Author Topic: Hand Off the Throttle Question (Read 4807 times)

swordds · « **on:** August 22, 2016, 07:29:24 PM »

As I was driving my V7II along a four lane urbane highway in moderately heavy traffic this evening I was quickly passed by a young woman on what appeared to be a larger "rice rocket" who was weaving (I would say foolishly but skillfully) through the traffic. Of course I was smitten (of course to no avail). As she passed on my left she took her right hand off the throttle and politely gave me the straight arm/two fingers in a "V" pointing downward motorcyclist wave or salute I sometimes see, though usually given with the left hand by someone on a Harley going in the opposite direction. So here is my question: how can you maintain speed when you take your hand off the throttle? I have also seen videos of motorcycle racers doing victory waves, riding at speed around the track with no hands on the handlebars. Do they have throttle locks? Are they coasting in neutral? When I let go of my throttle my motorcycle begins to slow fairly rapidly, yet when this young woman drove past and took her hand off the throttle she didn't seem to slow at all? Do you think she had pulled in the clutch?

Triple Jim · « **Reply #1 on:** August 22, 2016, 07:34:01 PM »

Pulling in the clutch would be my guess, but if she was in high gear, it's possible she didn't need to. Some of the big crotch rockets can get to 100 in 1st gear, so highway speeds in high gear probably don't give a ton of engine braking.

sign216 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 22, 2016, 07:51:40 PM »

I don't think it applies here, but both my '58 BMW and '69 Gilera have the throttle springs matched to the friction point, so that the throttle stays at whatever speed you stop at.

flip · « **Reply #3 on:** August 22, 2016, 08:05:10 PM »

Throttle lock perhaps?

Tom · « **Reply #4 on:** August 22, 2016, 08:20:24 PM »

My initial response would be throttle lock.

fotoguzzi · « **Reply #5 on:** August 22, 2016, 08:23:37 PM »

Sasquatch Jim · « **Reply #6 on:** August 22, 2016, 09:41:00 PM »

My 59 panhead had no throttle return spring at all. In fact, with the hand off the throttle, engine vibration would slowly open the throttle. Other machines I have had were set (by me) with a bit of friction so that I could remove my hand for a very short time without the throttle moving.
I even had one ex police Harley that had a left hand throttle. I suppose this might have been an assist in shooting right handed at a fleeing villian, but more likely it was to allow the right hand to use the chalk stick on parked car tires. I suspect that since you said she drove skillfully that she simply cheated and pulled the clutch.

garbln · « **Reply #7 on:** August 23, 2016, 03:43:44 PM »

My two bmw's have adjustable friction knobs on the throttle, I usually set them so they slowly return. Actually most of the old Indians had left hand throttles. Left hand throttles and right hand spark advance. The legend goes that police wanted it that way so they could shoot with the right hand. Or maybe the owner/founder was left handed? Police depts could order HD's either way at that time.

Moto · « **Reply #8 on:** August 23, 2016, 03:49:21 PM »

My guess is subjective time dilation, you being so entranced that time "stood still," and it seemed that her quick gesture lasted so long she must have had a throttle lock.

I get that frequently in similar situations.

swooshdave · « **Reply #9 on:** August 23, 2016, 04:17:00 PM »

If she's weaving in and out of traffic there's no throttle lock involved.

Unlike lumpy twins a fast revving 4 cylinder bike won't decelerate as rapidly by closing the throttle.

Guzzistajohn · « **Reply #10 on:** August 23, 2016, 04:33:32 PM »

Quote from: fotoguzzi on August 22, 2016, 08:23:37 PM

I use my throttle lock and put both arms up in the air for approaching ape hanger boyz (then ride like hell) : )

Farmer Dan · « **Reply #11 on:** August 23, 2016, 04:50:50 PM »

I like waving at other bikes with my right hand, makes them wonder how I did it

Cool Runnings · « **Reply #12 on:** August 23, 2016, 05:02:34 PM »

Moto · « **Reply #13 on:** August 23, 2016, 05:07:34 PM »

Quote from: Cool Runnings on August 23, 2016, 05:02:34 PM

That's my idea of ATGATT!

John Ulrich · « **Reply #14 on:** August 23, 2016, 05:34:40 PM »

I wrap those rubber throttle rockers over the edge of the bar weight to hold position. You'll also notice a regular lock also on the other end.

Lannis · « **Reply #15 on:** August 23, 2016, 06:13:50 PM »

Quote from: Cool Runnings on August 23, 2016, 05:02:34 PM

Save this pic for the next time someone says "My Guzzi is too tall and I'm having trouble reaching the ground. Should I reupholster the seat, or lower the suspension, or what?"

No, there's a cheaper way ....

Lannis

Triple Jim · « **Reply #16 on:** August 23, 2016, 06:34:07 PM »

Quote from: Lannis on August 23, 2016, 06:13:50 PM

No, there's a cheaper way ....

There sure is... have her drive, and ride on the back, hugging her to be sure you don't fall off.

Zoom Zoom · « **Reply #17 on:** August 23, 2016, 07:27:25 PM »

I agree with the first response. For the fraction of time it takes to wave, either simply waving ir pulling the clutch during said wave will suffice. Remember, the high revving rockets develop lots of horse power, but don't have tone of down low torque. Personally, I wouldn't over think it.

John Henry

Huzo · « **Reply #18 on:** August 23, 2016, 07:58:44 PM »

Quote from: Moto on August 23, 2016, 03:49:21 PM

My guess is subjective time dilation, you being so entranced that time "stood still," and it seemed that her quick gesture lasted so long she must have had a throttle lock.

I get that frequently in similar situations.

Yep... I get it. That's very witty Moto and funny.

Gliderjohn · « **Reply #19 on:** August 23, 2016, 08:15:33 PM »

She probably pulled the clutch in. My T-3 has the friction screw which I find very useful in Kansas with a lot of long straight and flat roads.
GliderJohn

Nic in Western NYS · « **Reply #20 on:** August 24, 2016, 04:23:40 AM »

Remember returning the wave of an attractive pedestrian with my right hand without pulling clutch lever. Did not look so smooth with that maneuver. Funny how certain circumstances can increase errors.

chuck peterson · « **Reply #21 on:** August 24, 2016, 05:46:09 AM »

All the Tomaselli throttles I've seen thru the late 70-80s have a friction screw on them, really nice touch for hi way runs

Sasquatch Jim · « **Reply #22 on:** August 24, 2016, 12:37:20 PM »

It's good to be able to pick a booger with either hand while riding.

Tom · « **Reply #23 on:** August 24, 2016, 12:51:31 PM »

You know Jim.....I've never told this. You definitely have a different way of looking at things. Not sure if it's good either.

Darren Williams · « **Reply #24 on:** August 24, 2016, 04:42:50 PM »

A Vista-Cruise is a quick on and off flick of the thumb type of friction lock. I can lock the throttle in less than a second to remove my hand from the grip. Had them on both my 1200 Sport and Stelvio, as well as the Breva and Thruxton, . She may have had one.

Simple device that is my favorite throttle lock and even thinking about putting one on my bike with electronic cruise.

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Author Topic: Hand Off the Throttle Question (Read 4807 times)

Moto

Moto