Just curious. Why is it that ATV's typically have a thumb throttle, while motorcycles usually have a twist throttle?

 

Im just going to take a stab in the dark here, this is just my opinion.

On an ATV, I think the hand throttle would be harder to control going over ruff terrain, with all the jarring movements taking place the last thing you want is to "blip" the throttle to much on accident.

I may be way off on my guess, but it makes sense to me.

 

also the position the rider has to the throttles, generally atv riders are sitting, vs. mx standing...

 

I ride GNCC's on a YZ 250 ( twist throttle of course) and pretty much the whole track consists rough terrain..

I always thought it was because ATV's are also used in cold weather and the thumb throttle is less likely to freeze up.. I also could be way off though....

 

Yea, that could be it aswell. But when I was thinkin of ruff terrain I was thinking along the lines of serious terrain. Like climbing large rocks, severe articulation, steep angles.

Do hand throttle's freeze real easy when it's cold?

 

Yep, that is what I am talking about also, ( check out a harscramble sometime, you will love it) Trials bikes also have twist throttles.

I had a twist throttle on my quad years and years ago and all it takes is a bit of melting snow/ rain/ moisture and then a good freeze and there you have it, a frozen throttle... i also think that is why you will never see a twist on a snowmoble...

 

Due to turning. ATV's you push the handlebars in the direction of the turn and slide the rear around.. Motorcycles you lean into the corners and barely turn the handlebars so its easier for wrist control. My .02

 

Yeah has to do with steering. On a motorcycle you push left to go right and on an ATV you steer it like a car so when you turn you have to pull and that would be hard if you had a twist throttle.
Also with a bike it would be hard to control the thumb control and also push with that hand.


So its like a control thing I guess?

 

I go with the mud muck and snow creating havoc with a twist grip.

 

Easier to learn with a thumb throttle. When you hit something,goose it, whatever, you are far less likely to make things worse by going WFO.
Throttle control for the masses who may not have ever ridden a cycle.

 

That is the way I see it as well. When you are on a bike you are not turning the bars as much as you would on a quad. A lot easier on the wrist and thumb to push a throttle when the bars are off in either direction compared to try to twist a throttle when the bars are angled sharp.

 

If I tried to lean my bike instead of steer it in a wicked rock section of a hare scramble track I would quickly be on the ground. It really has nothing to do with how the bike/quad/sled steers or handles. if it did, then why do all the serious quad and sled racers have a twist throttle?

 

Snowmobile palm throttles and ATV thumb throttles freeze too.

And..........back in the late 70's twist throttles WERE factory options on John Deere Liquifire and Cyclone snowmobiles. I've got two of my 3 JD's still set up with twist throttles. Very popular with the go-fast crowd back then.

I've got ATC's too both with thumb throttles, and personally I find them annoying. Twist throttle is WAY more comfortable on a long ride.

BUT..........I go more with the public being unaccustomed to twist throttles. Dirt bikes have twist throttles and they see as much or more rough terrain.