MXA PRODUCT TEST: WIRTZ TWISTER THROTTLE TUBE

On Mar 15, 2006

WHAT IS IT?

A throttle tube that doesn’t rely on WD-40 for lubrication.

WHAT’S IT COST?

$36.95(800)-783-5859.

www.wirtz.net

WHAT’S IT DO?

Few things are more important than the throttle tube. How can we say that? That’s easy. If the throttle tube doesn’t move, bad things can happen. Ever had a stuck throttle? Then you know exactly what we’re talking about. If you said no, imagine heading toward a double that you’d normally coast over. Only this time, you’re wide open and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it. Sound like disaster? It is. That’s why it’s super important to make sure your throttle tube is as smooth as glass.

Normally this means taking it apart on a weekly basis, cleaning it with contact cleaner and finishing off the job with some WD-40. But that’s a thing of the past, thanks to the Wirtz throttle tube.

WHAT STANDS OUT?

Here’s a list of things that stand out with the Wirtz Twister throttle tube.

(1) Design. Instead of relying on lubrication to make throttle movement smooth, the Wirtz throttle uses a Teflon bushing and a ball bearing. If you have a good memory, you’ll remember we tested a throttle tube like this a few years ago by a company named Oberg. The Wirtz throttle is virtually identical to the Oberg.

(2) Installation. The Wirtz throttle tube installs like a traditional throttle tube, with one catchit has a small piece of metal with two O-rings that slides into the end of the handlebar. A simple squirt of WD-40 on the O-rings allowed the piece to slide into the end of the handlebar. The only handlebar we couldn’t get the Wirtz throttle tube on was from Universal. The metal with the O-rings was too big to go inside the end of the bar.

(3) Materials. Most aftermarket throttle tubes are CNC-machined out of a chunk of aluminum. Wirtz didn’t go that route. Their throttle tube is a cast piece. Don’t worry, it’s still aluminum. It’s just not as well finished as your typical aftermarket throttle tube, but it works just as well.

(4) Performance. You won’t find a smoother throttle tube on the market (unless you have an Oberg throttle tube). It eliminates all the drag that a Standard Issue throttle tube has. The Wirtz is smooth as silk.

WHAT’S THE SQUAWK?

Because the Wirtz Twister throttle tube is a cast piece, it has some flashing on it that makes it look rough around the edges. If you make a mistake installing the Wirtz throttleit will stick. We know.