Thumb Throttle or Twist?

[khooping]

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);

[dreth]

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?

[UncleRico]

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

[BIGWORM3699 ( ECP RACING)]

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.

[Mike#44]

Thumb for sure.

[Quad32x]

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.

[MPTonyT]

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.

[SkyHighT100]

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

[UncleRico]

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.

[khooping]

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

[53yfz450]

check these out

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

[Paul_S]

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?

[535banshee]

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

[PLEDGER#76]

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.....

[HondaATC]

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 

[trx#9]

Twist it, like a man!

[LostCause]

TWIST,TWIST,TWIST

[Quad32x]

Twist it, like a man!

Thats what Im talkin bout !

[jujulo700R]

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.

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!
I think I will stick with the thumb though.

[kenz]

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.