[luminvent]

I've been riding for a few weeks now, and I'm noticing there's quite a bit of "slop" in the beginning of the throttle twist before it activates. Maybe I'm just not used to it yet, but it's causing an issue with stalling. I'm letting out the clutch VERY slowly, and twisting the throttle a little... a little more... a little more, and by the time the throttle activates, the clutch is already too far out and it stalls the bike.

Is this normal, or part of the break-in and should be adjusted?

 

[Buck]

I know I have about 1/2" of slack in my throttle turn before it engages. I don't know if its normal or if it can be tuned, but I know where its at so if im stopped I find that spot before I let out the clutch. I dont like it but I am used to it now.

 

[MotoMike]

I've been riding for a few weeks now, and I'm noticing there's quite a bit of "slop" in the beginning of the throttle twist before it activates. Maybe I'm just not used to it yet, but it's causing an issue with stalling. I'm letting out the clutch VERY slowly, and twisting the throttle a little... a little more... a little more, and by the time the throttle activates, the clutch is already too far out and it stalls the bike.

Is this normal, or part of the break-in and should be adjusted?

I know I have about 1/2" of slack in my throttle turn before it engages. I don't know if its normal or if it can be tuned, but I know where its at so if im stopped I find that spot before I let out the clutch. I dont like it but I am used to it now.

It's normal for the control cables to stretch a bit as you get some miles on a new bike.

You'll need to adjust the Throttle Cable Free Play... it's easy to do, and the procedure is covered in your Owner's Manual. And while you're at check the Clutch Cable Free Play, also covered in the O/M.

 

[CB300F]

Does your throttle have a bunch of play?

Noticed that my wife's bikes throttle had a bunch of play. About 22 degrees free-play on the grip. The throttle cable has an adjustment on the upper cable by the grip so I adjusted out all the play. Looks like the dealers just charge for prep and overlook stuff. Whats yours like?

 

[dingerbel]

Yeah mine was the same

 

[CB300F]

Also had to adjust the rear brake light switch. The light didn't come on when you lightly braked. Guess when you buy it new you better go over the whole bike.

 

[KevinPinneo]

Mine has a ton

I went to the motorcycle show in Seattle and that was the first thing I checked on all the bikes- how much throttle play there way. I ran into a few serious bikers who wished their bikes had MORE, so who knows

My guess is that Honda left more throttle play for the beginners- a little more forgiving for people inexperienced. And once you're experienced up, adjust it away

 

[CB300F]

Mine has a ton

I went to the motorcycle show in Seattle and that was the first thing I checked on all the bikes- how much throttle play there way. I ran into a few serious bikers who wished their bikes had MORE, so who knows

My guess is that Honda left more throttle play for the beginners- a little more forgiving for people inexperienced. And once you're experienced up, adjust it away

I'm 99 percent sure the dealer puts the handlebars on so it would be up to the guy who puts the bike together to adjust and I'm starting to think he doesn't really care.

 

[Fanatic]

Mine has a good amount of play as well... From left to right and up and down too.

Doesn't really bother me since this is my first bike and I'm not used to another from the past, so I can't say what's better or not.

@KevinPinneo's post makes some sense...

 

[MotoMike]

Noticed that my wife's bikes throttle had a bunch of play. About 22 degrees free-play on the grip. The throttle cable has an adjustment on the upper cable by the grip so I adjusted out all the play. Looks like the dealers just charge for prep and overlook stuff. Whats yours like?

Yeah mine was the same

Mine has a ton

I went to the motorcycle show in Seattle and that was the first thing I checked on all the bikes- how much throttle play there way. I ran into a few serious bikers who wished their bikes had MORE, so who knows

My guess is that Honda left more throttle play for the beginners- a little more forgiving for people inexperienced. And once you're experienced up, adjust it away

Mine has a good amount of play as well... From left to right and up and down too.

Doesn't really bother me since this is my first bike and I'm not used to another from the past, so I can't say what's better or not.

@KevinPinneo's post makes some sense...

You guys just need to adjust the throttle cable free play. It's an easy thing to do... check your Owners Manual, it should have the adjustment procedure in the maintenance section.

 

[CAERB]

Had the same problem with the rear brake light CB300F mentions. And given the cheap plastic adjustment screw, I'm hoping the Locktite I added will keep it all in place.

 

[Gdaddy197]

Guess I'm lucky.....I've had 0 problems with my 300R........

 

[jmerod58]

You'll need to adjust the Throttle Cable Free Play... it's easy to do, and the procedure is covered in your Owner's Manual. And while you're at check the Clutch Cable Free Play, also covered in the O/M.

Yeah the bikes must all be adjusted differently by the dealer, cause mine lights right up when I give a twist. I don't notice any free play at all. I do notice the play in the clutch lever but I think I don't mind it there very much. I keep one finger on the clutch at any time while riding.

MotoMike, where in the manual is the Throttle Cable Free Play covered in the manual? I found it for the clutch, but not the throttle.

 

[Fanatic]

Don't know if this has anything to do with it, but I recently had my 600 mile service completed this past Friday. The dealer tightened and adjusted a few things, and the throttle slop is not as prominent as before.

I'm assuming that I'm on the same page as you guys...

 

[MotoMike]

Yeah the bikes must all be adjusted differently by the dealer, cause mine lights right up when I give a twist. I don't notice any free play at all. I do notice the play in the clutch lever but I think I don't mind it there very much. I keep one finger on the clutch at any time while riding.

MotoMike, where in the manual is the Throttle Cable Free Play covered in the manual? I found it for the clutch, but not the throttle.

I can't tell you the page number in the CBR300R or CB300F Owner's Manuals (I own the CBR250R), but it should definitely be covered in the maintenance section of those O/M's.

 

[kiwi rider]

I can't tell you the page number in the CBR300R or CB300F Owner's Manuals (I own the CBR250R), but it should definitely be covered in the maintenance section of those O/M's.

Its not, it just says 2-6mm is the recommended play then 'see your authorised Honda dealer'!
I'm sure there will be some adjusters where the cables attach to the carb, I haven't looked at this stage, not high priority.

 

[Gdaddy197]

I'm really cofused here.......Never had any of these throttle problems with any Honda I've ever owned. Our us owners in Arizona getting bikes from kick ass dealers that know what their doing or is this a Honda problem?

 

[Fanatic]

I'm really cofused here.......Never had any of these throttle problems with any Honda I've ever owned. Our us owners in Arizona getting bikes from kick ass dealers that know what their doing or is this a Honda problem?

I don't really have any issues either... Just wanted to join the conversation and drama.

 

[Gdaddy197]

Wish I could ride with ya buddy.......I owned a Bourget about 10 years ago. Absolutey loved it. Got to go and ride with friends that went to outlaw biker places and a had a great time. I can't lie that I wouldn't mind owning a cruiser again ......blah blah blah .....However....After owning my first sport bike........The Honda 300r........I guess I found my place. I'm really not the Sons of Anarchy.......I'm just a family guy that wants to ride....... Something that really kicks ass. Really makes sense. No posers here.....

 

[MotoMike]

Its not, it just says 2-6mm is the recommended play then 'see your authorised Honda dealer'!
I'm sure there will be some adjusters where the cables attach to the carb, I haven't looked at this stage, not high priority.

The adjuster is on the throttle cable itself, near where the cable exits the housing on the handle bar. It's a very easy adjustment to do. I'll see if I can get a chance to take a couple pic's tomorrow and post them in the "How To" forum.

BTW, no "carb" on these bikes, they have what's known as a throttle body.

I'm really cofused here.......Never had any of these throttle problems with any Honda I've ever owned. Or us owners in Arizona getting bikes from kick ass dealers that know what their doing or is this a Honda problem?

It's certainly not a "Honda problem".

It may very well be that your dealer did a more thorough job on your bike during the PDI... not all dealers (or should I say dealership service tech's) are created equal. If others have taken delivery of new CBR300R's or CB300F's that have excessive throttle cable free play from day one, then yes, that comes down to poor set-up and pre-delivery service.

However, the fact is that new control cables do stretch... and it is considered normal for these cables to take an initial stretch during the break-in period. When I picked up my new CBR250R from the dealer, both the throttle & clutch cable free play were spot on. However after I had put on about 400 miles, both cables needed to be adjusted... not a lot, but there was a bit of excessive free play, more so on the clutch cable. As I recall, I made a second, small adjustment to the throttle cable free play at about 1200 miles. Now, 14,000 miles later I haven't had to touch either cable since those initial adjustments I made when I did my break-in service.

Bottom line is that these shiny new high tech bikes are still just motorcycles, and as such will need a little maintenance from time to time... fellas, don't be afraid to get a little dirt under your fingernails.