Left hand throttles:no thanks!

[hoppy]

Please, no more left hand throttles;it's like reversing the pedals in a car.If you have more than one bike it's dangerous.Motor cycles always have throttles on the right.

 

[Old_Dave]

Motor cycles always have throttles on the right.

Always ? .. lol

The great thing about convention is that its for other people

 

[jhruk]

Please, no more left hand throttles;it's like reversing the pedals in a car.If you have more than one bike it's dangerous.Motor cycles always have throttles on the right.

I have to disagree - yes please!. I have two bikes with throttle on the right and two with throttle on the left and one of the LH ones works in the opposite direction. I don’t find any problem swapping between bikes and much prefer the left hand ones in this country as it leaves the right hand free for signaling the right hand turn.

Now riding on the right abroad I find can be dangerous – especially when you start off with no one around and only realise you’re on the wrong side when the first car comes along!

 

[morphix]

My throttle is on the left side on my 26" and will be on the left on my Mezzo..simply because the gear shift is normally on the right and there's not enough space..

I would say is that it feels more natural to me on the left because for most people being right-handed, the right hand is what they use to brake and most keep that hand on or near the front brake lever. And that is obviously how the motor cuts out for most people, so I guess there's a safety benefit to left hand mounting of throttles and leaving the right hand free.

Whichever side it's on though, you still have to let go of it to make hand signals which is annoying and slows you down at give ways signs etc. We need proper indicator lights so you can flick a lever or press a button as you approach a turn

 

[Cyclezee]

It is ususally motor cycle riders or ex motor cycle riders who dislike left hand throttles.

A left hand throttle would be a problem on a motor cycle because many have left hand clutch lever and gear changing would be potentially dangereous.

My opinion is that in countries that drive on the left, the throttle should be on the left enabling the rider to use the throttle when signalling to make a right hand turn in traffic.

 

[funkylyn]

Mine is on the left.....seems like the most sensible place to me especially for the UK.....but I dont find it at all awkward when cycling abroad either.

Surely its not a huge deal breaker wherever the throttle is, Im just happy to have one


Lynda

 

[flecc]

Please, no more left hand throttles;it's like reversing the pedals in a car.If you have more than one bike it's dangerous.Motor cycles always have throttles on the right.

Rubbish!

As a lifelong motor cyclist I adapted to a left hand e-bike throttle immediately, riding both the e-bike and my motorbike over the same period without ever getting confused. The left hand throttle on an e-bike is a great safety feature, allowing clear r/h turn hand signals. Practical too, leaving the normal r/h gear controls unaffected.

What motorbikes have is irrelevant, they have foot gear changing and braking, and the majority of the public have never ridden a motorbike so wouldn't be used to a r/h throttle anyway.

Anyone who can't cope with this difference probably shouldn't be on the roads.

 

[muckymits]

Mine is on the left.....seems like the most sensible place to me especially for the UK.....but I dont find it at all awkward when cycling abroad either.

Surely its not a huge deal breaker wherever the throttle is, Im just happy to have one




Lynda

But think of the poor mites with inferior bikes who cant have one

 

[morphix]

When I did my first conversion I actually put the throttle on the right side first... and it just didn't feel right at all.. I quickly realised left was the sane place!

 

[funkylyn]

But think of the poor mites with inferior bikes who cant have one

But I thought your Wasp HAS a throttle Dave

Lynda

 

[muckymits]

But I thought your Wasp HAS a throttle Dave

Lynda

B***** orf leave my poor wasp alone

 

[funkylyn]

B***** orf leave my poor wasp alone

LOL.....you are SO sensitive Dave......if you dont want me to call your bike a Wasp you shouldnt have told me that was its nickname

Lynda

 

[funkylyn]

But think of the poor mites with inferior bikes who cant have one

I suppose you are talking about another particular 'poor mite' ( just call it a womans intuition lol ) ......thats not what I would call him

Lynda

 

[Scimitar]

Left-handed throttles are a thorough abomination and should be taken off and inserted sideways into the throttle orifice of the person who designed the bike that way.
Not my two cents - a sincerely held opinion.

 

[Cyclezee]

Left-handed throttles are a thorough abomination and should be taken off and inserted sideways into the throttle orifice of the person who designed the bike that way.
Not my two cents - a sincerely held opinion.

Wow, I am quite surprised at the level of passion raised by what I assumed was a non controversial thread.

We can supply left or right hand throttles for our bike and kit customers, but I have only ever been asked to do so for customers in mainland Europe.

 

[RoadieRoger]

And me Hoppy . After riding Motorcycles and Scooters with a RH throttle for 54 years , LH is a no no . Funny that, as I have ridden machines with LH and RH foot gear changes without any problems . I must have the hands of a pianist and the foot of a Footballer . No unfortunately I can`t play the piano .

 

[flecc]

I have ridden machines with LH and RH foot gear changes without any problems .

Ah, but could you cope with a r/h gate gear change on the side of the petrol tank? I can, as I used to ride older motorbikes like that. Maybe that's why I'm not troubled by l/h throttles. I even used to drive a truck which had the accelerator pedal between the clutch and brake pedals, that was fun!