Thumb Throttle VS Twist Grip Throttle

[Billster1955]

I've rode motorcycles all my life, but I am new to ATV's. My first ever ATV arrives sometime this week. Does anyone have a particular view as to why one might be better than the other? Does the thumb throttle take a long time to get use to if you've never had one before? Is there anything negative anyone can think of about a twist grip throttle? I'm brand new at this and appreciate all your help and opinions.

[Pinochle767]

Well I haven't really ridden any motorcycles other than a small teen one a couple times but I don't think the thumb throttle is hard. It can take a little bit to get use to especially if you have a big cc engine like my 850. There is so much power for the same amount of throttle travel like a 550 that being easy on it takes a little getting use to but is definitely possible. I'm just so use to the thumb that twist throttles seem to boggle my mind. I had one run out from under me once because I was about to fall and pulled back on the throttle and it shot out from under me. haha

[goin2themountains]

We are having a little of that discussion around my place too. Youngest son is a single tracker so he is used to a twist grip. His wife's Sport400 has a fairly stiff thumb throttle. We have put the throttle extender on it which she likes, but he still wants to put a twist throttle on it. Both she and my concern would be getting into a position where the ATV might be way off camber or something and grab too much twist throttle while wrestling the handle bars. I think an ATV requires more heft and leverage on the handle bars than a dirt bike, which might be an issue with twist throttle. YMMV.

[jgilbert]

Well, I have raced motocross all of my life and have become quite accustom to a twist throttle. When I ride an atv (or even a snowmobile) I feel out of my element. So, I feel you when your not sure about it. I think its going to boil down to what kind of ATV your getting. I have found that on sport quads we do install a lot of twist throttles for the guys that race. It gives you more throttle control while using all 5 fingers to hold on! But, if you are buying a utility atv like a sportsman... then you might want to keep the thumb. I have seen some thumb to twist conversions installed on those machines, its a little tricky because you have the 4wd switch and the etc switch that needs to be maintained so you can't just replace it. Let me know if that helps at all!

[TinkerMan]

Its what you get usta using I have always used a twist throttle and I love it but when you let someone ride it that is use to a thumb throttle they are in trouble if they are not experienced.
This is what happens when they try to grab the front brake on a scrambler that doesn’t have one but has a twist throttle!!!

He cracked his hemet on the tree he nailed good thing hes one of my hard headed friends!

[Billster1955]

Hey Guys, thanks for all your input and suggestions. I think I'll ride it for a few months and see how it goes with the thumb throttle. I'm riding a Polaris Predator 500 and tomorrow is the big day. I'm taking it out for the first time to a place called the cliffs in Marseiles IL. It's a 300 acre park. Safe riding to all, Bill.

[gaspumpcity]

I see the a need for a left throttle plus keeping the right hand throttle I think this would be a nice feature when shifting body weight to control a possible roll over.

[Pinochle767]

That's a very interesting approach there gaspumpcity. I had never really thought of something like that. It would definitely be something new and possibly a little awkward at first. lol

[HappyCamper]

Originally Posted by Pinochle767

That's a very interesting approach there gaspumpcity. I had never really thought of something like that. It would definitely be something new and possibly a little awkward at first. lol

I use a left throttle on all three of my ATVs. Really helps but like everything you have to be careful. Don't grab it like it is the brake. They cost between $80-$100.
http://www.fullthrottleinc.com/catalog.htm

[Bosshogg]

Is there a way to make the thumb throttle less stiff?