Thumb vs. Twist Throttles on ATVs: Which One is Right for You?

Have you ever wondered why your ATV has a small thumb throttle lever in an awkward position in the handlebar? And why do you still use it when it fatigues your thumb after every ride? Why you can’t ride your ATV like your motorbike? It will be easier if it can ride like a motorbike with a Twist throttle. No more thumb fatigue! Right?

But there is a story behind this painful lever that keeps you safe! ATV’s standard Throttle has become a thumb throttle since 1970. It is called the Honda US90. It is the first thumb-throttle ATV ever made. You will be glad to Neil R. Maietta for inventing the thumb throttle after knowing the features and safety options it offers riders!

The thumb throttle is the standard, safest, and easiest to learn for controlling an ATV if you are an adult, teenager, or fresher who can ride only a bicycle. Also, there are a lot of modifications for it to get more riding experience.

In this expert guide, I will cover everything you need about thumb and twist throttles, their safety features, advantages, disadvantages, options, and whether you should switch to a twist throttle. Let’s ride in! Cheers!

Table of Contents

Why do ATVs have thumb throttle?

Quick response and easy to control

Imagine riding on mud or harsh wild terrain and must slow down in a second to avoid rollover or accident. You only have half of a second to decide. What will you do? Lucky, With a thumb throttle, it’s a snap.

Just release your thumb from the thumb throttle, and your ATV listens to you right away. The thumb throttle will go to the idle position by its mechanism. It will slow the ATV engine RPM. It’s safe and quick.

Super safe while off-roading

Think you had a twisty throttle like on a motorcycle on your ATV now. Maintaining stable speed when bouncing around on rough trails can be tricky. You might accidentally twist it too much. What can happen?!

Your ATV zooms off like a rocket when you didn’t want it to. That can be super dangerous. Thumb throttles on ATVs are all about safety and ease. They’re simple to control and help prevent those surprise speed-ups. If you’re considering getting a New ATV, go for one with a thumb throttle. It’ll make your adventures smoother and safer.

What is thumb throttle?

A thumb throttle is located on the handlebar’s right side to the inner side. It has a small lever. When you press a small lever with your thumb, you will accelerate the ATV. When you release your thumb, it will be idle, and ATV will slow down. It’s like having a conversation with your ride, and it listens closely to your thumb’s command.

ATVs, jet skis, and snowmobiles usually have thumb throttle because they let you keep a rock-solid grip on the handlebars while riding off-road terrains, waves, or snow. In wild, rugged terrain, snow, or ocean, that steady grip is your best friend to control your loving vehicle and your life safely.

What are the advantages of Thumb throttle?

Easy to control while off-roading: Thumb throttles are simple. To rev up, press the thumb lever with your thumb. To slow down, remove your thumb from the leaver. Perfect for everyone, especially freshers.
Compact size: Thumb throttle lever on the inner side of the handlebar so it will not get any impact with the brake, mirrors, bell, or plastic cover.
Quick and steady Responses: Riding off-road vehicles needs to be done carefully. Thumb throttles give you more response to your action than other throttles. When you act quickly, there are no more scratches on the ATV’s plastic body.
Easier to gain stable speed: You can maintain steady RMP on your engine with a thumb throttle. It’s Great for towing, cleaning, plowing snow, or carrying heavy loads with a trailer.
Engineered for off-roading: When the going gets rough on your terrain, thumb throttles keep you in charge. It lets you grip the handlebar while you roar through rugged terrain. When you only need speed, get your thumb to the thumb throttle. Keep grip with your other 4 fingers.
No accidental speed-ups: You need to use your thumb and place your hand in a special position to accelerate ATV. You should press it to gain speed. It’s the best safety feature of other throttles.
More comfortable for special riders: Thumb throttles are the go-to for riders with wrist or hand injuries. Thumb throttle will help to ride without any twisting on that hand.

How does a thumb throttle work?

Are you curious how your ATV with thumb throttle reacts to your thumb press in a second? Let’s see how it works.

Pressing on the thumb throttle lever: When pressing down on that thumb throttle lever, You give the signal for action.
Potentiometer’s Role: In most thumb throttles, you’ll find a potentiometer – a fancy term for a variable resistor. As you press the lever, this clever device changes its resistance. The more you press, the higher the resistance becomes.
Signaling the ECU: Your thumb throttle is like the messenger. It signals to your ATV’s Electronic Control Unit (ECU).
ECU’s Decision: The ECU, being the brains of the operation, interprets this signal. It looks at the changed resistance and decides how much power the engine needs.
Engine Revs: The engine springs into action with the ECU’s command. It adjusts its power output accordingly. The more you press, the faster it goes.
Speeding up: As the engine or motor revs up, your ATV responds by moving faster.

What is Twist Throttle?

A twist throttle is a type of Throttle operated by twisting the entire handlebar or a portion of the grip. You’ll feel the power surging through your machine when you twist the grip to your side. You can easily release the grip to slow the engine. When you release it, it will work with the spring and go to the idle position.

Mostly, all motorbikes and scooters have twist throttles because they are too easy to use. You can ride long trips with twist throttle without any pain and effortlessly. You don’t need to worry about keeping your hand in an uncomfortable place every time on the journey. It is all in your palm!

Twist Throttle is super responsive so you can control your ATV speed at a glance. It’s like having your trusty horse on your journey, always ready to go wherever you want.

What are the advantages of Twist Throttle?

Friendly with Daily bike riders: If you’re used to motorcycle or scooter, twist throttles will feel like an old friend.
More comfortable for long rides: Twist Throttle demands less effort and keeps a special position than thumb throttles, saving your hand from fatigue or inner pain that makes your hand not feel anymore!
Comfortable for adults: Older people with arthritis or similar conditions will be more comfortable using the twist throttle. They will face the limit of using and moving their fingers. So, twisting is the best option for them.
Choosable grip upgrades: you can easily choose the best and most compatible grip with a wider range on the market.
Easy to use in winter: Twist throttles have a special design pattern on the grip to keep your gloves on without losing grip. In winter, twist throttle is the best.
Friendly with special needs people: Twist throttles are more comfortable for riders with limited hand strength or dexterity, offering them a more accessible and comfortable riding experience.
Easy to gain control: we all know griping is like poweruping. So when you wrap your hand around the twist throttle, you will naturally get to use it.

Is thumb throttle better than twist?

Whether thumb throttle is better than twist throttle depends on your preferences and when and where you will ride your ATV. There are advantages and disadvantages to both types. While using a thumb throttle for long rides makes your thumb weary and tired.

Sometimes, you will feel there is no thumb on your hand! ATVs need to turn differently than motorcycles. Sometimes, you must balance the ATV while bending your body to the other side. In this case, thumb throttle is best to keep the speed and avoid unwanted speed-ups.

If you have a twist throttle, turning the handle will be challenging. One distraction can cause a twist on the Throttle. It can be dangerous to you. See, both throttles have their advantages and disadvantages.

So, this is my recommendations with my personal experience.

For Rough Terrain: I recommend a thumb throttle if you’re hitting a rough trail. It offers precise control and reduces the risk of sudden bursts of speed.

Smooth Trails: I recommend Twist Throttle On paved roads or smoother trails. It offers an intuitive and fatigue-free riding time.

For kids or newbies to ATVs: Stick to the thumb throttle.

I always recommend riding with both types and choosing the best and most comfortable Throttle. You can easily get test rides on the ATV parks. Go and hit the 2 test trails. Feel the difference and make your choice. Remember, thumb throttle gives you more safety features for off-road rides.

How do you adjust the Thumb Throttle for more comfort and responsiveness?

Tweak the Tension: Many thumb throttles come with adjustable tension screws. You can tighten it to make the lever stiffer or loosen it to make it easier to press. Play around with it until you find the sweet spot that matches your comfort and preference.
Change Up Your Grip: Sometimes, it’s all about the grip. Experiment with different handlebar grips. You might discover one that fits your hand like a glove. It is especially helpful if you have petite hands or struggle with hand strength.
Explore Different Throttle Types: If thumb throttles still don’t feel right, don’t hesitate to switch things up. Twist throttles are the classic choice.

What are the alternatives to thumb throttle for ATVs?

Twist Throttles: These are famous with motorcycles and scooters. Turn the entire or half handlebar grip to rev up with a twist throttle. These throttles shine on long rides, offering comfort and glove-friendly, too.
Trigger Throttles: Imagine a thumb throttle, but you pull a trigger instead of pressing down on a lever. These are fantastic for people with limited hand strength or dexterity.
Rocker Throttles: These unique throttles operate by rocking a switch back and forth. While less common, they help riders with limited hand mobility. It’s a simple and effective way to control your speed.

If you are still determining which type of Throttle is right, it is best to consult a qualified mechanic. They can help you choose a comfortable throttle that is safe for your valuable life.

Can switch ATV thumb throttle to twist Throttle

Can I switch my ATV thumb throttle to Twist Throttle?

The quick answer is YES. You can switch the thumb throttle to Twist Throttle. ATV throttles are can changeable. But remember that you do not get any safety features from twist throttle on off-roading other than thumb throttle.

The choice is yours. I recommend upgrading your thumb throttle to a more comfortable one rather than switching to a twist one. Also, if you switch to twist Throttle, you need technical knowledge to determine if your ATV comes with an electrical drive-by-wire system.

It is also important to note that switching to a different type of Throttle may require some modifications to your vehicle. For example, when switching from a thumb throttle to a twist throttle, you must install a new grip and housing. It is best to have these modifications performed by a qualified mechanic if you are unfamiliar with them.

How to install a twist throttle to an ATV?

You will need Tools and Materials to install a new twist throttle kit to your ATV. Get these, and let’s install it step by step. You must buy a twist throttle kit, which will cost between $50 to $150.

A new twist throttle assembly kit (Should include throttle cable, throttle tube, tube housing)
Screwdriver
Pliers

Now follow these steps.

Disassemble the ATV body: You might need to remove some body parts in the ATV due to your ATV model, like the seat, fender, and sometimes gas tank.
Disconnect the battery (Optional): Disconnect the negative battery terminal from your ATV before installing it to avoid any electrical mishaps. Mostly, your ATV battery will be located under the seat.
Remove the throttle body: you now need to remove the throttle body. Before removing, make sure to take a look at the cable routing. You need to place a new cable on that exact route. So take a pic with your phone of the cable route.
Remove the Old Throttle Grip: Loosen screws or bolts using a screwdriver and remove the old thumb throttle grip and housing from your ATV.
Slide on the New Grip: Slide the new twist throttle grip onto the handlebar where you removed the old one.
Take a second look: Make sure the cable does not bind.
Install the Throttle Housing: Slide the new twist throttle housing over the grip and secure it using the screws provided with the housing.
Test new Throttle: let’s do a test run. Start the ATV’s engine and twist the Throttle to check how it feels to your hand. It should respond smoothly and evenly, indicating a successful installation.

Suppose you’re not comfortable with this installation. In that case, having a qualified mechanic or dealer handle it for you is always best. Your safety is paramount; a professional can ensure everything is installed correctly and securely.

The bottom line

Consider your riding style and preferences when choosing between thumb and twist throttles for your ATV. Thumb throttles great in rough terrain and minimizes the risk of accidental acceleration. Still, they may cause thumb fatigue over long rides.

Twist throttles offer precise control, making them a favorite among experienced riders. But they can be challenging on off-road trails. The decision largely depends on your familiarity with the terrain and your preference for control and comfort.

Test rides at ATV parks or dealerships can help you understand which throttle type suits you best. Extenders and breaks can help with thumb fatigue for thumb throttles, while transitioning to a twist throttle may require practice in a safe environment.