Do you have a problem with RTS (Runaway Throttle Syndrome)? You know, the tendency of that little right-hand grip to accelerate “all on its own†leaving you smiling past the scenery at triple digit speeds. I hate that! (I particularly hate it when it’s called to my attention by well-meaning peace officers).
If you have this problem, and/or are only recently graduated from RTS Rehab, you should avoid California Highway 166. Especially, the 80-mile run from Route 101, near Santa Maria, to Maricopa. It’s a piece of rural roadway in Central California that has some inexplicable throttle-winding properties that continue to bewitch that right handgrip into the high-amusement zone regardless of the rider’s best intentions.
It’s one of those roads that I’ve ridden so many times I’m sometimes afraid I’ll kill the thrill. Regardless, I keep trying to bear enough discipline on that throttle to keep it from getting too independent. Alas, it only seems to get more difficult with greater road familiarity.
Fortunately, the route is periodically patrolled by the good guys who give out hand-written prescriptions to RTS, although I’ve found their intended remedy is mostly short lived. More significantly, a side effect of such a prescription is the requirement of a deduction from your bank account.
So why is RTS so pervasive on this road?
I don’t know for sure. Perhaps some kind of space alien influence? I can only conjecture that there is something very funny about this valley that so victimizes otherwise responsible motorcyclists. Sure, it could be argued that it looks pretty innocent. The roadway meanders enchantingly by way of a number of long sweepers and a series of equally fine twisties that keep the smile factor mode in full application.
In fact, not surprisingly, most of this route has earned the California Scenic Highway badge represented by the colorful “poppy” signage. No doubt due to the Los Padres Padres National Forest and its Sierra Madres Mountains along the south that watch over Route 166. As well, the Caliente Range, Carrizo Plain National Monument, and the San Adreas Fault all hang out north of Highway 166, adding their own bit of magic to the mix.
Route 166 is also known as the Cuyama Highway: rightfully so, as it winds along the Cuyama River through the Cuyama Valley. And if that’s not enough “Cuyama†for you, there are also the towns of Cuyama and New Cuyama, the latter existing as the primary source of food and gas in this area. New Cuyama could just as well be called Instant Cuyama, since even with the throttle under severe disciplinary restraint, you will fly by that fast.
And by the way, what the heck does “Cuyama†mean?
Would you believe it’s a Chumash Indian word for “clam�
Hard to imagine a clam could ever find its way into this serene valley surrounded by mountain crests, rolling hills, and dry grasses. It seems the Cuyama namesake is derived from millions of petrified prehistoric clamshells spread out in the surrounding areas. Hmmmm, perhaps now we are getting at something important. Could it be that these are some kind of space-alien-transported-shells that account for the unique source of magnetic agitation to Runaway Throttle Syndrome? Alert the media!
Regardless, if you are prone to RTS, Highway 166 is definitely a road to avoid (at least until all these shells are located and removed).
The name of the website is Motorcycle-Intelligence,com, right? So use some intelligence and live longer. Amusing as the article about RTS may be, if you don’t listen to the little voices inside and outside your head, you may end up as a statistic carved on a slab of marble. The law of averages is against riding like there’s no tomorrow. I stook a spill going only about 20 miles per hour back in the days before helmets; 1949 to be exact, and ended up with a skinful of cinders and some torn clothes. That taught me not to lose focus on my riding. Following a friend at a speed that made me airborne on a country road intersection, years later, I learned another scary lesson, and immediately slowed down to a more sensible speed. At 79, I’m still riding and hope to continue for another 10 years or so. Being alive is better. Ride safely. The undertaker can wait.
If you have RTS it’s means two things…your a biker and there is no cure… Just accept it and enjoy the ride
Paul, keep your clam eating fantasies to yourself, some of us like hotdogs =P
I use to ride in this area and we would stop at the Rock House but I can not remember what road it was on . Can you help
Just made a two & Half run up Hwy 64 in Tn from Memphis to Savanah this past Saturday. If any west Tessesseans reading this have traveled this route then you know about Oakland Tn a notorious speed trap. It was the first time I took a ride for this amount of time and knew I would need some help with the throttle. I bought the simplest cruise control I have ever seen. Took me about ten minutes to get used to it and I would have to tweak it every once in a while to keep the throttle where it needed to be but it made the ride perfect. Bike held constant speed no problem and took care of the cramping in my hand as well.
i loved rts bike or car i ran to hard the bike loss all compression just a little 350 one lunger back in the day most cop cars could not go much over 85mph slowed now 100mph is about all i can handle days have past now i like to enjoy the ride.
Perhaps it is named “CLAM” in reference to the sweetest part of the female anatomy? If it is such a sweet place to be……
I Never got a RTS presription till I got my 02 Night train. I think its the road gods!!
ido not understand you folks out in calif. if your bitching park the bike. if not go faster thats why you bought the bike and not a scooter.
RTS is a serious problem. I used to be afflicted by it on highway 36 between Paso Robles and Hwy 1 in California. Also on Hwy 1 between San Luis Obispo, Ca. and Monterey, Ca.
I once made it in 90 minutes. I should have wised up when I passed the Cautious Porsche.
I have run all over southern IL. MO., AR,TN.,KY, and IN. not to mention a few other states and I can tell ya there are a few roads that will definitly induce RTS. Perhaps the best ones were the ones that I found while just picking a direction and going thataway and never looking back yet at some point I would find the familiar stretch and in mid-grin realize that I had been there before which made the experience all that much better.
Last Summer I travelled across the country from the Atlantic Ocean in Massachusetts to the Pacific Ocean in Oregon. Whilr my RTS began to seriously show signs of worsening when I was crossing Montana (I was cruising at 95 – 100 MPH), it wasn’t until I rode over Lolo Pass from Lolo, Mt to Lewiston, ID that it reached the Critical stage. 100 miles of incredible twisty road that took complete control of my throttle hand, and has left me scarred and disfigured with this silly s**t eating grin on my face. Of course, one of Oregon’s Finest saw fit to aid me in my distress a few days later, but I’m afraid that it was a case of too little too late.
you guys should try ride in Malaysia and go up to Vietnam.. it is very interesting journey in asia…
I now have the RTS in submission. Temps below zero icy roads, a bitter cure. However if it isn’t one affliction it’s another. I now suffer from PMS. (parked motorcycle syndrome). I’ll just tuff it out till Spring. and welcome the RTS. over this other ailment
There is NO KNOWN CURE FOR RTS! If you are living on the edge ,you are taking up too Damm much space! It’s not the Destination- It’s the Journey !!
There is a nice little stretch of road between Luckenbach Texas and Blanco. 1888/165. Excellent surface, low traffic, lots of sweepers. For years I was easily carried away into triple digits in this area. When riding with a buddy one day he asked me, “if I like to ride so much, why am I in such a hurry to get it over with?” I thought about. I mean I was spending alot of time viewing nothing but yellow and white lines. The next time I took this route I slowed down and realized that the 165 followed a river!
RTS is the blame for my MTS 1200 needing new rear tire @ 4,000 miles Can’t get the grin off my face. 166 is greeat route also Hwy 58 W to Santa Margarita IMHO
Last week I had the privilege of riding my 07 Suzuki m50 from Springfield Mo. to Tulsa OK. The reason for my midday road trip was to trade my Suzuki for an 06 Yamaha FJR 1300. What a sweet ride! The guys at the dealership asked me how much experience I had had with the FJR. I said that I had never even sat on one before. After completing the necessary paper work, it was time for my maiden voyage. The Oklahoma turnpike is straight and 75mph(minimum). My m50 would do 75 or 80 if I pushed it hard, but the FJR is quite another matter. RTS quite possibly could be its middle name. I found myself having to work at staying under 90. Since I44 carries a lot of semis, I found myself forced to pass a few of them. I never do like to hang out in the no zone, so when I pass a truck I feel it is only safe to get around quickly. At the left rear of a certain tractor trailer, I was at 85. A hefty pull on the throttle and I was in excess of 110 when I had cleared the cab of the big rig. Yes I believe the RTS had me in its grip that day. Later I sobered up (so to speak)and decided I would also like to live to see more good days of riding, so I will not be lulled by this syndrome as easily in the future(I hope).
Try the ALCAN Highway…1,700 miles of high speed sport touring in the triple digits…that’s 3-4 days 400+ miles per day of pure RTS….turn around at Fast Eddy’s in Tuk Alaska and do the return trip.
I just let it rip and hang on for the ride. Life is just to short to worry about the little things. Most of the time I cruise around 60 MPH and enjoy the ride. I enjoy my every day commutes and I ride everyday year round.
I’ve been riding quite a bit the past 5 years, and RTS isn’t a problem with me. I guess it’s my age (69). I enjoy riding the roads less traveled, through the mountains of East Ky, Virginia and West Virginia. Each curve I make I feel a sense of satisfaction. I practice slow turns and stops and starts. Motorcycle riding is what I am passionate about now days.
I have similar problems here in New England, except mine stems from hot Bluegrass Banjo I listen to most of the time. On the highway, Cruse Control is the answer, (usually at about 75 MPH traffic permitting of course). In the twisties usually the foot boards sparking on blacktop tends to wake me up and slow down.
I have bouts with RTS on my commute, which includes the I210 International Raceway where doing 75mph in the middle lane gets you passed on both sides. Being overdue for a valve adjustment and pondering whether you really want to push the engine hard seems to help. There are also various FDA approved psychiatric drugs to treat RTS. Side effects may include nausea, stomach aches, sleep disturbances, dizziness, headaches, suicidal impulses, violent impulses, dry mouth, sexual dysfunction, and reckless driving.
Solve the problem entirely with a Benelli X50 scooter. At 4.5 hp, I stay on minor roads for obvious reasons. But, the Benelli is super cool, and I enjoy it immensely. I rode fast Triumphs in the 60s. Now, I much prefer to stay alive.
Here’s my cure for RTS – Cruise Control. I just fitted one to my ST 1050. Somehow the speed limit with cruise engaged seems relaxing were without it was just boring. Grab some gas around the fun twisty bits then ease it back and let cruise take over at the set speed.
I live in the SF bay area. I avoid most of the freeways, except 85 and 87, because they are way too fast for my bike. Up here I ride Hwy’s 9 and 35, sometimes 84 and 92. Once in awhile I’ll use 101 since the cars never do the speed limit anyway. Never use 280 or 880 though. HWY 166 is just TOO FAST for me. I mean at 166mph things are going by a little too quick for me. OH, am I reading the wrong sign officer? LMAO :-).
The easiest cure for RTS is a nice sized bill from the Sate of California. It’s yellow and you can barely read it but it costs a lot. I happened to be having a bit too much fun on Hiway 33 on my way to Hiway 166 when one of California’s finest decided that I was having waaaaayy too much fun. After a quick realization that I was going to be busted for the ‘high giggle factor’ ride I pulled over and had my helmet off and paperwork ready by time the officer pulled up behind my parked Triumph. The officer was a nice young man, thanked me for not making him chase me up the hill…as if if he could have caught me..however, there are more than one CHP officer’s on HWY 33 on a Sunday morning…even though I was in the triple digit zone (well above the ‘going to jail zone’ for reckless driving) the officer said he would only give me a ticket for going 75MPH in a 55MPH zone..how nice. However, he wrote the ticket for 76MPH, which…doubled the fine. Don’t you just love the California Highway Revenue Generators…I mean Patrol….
Remember..safety first
Whilst not completely curing RTS I find that after a track day session at full noise it can be kept under control – for awhile least. Also a good weekend out on the dirt bikes letting RTS run it’s course appears also to subdue the symptoms temporarely through the week.
Ride it like you stole it!
ALthough I’ve yet to discover a true “cure”, I’ve found that very small, “slow” bikes can help with the incidence of RTS.
Mind, not the symptoms, only the incidence and temptation to “roll throttle”.
I like your description of RTS . It makes for a much more “believeable” read than some of the uncredible stories on the TV ( involving 4 wheeled vehicles ) .
I also enjoyed the response from Mild Mannered Martin .Thanks for CRC .
Alas, after four years in norhtern Japan, I have discovered no cure for RTS. I have tired and tried, searching to the tips of Honshu noth, east and west. The twistiest roads by square mile I have found in all the world! Probably because the whole country is a mountain. Narry a good guy to be seen on any road until you arrive at the more populated towns; possibly a bit like West Virginia. I fear that my now unfettered case of RTS will lead to many difficulties when I return to the States. Thanks for the therapy!
ahhhh, the sound of the harley pipes, the heat from the exhaust, the engine, the wind, fresh air, scenery, if your a true motorcyclist, it can be controlled, but there is those times that it gets ahold of you. Be alert, safe, and eyes totally open
I did have a case of genuine RTS with a Suzuki T250 in the early ’70’s. I had dropped the bike when a curving high speed road turned to thick gravel half way round an 80 mph bend – I didn’t see the sign! This was followed by a drenching downpour. I then got lost in NZ’s largest city, trying to cross the harbour bridge in heavy traffic. Every time I slowed to idle, the revs wound up until it was near redline after a minute. I ended up dumping the clutch and shooting out on a red light.
Turns out my carb slides were sticking after the soaking they got. Cure? CRC, and plenty of it.
I now have a little Yamaha 223 single, only 19 hp, and if I whack the throttle open, nothing bad happens. Anything over 40 hp is too much for my inner hooligan to resist!
Luckily for me I started with smaller street bikes and over the years have pretty much gained control over my RTS attacks. Every so often I do get hit by an RTS event that I did not see coming, in almost two years I have had the Bandito there has only been twice I did not catch on it being an RTS moment prior to hitting triple digits.
Aside from leasons learned a few other thing help me keep my RTS in check. I am allergic to to HIP (higher insurance payments). I am deathly afraid of DADD (dumb @ss distracted drivers) and the simple fact that the road IS NOT a race track.
I’ve found that in my younger years, alcohol played a large part in my RTS. As I’ve gotten older (wiser), I’ve found that RTS isn’t as difficult to control. I now care more about living to ride another day.
OK, here’s the final word on RTS. It is basically sex linked. Women have XX chromosomes and men have XY. The RTS inhibiter is on the extra tail of the second X that women have so most women don’t have it. But it’s on men’s genetic makeup so it’s not our fault.
Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. I have a long ride, Darwin to Brisbane every year, 3500 kms, the best part is 1400 kms to the boarder. Keep to day light running fixers the live stock. Keeping your shit together and keeping your mind on the job can increase the fun factor.
RTS can happen on any road. U.S. 1 here in the Keys… U.S, 41, the Tamiami Trail across the Everglades and I-75, Alligator Alley also across the Everglades.
Help for RTS?… age for me, 65, makes me want to live longer and not become roadkill.
Imagine your kids and grandkids saying the old man was killed by hitting a deer or, even worse, an armadillo at 100 mph. I don’t want to leave that image behind.
I keep two things formost in my mind 1) that i am invisible (not invincible) and 2) that i have no brakes. yep, i ride and drive like a little old man and try to give it 110% focus all the time.
I like the comment above that says “may you always put the kickstand down as many times as you put it up.”
ride with the wind.
Goo
I ride by a site regularly that was the last curve a biker didn’t take. It tends to keep me under control. Plus Central PA roads have too many pot holes.
Other than great gas milegae, 55 to 84 per gallon, that’s the other great thing about having an under powerd 35 HP cruiser. The automatic “Anti-RTS feature is almost always on the job. LOL It works most of the time but it did let me down one time and I had to take manual control at 96 MPH. Good thing I intervened when I did huh. LOL
2004 Honda Shadow VLX Deluxe
Just turned 50,000 on her last week!
Ride safe and often!
Pete
I live in West Virginia. I seem to have this problem (RTS) on all the roads. Not a lot of Policemen around here either. Thank God for country!!! I almost nailed a deer once. Just caught it enough to make it stumble – nothing to me except a major rush. I chased a black bear up the road one morning – only till I had time to realize what it was and get hard on the brakes. 🙂
RTS…?
It seems the older I get the faster I want to go! And my XX bird never lets me down. You ask on what stretch of road do I get RTS. All roads. I will till you that what ever I am riding my moped or my bird or even my cage. I Drive / ride or pilot as fast as I can all the time. Any questions..?
“Life’s all about the corners.
My you always put you kickstand down as many times as you put it up!
ocean pkwy 17miles of almost dead straigh road with two or three entrances and exits in the left had lane seen to Cause RTS there are two things that keep my addiction to RTS at bay 1) the fact that I know that my FJR can do every bit of 140+ (as I have proven in the past)!! and 2) When you get to a certain age you have no need to prove that your FJR can do the speed that it is capable of- but when RTS threatens to rear its ugly head its a great comfort to know that your RTS can be sated!!!!
Prescription:
take two crashes, allow 20 years to take full effect, call me in the morning
Side effects:
a boring life
Avoid:
Minnesota state highway 1from the North Shore of Lake Superior inland to Ely
I guess we have to differ on the definition of “good guys”.
Cops hardly qualify for writing their selectively-applied taxes.
I have found as I age, RTS has diminished greatly. I also keep it under control by using the cruise control on my Wing whenever possible. Mostly the roads here in NE PA keep my RTS at bay, as well as the thought of WAM, as Medium Mike mentions. There are way too many deer up here! This also keeps my night riding to a minimum with all the four legged activity. Hopefully the deer alerts I have on my bike actually work!
we do have some stretch here in the philippines that i experience RTS but i noticed that i only get affected by it if i am using my brother’s sports bike… i get to have more control of the throttle when i use my cruiser… i feel better coz i get to enjoy the scenery more…
may be it is the body position that we have while on the bike that really affects us…
but none the less… the mindset of enjoying the ride rather than conquering the road works best for me…
ride safe brothers
Not to worried about that happening here during work hours, but at midnight, well the 5km stretch is really alluring
166 is a fun road, but watch out for heavy traffic in the early morning and late afternoon. A lot of big commercial trucks use the road and there is also no cell phone reception beginning just east of Santa Maria and continuing for about 10 miles.
The thought of WAM (Wild Animal Mashing) helps with RTS. Keep in mind they come out of nowhere. I’ve had my share of RTS, and it is very addictive. I’m constantly reminding myself of WAM. But, when you find that perfect stretch of road, the one with little or no traffic, the one with gentile bends, it’s hard to keep WAM on the brain.