Ever used an atv-type *thumb throttle* on a streetbike?

(My keyboard skips like a big dog whenIuse this foruum .. only on XJBikes does it do this .. requires a ton of editing .. so hang in there with me .. thx ..)

My wife (Abeja here in the forum) has a wrist injury that makes a twist throttle difficult for her at exended length. She's got years of sand duning/quad riding behind her so she's pretty comfortable with a thumb throttle.

Her plan is to use the full control set from a Yamaha Raptor quad. Everything fits, it all works together nicely. And the entire set of controls can be obtained brand new. I kinda like the idea of putting the switches on the left anyhow. I have a lot of dirt track experience an the kill button is typically located on the left. As well she and I are both left handed.

In any case, I was wondering if anyone ese has used a thumb throttle on a streetbike There are some advantages (especially for a newb to a 500 pound machine). When wrestling with the bike at a stop with the engine running, the right hand only has to do one thing ... hold on tightly to the bars. There is no *double action* required to not only hold up the bike and wrestle with it, but also the need to keep the throttle off. Thumb throttles negate the need for that little skill.

Tanks. Holeshot ..

 

Let us know how this works for her. Gotta do what you gotta do so she can ride comfortably. Never heard of anyone doing this. If she is fighting the bike when stoping it practice more to get the balance and control needed. I sort of know what you are getting at, but never had an issue with turning the throttle when holding up my bike.

 

What is so hard about putting your feet down at a red light? Not exactly wrestling to hold in clutch only after coming to a stop... /shrug

Pics of a thumb throttle? Interesting idea since cramp buster didn't work with stock grips.

 

There's quite a lot of "throw" to a twist-grip throttle; the cable moves quite a distance opening the throttles. I don't know that a thumb paddle will have enough range of movement; and if you mechanically "condense" it, it won't have the range of modulation a twistgrip does.

Plus you might want to check your State's (and the Fed's) vehicle laws; it might not be legal for on-road use.

There are probably also about a dozen other reasons we haven't thought of as to why they're not used, even on dirt bikes.

 

I would think the spring tension rate would be higher with the 4 carbs, and as Fitz pointed out - - the "sweet spot" would be very narrow.
My experience is with my SeaDoo and MY thumb gets tired eventually.
The usual throttle position is 3/4 to full on a 'ski. Not a bike.

 

As for the longevity issues, we've spent years riding for hours on hours at a time on very high performance ATVs and the thumbs are ok. They work better for some and not for others.





Every ATV made has a compatible "twist throttle conversion kit" so the two types are quite interchangeable.

As the the sweet spot ... see above. The conversion throttles for ATVs are NO DIFFERENT than the twist throttles for streetbikes. What I'm speaking of is the actual spool diameter that pulls on the cable itself. There are even throttles available that have different size spools that you can insert to customize pull-strength and amount of twist needed to WFO the carbs (such as 3/8s turn .. 1/4 turn .. etc ..).

As to the poster that said "why is it so hard to put your feet down at a stop light" um .. ok. Sure, fine and dandy if ALL YOU'RE EVER GONNA DO IS STOP AT A LIGHT! What about the times when you accidently put your foot down on a pebble or a slippery chunk in the road? I've seen 40 year riding vets fall over at a light due to HUMAN ERROR!

When my wife becomes so wonderous a rider that no "goofs" ever occur I will be certain to display her carcass on a cross somewhere.

She broke her srist in the late 70's on this thing ...


...shortly afterwards she had to have a piece of bone taken from her right elbow and inserted into her right wrist. That didn't stop her .. no sir. She kept riding and even getting better for the next 10 years. Now we are in our 50s (nearly so, today is her 49th B-Day btw ..) so we're trying to get her into streetbikes. It takes what it takes .. you know?

So to anyone that has no long term experience with a thumb throttle, thanks but .. um .. well just thanks I guess.

As to the legality of it ... pfft ... like anyone checks that sort of thing here! ATVs are street legal here! No kidding! I've been riding bikes with no turn signals, no horn and LOUD for decades around here. Part of the wonder that is the Sonoran Desert!



Oh .. and there's this part about it too ... another part about what I love out here ... it's ok because it keeps the "sofites" outta here ..



Thanks for the help and the insights. We'll let you know how well this works out. If it's like most ATV setups then she'll end up using the thumb throttle for a while only until she gets some confidence in herself. Then she'll most likely swap over to standard twist. You may think that is fuddup osr somehow "sissy" or stupiud. But it takes what it takes to learn this stuff. I've been riding since 10 years old. Racing since 12, and racing hard core since I was 13. So this stuff comes naturally to me and some of you as well. She wasn't raised on a motorcycle. She has things top overcome. You take these steps easy and little. As she realizes that the thumb isn't necessary we'll switch her over.

It takes what it takes. Call it stupid if you want to ... but when YOU overcome what SHE is overcoming (not being brought up on one, and especially .. not brought up as a "boy". Makes an enormous difference. (Plus the whole broken wirst issue).

Kindness and consideration go a lot farther when teaching someone something than stupid expectations do. Two throttles to teach a person the absolute JOY of streetbike riding is a fair price to pay.

L8r Sk8rs .. gotta jet ..

8)

 

I haven't seen one used on a road bike but a guy here used one on a Hayabusa powered F1 Road race sidecar, won the championship so it must have worked ok

Of course the races aren't much longer than 20 minutes though

 

Have you tried one of these?

http://www.amazon.com/CrampBuster-Throt ... B000NUVPQA

 

I ride with an Oversized Throttle Grip and a Cruise Control.

If you exchange the Allen Plug that comes with this device, ... you can make Tension Adjustments to JUST defeat the Return Spring.

No wrist fatigue.

http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/nep-cru ... ttle-locks

 

Have to say I don't have any experience with thumb throttles. But, if that's what it takes to help her get on a bike feeling confident and you think you can find one that will work go with it. It will be easily reversible if you find it doesn't work or if she wants to give the twist a try later on. I will say that I know a couple guys using cramp busters and like them and I use a throttle lock on extended trips to relieve hand fatigue.

keep us updated

 

Happy Birthday Abeja !!

I get it - the bike would feel more familiar to her with a thumb throttle. Go for it !! You could also make a temporary lower seat from a board and a discarded office chair.

I have a $120 ThrottleMeister and a $20 VistaCruise. The VistaCruise is easier to use !!

 

Hey there guys, Thanks to all of you who gave great suggestions of products and joined us outside the box in talking about using the thumb throttle on my motorcycle.

You have valid points and I have taken your explanations and reasonings into consideration in making my decision.

I will be buying and using a twist throttle after all.

It's really great that I can come here and bounce ideas around with you all.
Really appreciate your participation.

Til my next quandry...

Peace,
Abeja :wink:

 

Thank you for the Birthday Wishes! I had a really cool birthday weekend. 8)

I checked out both those items...the VistaCruise looks pretty straight forward.

Thanks again for chatting with us.

Peace,
Abeja