The easiest way to ues a Throttlemeister (I have found) is use your pinky to engage it. Hold your throttle setting where you want it and then just roll the barend with your little finger, it's smooth as butter and you don't need a ton of pressure. Temperature changes will affect the effectiveness of the tension between the grip and Throttlemeister (colder temps the friction isn't as great). I rode with it thousands of miles and its a real cramp buster. Good luck.