OZ ATV :: The Australian ATV Forum

[muzzgit]

I know there was a poll recently about twist v thumb but I thought something might have popped up again after I read about an accident at the MX nationals in ATV Action magazine. The rider in question was half way up a jump when his thumb slipped off and he face planted badly on the other side.

I don't ride MX, (too old, too slow) but I have had a similar thing happen on a long ride, and talking to Brett at Legend Quad, he says quite a few quads that have come into his workshop for crash repairs are a result of thumb throttle mishaps.

SO WHY DO WE USE THEM?

I can understand automatic quads having them, and kids quad's, but why do we have to have a thumb throttle on adult size ATV's?

I'm fitting a twist throttle this weekend.
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Cheers,
MUZZ
06 YFM 700R mine
03 KFX 400 hers

[Linc]

I'm not a fan of thumb throttles; I dont feel that I have the throttle control I have with a twisty. I seem to be in the minority though.

I have the CR-Pro as it's got a bit longer throw than the others. I think the quarter turn ones are too twitchy.

Thumb throttle people seem to thing that a twist throttle is the devils work.

All I can say for sure is that there is advantages and dis-advantages to both.

[123boath]

my banshee has a thumb throttle and my mates has a twist throttle, (what im gna say is what i think but people may think different).. i feel the thumb throttle is better when you riding in lots of tight courses where you are working the steering a lot. also i feel when your riding a big loop like a speedway track you can control your slide better by fethering the thumb throttle while u still have a good grip on the bars n ur hand isnt cocked in a weird uncomftable way.
twist throttles are great for long rides because you dont get cronic thumb pump lol and if your used to riding bikes with a twist throttle then i say change ur quad to the same. i didnt have much trouble riding a twist throttle banshee but it just felt like i couldnt ride hard cause i wasnt really used to it.

thats my 2cents
nick.

[bullet]

Banshee twin carbs and some other carb quads have heavy throttles so i can see why people would go fo a twisty if doing long hauls.
But most fuel injected bikes are just twisting a light throttle blade somewhere in the intake port so they have a much lighter action.
So definitely if you're EFI, thumb throttles are really easy and they dont really have a down side.

And just remember that lots of people crash, accidentally holding a twist grip full throttle while their machine keeps pulling away from them.
Easiest way to win on funniest home videos going

Both have positives and negatives.

I'm a thum throttle lover myself.
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Can-Am X Team
Bullet #Y12. MrsB #Y18.

[noodles]

I'm a thumber myself and my theory is the crash you have because of a throttle mishap either way, will be a worse crash with a twist throttle.
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say NO! to ball sports

[feralkid]

bullet wrote:

And just remember that lots of people crash, accidentally holding a twist grip full throttle while their machine keeps pulling away from them. Easiest way to win on funniest home videos going .

I have done that on a mates CRF150R. Hit a big rut and the front came up and then the throttle just went more n put it over the back. Only really like twists for enduro.
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"If in doubt go flat out"
"Nothing worth having is easy to get"

[Dino]

Yep. Agree with all the previous comments. Both methods can bugger a good day easy.
A little yfz that I got asked to ride hit the power band about 10 feet from taking off, popped the front wheel right up, I got off but hung on with my right hand, didn't I? Round and round like a whipper-snipper on drugs.....
And just to remind me that 4 wheels are as hilarious as 2, the VERY FIRST day we got our quad, had it on the trailer, motor running and in gear, stood up to look, kneed the throttle and before I knew it, the quad was on the draw bar......
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Notice that crazy in the bureaucrats.

Last edited by Dino on Fri Dec 11, 2009 7:19 pm; edited 1 time in total

[shan660]

my 660 has a twist, and its awesome for going fast but when it comes to slow rocky tracks , a bit more care to be taken, they are bloody dangerous, some very close calls and injuries as well, one instance, was going over jumps , hit a bump going up the ramp , bumped the throttle, bike then up on rears flew through the air ,over a set of doubles, cleared the down ramp, landing on flat ground, bounced me off and i went under neath it, not good. so thats why im a bit more cautious.

[doorslammer]

i came from dirtbikes and my quad had a twisty on it when i bought it, so i've never really ridden a fast quad with a thumb. but i will put my opinion out and what i found works with the twist throttles.

personally the smaller the twist the better, im either on the throttle or off never normally cruising inbetween. so having a smaller range doesnt have you grabbing another handful when your hand is twisted upside down. also with a short reach you have more of a chance of leaning back and taking it to WOT faster but its also less to get back to idle. it only takes a couple of experiences and you know how to deal with it.
im also on a 2 stroke, pretty sure that would have something to do with how you power is delivered and how you want to deliver it and yes i have two heavy springs from 2 PWK carbies, hopefully i can make them lighter
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01 Banshee
Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway

[JONO]

doorslammer wrote:

personally the smaller the twist the better

yeah we thought that would be a good idea also when building my brothers race bike. Put a motion pro quick action throttle that made it ridiculous to try an control for 20 min motos so we swapped it back. I prefer thumb throttle because i had a big crash with twist, but still manage both ok.

[mitch41]

my opinion - if you can't decide on what to get, as there are goods and bads for both, how bout get a Terrycable Dual Gasser throttle, that way you get both, and with the flick of a pinyou can switch from thumb to twist

theres a test on them in an old ATV ACTION mag from the start of the year i think (?)

[bullet]

q0d wrote:

my opinion - if you can't decide on what to get, as there are goods and bads for both, how bout get a Terrycable Dual Gasser throttle, that way you get both, and with the flick of a pinyou can switch from thumb to twist theres a test on them in an old ATV ACTION mag from the start of the year i think (?)

I thought the dual gassers had a heavy and sort of long wierd thumb throttle.
A bloody good idea though, but i have seen them cause a couple of crashes that are much worse than the crash with only either one.
How... because you don't even know what happened.
Sometime the lock pin can engage or disenage from vibration.
In both the crashes i saw the bokes were WOT down a straight into a corner,
backed of the thumb throttle but did not realise they were still holding the twist grip on.
As an observer, it just looks lie they had no intention of backing of and deliberately crashed

So yeah, good concept, but watch out.
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Can-Am X Team
Bullet #Y12. MrsB #Y18.

[ATV PRO]

For some of the Team KTM (and Team Honda in 2007)We use lighter throttle springs and sculpt the throttle ,so your thumb slots in so it has less chance of slipping ,that way you keep the throttle safety system in place .
Personally I like to use Honda TRX 90 Thumb throttle (unfortunately no micro switch) and sculpt the lever for comfort and safety ,the light spring ,then use a toggle switch to keep the safety system happening .
You can also use the 2007 on Honda TRX Lever as they have the micro switch needed to keep the safety system in place ,but a shorter lever by 5mm over the TRX 90.
I have been told some racers use the Yamaha throttle from the YFZ 450R Also.(Pre R are not great)
I haven't heard too many complaints from Suzuki owners but you may want to sculpt the lever to help keep the thumb from slipping and in place.
Obviously if you mess with springs there is more chance for the throttle to stick on so its important to keep the safety system in place ,just in case the throttle jams .
I also hold the throttle with the first crease of my thumb over the lever ,rather than use the tip of my thumb ,it helps save you from thumb pump ,gives you a more secure grip on the bar when you need it and doesn't hyper extend your thumb when you hit something awkward.You need to trim -sculpt the throttle for this to be most effective .
Twist throttles don't like em.and the safety system goes ,not too many use toggle switches to activate safety system making them dangerous if the throttle jams .plus for me they seem erratic on a Quad ,due to more steering effort and stroke over a Two Wheeler and the fact you are hanging off the Quad ,some riders do but I'm surprised how they do !
I do the lighter springs (FCR only )and throttle lever sculpting Via ATV NRG if you need help with this.
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Cheers
Len

ATV PRO Pty Ltd

[Todd 127]

I've tried both and found i'm useless with both, i think its the micro switch connected to my brain that has a malfuction and wont go full throttle

[muzzgit]

Todd 127 wrote:

I've tried both and found i'm useless with both, i think its the micro switch connected to my brain that has a malfuction and wont go full throttle

HAHA yeah, my micro switch goes the other way. I tend to find myself in situations where it is more than obvious I have my abilities and my ambitions mixed up. But seriously, a micro chip? on a Honda 400EX?

I think I will know more soon. A mate has just fitted a twist to his DS650 and we're goin riding on the 28th. I'll have ta check it out for sure.

In the mean time I'm fitting an SPAL fan to my oil cooler so she don't get so hot. Anyone else tried this on a 400ex?
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Cheers,
MUZZ
06 YFM 700R mine
03 KFX 400 hers

[John Mags]

If I had a dirt bike I would put a thumb throttle on it.
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When I'm racing I'm living..... everything else is just waiting.

[cowchaser]

If you had a dirt bike? hHuh that would be funny sh!t
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Smitty

[Mrs_Gaitar]

John Mags wrote:

If I had a dirt bike I would put a thumb throttle on it.

My kids want to try a thumb throttle on her dirt bike, after 7 years with a thumb throttle on a quad, takes ages to get used to 2 wheels and a twist throttle.
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www.waquadmx.com

[hustleratv.com.au]

John Mags wrote:

If I had a dirt bike I would put a thumb throttle on it.

didnt you have one on your postie farm bike ??

I want to put one on a scooter i have and two more wheels
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Importer of OMF performance product / wheels
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[gothev8]

I prefer my accelerator pedal, you dont get foot pump!!!

PS: I have a TC dual gasser on the Rap but I tend to use the twist more because my thumb is stuffed from playing years of Rugby. As a rule I use thumb for tight slow tricky bits and twist for open flowing riding.
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2012 Polaris RZR XP Turbo
2009 Polaris RZR 170

[phrozin]

I use the twist for mx and thumb for trail riding im a ex bike mxer didn’t like the thumb at all but wile standing over woop out section on a trail ride I would turn it on a bit bit of a pain if your not expecting it, so I got the duel throttle works great once I found out you haft to turn the pin to lock on or off it was a bit of a worry before then I thought the ball and spring was all it needed to lock it off didn’t realise you haft to turn it as well all good now but

[muzzgit]

Well we went riding last week and I had a short 10 minute ride on Pete's DS650 with newly fitted twist thottle.

Getting to full noise is easy and I didn't really think it was awkward until the next day when his missus quad wouldn't start so we roped it on and I towed it. Trying to keep a steady slow pace was impossible!

I felt like a learner driver lurching and screaching getting whiplash! hahahaha

It was absolutely maddening.

I couldn't imagine trying to pick my way up a tricky slope.
1/4 turn is too short.
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Cheers,
MUZZ
06 YFM 700R mine
03 KFX 400 hers

[Rooster]

Hi all just joined, haven't own a quad for 23years ( but thats about to change) and can't belive this topic is still go on. It was a good talking point back when I was much younger and braver or sillier.
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