Wheelies

[Tank]

yeah I know neither big nor clever - but this thread is different - honest.

The other day I was given a little loaner whilst the M50 was being checked out (post ding) by the awesome team at Holshot (free of charge - and they washed it - cheers guys)

Anyway - the little loaner was a sports 'thingine' - not much by sport bike standards - although quite different than my cruiser.

So pulling down the road I open it up just a bit, and where the M50 just digs in and moves forward - this things front wheel came off the ground.

It was over before I knew it - and not being a wheelie kind of bloke I had no idea how to 'correct' the problem.

So - given that this was inadvertent, and not something I want to do on a regular basis - what is the correct way to get the wheel down?

Do I just let all revs go immediately? close it down slowly? touch the back brake?

Also - given that this happened fairly easily with not that much tit being applied at the time - how do you guys on fast powerful bikes keep the wheel from coming up each and every time you leave lights etc?

[Mikkel]

Exactly WHAT did they give you as a loaner? :eek5:

My 750 doesn't pop the front wheel unless I ask it to...

[kiwifruit]

Oh dear

[Tank]

Exactly WHAT did they give you as a loaner? :eek5:

My 750 doesn't pop the front wheel unless I ask it to...

I honestly cannot remember - but they called it the 'gutless wheezer' - your comment makes me think that they may have been taking the piss then.

[Big Dave]

Just cover the back brake.

[nodrog]

... how do you guys on fast powerful bikes keep the wheel from coming up each and every time you leave lights etc?

you have got to be progressive on the throttle, you cant just grab a handful and hope for the best like on a cruiser.

if you are in a real hurry you can drag a bit of rear brake to calm things down.

[Mikkel]

I honestly cannot remember - but they called it the 'gutless wheezer' - your comment makes me think that they may have been taking the piss then.

If it is a sportsbike and pops the front wheel just because you feed it a bit of throttle it wouldn't fit into the gutless category IMHO. :no:
I haven't experimented much with the 750 yet - but it doesn't lift the front if you roll on fast but smooth in first gear. I'm guessing it'll come up if I just crank it hard enough though. And while it's not a litrebike it certainly is very far from gutless.

It sounds almost as if you were handed a two-stroke...

Did it look a bit old and had RG, RZ, RD and something larger than 300 down the side?

[Tank]

It sounds almost as if you were handed a two-stroke...

Did it look a bit old and had RG, RZ, RD and something larger than 300 down the side?

Older - yep 500 on the side. Other than that I just didnt take any notice (I only popped home and back the following day).

Im feeling stupid now for not taking a closer look.

[Mikkel]

Older - yep 500 on the side. Other than that I just didnt take any notice (I only popped home and back the following day).

Im feeling stupid now for not taking a closer look.

I can not imagine them giving you a 500 ccm two-stroke as a loaner - they'd be right nutters if they did (or they just want to get rid of you).

You can not remember any other details? Colour, make, any special features...

[yod]

a 500cc 2-stroke as a loaner

:killingme

thats just nasty

[vifferman]

So - given that this was inadvertent, and not something I want to do on a regular basis - what is the correct way to get the wheel down?Unless it was in real danger of going quickly past the balance point (which is actually quite high - nearly vertical), it will normally just come up a bit then gradually go back down by itself. It's better than chopping the power and banging it back down.

[Devil]

Ahhh the asthmatic donkey. That'll be their GS500 loaner.

Just gently roll back off the throttle a little. Not all at once unless for some reason it's comin up REAL fast.

[yod]

you got the front end up on a GS500 without really trying!?!?

you didn't have a 300lb pillion by any chance ?

[Gremlin]

how do you guys on fast powerful bikes keep the wheel from coming up each and every time you leave lights etc?
keep it down? :mellow: why? :confused:

Generally you just learn to know the bike, I normally short shift as it starts to lift. Also depends how your suspension is set up (ie, the softer the rear is, the easier the front will lift - subject to other factors) etc, and mine is quite stiff.

Doesn't mean you have to blast away from the lights every time though y'know, unless you have shares in the local tyre shop :laugh:

[Mikkel]

Ahhh the asthmatic donkey. That'll be their GS500 loaner.

In that case, make sure you mention your achievement to the guys at Holeshot at next given opportunity. They ought to be mightily impressed :yes:

[Toaster]

Not sure how you got a "gutless" bike to wheelie by accident tank.

My GSXR1000 was a fantastic bike for wheelies, it used to pop up so easily and was a blast to ride. The GSXR750 I had prior was more sedate, but still an awesomely well balanced bike.

[Tank]

Ahhh the asthmatic donkey. That'll be their GS500 loaner.

Just wikipedia'ed it - it was indeed the GS500


Unless it was in real danger of going quickly past the balance point (which is actually quite high - nearly vertical), it will normally just come up a bit then gradually go back down by itself.

It was only a small wheelie - probably felt a lot higher than it was simply because 'it was my first time' :o


In that case, make sure you mention your achievement to the guys at Holeshot at next given opportunity. They ought to be mightily impressed :yes:

yeah - like that will help me get a speed triple as a loaner next time lol.

[Mikkel]

It was only a small wheelie - probably felt a lot higher than it was simply because 'it was my first time' :o

Actually yes, it was probably just that new-fangled suspension travel thing that was talking :rofl:

[Tank]

Not sure how you got a "gutless" bike to wheelie by accident tank.

Sounds like simple poor riding. I just grabbed a handful like I do on the M50.

A lesson was learnt. I must say I have enjoyed trying a couple of different bikes of late and am already thinking of a adventure type bike.

Just got to get rid of the M50 first.

[Toaster]

Sounds like simple poor riding. I just grabbed a handful like I do on the M50.

A lesson was learnt. I must say I have enjoyed trying a couple of different bikes of late and am already thinking of a adventure type bike.

Just got to get rid of the M50 first.

Adventure bikes would certainly be lots of fun.... the only concern would be tyres. The mix of off and on road use would concern me that the tyres then maybe only do either role resonably well rather than very well.

The great thing about motorbikes is working through the different types, shapes, sizes etc and finding the one that suits you best for the time of life you are at. Good luck with that mate.

Bike shopping is the second best thing to do... riding being the best of course!

[boomer]

you have got to be progressive on the throttle, you cant just grab a handful and hope for the best like on a cruiser.


ahahhaha how true.

ps. 2 inches does not a wheelie make.

[xwhatsit]

If it is a sportsbike and pops the front wheel just because you feed it a bit of throttle it wouldn't fit into the gutless category IMHO. :no:
I dunno -- you lot would probably class a TRX850 as being pretty gutless, but I pulled a couple of accidental wheelies off the traffic lights trying to see how fast I could get it to accelerate. Didn't dump the clutch or anything, although I might've slipped it a bit, 250cc-style. Made me feel quite queasy and dizzy, tipping back and zooming off as quick as that :laugh: Front wheel probably wasn't up very high, but it felt like metres to my small inexperienced brain.

It's all the weight distribution and gearing, that's my theory anyway. Hell, my little 50cc Super Cub gets the front end up just trying to get away from the lights before the bus behind runs me over.

[Racer X]

....
So - given that this was inadvertent, and not something I want to do on a regular basis - what is the correct way to get the wheel down?


You got some typo's there bud, did you mean to say:

So - given that this was <b>extremely fun</b>, and <strike>not</strike> something I want to do on a regular basis - what is the correct way to <b><i>keep the front wheel up?</b></i>

[Mikkel]

Adventure bikes would certainly be lots of fun.... the only concern would be tyres. The mix of off and on road use would concern me that the tyres then maybe only do either role resonably well rather than very well.

Hmm, depends on how serious you want to be I suppose. Michellin pilot powers are quite ok for muddy gravel roads :yes:


I dunno -- you lot would probably class a TRX850 as being pretty gutless, but I pulled a couple of accidental wheelies off the traffic lights trying to see how fast I could get it to accelerate. Didn't dump the clutch or anything, although I might've slipped it a bit, 250cc-style. Made me feel quite queasy and dizzy, tipping back and zooming off as quick as that :laugh: Front wheel probably wasn't up very high, but it felt like metres to my small inexperienced brain.

Well, I automatically think 4-cylinder revvy engines when people say sportsbikes (and yes, I know that is not the only type which is out there). I suspect a wheelie would have a much easier time sneaking up on you if you're riding a twin.

[Gremlin]

Michellin pilot powers are quite ok for muddy gravel roads :yes:
very true... a RaceAttack was absolutely fine on the zx10, except for the terrible wear :crazy: (gravel better than mud tho)

[Mikkel]

very true... a RaceAttack was absolutely fine on the zx10, except for the terrible wear :crazy: (gravel better than mud tho)

Yeah, runny mud and wet grass - they don't really work on those.

[HDTboy]

2 inches does not a wheelie make.

My missus thinks 2 inches is massive, Texmo's harder to impress