell these instances. I have ridden around with the tamer installed now, and while take-off and slow-speed riding seem to be a little smoother, the difference is so small that it’s almost not worth mentioning. For me, the throttle tamer is not a needed item. If you are having problems adjusting to the sensitivity of fuel injection, then I recommend you try this accessory. Relative to the cost of other accessories, it is a pretty minimal investment. If you are not having much of a problem with putting along in the parking lot, then pass on this item.

So if I wasn’t having problems in the first place, why did I buy it? Just a sucker for gadgets, I guess. And you never know, it could have helped more than I expected. Still might. Time will tell.

Boomer Sooner
Potestatem obscuri lateris nescis