[hazzardsky]

With rain all day yesterday I took some time to install new grips finally (ProGrip Gel) and a G2 Street Tamer throttle tube.

I ordered this after I first got the bike, and had some issues with being smooth on the throttle at times. I think it was just me being a newer rider, and a new bike that I wasnt used to. Ive gotten the hang of it now, but still figure di'd try it out.


The install was pretty straightforward. Getting the bar ends off was the hardest part. Otherwise, two screws on the enclosure, and popping out the two throttle cables. Old throttle off, new tube on, and reassemble.


I took it out for a 20 mile ride this morning and I have to say it actually made more of a difference than I thought. The new tube smooths out the first half of the the throttle twist, and ramps up the send half. After getting used to it for a few times, rev matching is way smoother, and rolling on coming out of curves feels more controlled. I can shift my hand a little on the grip and not have it waver too much as well.

The new grips are pretty fantastic as well, and have reduced the little bit of fatigue I was getting after longer rides.

Overall, while I wasnt sure I would need it after getting used to the bike, i'm quite pleased with it. The construction was solid, well machined aluminum with texture in the center to help hold the grip.

I somehow lost the pictures I took during the install, but i'll add a picture of it installed with the new grips before I start my commute home this afternoon

 

[Christopher de Venecia]

nice!... Can you pls. post links where you ordered them?

 

[hazzardsky]

nice!... Can you pls. post links where you ordered them?

https://www.g2ergo.com/store/g2-street-tamer-throttle-tube/

Ordered direct from manufacturer. Had it on my doorstep 3 days later.

 

[Christopher de Venecia]

Thank you!

 

[hazzardsky]

While my last test run was a bit short, and on a fairly boring route, I got a chance to take it out today and put another 50 miles on it through some real nice roads winding through the reservoir.

It honestly feels like a whole different bike. The extra bit of control for the first half of the throttle is pretty awesome, and the extra control, which likely lead to a good bit more confidence on my end, made for a much more fun ride.

 

[Jimp.]

Just bought my girlfriend's z650 from her and after riding it a bit I have to agree that the throttle does take away from the enjoyment of the bike at low speeds. I used the throttle tamer a while back on a Daytona 675r and that helped a ton. I bought one before I even handed her the cash so I'm glad to hear it helped. Fuel controllers are more for the track bikes. Wasn't looking to shell out a ton of cash to fix my commuter. Thanks for the review!!

 

[mattv]

I actually installed a G2 3/4 throttle 😀

 

[SuperGnome]

That abrupt throttle response is extremely common on the z650. It's the one thing that truly bothers me about the bike, since every rolling right-hand turn becomes needlessly fiddly. It's not that it comes on so hard it's unsettling, but it's uncomfortable. I shouldn't have to think that much about applying throttle in a turn. It's like the throttle is digital 1-100, but it starts on maybe 3 or 4. I've heard mixed results about fuel controllers and flashes, but I'm going to throw a fuel commander on there anyway since I installed a Delkevic last year. The exhaust made the bike more punchy, so that initial surge in the throttle is maybe a bit more noticeable.

I'm tempted to throw the throttle tamer in there, but I think I'll wait to see what happens with some fuel remapping first. Not that I have any idea what I'm doing yet, but I want to make sure I can find a solution where I can use other mappings that match the bike and exhaust. That'll help for a starting point. I'm not worrying at all about a dyno, so it might seem overkill. I just want to make sure it's not running to lean/hot, and I want to see what I can do about the initial throttle surge.