UPDATE: UPDATE#2: Got the Rostra cruise control installed. Problems.

[John Schmidt]

I've tried three different DIP switch settings to no avail. It won't engage at any speed lower than about 45mph, and when it does it about snaps your neck. Engages with a hard bang in the driveline, really hard jerk. Will engage only momentarily, then the speed drops off if I don't hit the gas. It might rengage but when it does, it's another hard bang and jerk. Regardless of DIP switch settings, it acts the same way. I'm wondering if the servo itself is faulty. Since I have all LEDs I have the brake light relay installed, left over from the Audiovox system formerly installed...the brake relay works as it should by kicking out the CC when I hit the brakes. I also wired in the connection formerly used on the Audiovox that went to the coil for #5 & 6, except on this application it's used to prevent over reving when you pull the clutch in...seems to work ok but a little slow on response. As for the overall performance, I'm at a loss as to what the problem is as described above.

The DIP switch settings I first tried were those suggested by Troutdude, believe taken off his and Mitch's installations. The second settings I tried were simply taken from the instructions, which made no difference. Both settings tried at that time gave the same symptoms as described above. The last setting I just experimented with changing just two switches...no change. I'm about ready to pull the entire system out and reinstall my old Audiovox after a good cleaning/refreshing of the servo. Don't really want to but it worked so smooth, was just getting a bit intermittent is the only reason I pulled it. If anyone has suggestions on the Rostra install, please let me know.

[John Schmidt]

After what I think is now 7 different DIP switch settings(lost track), I still can't get any operation from this unit. Having just returned from another futile test ride, I'm waiting til the bike(and I) cools a bit then I'm removing the Rostra. Unless I stumble across an issue that might be the cause, I'll not mess with it any longer. Just not worth it to me. I'll decide later about whether or not I'll reinstall the Audiovox unit, if I do then the Rostra will go in the Classified section and someone else can spend time on it. I'll update as things move along, just not looking forward to pulling the tank and airbox again but at least I have Mooskee's airbox mod, makes it so much easier moving the airbox in/out.

[Challenger]

I've never messed with a Rostra, but have read quite a few threads on other forums.
Several mention the harsh engagement and surging. Some stated that absolutely no slack can be allowed in the actuator cable even though the instruction call for it. Most all agree that the problems subside above 50 mph. Hope you can get the bugs out of yours.

[John Schmidt]

Well since I had no luck with the Rostra CC, I went ahead and pulled the tank and airbox...followed by the Rostra and associated wiring. After some cleanup of my former Adiovox vacuum operated unit I went ahead and reinstalled it. It took a while due local temps being quite high, making my shop/garage temp in the upper 90s. I can't work in that environment, sure missed my airconditioned/heated garage in Florida. Finally got everything in place, dumped some gas in and took a short ride. I'm thrilled to say it works fine. It comes into effect at about 30mph, will speed up if you hold the ACCEL button and drop if you hold the COAST button, then reengages at the speed reached when you let up on either button. Plus, when it engaged I didn't get the slam in the driveline I got with the Rostra...which is currently sitting in a box if anyone is interested in an inexpensive purchase. On a fairly flat road, the current CC holds almost without variation. It remains to be seen what it will do in the hills and valleys.

[brigand]

I installed a Rostra unit on several bikes my wife and I have owned, the last unit having been installed on a 1500 Valkyrie, about five or six years ago. I can understand your frustration, I spent two or three days doing short rides and trying different dipswitch settings, and finally settled on the fact that I was not ever going to be able to alleviate abrupt surge on "resume". And the "set" mode is not as smooth as it could be neither. Never before have I experienced such difficulty fine tuning a Rostra unit on two or three other bikes I have owned. they all worked flawlessly. I have learned to live with the unit as it works, anticipating how it will react when I either set or resume, and govern the manual throttle accordingly when I do the set/resume functions to "cushion" the expectant engagement. Once it is engaged, it works as it should.
I suspect that it is because I tied my engagement cable into the cross bar that runs from right to left banks, I hooked my cable into the cross bar via a bell crank that I fabricated and installled. The unit sits on top  of the battery cover, under the seat, and it stays put, it does stay put under use, and the location gave me easy access when fine tuning it with the switches, just a matter of removing the keyed seat.
So happy with it, all things considered, about 25000 km since installation, have not touched it since the initial screwing around with the switches, and I use it on pretty well every ride.

[John Schmidt]

Brigand, thanks for confirming my experience with Rostra. I could get it to work, I just wanted to get  it set to the point where it didn't SLAM into action. After numerous test rides/settings, it never happened and I didn't feel I wanted to take a chance on something breaking. With my Audiovox reinstalled it works fine, my wife and I were out on it today and it is hardly noticeable when it engages...holding speed quite smoothly. Increasing or decreasing speed by holding the buttons is so smooth you don't really notice it until you realize the speedo is in fact changing. I've not taken the trike through a hilly area so will be interested to see how it holds speed. On level ground, it hardly changes...a momentary drop if any on a slight grade.