This is crazy! I have shared my knowledge pretty much about everything that concerns throttle bodies and cables, but I have not shared anything about throttle tamer mods – something that connects the two!
So first thing first,
What is the throttle tamer mod?
well it’s in a phrase “to tame”, that means to “reduced from a state of native wildness” or to domesticate. Apparently horses have to be tamed before they can be ridden, otherwise they will fling you off their backs like a wet sock…
And so believe it or not, some bikes are a bit like it – a bit wild! undomesticated and untamed, twist a throttle and it feels like a bike is about to escape from under you! Not a good feeling, and it doesn’t look good in front of a bunch of friends either when the bike is misbehaving like that pulling you back and forth!
What does a throttle tamer do?
Domesticates it 🙂 Takes the sharp edge of it, makes it a bit more manageable by removing that sharp jump, makes the throttle a little bit less sensitive (the first third or quarter of the turn).
If you have read my other post about the clutch and how to make it a bit lighter you will know as throttle tamer works in a very similar way – it extends throttles motion to gain a bit more precision at the throttle body (in essence), and the result is a better precision and better response from the engine and throttle, and in return – less jerkines!
That being said, what are the options to tame the throttle?
As far as I know, there are 4 ways to achieve the same result (not you “ride by wire” guys.. you have 1 option there, and it is not covered here, sorry!). Very expensive way, expensive way, cheap way and 0 cost way.
1. Very expensive way:
Very expensive way to tame your throttle is to get your ecu tuned! Yeah, a new map should make a big difference, but unfortunately it is not the answer to all as some bikes are carbureted, and since no injection, no fuel map to alter, and even then – it’s a bit with a question mark…!
2. Expensive way:
G2 Throttle grips with all the attachments – a direct replacement for your old throttle grip. These are pretty good, come with different profile cams to play around, can be swapped in no time, and the result is instant! Depending on the bike, this mod will cost you a few fuel tanks worth of coins. Worth it? Definitely if throttle is getting on your nerves and not feeling very adventurous!
3. The Cheap way:
The cheap option to tame your horses, is to fit a bolt and couple of washers (or something similar) on the throttle body itself or the cable – but in a way that it would extend the lever on the shaft of the throttle itself (imagine a door handle, but extended one- the longer it will be, the more extended end has to travel to do the same job).
In other words, we deliberately make part of the perimeter of the cam on the throttle body bigger, to reduce its responsiveness to the throttle grip in the area where it is twitchy, if that makes sense. The beauty of it, that people can be creative with it, as long as that lever is created, it doesn’t really matter what is used, and it can be undone any time too! (Negative side is that not on all throttle bodies something like that could be fitted…)
4. The 0 cost way (if you will get it right)
The 0 cost way is the most brutal and unforgiving one too, as once it’s done, it cannot be undone and if overdone – new throttle grip is required (good that those are cheap as chips though, still save a penny, do it little by little!)
So the idea is to take a bit of the material of the area where the cable sits on the throttle grip – reducing the diameter of the 1st quarter or so, works in the same way as changing your bicycles front sprocket to the smaller one (you have to spin pedals more to achieve the same turns of the back wheel) and so the 1st quarter of the throttle grip turn will no longer get you to the same level of RPM as before, however – precision will be much greater!
So there you have it, some are simple, some are not. I think for most it will be the 3rd option the most confusing one, but in any case – I hope that makes sense and I hope that gives a better idea about throttle tamer mods and ways to sort it!
And by the way, that KTM 990 I had, it was unmanageable till I took a mill or so of the throttle grip, and… what a difference it made!
Explore More!
A list of posts about Bike Maintenance and General Modifications that might be Interesting to know!
General Modifications:
- Throttle Tamer Mods (4 ways to tame your horse!)
- Projector headlight conversion from right side road traffic to left and vice versa.
- How to make your own Exhaust or how to modify an existing one.
- Power Commander (PCV) and Thoughts on it.
- Brake Snake / Pedal Anchor – why and how!
- Lighter Clutch Mods:
- How to make motorcycles Cable Clutch lighter! (Part 1/3)
- Cheap ways to make your motorcycles clutch lighter! (Part 2/3)
- How to make a Hydraulic clutch lighter on your motorcycle! (Part 3/3)
- How to make Custom Clutch or Throttle Cables – Easier than you thought!
- How to make clutch lever lighter (Yamaha XT660Z Tenere Specific)
- Rear Suspension and Drive-Train:
- How to extend the life of Cush-Drive rubbers.
- The dangers of motorcycle lowering links, Important things to know!
- How to swap rear shock spring with no special tools!
- The Best Motorcycle chain lube!
- How to set motorcycle chain slack when suspension is not standard?
- How To Remove Stubborn And Hard To Reach Chain Adjuster Bolt
- The List of Most Useless Adventure Motorcycle Mods And Bling!
- Dangers of the lowering kits (things to know before Lowering your Bike!
Bike Maintenance:
- How to pass MOT the first time – every time!
- How to Maintain your motorcycle Locks (works with all locks!)
- Best Suspension Bearing Grease!
- What grease to use on your motorcycle?
- How to shorten Life of your wheel bearings! (Or what not to do to them!)
- Why should you grease your bolts! (And not only Bearings!)
- What is the best Chain Lube for your motorcycle?
- How to buy used Motorcycle – Free Guide.
