Riding Tip: Intro to Throttle Control
Last Updated: March 4th, 2024
RIDING TIP: Intro to Throttle Control
A rider skill that we continuously work on throughout our riding career is our throttle control. It is no mistake that we talk early and often in our Basic RiderCourse about how to use our controls. We continue to stress that information during the very first exercise on the range and beyond. Having precise control of our throttle can be the difference between having an incredible ride versus meeting Mr. Asphalt.
WHAT DO WE HOPE TO SHARE IN THIS SERIES?
This multi-part article on throttle control will cover a few key areas:
- Throttle control definition
- How to determine if your throttle control is precise or imprecise
- Benefits of good throttle control
- Factors affecting throttle control
- Using a steady, slightly elevated throttle to help your slow speed maneuvering
- Why precise throttle control is especially important when cornering at real world speeds
WHAT DOES A THROTTLE DO?
We’ve all seen the YouTube videos where the new rider climbs aboard a motorcycle, grabs a handful of throttle, dumps the clutch, and goes flying uncontrollably into the environment. This is an unfortunate, extreme use of the throttle (and a reason to attend rider training!) but it helps us understand the massive value to controlling our motorcycle, scooter, or 3 wheeler’s throttle.
Before we get too far into this series, we think it best to define what a throttle is and the parameters for its control.
First, a motorcycle throttle is a device that aids the rider in adjusting fuel and air mixture into the engine thus controlling the engine’s speed. We measure the speed of the motor in revolutions per minute (rpms). Most (but not all!) motorcycles are setup with a cylindrical tube on the right side of the handlebar that we modulate by rotating towards us to increase engine speed or away from us to decrease engine speed. The entire range of throttle motion goes from an idle position (all the way forward) to full stop (all the way backward).
It is crucial to make the connection that the motorcycle throttle is responsible for controlling engine speed and not for transferring engine power to the rear tire. We often see entry level riders mistaking the clutch lever’s role for the throttle’s role and this confusion causes new riders to have rough take-offs and poor low speed maneuvering control. How can we prove this? Put the bike in neutral and rotate the throttle. Does the bike move? What happens to the engine speed as we remain in place? As current riders, Team Arizona knows the answers. For new riders, it is helpful to make and strengthen the connection of the VERY different roles the clutch and throttle retain.
THROTTLE CONTROL DEFINITION
Throughout the entire series we will be using the term throttle control. Upon initial review, one may consider the term self-evident. As we dig deeper we discover that throttle control is a distilled term dependent upon several variables.
Consider the term “throttle control” as shorthand for the following:
- The ability of a rider to gradually and precisely deliver the appropriate amount of fuel/air mixture to the engine to maximize the rider’s access to traction and motorcycle stability regardless of the vehicle’s position (roll, pitch, yaw) or handlebar position.
Consider this a universal definition, but we are specifically providing this definition for typical road riders. Some may say that in competitive instances riders will slam their throttle shut on corner entry or rip the throttle to the stop on corner exit to get their bike to perform in a specific way. This may be true (electronic intervention have been a big reason for most of this), but for mere mortals, gradual and precise applications of throttle will generate positive results for them.
Now that definitions are out of the way, in future pieces we will address the bullet points listed above. Stay tuned and contact us with any questions!
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Bill Seltzer has been a Motorcycle Safety Foundation RiderCoach since 2003 and a Total Control Advanced Riding Instructor since 2011. He currently serves as the Marketing Director for TEAM Arizona and is a member of the Arizona Strategic Highway Safety Planning committee. Have questions or comments about the article? Email him: Bill@MotorcycleTraining.com
