Driver Knowledge Tests Menu

If your throttle sticks while in traffic, what is the first thing you should do? If your throttle sticks while in traffic, what is the first thing you should do?

  • A. Sound your horn to warn other vehicles.

  • B. Rotate the throttle back and forth several times.

  • C. Immediately squeeze the clutch lever, turn off the engine at the cutoff switch and apply the brakes.

  •  
    The correct answer is C
     
    Correct. Squeezing the clutch will stop the motorcycle accelerating. Turning off the engine will stop it over revving. Then you can apply the brakes.
     
 
 
 
 

Fixing a sticky throttle on a motorbike

Most riders will encounter a sticky throttle at some time in their riding, especially if there's some off-road riding, or other riding in dirty conditions. A sticky throttle could be caused by worn cables, lack of lubrication in the cables or the cable getting bound up somewhere in the mechanism. Or it can be caused by an issue with the carburetor or EFI.

The cables can bind under the tank or in the handgrip. 

If the screws in the throttle housing are too tight it could cause the cable to stick.

If you have changed your bar ends to a different type and the throttle tube is right up against the bar end, this can cause it to stick.

A new set of cables is relatively cheap and is a better option than trying to lubricate old cables. You can use lubricant for a short time, but it won't fix the problem permanently.

This video shows you how to adjust your throttle cable.