motorcycle throttle vs thumb throttle conversion..
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
Joined
·
6,843 Posts
Sure. There are conversion kits. It's generally not done because the extra weight if the quad requires a bit more grip or leverage on the handlebars without goosing the throttle, but you can get use to it in time.
It's really good for people who have issues with their thumbs, the strength, etc and just want to ride around still.
Sent from iPhone via Tapatalk
It's really good for people who have issues with their thumbs, the strength, etc and just want to ride around still.
Sent from iPhone via Tapatalk
Joined
·
778 Posts
I know the sport atv guys prefer a twist throttle, predators, banshees etc. I put one on a suzuki kingquad for a gal that used to ride dirt bikes. I then removed it after her weekend ride in the mountains. Going downhill and off camber it almost rolled her as she pushed on the bar & it accelerated. Just some info to pass along, YMMV.
Joined
·
158 Posts
I always wondered why ATV's had thumb throttles, then one day I was standing up leaning way forward going up a very steer hill and realized it would have been impossible to get full throttle with a twist grip.
Joined
·
618 Posts
Buddy of mine has a twist throttle. He always rides fine with us, he likes it. But last time we rode, he had a mishap. He was standing beside the machine, and tripped on a rock. He went to grab the handlebars to catch himself, grabbed the twist throttle by accident and it shot the machine up on two wheels, and it flipped over and rolled down the hill. Totally F-Ed up the machine and our riding day! We blamed it all day on the ridiculous twist throttle. Lol just a freak thing but that was enough for me to form an opinion.
I know when I was riding sport quads a lot of guys tried a twist throttle since most came from riding dirt bikes and almost all of them went back to the thumb throttle. I know moose and someone else use to have a dual setup that had both and you could lock out the twist if you wanted to but like I said almost all I know that tried it went back.
Been riding with a twist throttle not for almost a year on my Sportsman 500. I Have always been a avid motorcycle rider and figured I'd like the twist a lot more. When a friend wrecked my rig and broke my thumb throttle, I figured I would change it out.
Things to know.
1. Standing is a little harder to control and work throttle. If you are used to dirt bikes, it’s not a big deal.
2. Make sure your pivot point for your wrist is above the throttle and not below( Just adjust handle bars). When hitting brakes hard a low pivot point can cause you to give it more throttle and this can be a problem. That being said, mainly wanted to change FROM the thumb throttle due to almost wrecking on 3 occasions when I hit a rock that was too big to nicely roll over with the right tire. When I did this, the right wheel ( and handlebar) would come back and my thumb would mash down on the throttle causing some excitement.
3. Responding to accidental twisting and wrecking the machine. All I can say is before you get off the rig, put it in neutral and shut it off!! My lovely wife almost did the same thing and crashed into the fence.:motz: This is not really a problem except we all get used to using the handle bars as support. Just need to retrain the brain!
4. Another pro is no thumb fatigue on long rides! I hated that.
All in all I think control is better and the feel is better. The only downfall I have noticed is climbing hills takes more care.
As a side note, on the 2002 SP 500, I had to put a twist tie in between the two mettle pieces under the cover where the throttle was. If they come in contact while running, the rig will shutoff. I left this part on due to the AWD selector switch being there as I have not looked for a way to change that out yet.
Things to know.
1. Standing is a little harder to control and work throttle. If you are used to dirt bikes, it’s not a big deal.
2. Make sure your pivot point for your wrist is above the throttle and not below( Just adjust handle bars). When hitting brakes hard a low pivot point can cause you to give it more throttle and this can be a problem. That being said, mainly wanted to change FROM the thumb throttle due to almost wrecking on 3 occasions when I hit a rock that was too big to nicely roll over with the right tire. When I did this, the right wheel ( and handlebar) would come back and my thumb would mash down on the throttle causing some excitement.
3. Responding to accidental twisting and wrecking the machine. All I can say is before you get off the rig, put it in neutral and shut it off!! My lovely wife almost did the same thing and crashed into the fence.:motz: This is not really a problem except we all get used to using the handle bars as support. Just need to retrain the brain!
4. Another pro is no thumb fatigue on long rides! I hated that.
All in all I think control is better and the feel is better. The only downfall I have noticed is climbing hills takes more care.
As a side note, on the 2002 SP 500, I had to put a twist tie in between the two mettle pieces under the cover where the throttle was. If they come in contact while running, the rig will shutoff. I left this part on due to the AWD selector switch being there as I have not looked for a way to change that out yet.
Been riding four wheelers for nearly 20 years now and have just gotten used to using the base of my thumb more than the thumb itself. Only time I use my actual thumb is tricky terrain. And I've got a pinched nerve and damaged joint in my right thumb so I definitely understand thumb fatigue.
Joined
·
11 Posts
I have an '03 sportsman 600.would love to convert to twist throttle....any kits out there for this
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk
Joined
·
1,179 Posts
highly recommend against it, ! you hit a whole bunch of holes or rocks and u start bouncing around and all of a sudden u will be giving it gas and running into a tree or stump.
The problem with the EFI atv's is there is no brake lever on the right side. Being used to dirt bikes you can control a twist throttle precicelly with one or two fingers on the lever which gives you a steady hand dosing the lever. In my experience i consider the thumb throttle a horrible development to suit most people, besides a sore thumb it misses the smoothness of
a twist throttle. I'm aiming to install a twist grip with a cable loop and atatching a small grooved pulley instead of the thumb lever .
a twist throttle. I'm aiming to install a twist grip with a cable loop and atatching a small grooved pulley instead of the thumb lever .
Joined
·
529 Posts
I rode and raced motorcycles for many years, still ride one today. When I got my atv I didn't think I'd like the thumb throttle, but honestly I don't think I'd want a grip throttle on it at all. I can position my hand anywhere and still have very good control of the throttle and there's no issue with me accidentally hitting it in rough stuff. I've learned to position my hand where it's most comfortable and don't always use my thumb to hold the throttle. I wouldn't do the conversion.
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
