I was shocked while tearing down my 08 450R and removed the throttle position sensor from the carb and only to read minutes afterward from the manual 'don't take this off'. Ha, figures. Anywise, I got it set back in range according to the shop manual formula and buttoned it up. For its function I learned here that the resistance changes with throttle position to adjust spark timing. I could only assume this is analog 1/rc tank circuit timing.
Then I got my lesson in shift position sensor from this forum. I learned that 1st and 2nd gear run with respective timing retard to make it more manageable. Which kind of explains a lot. I love doing slow, 12 oclock wheelies but my 08 always feels heavy and takes a huge clutch dump to get it vertical.
I'd have to look through the schematics but I'm thinking both of the above are the same 1/rc circuitry. It wouldn't take a lot of effort to extend fine adjustment to a switch system on the bars or maybe even a temporary potentiometer for discovery purposes.