Wheelies

**Tank** · 22nd July 2008, 10:58

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** · 22nd July 2008, 11:11

Exactly WHAT did they give you as a loaner?

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

**kiwifruit** · 22nd July 2008, 11:12

Oh dear

**Tank** · 22nd July 2008, 11:15

Originally Posted by Mikkel

Exactly WHAT did they give you as a loaner?

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** · 22nd July 2008, 11:20

Just cover the back brake.

**nodrog:Me** · 22nd July 2008, 11:20

Originally Posted by Tank

... 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** · 22nd July 2008, 11:21

Originally Posted by Tank

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.

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** · 22nd July 2008, 11:29

Originally Posted by Mikkel

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** · 22nd July 2008, 11:34

Originally Posted by Tank

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** · 22nd July 2008, 11:43

a 500cc 2-stroke as a loaner

thats just nasty

**vifferman** · 22nd July 2008, 11:43

Originally Posted by Tank

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** · 22nd July 2008, 11:43

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** · 22nd July 2008, 11:44

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

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

**Gremlin** · 22nd July 2008, 11:47

Originally Posted by Tank

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?

why?

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