ATV Florida Forum

Some reason I've had arm pump real bad the last couple of times I've rode. Will switching to a twist throtle help?? It was so bad today I  only rode 3 times total of 21 laps. :( That sucks!! any addvice?? 

Have you considered a steering stabilizer and steering damper?

These two items reduce fatigue and pump.


I'm not sure that a twist throttle would make a difference.  I would imagine that it's not related to your throttle. Unless you're only getting pump in your right arm.

Good luck

i tried twist.....almost killed my self. :P dont get twist you will hate it.

get a steering dampner it will help alot!!!!

try this trick i learned race ftr  before u ride put both hands on the tailgate of ur truck in the down postions then lean forward over ur hands to strech out ur fingers. do it a couple times and u wont get arm pump. if that dont work for u then lighten ur grip on the bars   thumb or twist has no pump bearing

keep  your  thumb throtle!!!  get a good  dampner  . had the twist  was horrible .  great on the bike  not the quad     though  on breaking bumps  going into a turn !!!!!!ouchhh

I rode a friends YFZ with a twist once for 2 laps. That was a joke! Unless you come from riding street or dirtbikes, you REALLY won't like it. The best thing you can do for arm pump is ride more often to get your arms in shape and make sure your suspension is set up and working properly. It makes a big difference if something is out of adjustment.

I try to ride AT LEAST 2 times a week, I even lift weights, AND I have a Damper. Go figure..... I guess I could get one of those grip,spring,handle things and squeeze it everywhere I go. ;D LOL  Thanks for all the replys

There are two things that can be done to help the Arm pump.

• Go to a bigger diamiter handle bar.  Your hand will not be as closed when riding
• Learn to ride by feel not by grip.  You ask what is he talking about.  When you ride do not grip the bar.  Just let your hands go along for the ride.  When you really need to hold on, you do.

I ride a twist and have for years.  Every one has trouble with the twist when it comes to the whoops.  IMO this is because everyone holds on to tight and doesn't relax.

I read an article once, in which Doug Gust was talking about his training schedule, and how he avoided training with free weights to avoid arm pump.


I don't know if there is any scientific tie between lifting weights and arm pump, or if he was just speaking from experience.

and here I'm thinking "man I should start doing more lifting" LOL

Well the thing is that when you have more muscle and try to muscle around the bike, you wear out alot faster because all of your muscles are tense.. Lifting weights isnt bad, but trying to max out every time you lift causes trouble.


Oh..BTW, I run twist throttle and I wont ever go back to thumb throttle. It just takes a little bit of time to get used to it. I admit that when I would try to jump off a face of a birm, I wouldnt know how to carry my momentum through the throttle and stand up at the same time.. Its just somthing that you have to work at.

Thanks true weight training will give you arm pump.

I raced XC for 3 years on a 250R with a twist. It does help with arm pump, but like others have stated it takes some getting used to. I can remember a few times when I was on the gas by accident, that is one of the problems with a twist. The other is tight right hand turns. You have your right hand in really close to your body in an awkward position and you have to try and twist the throttle at the same time. A twist works good on a dirt bike because you lean to turn it. You don't have to turn the bars.

 Since I got my 450R I have ridden the thumb throttle. I tried a twist but didn't like it on the 4 stroke. Now that I'm used to the thumb, I think it is better than the twist. I feel like I have better control of the quad.

TRX450r..Nice bike!!    I think  may lay off the weights some. Not all together tho. If I didn't work out of town all week I could get some set time in at home. I've been trying to in Vero, But not that much around. Steve's been letting my ride his track some durning the week and that helps. I can ride the woods hard and not get it. But the track just does it to me. :o  I need more track time during the week!! Thanks guys.

Thanks

The main problem with arm pump is lactic acid build up in your muscles, basically from not eating or drinking correctly. Try not to drink any soda's or high sugar energy drinks the days you ride, drink water. Try eating banana's the day before and day of riding and don't forget your flintstone vitamans. If that doesn't work your riding to tight or your not breathing correctly. I used to have the problem of holding my breath when riding, which results in a lack of oxygen to the musles and causes fatigue and arm pump. Weight lifting may cause arm pump if your weight training your fore arms the day of or before you ride because it causes short term lactic acid build up in your muscles. I can bench 350 lbs. and never get arm pump. And real men ride twist!!!!!!! ;)

yea,yea,yea...Man I eat good and try to stay in shape.I don't drink soda and energy drinks very much at all, If ever. I try not to hit the weights the night before I go to the track just so I don't get fatigue. I think your right about me riding to tight. I got into a bad wreck at Pax 2 years ago and got broke up real bad. Now when I'm at the track I'm tense. All I can think about in the back of my mind is the concequence if I don't land right. (3 months in a reclainer). so yea, I need to relax.  ;D