The Personal Blog Of
Boston Motorcycle Lawyer

Motorcycle Throttle Accessories Reduce Hand Fatigue and Cramping
August 6, 2009

If you’ve ever ridden long distance, you’ve felt the stiffness in your throttle hand that comes from maintaining your grip for an extended period of time. Even if your bike has cruise control, you’ve found that you can’t use it all the time. And if you don’t have cruise control–well, forget about it.

Several inexpensive motorcycle accessories are available, however, that will reduce hand fatigue and cramping.

Throttle Locks vs. Throttle Levers

One way to provide relief to your throttle hand is with a throttle lock. Depending on the model, the lock fits on your throttle either between the switch housing and the grip or on the end of your grip. When pressed or rotated closed, the lock clamps your throttle into its current position, allowing you to relax your grip or remove your hand entirely.

An o-ring style lock, such as the Vista Motorcycle Cruise Control, is easy to operate with your thumb. (Check out this “universal fit” model at AeroStitch.) A rotating bar-end style lock requires more skill to operate.

If the lock fits on the end of the grip, and, thus, the end of the handlebar, chances are it also is weighted to reduce handlebar vibration. This lock will be sold with a twin weight that is installed on the brake side of the handlebar. !!!Manic Salamander in Minneapolis, MN, sells a version of this product.

The biggest drawback with a throttle lock is that it locks the throttle open. You have to manually unlock the device and force the throttle to close to slow down or stop safely. In addition, tools and/or assembly are required to install the product.

Another way to provide relief to your throttle hand is with a throttle lever, such as the one sold by CrampBuster in Grants Pass, OR. This device allows you to relax your grip while operating the throttle with the palm of your hand. Best of all, it doesn’t lock the throttle open.

Because the level simply fits over your grip, no tools are required for installation.

Throttle Rocker in Boulder Creek, CA, also sells a version of this motorcycle accessory.