ATV Florida Forum

I've always used a thumb throttle on my four wheelers but I've really only trail ridden or ridden hard for short burst of 20 or 30 min.  I rode the hare scramble at Madison 2 weeks ago and found that my thumb was really getting cramped up......towards the end, I couldn't even make my thumb do what I wanted it to and was wrapping my fingers around the bars using them to pull the throttle. javascript:void(0); I was wondering what others experiences have been with thumb vs. twist.javascript:void(0);

i tried to switch and it didnt go well ??? i almost hit 2 trees so i switched back.

what quad do you ride? if its a yfz have you done the spring mod to make it easier?

I prefer the thumb over the twist on a quad! 

The twist is akward on a quad, it makes for some uncontrolable close calls. I guess if you use it all the time, you would probably get use to it though.

You might consider what they call a thumb extender if you suffer from "hitch hiker fatigue".

When I ride with people who don't normally ride, I often hear them mention thumb fatigue, but I chalk that up to lack of riding.

How often do you ride?

Here's the link for the thumb extender = http://www.amazon.com/Thumb-Assist-ATV-Throttle-Extension/dp/B0000CEZA4/sr=1-1/qid=1161172474/ref=sr_1_1/102-6124129-9019350?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods

I am also a thumb guy  :ThumbsUp.gif I did at 1 time have a twist throttle and came off a ramp nose high which cause me to add more throttle since I was falling backwards so I learned my lesson and whent back to the trusty thumb throttle.

Thumb for sure.

Ive always used a twist from my days racing three wheelers. If you can get used to it you will never go back to a thumb throttle. ;)

i dont know that i could use a twist on a quad. now on a dirt bike its a little differient. my buddy gets on my quad after being on his dirt bike trying to twist the grip like its supposed to do something. i laugh at him everytime. kinda like getting into an automatic if your used to driving manual. first instinct is to press the clutch in.

I used to ride my friends 4-wheeler that had a twist throttle, never could get used to it. I have carple tunnel, so when we would trail ride not only would my thumb stop "working", but my entire hand would go numb as well. I had to do something so I spent $15 on a throttle extender. I'll admit, it took a little time to get used to, but it was the best $15 I ever spent. It allowed me to use my entire thumb and even part of palm (if I wanted to)... defiantely worked well

Ya know, I kinda like the arm pump and fatigue, come to think of it.

I like that mental state you reach where your brain is telling your hands to open up,  but your muscles take over and squeeze your hands shut.

Nothing like flying up a hill and your hands loose all control due to cramping and arm pump. I kinda like walking around like an 80 year old arthritic after a hard day of riding.

I guess I have thirst for minor pain.

Thanks for the lead on the thumb extender.  I'll give that a try.  I've got carpeltunnels too.....it was just weird.   My mind knew what my thumb needed to do....except I couldn't get my thumb to do it.  Same deal on the grip.  Good grip on the left handle bar and at times, virtually none on the right. >:(  I typically ride 1 full day every two weeks.  Probably  not enough to keep the thumb in shape :'(  Thanks for all the advice

Kevin

check these out

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Terry-Cable-Thumb-Twist-ATV-Throttle-yfz-450-trx450r_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ43979QQihZ013QQitemZ230040053425QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

That looks pretty cool, anyone try these?

I ALWAYS LIKED THE TWIST. IF YOU STARTED OUT ON DIRT BIKES ITS EASY.BUT IF YOU NEVER RODE WITH ONE IT CAN BE ALITTLE CRAZY AT FIRST

I was always a thumb guy too, but when I started racing a YFZ450 I tried every mod including the spring and nothing worked, since then I started with a 1/2 turn twist and now I only use the 1/4 turn vortex twist for every quad I own, it only took 1 2hour 28 minute gncc cross country race to get used to it and now I will never use anything but twist, especially for the 2 hour  races.....

I use to be thumb all the way and then I tried and got use to using a 1/4 turn Magura and I've been hooked ever since. I can't even hardly ride anything else with a thumb throttle or anything with a twist that isn't a 1/4 turn. I actually switch the same throttle over from one machine to another if I'm going to be riding it alot  ::)

Twist it, like a man! ;D

TWIST,TWIST,TWIST

Thats what Im talkin bout ! ;)

Is that what "arm pump" is? Now I can relate to what you guys are talking about. I thought it was just me! I did 5 laps at Dade City and my hands completely stopped working. I couldn't open them up and they hurt like he!!. They hurt so bad that when I was driving back through pit lane, I had to steer with my elbows! :o
I think I will stick with the thumb though.

I changed my Z to a twist.  During QS#1 I had such I time keeping my thumb on the throttle I wanted to try something else.  Today I was first time riding since I changed it over.  It felt like I had much better control in tight trails at speed.  It took a little getting used to hitting the whoops and jumps.  After some practice launches and hitting the whoops hard I got the bugs worked out.  QS#2 will be real test though.

My 2 cents, for what it's worth.