Welcome to the board RDR!

I myself have also had the issue with my thumb cramping while riding a quad with a thumb throttle. I changed both my Quadracer and 400Ex to twist throttle setups because of thumb cramp.

I don't think you will have the same issue with the Pilot. This is either because of the angle that you hold the steering wheel or the fact that you don't have to hold the wheel as tight as a pair of handlebars, I think you will be pleasantly surprised that your thumb will not cramp up at all and will not need to change over to a foot operated throttle setup!

Rand

Quoting myself from 198???? before corporal punishment was outlawed. This was directed at my middle school principal who was missing a thumb. "THUMBS UP MR SMITH". OUCH that paddling still hurts!! Myself I get thumb fatigued after a romp in the trails on my Pilot. Check out this link if your digit get tired!! viewtopic.php?f=1&t=6924&p=60180&hilit=thumb+throttle#p60180

I just changed my 3wheeler to twist throttle because my thumb was killing me.Ive never had a problem with my thumb bothering me in the odyssey.Why did they start putting thumb throttles on everything,is it some sort of safety factor?I hate them,wish i had a twist throttle on my jetski also cause my thumb craps out on it also

My guess is why they changed over to thumb throttles on the quads is because you have to use a lot more "body english" to ride a quad than a motorcycle. It's a lot easier to operate the throttle with a thumb pad than a twist when you are hanging off the side of a quad due to an off camber situation.

Another issue is the amount of steering you have to use on a bike v/s a quad. A bike can be turned sharply by leaning the bike over and using a small amount of handlebar turning. All of a quads turning is done by turning the handlebars only. Try turning the handlebar on a quad to a full right turn and note your hand position.....it tends to make you let off the throttle.

Rand

I am old and have arhritis and the thumb throttle don't hurt as much as typing this...

I second this!!! Geritol anyone?

OMG you mean I'm hanging out with a bunch of OLD GUYS on this site! LOL

Rand

Noooo a bunch of OLD guy's are letting you hang out with us...