twist throttle vs thumb throttle

[AWEInCA]

I was reading dadof4 thread "Accident"
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?56747-Accident

I have always wondered why ATVs used thumb throttles until I got my Spyder. Thumb throttles make more sense on direct steering machines. I know I had to get use to turning my Spyder being careful not to twist the throttle.

Regarding the twist throttle, is there a US regulation (or something) Can Am had to follow in order for the Spyder to be street legal in the US?

Just wondering if a thumb throttle would be 'safer'?

[Chupaca]

lies in the fact that the terrain you travel on an atv is hard bumps, hills, rocks, etc. In those situations a twist throttle is hazardous to your well being, you really need to have a solid grip. On the street the situation is different the roads are smooth and turns are mostly gradual. There are no laws (that I know of) as to how you operate the throttle. I put twist throttles on a lot of atv, and took many off. One thing I know is thumb throttles are rough on you if your cruising long stretches. My experience, my opinion...:thumbup:

[C3517C]

lies in the fact that the terrain you travel on an atv is hard bumps, hills, rocks, etc. In those situations a twist throttle is hazardous to your well being, you really need to have a solid grip. On the street the situation is different the roads are smooth and turns are mostly gradual. There are no laws (that I know of) as to how you operate the throttle. I put twist throttles on a lot of atv, and took many off. One thing I know is thumb throttles are rough on you if your cruising long stretches. My experience, my opinion...:thumbup:

You are correct sir, well said. I have 4 ATV's and ride a lot. Its difficult to control a twist throttle on some of the extreme terrain we ride on. Thumb fatigue can be a **** though. Same thing with snowmobiles, to a lesser extent.

[Bob Denman]

"Thumblock" is no fun at all! :shocked:
But twist throttles on ATVs are also inappropriate.
Each style has it's place, :thumbup:

[Spyder4Tess]

A friend of mine went to look at a quad to buy from a private seller.
The quad had a twist throttle.When my friend test rode it he made a turn (left?)and the throttle opened up and he ended curbing the quad because of the sudden acceleration!

[cuznjohn]

i put a hand brake on my rt and i enjoy having it BUT for some strange reason sometimes when i use the hand brake i end up turning the twist throttle. i don't understand why because i have had only bikes with hand brakes and it never happened b4

[Flanker]

Can't say as I've had any difficulty accurately controlling my Spyders throttle under any conditions. The last ATV I owned was an '87 Suzuki 250 Quadracer. I immediately converted it to a twist throttle; I beat the snot outta it (and myself) on trails, fire roads, and swampy areas. Never had any trouble controlling the throttle on it either. I attended several closed course off road ATV events during that period.....................every competitors machine I examined had been converted to a twist throttle. All motocross bikes have twist throttles.

While there are surely good reasons for having an arthritis inducing, tendon destroying device (aka "thumb throttle") :roflblack: on a motorized machine......................I just can't think of one. ;)

[ARCTIC]

lies in the fact that the terrain you travel on an atv is hard bumps, hills, rocks, etc. In those situations a twist throttle is hazardous to your well being, you really need to have a solid grip.
That's a great theory unless you consider that dirt bikes have twist throttles.

[Pennyrick]

Can't say as I've had any difficulty accurately controlling my Spyders throttle under any conditions. The last ATV I owned was an '87 Suzuki 250 Quadracer. I immediately converted it to a twist throttle; I beat the snot outta it (and myself) on trails, fire roads, and swampy areas. Never had any trouble controlling the throttle on it either. I attended several closed course off road ATV events during that period.....................every competitors machine I examined had been converted to a twist throttle. All motocross bikes have twist throttles.

While there are surely good reasons for having an arthritis inducing, tendon destroying device (aka "thumb throttle") :roflblack: on a motorized machine......................I just can't think of one. ;)

I have a Honda Rincon ATV that I use around our property to haul trash, pull logs, drive out for the mail, etc. After a full day of working on the ATV my right thumb is usually numb. I couldn't imagine having a thumb control on my Spyder.

[Bob Denman]

i put a hand brake on my rt and i enjoy having it BUT for some strange reason sometimes when i use the hand brake i end up turning the twist throttle. i don't understand why because i have had only bikes with hand brakes and it never happened b4

Two-Wheelers don't turn the same way that Trikes do...
If you cut the bars lock-to-lock on a "tipover" at low speed; that's what you'd do (tipover). You're actually turning the bars more, so you're holding them a bit differently...:thumbup:

[boborgera]

I had a ATC, with a 340 kaw engine and a twist throttle, Way back when 3 wheeler were called All terrain cycles 1980 ish, And i can't tell you how many people when they got into a scary spot and did the death grip on the bars, And then twisted the throttle by mistake ended up into a tree or a ditch...
It got to the point where i wouldn't let any one else ride that death trap..nojoke

[Bob Ledford]

That's a great theory unless you consider that dirt bikes have twist throttles.

True statement but dirt bikes only have two wheels. ATVs have three or four wheels.

Dirt bikes have one drive wheel. ATVs have two to four or more drive wheels.

i asked an outdoor hunter type who happens to be a dealer also that very same question and his reply was that the thumb throttle was more stable. By that I took his meaning to mean more control when your buried in rough tough terrain.

[Chupaca]

That's a great theory unless you consider that dirt bikes have twist throttles.

but the amount of handle bar twisting is much less than a quad/roadster. You do like most bikes and lean in the corners and doing wheelies with a thumb throttle is really a feat...:dontknow:

[Bazil]

but the amount of handle bar twisting is much less than a quad/roadster. You do like most bikes and lean in the corners and doing wheelies with a thumb throttle is really a feat...:dontknow:
This is a wrist rest reversed and fitted to the inside of the twistgrip, feels good.74043

[TexasTripod]

I started racing three-wheelers back in 1982,had a Honda 250R that came with a thumb throttle. After one race I trashed it and went to a twist throttle because of the pain and the pump it caused in my wrist. The 1985 Kawasaki Tecate I bought next came with a twist throttle from the factory as did the 1986 Tecate that I still ride.:ohyea:

[Bazeel]

I know I had to get use to turning my Spyder being careful not to twist the throttle.


Heh! I typically twist the throttle to power through most turns that would cause me to 'accidentally' increase speed, anyway!