Thumb throttle vs Throttle grip

11629 Views 46 Replies 18 Participants Last post by okbear, Jun 24, 2018

RobPt

Discussion Starter · Nov 28, 2017 (Edited)

I know I haven't hardly any driving experience yet. Still haven't got my licence plate and driving around on my own property ........ yes, very nice while it's raining cats and dogs! :wink2:
Only practiced making wide and short turns at different speeds to get used to the Grizzly.

But what I already know: that thumb-throttle-thing has to go! It's giving me not the control over the machine as I want it. On the internet there is not much to find on replacing the thumb throttle by a throttle grip. My dealer said replacing is possible and already did it a couple of times.

So some simple questions:

1. somebody here with a throttle grip?
2. if so: aftermarket grip or original Yamaha?
3. you like it or not?
4. any good reasons NOT to replace it?

And last but not least: what's the reason there is a thumb throttle on a ATV instead of a throttle grip?

Rob

1 - 20 of 47 Posts

8yn815

· #2 · Nov 28, 2017

Hi there! I prefer the thumb throttle. All trails around me are very steep so when I am going up hill I can lean forward and hold myself firmly and control easily the throttle. But many of my buddies who used to ride enduro bikes hate the thumb throttle and had replaced it.

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RedRocket

· #3 · Nov 28, 2017

PM user @wgc. He's been riding two wheelers for ever and also can't stand thumb throttles. He rides with a twist throttle and might be able to give you some insight.

NCMUDMAN

· #4 · Nov 28, 2017

All in what you are used to. Years ago my brother and I bought an old blaster 200 and it had the twist throttle on it. I couldn't stand it. But, I have zero motorcycle experience so that's why lol.
I felt as if I had little to no control over the ATV especially in rough terrain or climbing hills. ... And that was on a small little blaster, I couldn't imagine a grizzly 700 twist throttle and trying to ride it like I'm used to lol.

wheelsquad

· #5 · Nov 28, 2017

This topic comes up every now and then. My family puts twist throttle kits on just about every ATV we own.

One my responses here: Twist throttle? 2001 400ex - Honda ATV Forum

And also on this forum: http://www.grizzlycentral.com/forum/grizzly-accessories/67353-twist-grip.html#post670577

Here is a kit available for your Kodiak, if you just want to have twist throttle: https://www.motionpro.com/product/01-2787 That is what I have on 3 of our ATV's. The Moose Dual Gasser gives you the option to use both, though I personally haven't used them.

I typed up a much more detailed response on another thread where a guy specifically asked me about using it, I'll look for that and paste link if I find it.

Reactions: 1

okbear

· #6 · Nov 28, 2017

Check this out. It’s not available for our machines yet but I’m patiently waiting.
DXTrigger USA

Reactions: 2

Grizzcrazy

· #7 · Nov 28, 2017

My neighbor had a speacial grip on his Honda Rancher that didn't get rid of the thumb throttle just transformed it. It used a grip on a slider that had a plastic tab that hit the throttle. Let me put it this way. That is the best way I have found to about buck yourself off of wheeler. Stay away from these! To touchy! I ride my dirtbike alot and love it but that stupid thing just about ruined me a twist throttle.

JoshBAR

· #8 · Nov 28, 2017

OKBear that is quite an innovative design. The thumb throttle has griped me for more years than I'd like to count. To see something so simple and effective be on the verge of availability is pretty awesome thing to know. Thanks for this info.

okbear

· #9 · Nov 28, 2017

JoshBAR said:
OKBear that is quite an innovative design. The thumb throttle has griped me for more years than I'd like to count. To see something so simple and effective be on the verge of availability is pretty awesome thing to know. Thanks for this info.

My hope is that it is on the “verge.” I’ve been waiting over a year. I went as far as emailing them to see when it might be available for the Griz with no reply.

PA. GRIZZLY

· #10 · Nov 28, 2017

okbear said:
My hope is that it is on the “verge.” I’ve been waiting over a year. I went as far as emailing them to see when it might be available for the Griz with no reply.

You better contact Heat Demon so they can have the finger warmers ready for you. >

okbear

· #11 · Nov 28, 2017

PA. GRIZZLY said:
You better contact Heat Demon so they can have the finger warmers ready for you. >

No doubt! I bet I could get another thumb warmer and splice it in. Surely that little pad doesn’t use enough power to cause a problem.

RedRocket

· #12 · Nov 28, 2017

okbear said:
My hope is that it is on the “verge.” I’ve been waiting over a year. I went as far as emailing them to see when it might be available for the Griz with no reply.

I also emailed them a few months ago when you brought this product up before and the only thing I heard back was crickets.

I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for them to produce a product for the Grizzly. Pretty piss poor customer service of them to just ignore email inquiries.

wheelsquad

· #13 · Nov 29, 2017

okbear said:
Check this out. It’s not available for our machines yet but I’m patiently waiting.
DXTrigger USA

Looks like a cool product. Bet they'll sell limited qty's of them though, with that fairly high price point.

Here are some reviews on the Dual Gasser, and they both talk about twist throttle use in general on an ATV.
https://dirtwheelsmag.com/reviews/product-tests/terry-cable-dual-gasser-thumbtwist-throttle/
https://atvconnection.com/articles/atv-throttle-conversion-kit-review-moose-racing-dual-gasser-2/

I see it both ways. For people that are less familiar with ATV's, or for guys that ride really technical stuff, like NC said above, the thumb throttle is much less likely to get you in a situation where you lose control.

I've had friends/family hop on mine and be good with the twist throttle right away. But have also had others that get on it and nearly crash at the first crack of the throttle, even after I warn them.

What I've found is in every case it comes down to anticipating the effects of accelerating on your body or not. For those that have only used thumb throttles, they have gotten used to relying on just hanging onto the bars to maintain body position, rather than anticipate and keep body positioned accordingly.

Guys that are used to twist throttles, motocross and roadracing specifically, have to anticipate, and therefore don't tend to have the same issues on an ATV fitted with a twist throttle.

A perfect example of this, is guys on bikes that accidentally hit neutral or false neutral on hard acceleration. Can literally toss yourself over the bars. I've done it.

If Valentino Rossi can hang off his bike and manage 200+ hp all with a twist throttle, rest of us can. Just takes some getting used to. And if paralyzed from mid chest down and zero grip strength me can handle it, others can too.

All that to say I'll never recommend anyone use a twist throttle over a thumb throttle. But I won't discourage anyone from doing it either. Just need to take the time to get used to it, and understand riding technique may need to be altered slightly.

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Reactions: 4

jvictory1974

· #14 · Nov 29, 2017

Personally I've rode 2,3 and 4 wheelers over the years and the 2 wheelers had a twist throttle and my Tecate 3 wheeler also. I always just got used to using what ever came on the machine. I wonder what the reason that every atv manufacturer puts thumb throttles on their machines now days and doesn't offer a twist option....maybe a safety issue? If riding technical I could see where it could be tricky.

Reactions: 1

2wheelATV

· #15 · Nov 29, 2017 (Edited)

I have an extensive background in motorcycle riding and a twist throttle comes natural in its operation. One big difference in motorcycle controls vs ATV controls though is that motorcycle handlebars are primarily a mounting point for all of your controls while the front wheel and bars are on a pivot allowing the bike to steer - as you change direction on a motorcycle by countersteering.

An ATV is different because of the terrain and the way your ATV shifts around and reacts to the terrain. Your handlebars are your primary hand-holds and much more arm and hand input is necessary to stay on the machine and steer it. Having a solid grip is beneficial over a moving one - a moving one which also happens to be connected to your throttle. Now you have a control issue as your weight shifts front to back and side to side while gripping that twist throttle. Picture a steep incline or decline while also steering around obstacles at slow speeds. What affect will your arm and hand inputs have on that twist grip? The scenario can quickly launch you right into a tree or off a cliff.

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Reactions: 3

wgc

· #16 · Nov 29, 2017

RobPT- Having ridden/raced dirt bikes since the mid 60's, I wanted and needed a motorcycle type of throttle. Just flat couldn't come to grips with the thumb throttle. I've ridden trials for many years, along with Enduro's, and counter steering isn't a factor for me, I'm use to full movement of the front end. But each to their own. I've always gotten my throttle kits from Motion Pro and have had no problem with their operation. If you do go this route, conversion, make sure that your able to mount the 4wd selector somewhere. Motion Pro offered a ATV switch mount along with a motorcycle throttle and works perfectly. You'll also have to get motorcycle type handlebar grips (size is different).
I just looked at the Motion Pro site (https://www.motionpro.com/motorcycle/search/by_motorcycle/twist_throttle_kits/) and they don't show a kit for the 700 Grizz. However if your really interested let me know (PM or here on the site) and I will call them for you and see if they have one for the 2017 model. That's what I had to do for my 2013 700 and they had them in stock, just not listed on there site.
Good luck with your decision.

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Reactions: 1

reogem

· #17 · Nov 29, 2017

okbear said:
....DXTrigger USA

Looks like the "Ole Death Ride 2000"

Had a young lady in our campground a couple years back. Never ask her the specifics but her right arm was missing up to the elbow. She could ride real well. She had just bought a new Grizz 700 the dealer installed this contraption called a"Gold Finger". Basically it is a index finger throttle trigger control like that DXtrigger but it was install on the left side.
Worked fine for her. The day that they were loading up to leave a friend was loading her Griz on the trail. So he pops up on the trailer using the thumb throttle and since he is a Griz rider he hit the left brake to stop. Somehow he hit the trigger instead shot over the trailer tongue up over the pickup tailgate and came to rest plowed into back window.

So my 2.0162¢ is do some thumb wrestling or ball squeezing

shocked:sorry couldn't resist) or something.:lifting:

Reactions: 2

okbear

· #18 · Nov 29, 2017

reogem said:
Looks like the "Ole Death Ride 2000"

Had a young lady in our campground a couple years back. Never ask her the specifics but her right arm was missing up to the elbow. She could ride real well. She had just bought a new Grizz 700 the dealer installed this contraption called a"Gold Finger". Basically it is a index finger throttle trigger control like that DXtrigger but it was install on the left side.
Worked fine for her. The day that they were loading up to leave a friend was loading her Griz on the trail. So he pops up on the trailer using the thumb throttle and since he is a Griz rider he hit the left brake to stop. Somehow he hit the trigger instead shot over the trailer tongue up over the pickup tailgate and came to rest plowed into back window.

So my 2.0162¢ is do some thumb wrestling or ball squeezingshocked:sorry couldn't resist) or something.:lifting:

I hear ya, reo. However, my issue is not one of fatigue in my thumb. It’s more of a joint issue which is painful not just on the Griz, but other times as well. Unfortunately, thumb wrestling and ball squeezing will not help with that and I don’t feel confident in a twist throttle.

Rollin

· #19 · Nov 30, 2017

The type of riding one does is a definite factor on the topic at hand.

In my experience trail riding a twist throttle would have caused me to crash in more than one occasion. It is normal in a days riding to snag a fallen branch, tree roots or rocks or whatever else is on the trails and have the handlebars yanked off your grip. At a moment when you need the most strength to recover, a burst of power from a WOT will send you flying in the nearest tree or ditch :icon_ nono2:

Maybe the lack of EPS on my quad makes it an issue others don't have but I know that no matter how prepared you are and position yourself on the quad it's going to happen.

I see it as a safety issue for me and maybe Yamaha and other manufacturers are seeing this as a liability since the quads are marketed primarily as off road machines. If you are riding mainly on paved roads or even on smooth wide fire roads that may be different.

Reactions: 1

Grizzcrazy

· #20 · Nov 30, 2017

Rollin said:
The type of riding one does is a definite factor on the topic at hand.

In my experience trail riding a twist throttle would have caused me to crash in more than one occasion. It is normal in a days riding to snag a fallen branch, tree roots or rocks or whatever else is on the trails and have the handlebars yanked off your grip. At a moment when you need the most strength to recover, a burst of power from a WOT will send you flying in the nearest tree or ditch

Maybe the lack of EPS on my quad makes it an issue others don't have but I know that no matter how prepared you are and position yourself on the quad it's going to happen.

I see it as a safety issue for me and maybe Yamaha and other manufacturers are seeing this as a liability since the quads are marketed primarily as off road machines. If you are riding mainly on paved roads or even on smooth wide fire roads that may be different.

Yeah I think that it true. I don't have EPS either so I feel your pain. I ride on some limestone and that is better on my Grizz with the thumb throttle then on my TTR with the twist throttle. I have wrecked a couple times on my TTR by get of balance and pulling the throttle way hard.

Reactions: 1

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