some wheelie tips pls..?

[bugjuice]

k, so I've been trying to practice for ages, clutching up in second. It's a 50/50 battle to get a half decent one and I think I'm just burning up the clutch and spinning the back tyre up more than anything. And now I've fuct my hand up from excessive use on the clutch.

So I'm going back to trying first gear wheelies since it'll be easier to come up.
Thing is, I think I've scared myself a bit too much now. I've found myself learching/leaning forward with the bike and of course, that's throwing the weight over the front, before it even comes up. I've tried, and I can't stop myself from doing it! arghhhh!

Also, how far do bikes go, before it's too far? I've just got this horrible vision of going over backwards in a split second, and that's really stopping me. The odd occasion when it comes up hard, it scares me and I drop the throttle. Not wanting to, just do. But those around me say it was a couple of feet off the ground, and yet it feels like it's at 12 already! I know it isn't, but still.. The times when I've had the balls to hang onto it for a few more seconds, it's felt (and looked) good even tho a little scary, it's horse crap, cos they're once in a blue moon so I can't get used to the height.. :weep:

I'm just looking for any tips to try out that might change my thinking/style. I'm not looking to be a guru, I just want to be able to do what I want, on call. And I know it's just practice, but I feel like a right fukwit at the moment and my confidence is just blown clean out of the water. Might even take a break from doing it for a month and come back to it later..
sorry to rant

[SARGE]

start with a shitter dirtbike..cover the rear brake

[DMNTD]

I'm in the same boat at the mo Buggie. Easy to powerstand but on purpose...hmmm,just a confidence thing in my case.
Watch this (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6656191590638402466&q=superbike) mate! Superb tuition,layman's terms and from the begining :niceone:

[Sniper]

What Sarge said. If needs be Buggy "bounce" the front a bit. There is an artical on wheelies I will PM you.

[bugjuice]

I'm in the same boat at the mo Buggie. Easy to powerstand but on purpose...hmmm,just a confidence thing in my case.
Watch this (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6656191590638402466&q=superbike) mate! Superb tuition,layman's terms and from the begining :niceone:
yeah, watched that (was stoked it's on a 636 too!)

I have the 'knowledge' to do it, I can make the front wheel come up. It's the rest, like balance and confidence it's not going to loop over, that I lack. I guess I just need practice more, and to try and break that stupid habit of leaning forward. That's my biggest problem at the moment.

Anyone want to tutor me?

[Sniper]

PM Sent.......

[justsomeguy]

What are you on about?? You were doing perfect effortless 10-o-clock wheelies at the first Taupo track day.

You sent Swanny a PM?

I thought I was the only fool who thinks too much - don't become like me buggy, just do it.

[bugjuice]

first track day was embarrassing. But still a laugh.

I can ride out a foot-high wheelie until the revs run out. I just fill my pants when it shoots up quick and there's a few feet. I can do it, just not often enough, so I'm not used to it.

I just need to find a quick car park and just start from the basics again I think

[onearmedbandit]

Cover the rear brake buggy! Bring the bike up in first and start applying the rear gently, you'll feel it retard the bikes height. Using a constant throttle and regulating the rear brake you should be able to control the height easily.

Stand-up wheelies are considered by some to be easier then sit-downs. When sitting on the bike as soon as the front goes up you go back. But by standing up you can pivot yourself on your feet, thereby keeping your body in the same 'vertical' position and bring the bike up higher.

[The_Dover]

The_Dover's Wheelie Tips

No 1 - Don't overcook it.

[bugjuice]

cheers OAB.

Dover, yeah, kinda figured that ;)

just seen too many loops, that's my problem

[mikey]

alcohol. or mind numbing substances.

[Cibby]

how about installing a wheelie bar on the back??? then you wont fuck it..

[SPORK]

alcohol. or mind numbing substances.
And a pedestrian walkway?

[HDTboy]

As dodgy as it sounds, get a beer down ya. Maybe half a beer in your case

[mikey]

And a pedestrian walkway?
with alcohol even better.
check out the gallery.
i was doing some or trying to do some but some fuk wit women dressed like they were 17 in a mufti cop car came out. i mean fucks sake. its port road.......
i was entertaining people on there lunch break!

[SARGE]

how about installing a wheelie bar on the back??? then you wont fuck it..



Wheelie bars were street legal in the States when i was a kid. hada Vmaz with a solid rear suspension and 8 foot bars out the back..

10.23 in the 1/4 mile

[The_Dover]

Didn't know you could wheelie a horse and cart!!

[larriken]

k, so I've been trying to practice for ages, clutching up in second. It's a 50/50 battle to get a half decent one and I think I'm just burning up the clutch and spinning the back tyre up more than anything. And now I've fuct my hand up from excessive use on the clutch.

So I'm going back to trying first gear wheelies since it'll be easier to come up.
Thing is, I think I've scared myself a bit too much now. I've found myself learching/leaning forward with the bike and of course, that's throwing the weight over the front, before it even comes up. I've tried, and I can't stop myself from doing it! arghhhh!

Also, how far do bikes go, before it's too far? I've just got this horrible vision of going over backwards in a split second, and that's really stopping me. The odd occasion when it comes up hard, it scares me and I drop the throttle. Not wanting to, just do. But those around me say it was a couple of feet off the ground, and yet it feels like it's at 12 already! I know it isn't, but still.. The times when I've had the balls to hang onto it for a few more seconds, it's felt (and looked) good even tho a little scary, it's horse crap, cos they're once in a blue moon so I can't get used to the height.. :weep:

I'm just looking for any tips to try out that might change my thinking/style. I'm not looking to be a guru, I just want to be able to do what I want, on call. And I know it's just practice, but I feel like a right fukwit at the moment and my confidence is just blown clean out of the water. Might even take a break from doing it for a month and come back to it later..
sorry to rant

Funny thing is nearly everyone that I know while they are learning to wheelie think that their wheelies are really high. Get someone to video you, then you have an idea at what height you are getting to. You'll all of a sudden realise that you can go a lot higher. To be really honest it is actually not that easy to flip your bike unless you do something very very dumb (mate of mine flipped a GSXR400 in the driveway! True story). If you are spinning up the rear it means you've missed your timing. Gas after clutch out most likely and don't clutch in first untill you've got some skills up. To clutch up you need to just go hard, accept that it is going to come up very quickly, cover the brake and it'll work out in time.

[Fishy]

PM sent mate.

[White trash]

yeah, watched that (was stoked it's on a 636 too!)

I have the 'knowledge' to do it, I can make the front wheel come up. It's the rest, like balance and confidence it's not going to loop over, that I lack. I guess I just need practice more, and to try and break that stupid habit of leaning forward. That's my biggest problem at the moment.

Anyone want to tutor me?

Come over one weekend, we'll play on the kiddies bikes, you'll get the hang of it.

[White trash]

And another thing, why the hell does everyone rave about "covering the rear brake"

On a normal sports bike, doing a normal wheelie, at normal speeds, you don't need to. I never have. Sure if you're putting along at really low speeds, front wheel seriously elevated.

When I'm standing up on the pegs, my foot can't even get to the back brake.

[Qman]

Can someone explain "cover the back brake"

[White trash]

Keeping your foot nice and handy to it in case of a little too much elevation. Brings the front crashing down very ungracefully. Funnily enough, so does grabbing a fist of front brake.

[bugjuice]

Come over one weekend, we'll play on the kiddies bikes, you'll get the hang of it.
that'd be fuckin funny actually.. if it's not too much annoyance :devil2:
can I bring 32 of my closest mates?

[White trash]

Couple at a time mate, there's only so many bikes to ride.

Entry fee is a fifteen pack and no, it's not TOO much of an anoyance. We're running out of locals to injure anyway.....

[onearmedbandit]

And another thing, why the hell does everyone rave about "covering the rear brake"

On a normal sports bike, doing a normal wheelie, at normal speeds, you don't need to. I never have. Sure if you're putting along at really low speeds, front wheel seriously elevated.

When I'm standing up on the pegs, my foot can't even get to the back brake.

Sure WT, on a normal sports bike doing a normal wheelie my foot never goes near the rear brake. But for someone who has a fear of going over the back, or if you do over cook it, it can be a life saver (or a bike saver). Also it doesn't have to come crashing down, I've tried it and by keeping the throttle applied you can bring it down very gracefully.

Not everyone needs it, hopefully you'll never need it, but better that you are aware of it now rather than later. Kind of like a helmet.

[bugjuice]

Couple at a time mate, there's only so many bikes to ride.

Entry fee is a fifteen pack and no, it's not TOO much of an anoyance. We're running out of locals to injure anyway.....
just kiddin, i don't have 32 mates.. won't have my bike either to practice on, it's in the shop this weekend


I've tried to cover the rear before, but I often forget, cos that's the last thing on my mind. And I know that I won't get it high enough to need the back brake. But when I've tried, I rotate my foot with the wheelie, and the brake comes on! i just need one step at a time, and just to fuckin do it and stop wussing out

[White trash]

Don't need your bike to practice on mate, we've got tons.

[sAsLEX]

Funnily enough, so does grabbing a fist of front brake.
So would rolling off the throttle would it not?

MX style people play with brakes in the air to control how they will land, ie lift the front or the back while in the air, damn rotational inertia and its trickyness

[mikey]

man. i doubt you'll be able to cover the brake. leave that for when your doing no hand wheelies on the balance point with your bike idling at 5000rpm.

to much to think about. just sit back an let rip. an if you been eating baked beans you should take off.
sorted

[Coyote]

So would rolling off the throttle would it not?

MX style people play with brakes in the air to control how they will land, ie lift the front or the back while in the air, damn rotational inertia and its trickyness
If you're past the balance point I think you still go over. That's how it works on a bicycle though and they don't have engine breaking

In the air the throttle lifts the front and rear brake pulls the front down

[bugjuice]

If you're past the balance point I think you still go over
nah, not quite ;)

this is how 'covering the rear' saves you

[Fishy]

Thats pretty impressive eh!. I saw a salesman - Daryl Story - from Red Baron (was called Crosbies at the time) do that down Great North Rd on a ZZR1100. Went passed balance point at speed hit the rear brake which brought it back under control and kept the thing going. Awesome!.

[Coyote]

nah, not quite ;)

this is how 'covering the rear' saves you
I'm saying if you rely on the engine to bring you down, it won't save you past the balance point. Is that the case? Not the sort of thing I want to figure out for myself

[The_Dover]

ooh fuck, that made my ringpiece pucker just watching it.

[bugjuice]

I'm saying if you rely on the engine to bring you down, it won't save you past the balance point. Is that the case? Not the sort of thing I want to figure out for myself
don't know to be truthful. Most modern bikes are pretty quick to shut the engine down when you roll off the throttle, so that's been fine for me so far. I don't know if this would work past that point. Older bikes (mainly the uninjected) aren't as harsh off the gas, so it doesn't work as well.

[Zed]

Thats pretty impressive eh!. I saw a salesman - Daryl Story - from Red Baron (was called Crosbies at the time) do that down Great North Rd on a ZZR1100. Went passed balance point at speed hit the rear brake which brought it back under control and kept the thing going. Awesome!.Ha small world! Daryl sold me a 92 GSXR750 some years back and took me on the back for a test ride (can't remember why i pillioned??) and he did a power stand with me on the back down Great North Rd...i was most surprised/impressed! I think he used to race bikes at Puke too, any idea wot he's up to now FS?

[Fishy]

Hey Zed, yeah I ended up working with Daryl at Crosbies for a while, he used to race a RF600 in F2 and also a FZR1000 in F1 in 1995 and 1996, he was farken fast! used to clean up on a regular basis. He moved to Australia late in 1997 to sell bikes as I think his brother owned a bike shop over there. He was a bloody good guy to work with, was a bit of a loss when he left.

[mikey]

ngine braking works just finbe on mine.
i got some target fixation last week while overtaking cars on one wheel an drifted into ones path an just shut it down. dont no what you fukers on about usin rear brake...

[Quasievil]

DiDnt that MIKEY guy say see ya later a few months ago, mikey your like headlice in the playground, everyone treats there heads to get rid of you and now youre back infesting our heads again:2guns:

[bugjuice]

This (http://www.superbike.co.uk/video/kyle_news_69875.html) is what keeps going thru my head when the bike jumps up fast (altho I have gear on)

[Fishy]

Ouch!. Hmm maybe you shouldn't have shown us that?

[bugjuice]

hey, if it haunts me, it'll haunt you.

[sAsLEX]

I'm saying if you rely on the engine to bring you down, it won't save you past the balance point. Is that the case?

it would dependeing on how fast you were going over, you have to use the brake on the bike as that is your only input to the system that will save it, shutting the throttle does the same thing as the rear brake on most bikes (2 smokes prob not very well) in that it slows down the rear wheel.

[mikey]

DiDnt that MIKEY guy say see ya later a few months ago, mikey your like headlice in the playground, everyone treats there heads to get rid of you and now youre back infesting our heads again:2guns:
i got a computer!
but nothing worth infesting in your head anyway man

[bugjuice]

yeah, but it's the rate at which it slows the back wheel. if the engine brake effect isn't very strong, then it won't really do much in time. If it's strong (like most are at high revs anyway), it could delay the flip, or possibly save it.

but alas, this thread shows I am no pro in such circumstances

[sAsLEX]

yeah, but it's the rate at which it slows the back wheel. if the engine brake effect isn't very strong, then it won't really do much in time. If it's strong (like most are at high revs anyway), it could delay the flip, or possibly save it.

but alas, this thread shows I am no pro in such circumstances

well to my reckoning unless your clutching up at ridiculously slow speeds like that guy in the vid then the front will come up a touch slower than that.

Try riding along nail the throttle just so the front goes a little light then snap shut the throttle and see how much delay there is then.

[bugjuice]

there is no delay. as soon as it shuts off, the front is down.
I know where that guy went wrong in that clip, and I know it's not likely to happen, but all the same, to loop the bike; I don't know how easy that would be, and I really don't want to find out. So that stops me from anything decent.

I can get a good foot ok, just not as often. And when I'm doing that, I'm already running about 60kph in second. I need to try it slower, so that I can get it up easier in 1st, but it just means more chance of going over

[**R1**]

only cool guys can wheelie:rockon:

R u cool? if not your fighting a loosing battle....

try knitting :nya:

[larriken]

Bwahahaha, just go out and do some wheelies and stop wasting time debating it on the internet!:rofl: Dad learnt to do wheelies at 55! If he can do it you girly buggers can too!

[Gunner]

But what about V twins? I can do them in 1st gear off the throttle, and I can get the front up(a few inches) every now and then when accelerating hard and changing from 1st to 2nd.

When I try to keep it up in 1st ill hit the rev limiter and it comes down, I dont have big enough balls to change gear in the air

[boomer]

Hey BugJuice; I'm in teh same boat as you i think mate. Not enough balls, but im finding that it becomes less of an 'issue' teh more I try.

Every straight bit of road now is a potential wheelie practice and i'm rollin on and off and picking it up and if she comes down im straight into again.

I figure i'll keep doing this for a for a while longer till i feel 'comfortable' then im gonna practice keepin her up; maybe using the clutch as I don't need so much speed to get her up then :D

keep at it man.. it'll happen :blip:

[Back Fire]

there is no delay. as soon as it shuts off, the front is down.
I know where that guy went wrong in that clip, and I know it's not likely to happen, but all the same, to loop the bike; I don't know how easy that would be, and I really don't want to find out. So that stops me from anything decent.

I can get a good foot ok, just not as often. And when I'm doing that, I'm already running about 60kph in second. I need to try it slower, so that I can get it up easier in 1st, but it just means more chance of going over

your quite welcome to come practise with me one day if your up for it. Not sure how high im getting but im using clutch and first gear... ask boomer about how high im going. But yeah, company is always fun to practise with...

[boomer]

your quite welcome to come practise with me one day if your up for it. Not sure how high im getting but im using clutch and first gear... ask boomer about how high im going. But yeah, company is always fun to practise with...

shes up mate, those wheelies off the clutch come straight up a good 3-4 foot :D you got 2 love the sound of your bike as she powers down; i laughed to myself when i saw u spin the back up a couple of times :p unlike my lowly 6inches from the power :D

Good fun today bro, Cheers :msn-wink:

[White trash]

Tell ya what not to do.

Don't come down an unlighted dead straight open road, at 11:15, for about .5 kay and think "Fuck I'm good. I'll stand up"

The ol' headlight on high beam blinds ya for the next thirty seconds. That was fun.....

[bugjuice]

Tell ya what not to do.

Don't come down an unlighted dead straight open road, at 11:15, for about .5 kay and think "Fuck I'm good. I'll stand up"

The ol' headlight on high beam blinds ya for the next thirty seconds. That was fun.....
lamo :clap:

[DEATH_INC.]

I think I can see the problem......yer going too slow. Try it at 100kph instead of 55, it'll be much more controlable.
The rear brake covering is bs, it's something else you gotta think about instead of what yer doing.....none of the good wheelie guys I know cover the rear.I've never had to use the brake to bring one down and I've had it pretty high at times.As long as you don't freak and lift yer feet off the pegs you'll be fine.

[onearmedbandit]

Tell me why it is so hard to do and why it is bs? While up on the back wheel I have no difficulty in using the back if I have to. Funny thing is I've never had to use it, but I have tried it and it does work, not bs at all then.

Sure, 99% of the time you'll never need the rear brake. If you feel it's going over too far back off the throttle. But if you feel it has gone too far the back brake is another option to bring it back into control. Telling someone to ignore a possible life saver seems a bit strange to me.

[larriken]

Covering the brake is a piece of piss. I have done it ever since I started doing wheelies and is now something I do without thinking about. I never used it to stop me going over when I was blasting along doing power wheelies, they just don't go that high. I use it all the time now cos I am confident that I can stop myself going over backwards. It means you can progress more. Obviously I never covered the back brake on stand ups until I changed to one foot forward, one back. Now I do cover the brake standing up and can get the bike soooo much higher!

It's a personal thing, but if you get in the habit early it make things easier later. My two cents anyways!

[EZAS]

I could wheelie a gpx 250 in the underground carpark of Ihug. I used to practice every lunch break (which working nights is around about 9PM).
I could only really wheelie from a stand still, then jump off the back, take one step then jump back on. Basically just dump the clutch dead on 5,000rpm and watch it rise, jump off, shutdown the throttle and jump back on. It used to come down pretty hard.
As soon as I got the 600 I couldn't really do anything unless I opened the throttle in 1st, even then it was only rising a few inches. Just enough to feel it when it rose.
Now I'm on the 900, I'm too scared to do anything. It doesn't feel like I can just open the throttle to get the wheel to rise, I think this is cos the power doesnt come ontill abit later, I need more bottom end torque, but I can't handle riding 1000cc V Twins as there, too touchy.

[bugjuice]

I think I can see the problem......yer going too slow. Try it at 100kph instead of 55, it'll be much more controlable.
The rear brake covering is bs, it's something else you gotta think about instead of what yer doing.....none of the good wheelie guys I know cover the rear.I've never had to use the brake to bring one down and I've had it pretty high at times.As long as you don't freak and lift yer feet off the pegs you'll be fine.
my bike doesn't seem to have the torque to lift the front up at that speed. I've had it in third and had the front up which was hard, but that started around 80 odd and came down around 130, but they're even less frequent than second gear decent ones.
May be some private tuition is needed some time..

[Highlander]

http://www.funnymovies.net/movies/view/70/

Cruising just posted this (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=24165) probably more of a how not to than a how too.

[loosebruce]

my bike doesn't seem to have the torque to lift the front up at that speed. I've had it in third and had the front up which was hard, but that started around 80 odd and came down around 130, but they're even less frequent than second gear decent ones.
May be some private tuition is needed some time..


Fucken aye it can lift up at speed, remeber when you were on me Gix and i was on your ZX? I brought it up at around 110kph in 2nd.
In all honesty the 636 was one of the nicer bikes i've wheelied, better than a GSXR600, those extra cubes help quite nicley.
The faster you go the easier it is!
Clutching it up i always found it easiest to pin the throttle to the stop, and just ping the clutch, more or less clutch to how fast you going, and it'll just start to rise. It's a matterof just holding it on the stop until you reach the disried height, then backing off slightly, i think this is where you're having your next hurdle, chances are you shut off rather than back off a notch.
The stunt night thingee the other month once you got out there i saw a few nice looking ones from you Kit, it's as said a practice thing, it could take another 3 months or a year, but if you dont practice you wont get any better, reckon you should bring your bike tomorrow night and have another go, or if you're keen go down on tuesday night, i'm sure me, Death or Trashy would be keen to come along, camera n all.
And as said to it's real hard to loop a bike espeshly at the stage you're at, as when you think you're high you're not "that" high kinda thing, shutting off is mostly enough to bring it down. Some people preach rear brake and i know how effective it can be from my push bike, but i've never used it on a motorbike, but it can't hurt to cover it, but chances are if you're going over you wont think about whacking the brake anyway.

[Two Smoker]

Grow some balls!!!!! That or buy a K4 or K5 GSX-R 600 as they come up real smooth in first. you'll feel it when it hits balance point. Try hooking second when you think its getting too high. If its not very high it will go down smoothly in second gear and if its near balance point it will stay up in second...

[loosebruce]

Sorry to say thsi Chris but the 636 is nicer to wheelie than a K4-K5, never thought i'd say that, but i like the GSXR more when it comes to getting on it on the road, and stoppies the GSXR is a minta.

[bugjuice]

sweeeeeet :niceone:

so that's why my engine is shagged then?
it's in the shop at the mo actually, having some open heart surgery. When I get it back, I've just decided to balance using this :weird: instead of relying on this <img src="http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/images/smilies/puke.gif"></img> Then if I can ignore the stomach feeling, and just concentrate on what the nuggin is puttin together, then I can grow some balls to just keep it up. And yeah, it hurts to fall off (hope I won't), but that's what insurance is for, ay Dover..?
btw, got any good excuses?

[bugjuice]

sweeeeeet :niceone:

so that's why my engine is shagged then?
it's in the shop at the mo actually, having some open heart surgery. When I get it back, I've just decided to balance using this :weird: instead of relying on this <img src="http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/images/smilies/puke.gif"></img> Then if I can ignore the stomach feeling, and just concentrate on what the nuggin is puttin together, then I can grow some balls to just keep it up. And yeah, it hurts to fall off (hope I won't), but that's what insurance is for, ay Dover..?
btw, got any good excuses?

[Quasievil]

sweeeeeet :niceone:

so that's why my engine is shagged then?
it's in the shop at the mo actually, having some open heart surgery. When I get it back, I've just decided to balance using this :weird: instead of relying on this :puke:</IMG> Then if I can ignore the stomach feeling, and just concentrate on what the nuggin is puttin together, then I can grow some balls to just keep it up. And yeah, it hurts to fall off (hope I won't), but that's what insurance is for, ay Dover..?
btw, got any good excuses?

Buggy, youre like me mate, essentially youve head fucked yourself, you know you can do it, lord knows you got the bike to do it, but like me your thinking what if this, or what if that.
I reckon you just need to practice and practice to get more comfortable.

For me ,Ive had it up before (nothing fantastic mind) but Im not really comfortable with it, I dont really care if I can or cant, be nice to for a show off moment or three but I think I will sneak in the odd bit of practice

[Two Smoker]

Sorry to say thsi Chris but the 636 is nicer to wheelie than a K4-K5, never thought i'd say that, but i like the GSXR more when it comes to getting on it on the road, and stoppies the GSXR is a minta.

Are you becoming a homo??? hehehe... fair enough...

[crazefox]

Or you could buy a big powerful bike:yeah:

[jonbuoy]

Wear a heavy backpack if you want the front end to come up easier - on any bike. It makes you sit more upright in the seat and puts more weight at the rear of the bike and helps with the balance. Just be carefull you don't bin it with the pack on.

[larriken]

Wear a heavy backpack if you want the front end to come up easier - on any bike. It makes you sit more upright in the seat and puts more weight at the rear of the bike and helps with the balance. Just be carefull you don't bin it with the pack on.


mmmmm I think I've heard it all now! You can stick you grandmother on the back, it doesn't matter, you ain't going to wheelie any easier unless you just grow some stones. Simple as that.:hitcher:

[jonbuoy]

mmmmm I think I've heard it all now! You can stick you grandmother on the back, it doesn't matter, you ain't going to wheelie any easier unless you just grow some stones. Simple as that.:hitcher:


The above is true - try it.

[White trash]

The above is true - try it.

Check out some pics bro, he doesn't need to try it.

I'm with Larriken on this, if you're not prepared to give it a good shot, you'll never succeed at wheelies.

If you're nervous, small steps first. Full throttle acceleration in first from 50kph. As the revs build, the front lifts. You get more and more comfortable with it and the wheelies get longer and longer. That's how I started.

[jonbuoy]

Yeah alright for you proffesionals!! ;) For the rest of us anything helps for the first few tries at it, especially if its a mental block thing - you get used to the point where the front comes up and your brain backs off even though you don't really want it too. I found the backpack thing by accident one day - it really helped me to get up and moving along on the rear as it changed the point where it did come up.

[loosebruce]

If you're nervous, small steps first. Full throttle acceleration in first from 50kph. As the revs build, the front lifts. You get more and more comfortable with it and the wheelies get longer and longer. That's how I started.

you could always chuck big Dan on the back, he's gotta be good for 4th gear power wheelies on a TLS

[Korea]

I had big 'Yo from WellingtonMC on the back of the old NZ250 when I accidentally popped my first wheelie (going back a few years now... 10???). Two big bastards on the back of the NZ was more than it could take so it lofted the front under its mighty single-cylinder power and the poor fella nearly dropped off the back.

In the meantime, here's a kid in Korea showing that you can loft anything. Bike: Hyosung Exiv125, single DOHC.

[ukbandit]

hi just wondering what bike you have?

[ukbandit]

do you know any where that is goood road surface and not much traffic i used to do quite a lot of wheelies in the uk far from the madding crowd as you need to concentrate on what you are doing. i had the same thing on my first wheelies i thought the bike was a mile high front end got some one to video and it was about a foot off the ground. thats because you are looking at the bike when you do the wheelie and you see it coming at you what you need to do is look straight ahead and try to use a target on the horizon that is at your eye level what i do is when my clocks block the target i know the bike is about the right height then you just have to keep trying until you get your balance point works a treat for me hope this helped..ps how do you attach files im new to this

[ukbandit]

just a short one to fit the file size allowed..done in the uk

[aff-man]

grow some balls.....

Failing that do stand ups cause its way easier and you get the weight off the front more...

You'll also find even if you don't hit balance point you'll be able to "blip" it along much more easily.(what i am doing at the moment till my sprocket comes)


Or maybe you should just buy a gixxer they seem to do them real natural like..

[loosebruce]

do you know any where that is goood road surface and not much traffic


The motorways, later on in the night, i use em all the time after work if i have the bike instead of the car, just got to watch out for your headlight flashing attention to eagle, doh.

[bugjuice]

hi just wondering what bike you have?
I've got a 04 ZX6..

just need to find a quiet straight spot. There's a few around, just gotta look for 'em.

welcome to the site too ;)

[ukbandit]

hi yeah i know what you mean i have been riding around my way for ages and cant find the right spot, either houses or traffic or gravel. maybe use some industrial areas on sunday morning, only thing that gives you away is the noise from the exhaust if you find any where let us know on the quite of course your bike will do puka wheelies plenty of power and no weight

[Zed]

Off the cuff, some wheelie tips i've learned:

Every bike is different for wheelying on, so firstly get familiar with the gearing of the bike to find out which gears come up on power and which require some clutch? Any bike that comes up on power in 1st and 2nd is an easier bike to wheelie.

Wheelying requires technique, and there are several types of techniques practised in order to get the front up, such as bouncing the front up, tugging on the bars to get it up, clutching it up, getting it up on power, using hill crests to lift it up, etc.

In order the change thru the gears, the bike has to be on it's way to balance point when you ease off the throttle to change the gear quickly without the clutch, as the bike is coming down the next gear will lift it nice and smoothly, and when you find the gear it is an awesome feeling - it's all about throttle control!! :banana:

[Dracor]

a woody or 2 and pop it up bro same from tony from (lexicon)

[Zed]

a woody or 2 and pop it up bro same from tony from (lexicon)Tony is in my office each day before I am, and it's not even his office lol!!!

Mr Dracor, choice bike you own, i heard you ride it like a Nana! Nah jus kiddin, Tony's too scared to ride on the back of it lol. :bye:

[Dracor]

tony is to drunk to respond lol

[Zed]

tony is to drunk to respond lolHaha, Lexicon is driving him to the drink, i knew it would get to him...ask him if he wants Dave's job fulltime? lol :buggerd:

[Dracor]

na na 2 weeks is good for tony matt looking forword to the factory lol its a shame tony cant ride 2 wheels lol

[Zed]

na na 2 weeks is good for tony matt looking forword to the factory lol its a shame tony cant ride 2 wheels lolToo wrapped up in his loud sounding cage lol! :pinch:

[ZeroIndex]

what size bike (cc or horsepower) do you need to start doing ok-ish wheelies?
...and yes, I doubt my riding or bike will be in any position to do wheelies, but I would like to know anyway

[texmo]

50cc street magics do em good, I am learning on my 180cc and getting better im still shit though..

afast135 can do them really mint on his 150cc scooter

[Zed]

what size bike (cc or horsepower) do you need to start doing ok-ish wheelies?
...and yes, I doubt my riding or bike will be in any position to do wheelies, but I would like to know anywayWith a bit of talent you can just about wheelie anything! If you were only starting to wheelie I would recommend a dirt bike firstly, say a 250cc. :spudbn:

[Dracor]

the bigger the better thats what the girls say

[Zed]

the bigger the better thats what the girls sayYep, i was riding with a guy from up north several weeks ago who was wheelying a Bandit1200 and hooking 2nd, 3rd, and 4th...talented fella that! :not:

[ZeroIndex]

k, with that noted, take for instance the bike I'm getting on Saturday: Kinetic GF170 (15bhp & 15Nm torque)... what technique would be used to get the front up... and keep it up?

[Dracor]

fuck that 4 woodys and i will peal the bandit back on 1 :drinknsin wheel

[Zed]

k, with that noted, take for instance the bike I'm getting on Saturday: Kinetic GF170 (15bhp & 15Nm torque)... what technique would be used to get the front up... and keep it up?I'm not sure about that bike imparticular? Clutch can get most bikes up with the right balance of clutch and throttle, but that technique needs a bit of talent!

[Zed]

fuck that 4 woodys and i will peal the bandit back on 1 :drinknsin wheelYeah and you'll prolly loop it! :blink:

[onearmedbandit]

Bugjuice, download 'more practice' from here. (http://219.88.254.70/) If I can do it mate so can yourself. That should give you motivation to learn.

[ZeroIndex]

I had big 'Yo from WellingtonMC on the back of the old NZ250 when I accidentally popped my first wheelie (going back a few years now... 10???). Two big bastards on the back of the NZ was more than it could take so it lofted the front under its mighty single-cylinder power and the poor fella nearly dropped off the back.

In the meantime, here's a kid in Korea showing that you can loft anything. Bike: Hyosung Exiv125, single DOHC.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=26130&d=1139976081

Damn that kid on that Exiv is damn impressive... I'm gonna try learn to do that...

[bugjuice]

Bugjuice, download 'more practice' from here. (http://219.88.254.70/) If I can do it mate so can yourself. That should give you motivation to learn.
don't need the motivation, believe me!!
The tips are kinda for everyone who wants to know, not just me, but I'm just as keen as a bean to find out..

fuk, you make the wheelies look easy as..
my problem (and it shows, especially from your clips) is that I keep leaning into the bike as it comes up, which is obviously pushing the weight forward and not letting me come up. I've gotta stop doing that..
Yours are just off the power, huh?
good clips too ;)

[ZeroIndex]

damn........

That 'More practice' video ROCKS!!! loved the music choice to OAB :D

[onearmedbandit]

Yup, just power-up wheelies. I've tried clutching it up (not that it's needed) but with the way I have my clutch set up it means I'm holding onto the bike solely by 'resting' my fingers on the throttle (no grip as my thumb is still on the clutch). Not good. Really enjoyed myself out there last night, just need to get a bit more height as I'm still slightly accelerating, eventually maxing out in 2nd at about 'some speed'.

[bugjuice]

so next up for you is hooking 3rd etc.. you seem to have the balance pretty much sussed..

[Postie]

i got pissed off with my bike last night, though i had fixed it, then on the way to Qckcks ride, it dropped 2 cylinders again, so in my honda fuel rage, i pulled the clutch in, bike still running, reved the bugger to red line hoping that i would get some miracle work done and the dead cylinders might come back, thank god they didn't 'cos i wasn't thinking clearly and i engaged the clutch with the revs still around that red bit on the clock, lofted the front wheel nicely with only 2 cylinders going, if it was all 4 then i probably would have been typing this from my normal bed in Grafton hospital.
Manged to get the bike fixed buut not in time for the ride last night, gutted.

[onearmedbandit]

so next up for you is hooking 3rd etc.. you seem to have the balance pretty much sussed..

Used to do power wheelies with flicking through the 'box up to 4th, but now I'm at the bp it's a lot harder to change up and keep it afloat. Got 3rd a couple of times last night but couldn't maintain it. By then however the speeds were very high and most times the front was crossed up!

[bugjuice]

last thing you want at speed!!
that's another issue too, not having everything straight on the landing.. I don't have a damper yet (do you?), so that's in my head when the speed builds up

[onearmedbandit]

Factory treacle-filled damper keeps it all under control, as does having only one arm. Less chance of me 'fighting' the bike so it shakes its head and tidies itself up without having me trying to override what it wants to do.
(see there are benefits to this onearm thing, too many people hang on too tight and fight the bike, I really can't).

I actually like crossing it up at those speeds, keeps it exciting and makes for good video! Like going through corners hard, the bike is moving underneath me but it's never scary, just keep the throttle pinned and she'll sort herself out.

[bugjuice]

got bigger balls than most riders mate ;)

[onearmedbandit]

Either that or I'm a little crazy. I'll let you guys decide that one.

[Mental Trousers]

Best thing for countering the mind fuck thing is to do with where you're looking. It's the same idea as cornering etc, where you look is where you'll go. But with wheelies, it's more about your eyes/ears staying level so you feel balanced - even with the front end 5 feet in the air.

So, look way, way down the road for something at the end, fixate on it, then do what you do for wheelies. You'll find that the bike will come up and the main thing you notice is that there's a triple clamp or gas tank blocking your view, but you won't get the feeling of flipping etc.

[Zed]

Best thing for countering the mind fuck thing is to do with where you're looking. It's the same idea as cornering etc, where you look is where you'll go. But with wheelies, it's more about your eyes/ears staying level so you feel balanced - even with the front end 5 feet in the air.

So, look way, way down the road for something at the end, fixate on it, then do what you do for wheelies. You'll find that the bike will come up and the main thing you notice is that there's a triple clamp or gas tank blocking your view, but you won't get the feeling of flipping etc.Forget all that and just do standups!! :apumpin:

[ukbandit]

your right there. each bike is different mines a sit up and beg sports bike riders will have a different view than me, shit what can you use as a reference thing on the bike maybe the tip of your front wheel. i find that with the power i got with the bandit i dont need to give it a fist full get up(dont bring the misses into it) i get to about 22-3 miles ph in first and just open it up smoothly (my clocks are in mph) got kph but hard to see when up on one wheel. and the bike just lifts no probs tried changing grears up in the air dropped like a stone. found if i changed on the way up was ok got to about 120k not very high but was working on it (no clutch) can only get better

[ukbandit]

has you get better with practice you dont need stuff you just DO IT any where any time

[ukbandit]

hey bruce up for it this sunday just call or on here

[Zed]

your right there. each bike is different mines a sit up and beg sports bike riders will have a different view than me, shit what can you use as a reference thing on the bike maybe the tip of your front wheel. i find that with the power i got with the bandit i dont need to give it a fist full get up(dont bring the misses into it) i get to about 22-3 miles ph in first and just open it up smoothly (my clocks are in mph) got kph but hard to see when up on one wheel. and the bike just lifts no probs tried changing grears up in the air dropped like a stone. found if i changed on the way up was ok got to about 120k not very high but was working on it (no clutch) can only get betterYeah good post dude, i'd give you some rep points but i've given too much out in the last 24hrs hehe...

The Bandits are renowned wheelie machines, one of the easier to wheelie bikes i mentioned earlier, must be a lot of fun. My Blade is the same in 1st on power without clutch, i can get it up without clutch in 2nd too but it takes more revs and effort. Once i began changing into 2nd from 1st my whole wheelie experience improved 2-fold, getting into 3rd, 4th, etc is only a matter of time and more practise, and it will be easily achieved methinks!!

Before this bike I only ever used to use the clutch to get it up, now i don't use it at all. It does the bike good NOT to use the clutch btw, and there is definately more control on power!

[aff-man]

Yeah good post dude, i'd give you some rep points but i've given too much out in the last 24hrs hehe...


Before this bike I only ever used to use the clutch to get it up, now i don't use it at all. It does the bike good NOT to use the clutch btw, and there is definately more control on power!

yadda yadda yadda...... so when you gonna give me a go????

[bugjuice]

just found something else I'm gonna have a try at..

The thread I found this in, also explained that when you 'bounce it up', not to do as most newbs think (me included) which is a bounce on the handle bars, but more a bounce on the pegs.. I'll have to try that instead.. no one has mentioned/explained that before.. This clip is what that shows, in an exaggerated way, so now I understand it a lot better and I'm gonna give it a go soon

[aff-man]

just found something else I'm gonna have a try at..

The thread I found this in, also explained that when you 'bounce it up', not to do as most newbs think (me included) which is a bounce on the handle bars, but more a bounce on the pegs.. I'll have to try that instead.. no one has mentioned/explained that before.. This clip is what that shows, in an exaggerated way, so now I understand it a lot better and I'm gonna give it a go soon

you coming tomorrow?

[bugjuice]

in more ways than one....

[loosebruce]

Before this bike I only ever used to use the clutch to get it up, now i don't use it at all. It does the bike good NOT to use the clutch btw, and there is definately more control on power!


I dont reckon, i love the clutch, i used to use the clutch on the TL all the time, it's great to bring the front up fast and right to the point, it's just a matter of keeping the throttle on full and backing it off at the right point, okay i haven't been using it on the GSXR, now i've dropped gearing and done a few mods, the thing pulls the front up in 3rd on the power above 135kph, 2nd now 65-70kph easy on the power, 1st is a little touchy at the mo, i just have to work on getting smoother on my control, but i have started pinging the clutch in 2nd at speeds like 40-50kph, even at lower speed in 3rd 110-120kph.
Using the power definitly brings it up smoother but it also takes longer and you use more revs as it comes up, i haven't really bothered trying to change gears all the time, as my main goal is too keep my speeds down, you get into 4th on a GSXR1000 and you are fair hauling, you can fly along in 3rd quickly enough, but yea i want to be up on the BP at slow speed, 110kph kinda shit, and then work on getting even slower, plus i want to work on smoother 1st gear control, bit jerky, cant understand took grunta's K2 out and did nice powerstands in 1st, am hopeless on the K3? Go figure, looking forward to tomorrow.

[ukbandit]

thanks mate like to try and help the loons with stuff ive found out sometimes the hard way. a few times in the begining got me pooper going come down so hard slam me chest into the tank cos i was looking at the front of the bike instead of the road ahead. i found if you can find a place where no one else is around you relax a lot more and get real progress also your not getting the kodak courage trying to impress others get the practice in then show off your stuff once you can do it you just cant resist shit it feels good when you pull away from the lights and cross the junction way up in the air just the look on the peds faces makes it all worth it :weird:

[Zed]

...okay i haven't been using it on the GSXR, now i've dropped gearing and done a few mods,

...i haven't really bothered trying to change gears all the time, as my main goal is too keep my speeds down,Yeah I have similar goals to you in this area LB, can't wait till my new chain/sprocket kit gets here as no doubt it will make it heaps easier for me to develop my skills (still a learner here), especially now that i'm sold on changing thru the gears!! :yes:

[DEATH_INC.]

I pretty much always use the clutch.it gets it up to balance quicker. Even on the 12 in first and on my one blat on lb's thou. btw no need to shift on the thou, it comes up easy in second at 100k or so with the clutch and will happily sit on 200, still in second...:blip:

[bugjuice]

ok, so what I learnt at the weekend - I tried what the vid said, didn't work. I can't bounce and accelerate while trying to staying on at the same time, at the moment, so I gave up on that.

I tried a few second gear clutch wheelies, and I just ended up wheelspinning and stressing my hand and clutch, and just generally not getting it very high very often. Had a few breaks (rest-breaks!), and watched the other guys do it. I just couldn't figure it out. One minute, they're on two wheels, the next second, they're on one, with no effort at all!! grrrrrrrr.. been practicing for over a year now, and still can't fukin do it.. Get back on, try some more 2nd gear ones, same luck.

Ok, what about first? Reliably comes up every time (albeit a little violent) and I can get used to the height which is one of my issues. Sweet.. clutching up in first works a treat every time.. Hand starting to strain tho, gotta figure something else out..

Bruce stops me, we have a chat about technique and how to handle the bike. 'Do it off the power' he says.. Well, I've done that, just outright accelerate in 1st, keep your arms straight, bum back a little, and the power will pick the front up, but towards the end of the revs, so you don't have too much left to play with, and a good tug might see some half decent air. It's ok for now..
Bruce (aka Yoda for me ;)) then tells me a slightly different technique. One that I've been waiting for all my short wheelieing career. Something I should have bloody figured out a long time ago, and something I want to share for every newb trying to get the wheel up. I just can't believe how effortless it is, and reliable every time I've tried so far;

<blockquote>accelerate fairly hard (3/4 or more, I think) in 1st (on a 600 I guess, any 3 on a thou) back off then 100% on the gas quick and keep arms straight and bum back. The trick is to be on and off the gas quick. That loads the front up when you roll off, then gassin it hard unloads the front to the point it heads skywards. I even tried it on cold tyres (Avon Vipers® :niceone:) this morning, and no problem whatsoever.</blockquote>

The stand up thing will be next, now that I can get it up, and getting used to the height.

It sounds like such a simple thing to do, yet no one explained it to me properly, or like Bruce did. The very first try after talking with him, and it worked, no problem.. Not saying there aren't other wheelie kings here, it's just Bruce was the one who made it click on the day.. thanx for reading and give him some bling..

[texmo]

Sweet not long before your sitting on balance point now buggy.

[Fishy]

Hey Buggy, were you trying that technique in first or second?

[bugjuice]

nope, now I can get it up every time, and at any height I dare, I can start getting used to it now. I felt I improved heaps after learning that, so now it's just doing it more, and I'll have it in no time

I was doing it in first. For 6 hundies, probably 2nd is too optimistic, but with enough skill I guess it could be done. On a thou, I'm guessing first second, and possibly third at a high enough speed.

Also forgot to mention, accelerate and build the revs up to just before your power kicks in. For my bike, that's around 8 or 9gs, but I know thous don't rev quite as high. So you'll have to practice on your sweet spot.

Also, I changed down from 2nd into 1st and cruised, then just shut it off and back on, and it came up too, didn't really accelerate much at all..

[loosebruce]

No worries on the help Kit, happy to lend a hand, that technique is called "off the throttle" i'd say it's almost best to use full throttle then back off then right back onto full throttle, the more momentum you can build before chopping the throttle the better, it works a treat in first on any decent powered bike, second gear on a 600cc and 1000cc twins is good its just getting the timing right, 2nd you want to be well high in the revs, 9000rpm+ kinda shit. Off the throttle is good to use as it does tend to bring the front up smoother but a bit more urgently than outright power wheelies do on a 600cc, It's also a nice method for wheelieing in the wet, other ways are slightly depressing the back brake, the TL was awesome in the wet, all that low down grunt even dumping the clutch with a racetec on the rear it'll still hook skywards. keep at it Kit and anyone else out there giving it a go.

[bugjuice]

yeah, was thinking that could work well in the wet..
And was going thru the motions in my head, and thinking with enough balls, my bike still pulls hard in 2nd, so shouldn't be too much of a problem.. just means I'll be seeing the later end of something like 120 when I go to start the wheelie!!

I actually just stuck it in first, then very minutely off/on the power and it came up.. I can't understand how I've never done this before, and how fricken easy it is.. However, I only did it 3 times this morning (7 minute ride into work), and yesterday, so hopefully I'll have it goin still tonight..

cheers again, can't say it enough (also can't bling you any more ;))

[ukbandit]

hi guys thanks for the weekend its been quite a while since ive been out playing
bug you done well just keep plugging away dont go to mad at first we want to see you on the next dayout bruce i have the solution to your tank wheelies so you wont slip off and do your nuts velcro your arse to the tank what you think :shake: good pics from erik got the vid stuff on the pc will get some on site soon all you going to the wed night meet have fun ..........se ya

[onearmedbandit]

Awesome bug, great news! I know the feeling with the improvements I've made. I've got a while to go before I'll be attempting stand-ups!

[bugjuice]

cheers guys.. still plugin away at it, but definitely improved 10 fold already since Bruce taught me the new way to get it up. The squidin tonight kinda showed that.. Managed to get a few decent ones in, and none of the wheelies I did tonight gave me the 'oooo shit' feeling. I managed to hold onto most of them as long as I could. The pic was one of the best ones (I think..), so it shows that I'm starting to get there.. and I think that one I rode out until the redline too!!

thanx for the support too ;)

but also the point of the thread is for others to give it a go too, so hell, if I can do it, pretty much anyone can do it!!

[ZeroIndex]

cheers guys.. still plugin away at it, but definitely improved 10 fold already since Bruce taught me the new way to get it up. The squidin tonight kinda showed that.. Managed to get a few decent ones in, and none of the wheelies I did tonight gave me the 'oooo shit' feeling. I managed to hold onto most of them as long as I could. The pic was one of the best ones (I think..), so it shows that I'm starting to get there.. and I think that one I rode out until the redline too!!

thanx for the support too ;)

but also the point of the thread is for others to give it a go too, so hell, if I can do it, pretty much anyone can do it!!
*saves picture to computer slideshow* Very nice wheelie buggy, love the color of your bike

[flash]

now that your fixed...

how can i pull them well on a hyosung 250?, i can get them like a foot until i lose power :(, this is using the clutch

[bugjuice]

no idea.. I don't know how grunty your bike is, so if you can already get it up, but run out of steam, try just yanking it harder and getting your weight further back on the seat..??

[texmo]

now that your fixed...

how can i pull them well on a hyosung 250?, i can get them like a foot until i lose power :(, this is using the clutch
Make sure your stationary, red line it and drop the clutch:2thumbsup

[Zed]

Make sure your stationary, red line it and drop the clutch:2thumbsupUmm, it's not a scoot Tex! :pinch:

[texmo]

Umm, it's not a scoot Tex! :pinch:
Nah I dont havea clutch to drop on the scooter any way:violin:
I did that on my cbr im sure if my right foot wasnt on the peg I would have fliped I got such a fright I pushed down my rear brake as hard as I could...

[flash]

yeah but being so used to dirt bikes, leaning and standing on the mighty comet doesnt feel right, but pactice will make perfect i guess.

as for the redline it thing, dont you know you shouldnt redline it when not moving, it hurts your baby :p. but i am doing it a peak revs (around 8k), but seem i got something wrong with one of the air intakes i dont wana rev it too much ;)

[larriken]

yeah but being so used to dirt bikes, leaning and standing on the mighty comet doesnt feel right, but pactice will make perfect i guess.

as for the redline it thing, dont you know you shouldnt redline it when not moving, it hurts your baby :p. but i am doing it a peak revs (around 8k), but seem i got something wrong with one of the air intakes i dont wana rev it too much ;)

Revs are your friend!:msn-wink:

[race_demon]

ive got a link that should help plus a free superbike magazine video (how to wheelie) the first wheelies i did wer by accident and i got hurt basicly start slow you cant learn in a day it should take weeks maybe months get sued to the front end coming up adn yuor stomache dropping and eyah cover that rear brake as soon as yo feel "dodgy" brign the frotn down and accelerate ebfore you touch down (itll shave your shocks fingers crossed) eventually slip the cltuch and theres other ways of transferign the weight with front suspention bounce going uphill too heres the link READ IT OVER AND OVER and dotn rush or you WILL get hurt http://auto.howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=clutch.htm&url=http://www.dragbike.com/news/features/wheelies101.htm

[2much]

Flash, when did you get yourself a bike?

To be honest mate, I'ld focus on your riding skills first before you start worrying about wheelies and shit.

However, if you're deadset that that's what you want to do then come out on one of our rides sometime and we'll give you some tips.

[flash]

dont worry i know how to ride...
ive got a dirtbike so will relearn on that, but seem i work every weekennd i dont get much time on it anymore. my dirtbikes like half the wieght and has more pick me up power. i actually puled a wicked wheelie outside school, but it only lasted like 1-2 secs before i came down smashed my balls on the tank ;)

edit: and this isnt my first bike :msn-wink: