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Good News, T120 Cruise Control

8K views 41 replies 13 participants last post by  klucon2 
#1 · (Edited)
I just finished a cordial conversation with Brad in Triumph after sales support, 1-888-284-6288 in the US. He says that Triumph has determined that the cruise control (CC) kits that are to be released shortly should work with all T120s produced to date. He says that they've determined that there are no differences in the components of the forthcoming CC kits or in the partial installations done on bikes already produced, and the installations planned for bikes produced after VIN 776087.

He said that while his confidence is high that the CC kits will work just fine, any kit that doesn't work can be returned for a full refund (including installation costs) with no re-stocking fees.

Brad did caution me to order the correct non-DRL kit for my US spec bike.

He also said that once the kit is installed the bike's ECU will need to be re-flashed or the bike won't start because the ECU won't recognize the speedometer. So much for DIY!

Anyway, good news, and I hope this helps.

We didn't discuss cruise control on the 2016 Speed Twin and Thruxton.
 
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#5 ·
I'm not sure this is actually good news, versus just trying to defuse the situation. If they send all of us with pre-776087 VIN bikes a kit, and none of us get them working, what good is it that they will refund the cost of the kit itself? I'm still left without CC on my T120 in that case.

Either the CC kits will work or they won't. They shouldn't be telling you "maybe" as their best answer.
 
#6 · (Edited)
I think we'll see these kits soon, and that they'll work fine.

Triumph's reputation is on the line. These kits are being provided for a particular purpose, in the reasonable expectation that they've been tested and will work as expected.

Probably Triumph's only mistake was in releasing installation instructions with the mention of a very late applicability VIN. They then stated that the kits wouldn't work with early VINs, probably without consulting those who designed the T120's CC system. Applicability should have been determined before Triumph agents made any statements at all.

I've ordered and paid for a complete, functional CC system. Everyone associated with Triumph and my dealer have been responsive and polite. I believe the kit'll work when it's installed, but like the rest of you, I hope the wait is not a long one.
 
#8 ·
He also said that once the kit is installed the bike's ECU will need to be re-flashed or the bike won't start because the ECU won't recognize the speedometer. So much for DIY!
I wonder if it could be flashed before the install and the bike would still run, maybe with just an error code until the install is complete.
 
#9 ·
Good thought. I'll ask around.

Ideally I'd like to upload the latest version of the software at the dealer's and then take the bike home to DIY the installation, which looks very simple.
 
#11 ·
He also said that once the kit is installed the bike's ECU will need to be re-flashed or the bike won't start because the ECU won't recognize the speedometer. So much for DIY!
The instruction sheet does indeed state this requirement, to wit: "12. Connect the Triumph diagnostic tool and download the correct engine calibration to the ECU following the procedure on the 'Triumph On Line' dealer web site."

Now than, I HAVE had experience with this kind of requirement. I mounted the Triumph "closed course only" open pipes on my Bonneville SE, and even though I did not buy the pipes from the dealer, they reflashed the ECU for free on a ride-in basis because it was a Triumph part. Others in my area have reported the same treatment on their T120 and Thrux's. So, it is my expectation that if this kit is mounted by the owner, the ECU flash is free.

Of course, if the futzer won't start.......
 
#17 ·
I don't have a T120... But I'm surprised no one (that I've seen anyway) asked this gentleman if his VIN is higher or lower than the dreaded "VIN-cut-off-number".
(If he stated that already, and I just didn't noticed, then I suppose that would make sense.)
 
#19 ·
Triumph has stated that the cruise control kits now being provided will work with T120s already produced, or you get your money back. They've also said that there are no differences in CC components between "earlier" and "later" bikes. If this is all true, then the serial number mentioned in the kit's installation instructions is basically meaningless.
 
#33 ·
so youre at the speed you wanna cruise at then you press the cruise control button to turn on cruise control... then press it again for it to take over then you can let go... is that right?
also when youre done with it how do you turn the system off? is it a case of when braking/pull in clutch/press the CC button again, does the system then turn off and the symbols disappear off the dash?
i dont think the instructions are completely clear
 
#35 ·
so youre at the speed you wanna cruise at then you press the cruise control button to turn on cruise control... then press it again for it to take over then you can let go... is that right?

also when youre done with it how do you turn the system off? is it a case of when braking/pull in clutch/press the CC button again, does the system then turn off and the symbols disappear off the dash?

i dont think the instructions are completely clear

That is right! To switch off the CC you can either brake, pull in clutch, accelerate or turn forward until you force over a little retainer. The symbol at the LCD remains, ready to switch the CC on again, but the light disappears until you press again the button at the new desired speed.

I have tested it for 7Km maintaining the 70Kmph limit at 4th gear and it holds the speed through elevations and descents. It was fun to see the actual Kilometers per liter change through the route.
 
#34 ·
Just talked to the service manager at my selling Triumph dealer, as well as one of his techs who has just gone to school on the new water-cooled twins. The word is that the T120 should run just fine after the cruise control kit is installed but before the ECU is re-flashed. The CC will not work, though, because the ECU does not yet "recognize" the new components.

All of this is good news for folks like me who want to do a DIY T120 CC kit installation, and then ride the bike to the dealer for reprogramming.

I was also told that the dealer must use program "revision 1" after the CC kit is installed, whatever that is!
 
#37 · (Edited)
My guess is that when you take throttle control back from the cruise control, the green "CC active" light goes out. Then, unless you set your speed again with the button, the CC icon on the LCD screen will eventually time out and disappear on its own. In other words, the button has only two functions, "ON" and "SET", and only in that order. Right?

All of this is really neat because it means that you have a true single-button cruise control set up. There are already too many buttons and controls on the left grip housing as it is, and more than just this one would further detract from appearance, making things just too "busy" looking.

Edit: Probably the coolest feature is that when you're done with the CC, you can just grab a handful of throttle, or rotate the throttle grip past closed. CC speed control just stops, seamlessly.

My cruise control kit will be here early next week. I'll install it and post a through review here, if someone doesn't beat me to it!
 
#39 ·
thanks for the replies.. sounds great, just one more thing id want to know as tsmgguy mentioned.. when you de activate CC when does the symbol in the lcd go out.. does it time out or do you have to turn ignition off to reset it?
great to see a picture of one on a bike too.. cant wait to get mine now after the horror of thinking it might not work!
 
#42 ·
Hey guys,

could all of you who have the cc check if your cc has the same behaviour as mine has. When I have my cc activated and press the cc button for about 2 sec, the speed decreases by about 5-10 km/h but apart from that the cc keeps on working. If i press it longer, the cc seems to deactivate but the green cc light stays on.
Does this happen with your bike as well?

FYI, my VIN (76.....) is below the cut off and the cc works
 
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