Twist Throttle Experience?

[firemtnranch]

My daughter does not like the thumb throttle on her ATV. Any thoughts on the after market twist throttles? They seem like they might be a good solution.

 

[timswi]

My daughter does not like the thumb throttle on her ATV. Any thoughts on the after market twist throttles? They seem like they might be a good solution.

I don't have experience with those, but I would have preferred that on my last ATV..After a couple of hours, my thumb was aching. Plowing with that also is a pain.

 

[dirtracer31]

Would not recommend a twist throttle for a young atv rider. It is too easy for them to pull the throttle open when trying to hang on. Seen this many times at the sand dunes. They do make thumb throttle extentions that extend under the heal of you hand. Do a google search for "thumb throttle extention". Saw one on ebay for $15.

 

[20 20]

twist throttles are fine, as far as going wide open it can happen with anything, thumb, foot, twist..... I can understand why folks would switch to twist, much easier to control without the fatigue.

 

[jbooth]

While on the subject of throttles, does anyone have or know of some speed control for an atv throttle? Sort of like a cruise control. I need 4 MPH for spraying and have a little trouble holding that speed.

 

[TOMMYHPX4X4]

they do sell an extention for the thumb lever and instead of the thumb you use the palm of the hand to work the throttle.

 

[TOMMYHPX4X4]

look at these


ATVWORLD - Online Store - ATV Accessories

 

[Tkblacktail]

While on the subject of throttles, does anyone have or know of some speed control for an atv throttle? Sort of like a cruise control. I need 4 MPH for spraying and have a little trouble holding that speed.

Here goes ole "el cheapo"again:

I don't know why a 4" piece of 1/2" ID fuel line wouldn't work; slide it over the throttle lever then run a rubber band around it and the handlegrip about when you hit the speed you want. Might take some tweaking.

Or, if you can locate and reach the idle screw while you are moving, turn it up until you cruise at 4 mph.

On the kid's ATVs; I don't believe I would modify anything like that.

 

[firemtnranch]

OK, maybe not such a great idea. I think I am going to try the thumb extendtion and see how that goes. Thanks for all the thoughts.

 

[Dmace]

I switched my ATV and my son's KFX80 to twist. We both like it better. It's funny how all these "experts" know for sure your child will twist the throttle every time they turn yet have obviously never seen a child ride one. He's been riding for years with the twist and never done that. Also, if it's really that easy to twist the throttle and lose control then why do all the kids dirtbikes have twist throttles? His CRF70 has a twist throttle as well and loves it just as much.

My :2cents:...

 

[SpudHauler]

And I know a child that went through a barb wire fence on a snowmobile. Nasty results, 40+ stitches.

It had a thumb throttle.

It's all about teaching, training and patience. For both parent and child.

 

[Tkblacktail]

And I know a child that went through a barb wire fence on a snowmobile. Nasty results, 40+ stitches.

It had a thumb throttle.

It's all about teaching, training and patience. For both parent and child.

Yup, I strongly agree. My girls were all driving my pickups/SUVs off road by the time they were 12.

The ATV laws out here in Oregon (too many, I know) are very strict; they will investigate (public land and/or private land) and come down very hard on parents when a child is hurt. By 2014, ALL riders (few exceptions) in Oregon will have to pass an online test and carry a license. It is linked to the regular driver's license; loose one-loose the other.

The majority of people out here (I-5 corridor) would probably vote to outlaw/ ban ATVs/OHVs all together; some even complain about mountain bikes and horses..........

What a sad day that is going to be.

 

[Stove]

I switched my ATV and my son's KFX80 to twist. We both like it better. It's funny how all these "experts" know for sure your child will twist the throttle every time they turn yet have obviously never seen a child ride one. He's been riding for years with the twist and never done that. Also, if it's really that easy to twist the throttle and lose control then why do all the kids dirtbikes have twist throttles? His CRF70 has a twist throttle as well and loves it just as much.

My :2cents:...

When riding a dirtbike through a lefthand turn the dirtbike leans with the rider maintaining an acceptable distance from right shoulder twist throttle.

When riding an atv through a lefthand turn while sliding the rear wheels you counter steer maintaining an acceptable distance from right shoulder to twist throttle.

When riding an atv through a lefthand turn without sliding the rear wheels the higher the speed the farther the child will lean to the left causing the distance from right shoulder to twist throttle to increase because the atv does not lean with the rider like a dirtbike will.

With a thumb or extended thumb throttle as the childs arm reaches maximum distance from the grip as their hand starts to pull with their body weight trying to hold on the grip, the first thing to relax is the thumb reducing engine power.

With a twist throttle the child that will simply hang on will increase the engine to WOT(wide open throttle) because of the mechanics of their body's weight applying a constant building pressure to the twist throttle.

These are novice mistakes and it sounds like you and your son are a few levels above novice.

Things to think of when going to a twist throttle system on an atv are:

1. Riding experience and level of expertise of the child.
2. Size of the child in relation to the atv ( a younger or smaller framed child will have more of a difficult time due to shorter arms)
3. Using a governing system to ensure the child gets fully used to the difference before hitting "open water"


In my humble opinion I wouldn't let my child use a twist throttle on their atv until they were old enough to understand and install the twist throttle themselves under my supervision without my help.

I have raced and ridden dirtbikes and quads with twist throttles and thumb throttles. Yes, I even raced a dirtbike with a thumb throttle once, weirdest feeling ever, and the riders who finished behind me weren't to happy when they found out.....:laughing:

 

[Dmace]

When riding an atv through a lefthand turn while sliding the rear wheels you counter steer maintaining an acceptable distance from right shoulder to twist throttle.

When riding an atv through a lefthand turn without sliding the rear wheels the higher the speed the farther the child will lean to the left causing the distance from right shoulder to twist throttle to increase because the atv does not lean with the rider like a dirtbike will.

So you really think there's a kid out their that has enough control over an ATV to be "sliding the rear wheels" yet can't control their right hand enough to not accelerate. That makes no sense at all, if a kid is riding that fast on an ATV then they should already have full control over the throttle. Also, kids aren't "leaning" dirtbikes that much when first learning, they just turn the handlebars like a bicycle.

 

[Stove]

So you really think there's a kid out their that has enough control over an ATV to be "sliding the rear wheels" yet can't control their right hand enough to not accelerate. That makes no sense at all, if a kid is riding that fast on an ATV then they should already have full control over the throttle. Also, kids aren't "leaning" dirtbikes that much when first learning, they just turn the handlebars like a bicycle.

The examples were to give shoulder to throttle placement, not to say 1 rider will do the same in every scenario.

What I think about how different kids may or may not ride makes no difference. It's simple physics. That is why the manufacturer does not sell atvs with twist throttles.

I am not going to type pages and pages to explain lock to lock steering and speed differentiation due to body positioning in relation to a riders level of experience on an atv vs. a dirtbike.

 

[Tkblacktail]

I don't know if or how this would stack up or roll off this discussion; I just got this required training email from the state of Oregon. You know how things are, when one state/country does it...............



ATV Training Info
Dear ATV Rider:
You are receiving this email because you indicated on the Oregon Parks On-line ATV Safety Course that you would like to get notifications from us. Please contact us at atv.info@state.or.us if you wish to be removed from this list.
This is one of several notifications that, beginning January 1, 2012, youth under 16 operating a Class I or III ATV (quads and motorcycles) will be required to attend a hands-on training course or an evaluation course before operating on Oregon痴 public lands.
Currently only the on-line safety course is required to receive an ATV Safety Education Card. In 2012 obtaining the card becomes a two-step process for youth, where step-two is receiving hands-on training or evaluation. This requirement will remain a youth-only requirement.
Because there are approximately 35,000 youth in Oregon that fall into that category, we strongly advise you to not wait until 2012 to get your child into a training course! Instructors are in short supply in Oregon and we anticipate that all training courses offered will be filled.
Find training now by going to our on-line training locator at www.rideATVoregon.org/training. You値l see that Oregon has several providers of training; some are new.
If your child has previously been trained by the ATV Safety Institute (ASI) or the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) they will not have to obtain training again for that class of vehicle. Visit our web site below to see how to get a new, endorsed card. These new cards will show the date your child received training from ASI, MSF, or both!
If you have any questions regarding this or any other ATV-related matter please contact our ATV hotline at 877-7SAFELY (877-772-3359). Many ATV questions can also be answered by going to our web site at State of Oregon: Oregon Parks and Recreation Department: ATVs. You can also email your questions to atv.info@state.or.us.
We値l be sure to keep you updated on matters relating to off-highway recreation in Oregon.
Ride Safe, Ride Smart, Ride Oregon!
John Lane
ATV Safety Education Coordinator
Oregon Parks & Recreation Department

 

[godaddy]

This is coming to the state of sc I believe in 2012. I might be wrong but, I thought I heard or read that this is going to be US wide in 2012.