Getting Touchy Over Throttle-By-Wire

Maybe I’m just a doofus when it comes to modern motorcycles. Or simply inept. But I inevitably scare myself nearly every time that I test ride a modern bike with “throttle-by-wire.” The instant on/instant off nature of the system makes “unintended acceleration” a common occurrence, and I’m lucky that I haven’t tossed myself off the back of the bike because of an unexpected throttle blip.

In a 2010 column in “Cycle World,” Kevin Cameron explained that the advantage of throttle-by-wire “is that it permits computer throttle modulation, necessary in the operation of cruise- , traction- or stability-control and other such systems, without having to physically overcome a mechanical throttle linkage and the driver or rider operating it. Instead, the operator indicates with the throttle control the power level desired, and the computer system modifies this command according to its ‘understanding’ of the situation and then uses a control motor to rotate the actual throttle shaft to the necessary angle.”

The disadvantage, at least in my case, is a lack of feel when it comes to delivery power to the rear wheel and abruptness when when power is delivered. I first noticed this when test riding a Triumph Tiger Explorer in 2012. I have short fingers, so I must reach a tad when grabbing the brake lever. Until I got used to the Explorer, every time that I reached for the brake my palm inadvertently rotated the throttle, sending the bike forward with a burst of speed.

Like I said, maybe I’m a doofus or inept, but throttle-by-wire struck me at the time as being potentially dangerous. My opinion hasn’t changed, although I have become more comfortable with it. A recent test ride of a new 2014 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 ABS came off without a hitch due to awareness and concentration.

Bob Rosen, who writes the Dealer Perspective column here, tells me the issue is more complex than merely a computer card that rolls on and rolls off the throttle; that fuel injection and the amount of gas allowed to burn at a given moment (due to emission regulations) contributes, too. That may be true, but when it comes to power delivery, I’m all for the old mechanical system.

ABS brakes? Great idea. LED lights? Super. Fuel injection over carbs? Yes siree. Throttle-by-wire? Forget it. Am I the only doofus?