How To Adjust Your Motorcycle Throttle Cable | MC Garage

Setting your motorcycle throttle free play is one of those really simple adjustments that can make your bike feel more responsive and make it easier to ride smoothly. In this video from the MC Garage, Ari walks you through the process of checking and adjusting your throttle slack. Don't worry, it's easy!
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Setting your throttle free play is one of those simple adjustments that can make your bike feel more responsive and make it easier to ride smoothly.
Most motorcycle manufacturers recommend about 2 to 3 millimeters of throttle free play, but over time the cables will stretch and settle into their housings and you’ll end up with more slack. When that happens it gets harder to smoothly feed in throttle since there’s a delay between when you twist your wrist and when the carburetors or throttle bodies actually begin to open. Don’t worry, you can change the amount of throttle free play and set the slack to exactly how you like it in these six simple steps.
Check Your Initial Throttle Cable Slack
To check the free play, roll the throttle forward until it stops and take note of the position, then gently open the throttle until you feel the tension on the cable. The distance from the closed position to the tension point is your free play. There are seams on most grips that work well as a reference point so you can eyeball the movement, but, if you want to be really thorough you can cut out masking tape pointers and stick them on the grip and the throttle housing. Then turn the throttle and measure the distance.
Find Your Adjusters
If the free play is out of spec there are two places that the cable slack can be adjusted. There are usually inline barrel adjusters (sometimes one on both the opening and closing cable, but often only on the opening cable) and adjusters down at the carbs or throttle bodies. Ther barrel adjusters on the cables are for fine-tuning the free play, while the adjusters down by the engine are for making larger adjustments. The adjusters lengthen or shorten the cable housing, which effectively changes the length of the inner cable that’s doing the pulling.
Make Small Changes At The Barrel Adjuster
For minor free-play adjustments, use the inline adjusters. Just slide the rubber cover off, loosen the locknut, and turn the barrel adjuster to achieve the desired free play. A dab of silicone lubricant will make reinstalling the boot easier.
Make Larger Changes At The Adjuster In The Engine Bay
Now, if setting the free play put either of the inline adjusters at the end of its range so it’s only holding on with a few threads, or if you can’t get the right free play using the inline adjusters, you’ll need to finagle the adjusters down in the engine bay. It’s the same basic procedure as working with inline adjusters, except the ones down by the engine are harder to access and a little more tedious to adjust.
Verify Throttle Cable Is Not Too Tight
Once you’ve set the slack, swing the steering from lock to lock and verify that the throttle doesn’t tighten up on you. Then start the bike and turn the bars lock to lock again and check that the idle doesn’t change. If it rises, check the cable routing to make sure it isn’t kinked or binding, and recheck and adjust the free play if needed. This is important!
Check If Your Cable Is Kinked Or Pinched
If the idle rises, that could mean you don’t have enough free play, but it’s also worth checking the cable routing to make sure that it isn’t kinked or getting pinched. A happy throttle cable is a precise throttle cable and vice versa.
Read the full walkthrough on Motorcyclist: www.motorcyclistonline.com/how-to-check-and-adjust-your-motorcycle-throttle/
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00:24 What should my throttle free play be?
00:45 How do I check the throttle free play?
01:17 Where do I adjust throttle free play slack?
01:28 What does changing my throttle cable tightness do?
02:10 Adjusting throttle slack with the inline adjusters
02:55 Check the ability to turn the handlebar without pinching the throttle cable

[@Anhjje]

This is one of the best series on youtube regarding DIY bike repairs and maintenance. No dubstep intros, 15 min diatribes. Straight to the point, clear and concise explanations. You deserve more viewers, unfortunately genuinely informative content is rarely appreciated on youtube.

[@TheFireblade1000RR]

agree...

[@motobob]

Yep these vids are awesome

[@KurumaDesigns]

Agree! Love them!

[@exothermal.sprocket]

NO DUBSTEP!!! The best feature about this channel ever!!!

[@utkarshpandey2231]

Modustollens1 may sound dumb but can you tell me what is a dubstep

[@JoeJoeMoto]

So comprehensive in such a short video. Well done.

[@t.s.racing]

Ari, as a Master Tech, custom bike builder and drag racer of over 40 years, if I had a dollar for every bike I worked on that had too little or too much free play in their throttle cable/cables, I'd be filthy rich. In fact MORE frightening, are incorrectly adjusted clutch cables. In my humble opinion a much more serious situation, resulting in much more serious consequences and a expensive repair bill. GREAT VIDEO AGAIN HOPEFULLY PEOPLE ARE WATCHING AND LEARNING. 🏍🇺🇸🏍🇺🇸🏍

[@58gennaro]

I have a 900 Vulcan. Low speed maneuvers are enjoyable, so i guess i have the correct adjustments on throttle and clutch. However i'm having a hard time with my just acquired Nomad. Idles at 1000 RPMs and touch the throttle and right to 2500-3000. Clutch doesn't feel right either. Makes it hard to stay in the friction Zone. Just checked and had about 6 mm of free play. adjusted to 3. I'll have to search clutch adjustment. Glad i saw your comment. If i can't resolve it, i'll have a pro do it. Season is almost over here.

[@toothpik00]

The final tip about lock-to-lock pressure on the throttle cable confirmed a suspision about my bike. RPM climbs on right lock. Now I know what to do to try and fix it. Thanks!

[@toothpik00]

And it's now fixed. Thanks again.

[@FlipsGTS]

PIK i

[@iamsospicy3309]

Just stopping here to say 7 years later this first time rider is watching this to try to fix my right lock throttle stick and rise. Content longevity on point haha.

[@toothpik00]

@@iamsospicy3309 7 years already... How time has flown. That bike got stolen from me..now I've got a 1998 VFR800

[@amolp3434]

Pleasant music that doesn't overwhelm the content .. You guys got it all figured out

[@Fierces17]

Probably many people say this: You are really good at explaining, quick and simple. Also you guys have a great way to film the videos which gives you a better view on how to do the procedure. Hope you can continue doing these tutorials. Thank you a lot guys!

[@fusselmusgesicht22]

Tank's guy's, as a newbie I thought I was tu dumb to use my throttle. Turns out I had way to much play. Keep up that good videos!

[@biscuit8038]

Thank you for being a no bull simple to follow teacher. Your videos are amongst the best I've seen

[@WillysPerformanceCycleCtr]

Nice job! Excellent point in regard to testing movement at idle.

[@SirSpinalColumn]

Yeah man, as a new rider I never would have thought of that.

[@deepnamdev5744]

Best youtuber I can say. No advertising. No hello , just the content viewers actually want to see.

[@iantully1566]

Just refitted a new throttle cable and it was feeling tighter than usual, this will fix it. thanks for the video

[@Lombardiclese]

I just recently bought a '17 FZ-07 so all of this information has been incredibly helpful. Thank you!

[@lintraharrington2394]

Why did it take me so long to find this damn channel!?!?!?!?!?!

[@bobbyboule6223]

Lintra Harrington too much time watching gay porn.

[@davidrespect6471]

@@bobbyboule6223 Lmao dead XDDD

[@shiva_rocky]

then like share subscribe

[@Squiddles_]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! The throttle on my honda shadow felt a bit sloppy before, but now is in a much better position. Awesome guide!

[@Dowent]

I eventually started adjusting the throttle free play based on the use-case. I leave 0 for gymkhana, along with really high idle 4000rpm, but get idle down to 900 rpm with considerable free play on the track, to avoid accidentally applying throttle when leaning far (my shoulder is toast, so my hand sometimes twitches on its own :D ). It´s really great that a new rider these days can just look up a 3 minute video and know right away what to do :) .

[@barbaraperrottashaw4965]

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[@petzkhie]

Thanks for this. I purchased a new 8" handle bar and the installers did not bother fixing my 25mm throttle pre-play, I was able to fix it with this vid.

[@TomasUjhelyi]

These videos are amazing. As others have stated they're short, sweet and to the point. Will be recommending to fellow riders at work - keep it up!

[@AriH211]

I'm glad you like them, and thanks for the recommendation.

[@Fertep]

Thanks. Things do not seem easy until you see a video of MC garage. Just adjust the slag and it really hepl my driving

[@john.connor1]

Thankyou for making this video, my throttle has been annoying the hell out of me but now I know how to adjust it.

[@ndvsss1]

This is one of the big bang for buc fix. So much enjoyable to ride after the fix.

[@Rowdy_Bikes]

I like my free play at 0.0

[@markbour]

Yup - as long as it doesn't rev when the bars are turned, zero free play makes for the smoothest use for me.

[@DarkHorse08]

Scooterider1 Don't ride track do you…

[@DarkHorse08]

Mark B You neither huh…

[@Rowdy_Bikes]

One2 No but I do ride very aggressive.

[@TanmayChhatbarR]

Just curious, why would more play be better for track? Thanks.

[@davidtsw]

Sweet. Thanks a lot! Turned out to be very helpful for me. I don´t have a whole lot of experience with bikes and the FZ150i I´m riding here in Vietnam was giving me a pain every time I tried to accelerate smoothly. Now I know why. I wish local Yamaha mechanics had noticed this earlier and not waited for me to tell them to adjust the throttle free play but at least I can now enjoy more control over the bike.

[@ndvsss1]

Wow. It never even crossed my mind to make this simple fix. Thanks for the tip.

[@trigerfingr]

Ariel and Zack are top notch. I have read there writing long before On Two Wheels was here. Great job keeping it fun, providing some laughs and delivering awesome information!

[@trigerfingr]

Ari...Damn phone

[@TanManFixes]

great video. I love problems that can be solved in 20 seconds LOL. It keeps me motivated.

[@GiorgioAresu]

Didn't buy my first bike (will in a couple of months) yet but I'm watching all your videos, they're great! Keep it up, man!

[@GiorgioAresu]

Ari Henning yes, I have more or less 10 year experience with a 50cc and 125cc vespa (old ones with manual transmission and carburetor), this will just be my first big bike :) can't wait

[@tjardosymens]

This is the best Bike Channel that I have ever came across - Loving it ! This Channel will reach 1M easily

[@shiladityaray3137]

People posting shitty vblogs have so many subscribers......And this guy teaching essential things about motorcycle has only this much subscribers.........Anyways good video as always.....

[@mickeypopa]

+Ari Henning And you deserve every view because you're awesome! :)

[@RowdyCA]

Its because the viewers understands clearly so that they go straightaway to their garages to adjust their bikes.. they forget to subscribe...

[@PoorCoyotee]

Really loving the quick action throttles, only 22mm for full opening, maybe not so smart with a powerful streetbike but on a supermoto its amazing.

[@4141ca]

Clutch cable adjustment pls!

[@salemcitadel]

Thanks for making the video short and straight to the point

[@amarjyotsingh4861]

The best channel i ever seen in you tube...all bikes...thanks man you help so much to learning about the bikes🤘

[@jcmartinez7527]

Thank you! I know it's obvious for some but I was scared to touch those. Really was that easy. I had so much free play it wasn't really possible to rev-match while on the brakes...

[@QuestionLata]

Seriously you guys have put together the best motorcycle DIY stuff out there. Thanks for taking the time to do it so professionally.

[@sebasnu1]

Man I've been looking this for months since it felt weird at my throttle, insta like ¡Thank you MC Garage!

[@BucketWheat]

Something I DEFINITELY needed to do..!! Over the few years I have owned my bike, the free-play gradually increased... It was so gradual, that I didn't really notice...until I was off of the bike for about 6 months -- due to knee surgery -- and the first time I got back on, it become 'obvious' to me! It DOES make it next to impossible to make a smooth 'roll on' coming thru a turn and I could feel that little 'dead zone' and my "smooth" roll-on became more sudden because my "smooth zone" was consumed by moving thru the 'slack zone'...

[@8lives873]

Thank god.. just got my first bike, 2021 Sv650 and it’s so jumpy I was never going to be comfortable. Just went out and checked and it’s at almost 15mm. So glad I wasn’t just ass

[@vjndrashz]

Bro I love ur accent! Especially wen u say that "MC GARAASSH" Awesome voice as well! Ur videos are very useful, one can get lot of knowledge as well. Keep the good work! Goodluck cheers!

[@hamzterix]

Very useful information mate! Thanks a lot now I got one very important winter project specifically for a Speed Triple owner throttle response is always tricky at lower speed. Keep the rubber side down mate.

[@LionTheHeart]

Got about quarter to half Inch of play...thank you, I'll have a go!

[@willemvdmerwe3685]

Awesome!! Best advice i ever got from someone.

[@Skyerzen]

These videos are the bomb! Clear, Quick, Entertaining and Informative!

[@InvictvsNox]

Love it. Will this procedure be the same on the FZ09/XSR900?

[@Revanger133]

your mc garage videos are really helpful and easy to understand - pls keep up the good work! greeting from germany

[@halolucifer2119]

I need to replace me throttle cable this is a huge help thank you.

[@renostubbs8504]

Love tou channel,thank you dor all tour videos. I am experiencing an issue. My nephew and I cleaned the carburetor on the yamaha ybr 125 now the thorttle wont give gas to the bike. What does this sound like?

[@daaknait]

Thanks for these basic tips, they really help. After trying these things out, I feel kinda dumb not to have figured them out earlier, as they are so simple.

[@MrIzzy5466]

2-3mm of free play. The CBR125 I rode at the driving school had about 2-3 INCHES of free play...It sucked

[@affan381]

it may have only 1 cable connected...

[@SheIITear]

@@affan381 One cable? Isn't 125cc with single carb so why would it have more than one cable?

[@affan381]

@@SheIITear bikes can have only one carb.... cbr125 is fuel injected and normally fuel injected bikes use 2 accelerator cable, it has to do with the design of throttle valve mostly, there are 2 cables 1 goes clockwise and other anticlockwise, if you use 1 cable it could still work but u are usually left with a huge play to deal with... according to my experience.. i personally had that issue.. coz not every mechanic knows how to deal with 2 cables so they do what they can

[@SheIITear]

@@affan381 Not all cbrs are fuel injected. Only newer ones than 2008. Also bikes can have 2 carbs.

[@affan381]

@@SheIITear i assumed it was fuel injected even if it wasn't doesnt matter... it could still have 2 cables. He may have different problem though you never know.. And bikes/car can have multiple injectors for each cylinders but never more than1 fuel pump or carburetor...

[@aakash4351]

Once i had the same problem, twisting the handle make idle to rise. But at that time i didn't know what was wrong. Thanks you make good video.

[@hamzterix]

aakash singh Idle speed rising by twisting the throttle is normal mate.

[@aakash4351]

hamzterix haha i'm not talking about throttle, i'm talking about tilting the handle bar right.

[@MikeDCWeld]

hamzterix no. Idle speed should *always* stay constant. Twisting the throttle revs the engine, moving the rpms _above_ idle. Fluctuating idle speed indicates a problem.

[@davidrivera390]

I really enjoy your videos and find them easy to follow. I just picked up an R1S and want to do it myself on mine.....as I ride if I hit a bump my hand moves and that sensitive throttle twists and she jumps forward. Will this fix that?

[@karls2091]

Easiest to understand by far! Thanks

[@pseutube]

Cant believe you have 663k subs with such great content, subbed!

[@steve_jekrides_mc5575]

Awesome vid, and on the bike I own. Just learning about bikes and your vid was a big help!!

[@dbss206]

Ari... your hand is ok now... thanks God for the quick recovery

[@whisperdancer]

George Tsiros and the distance is proportional to the length of the tape. Where do we measure free play? In the grip where we hold our hands? In the larger thumb protection diameter? Because the value will be very different...

[@Siper2]

Sweet, definitely something I need to check out! Happy New Year, Ari. :-]

[@grren1782]

This is one of the reasons I love carbureted engines. There's a lot more room for fiddling with throttle play. You can get it to 0 with a lot less work then something injected and you can even up your throttle resistance if you're good

[@davealmeida9786]

don't think I've ever checked my throttle free play, and it's so easy to do

[@500honda1000]

Thnx this is the best advice I've seen on YT by far.!

[@rolandtiiroja]

I used to set the freeplay to 0mm and yes it's much better than too much freeplay, but lately I've set it around 2 mm to have a better control when going from 0% throttle to 1%

[@banius03]

Excellent video! Answered all my questions.

[@rezasyahzan]

How do you remove/reduce throttle jiggle (sideways movement of the throttle, not much but enough to be annoying)?

[@carx2828]

When I saw it was a Mt07 I felt so grateful and lucky

[@theonlyname4utoob]

You guys have the quality content, thanks!

[@Allanfrancisxavier]

this video was perfect

[@VictorNolochemical]

Hey Ari, can you do a video on clutch adjustment on smaller displacement engines. Thanks for great vids

[@redrocketz1513]

MC garage I'd like to see a video talking about timing chain tension adjustments!

[@John_Ridley]

I was just last night wondering how much free play there should be. This is my first bike and I don't have any idea where it's supposed to be. Wonder how Google knew I wanted to watch this video? :) I've added it to my 4000 mile inspection. Thanks!

[@apcedric6331]

Please make a videos on ride by wire freeplay adjustment

[@kiwiandyt123]

Great video - thanks so much for putting this information on the net in such an easy-to-understand way!

[@pandeysiddhartha]

Hey Ari, I do watch your videos. very informative, thank you. I need a help though with my Ktm Duke 390. Is this default that while turning my 390's handle lock to lock clutch cable not the throttle seems to be getting stretched at some or other points. I even checked with new bikes also and also with my fellow riders also. But this seems to be same with every one of us. Please guide and if possible please upload some videos related to 390 also.😊

[@polong99]

Hey Ari. How about explaining regarding Quick shifting in motorcycle

[@neiljohnson5351]

Excellent channel. No BS intros and other fluff. Down to business at the get go!

[@aaronbehindbars]

Too much throttle play drives me CRAZY! It is something way too common on new bikes on the showroom floor and on used bikes. I don't understand how people live with it and I see bikes with 12-20 mm of free play. Inconceivable!

[@Kaspurr84]

So true, just recently I grabbed ahold of the throttle on one of my friends bikes, and it was like a well up inch of play, im like dude... dude, he's like oh thats good you want lots of play.. no man just no.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

HA! Blipping the throttle on a downshift would require a person to swing their arm about a whole foot. Guess what that does to the steering? haha

[@littlechicken963]

Aaron Fink I know I'm a tech . So every bike that I put on the sales floor has no slop . Same with clutch cables . On new bikes I squeeze the lever about twenty times then adjust the free play

[@mattsalassalas3883]

Aaron Fink I just bought a 2017 yz450f brand new.it had to much slack for my liking

[@aquilesvailo4786]

dam 20mm? that's nuts.

[@AbcdEf-hw6lh]

Very good explain anation regarding minute details

[@dinorenthlei5474]

Absolutely love MC Garage.

[@ChaosBW]

I got about 1 inch of freeplay. I think I'll adjust it later idk I am too lazy.

[@Yasinx63]

became a fan a while ago!! please make videos more often

[@vancehorn6322]

Worked great for me. Great tutorial, thank you.

[@mikeofmanymikes2630]

AWESOME VIDEO. VERY HELPFUL. WOW. BEST ON KZbin!

[@l33tster]

God bless man. This turned my 07 Kawasaki Vulcan 500's throttle from total ass to kick-ass Awesome video! These have all been super handy for me as I'm just getting into riding

[@aloisius4188]

No thottle play, or at least no more than 1-2 mm, is the way I like it. With more play than that, on a start from a green light, the revs kinda surprise you sudden like. With no play, you can roll on the throttle for a smooth and graceful start, very professional feeling.

[@deviantvideos]

I usually move the bars first to find the tightest point on the play then adjust accordingly

[@stimmungaudio-visual850]

Hello, great video, can you explain how to increase idle RPM´s I have a BMW c600 idle rpms is too low somethimes it shoots itsef off

[@shift2music181]

Can you do the same on how to adjust the clutch cable and cluth freeplay?

[@glytch101]

how manny months does cable throttle last before it snaps? And what maintenance can you do to your cable throttle to make it twist smoothly and last longer?

[@AlienationIsReal]

most bikes have adjustment on both cables. i never know what was to adjust first and how to adjust the other once this is set. I was hoping this video was going to show that.

[@daltonwilliams6297]

Best videos on KZbin. Keep em coming 👍🏼

[@ae70gts]

why is there a 2nd cable on the throttle? is this some kind of safety feature? i see this on newer bikes 2017 and later.... thanks!!

[@YSPDJapan]

How is the throttle supposed to return when you let it go? By having an alternate cable that provides tension in the opposite direction. :)

[@DarwinAllen]

It is in fact a safety feature. If there's ever an issue with a return spring popping off you're not stuck with an open throttle, you can manually crank it closed since it's a pull/pull system.

[@DarwinAllen]

@@YSPDJapan I've never heard of a throttle that can't close without a second cable. They're generally sprung at the throttle body / carb. Single throttle cables are actually super common on a lot of stuff still. Have a look at a lawnmower. The second cable is purely for safety.

[@muhammadabdullah03]

Some bikes have a dual throttle system, one cable controls the left side of the engine and the other controls the right side. Or one cable is for accelerating and the other is for decelerating( also to allow the throttle to return back to the central position when you let off the throttle).

[@muhammadabdullah03]

@@DarwinAllen throttle bodies have a return spring, this allows the throttle valve to close( rolling forward or letting go of the throttle). All of this is done Mechanically( cable controlled).

[@dukero8172]

what about electronic throttle like the 2018 duke 390 ride by wire system?

[@dapper.moto85]

Yes, please verify if this applies to ride-by-wire systems.

[@daaknait]

Yep, I was gonna ask the same thing.

[@dawidlech8301]

Please can you make a video of how to tight up the break and clutch lever. Mine are swinging up and down too much

[@Thomas-us4wq]

@Motorcyclist Magazine In your next video you should show us how to upgrade suspension of a bike and help us evaluate if it's worth it.. Not many videos of the topic on youtube now, but companies such as Hyperpro, Racetech, Öhlins ect. do sound interesting.

[@brkbyg]

So how does free play takes effect a "ride by wire" throttle? Can it loosen up like a conventional throttle and has to be tightened like that or should we do something else to set it up?

[@iSangreVerde]

As always, excellent video!

[@ranjirhodes]

Can you talk about the 2017 RC 390 or the duke 390

[@ashwinkumar6728]

Man I love you guys ......

[@Adrian-spem]

Thanks once again

[@KJ-qd4zz]

great simple videos man, good job as always

[@ryanconnors6879]

Can't find a good measuring tool around the house? I just used a 3mm allen key and made sure the play was right under the diameter.

[@robbiewhelan]

These are brilliant videos

[@brickson98m]

This reminds me I need to take care of that on my bike. It's got just a tad bit more free play than I'd like