76 replies to this topic

[Chillwabbitt TT Silver Member]

OK, I'm writing what I hope will be the answer to all the Wheelie posts so I never have to see one again and there are many.
I have written about three tutorials I think and have combined all tips and tricks into this "Wheelies the final chapter".
I suggest doing this on grass or sand cause I'm sure you love the skin you in.

Please someone at TT make this a sticky so ppl stop asking this question over and over and over again.

The ugly:
Neither I or TT are responsible for how you use this information, by reading this you agree to the fact that this is information only!!!
always use the correct safety gear and be safe.

some useful info:
TIP 1: When the front forks are horizontal to the ground the bike is at balance point.
TIP 2: The rear brake will stop you from going over backward.
TIP 3: Embed Tip 2 into your brain before starting this.

The Beginning: The no clutch methods...
Preparation: (this is to get used to the floating feeling) (Standing position)
While riding around in a standing position in 1st/2nd gear (depending on bike capacity 200/250/450cc)bounce up and down on the bike.
As the bike comes up(decompression stroke) crack the throttle, this will cause the front wheel to *pop* off the ground do this a few times to get used to the feeling of the bike coming up.

Method 1: (this is where you should start with a bigger bike) (Seated position)
Pull off in 1st and twist the throttle really hard, not a yank on the throttle though just aggressive acceleration.
The front will come up, get used to this method and feeling before moving on.

Method 2: (this is where you should start with a smaller bike) (Seated position)
Pull off in 1st while just at walking speed (make sure you sitting near the rear of the seat just before the plastic not on it(it will collapse and you will make friends with the rear tire and then the ground)at the same time wick the throttle open yank hard on the bars don't hold it pin for to long otherwise you will flip quite violently.
Now once you have managed getting your front wheel up you will need to "cover" the back brake place the arch of your foot on the foot peg and the tip of you foot on the brake lever (get used to this) when the bike comes up to far tap(not punish) that rear brake.
Practice this "stop flipping method"(even while on 2 wheels imagine you have the wheel up and you need to bring it down again) I promise you will be glad you did somewhere in the near future.

Moving up The Clutching methods...
TIP 4: use 1 or two fingers max to *pop* the clutch (1 is preferable).

Preparation: (this is to get used to the floating feeling) (Seated position)
While riding around in 1st gear @ walking pace pull the clutch in open the throttle a little, while the revs are climbing let go of the clutch quickly(pop the clutch) the front wheel will lift off the ground when you have the mix right.
At this point we don't want to try hold the wheelie all we trying to do is get the front wheel up using the clutch and to know what the right mix of gas and clutch pop are.
Start slowly and build up to getting the front wheel off the ground. Don't go big at the beginning work your way up otherwise you are going to hurt yourself.
Once you are comfortable doing this move on.

Method 1: (this is where you should start with a bigger bike) (Seated position)
Pull off in 1st while just at walking speed shift into 2nd pull in the clutch rev her up a little and dump the clutch. (see preparation)
Now once you have managed getting your front wheel up you will need to "cover" the back brake place the arch of your foot on the foot peg and the tip of you foot on the brake lever (get used to this) when the bike comes up to far tap(not punish) that rear brake.
Practice this "stop flipping method"(even while on 2 wheels imagine you have the wheel up and you need to bring it down again) I promise you will be glad you did somewhere in the near future.
To hold the wheelie is simple as the higher you get the front wheel off the ground the less gas is needed. This is where the dance of the throttle and rear brake come in, give a little throttle and the bike comes up higher tap off and the bike comes down
when you feel that the bike is going over to much tap the rear brake and "save it".

All more I can say here is practice, practice, practice.

Method 2: (this is where you should start with a smaller bike) (Seated position)
Pull off in 1st while just at walking speed pull in the clutch rev her up a little and dump the clutch. (see preparation)
Now once you have managed getting your front wheel up you will need to "cover" the back brake place the arch of your foot on the foot peg and the tip of you foot on the brake lever (get used to this) when the bike comes up to far tap(not punish) that rear brake.
Practice this "stop flipping method"(even while on 2 wheels imagine you have the wheel up and you need to bring it down again) I promise you will be glad you did somewhere in the near future.
To hold the wheelie is simple as the higher you get the front wheel off the ground the less gas is needed. This is where the dance of the throttle and rear brake come in, give a little throttle and the bike comes up higher tap off and the bike comes down
when you feel that the bike is going over to much tap the rear brake and "save it".

All more I can say here is practice, practice, practice.

Method 3: (Wheelies at speed)
While riding and you see a surprise obstical like deep whoops/hole/water. make sure the bike is in the meat of the power and that you are standing up.
Yank on the bars(PLEASE cover the rear brake) this method and off-road bikes = disaster for beginners(the front wheel will come up pretty fast and you will be leaning backward).
Don't try hold it just clear what you need to and move on.

TIP: Water is like a brake so accelerate through it.

The best wheelies are the really slow ones, anyone can wheelie on the power, maintaining a nice balance wheelie is where the skill comes in.

Go away practice and be safe(please wear your gear doing this and let me know how it goes ~ good luck).

If someone sees something I have missed please add you comments.

Later
Chill

[SCCRF450 TT Platinum Member]

well we have the talking part done

[sonobob Get Help Now]

Hey, um...can anyone explain how to wheelie???



j/k!

Great post, CW!

[mxtitan24 TT Member]

i dont get it
hahaha
jkjk

[NO_FEAR TT Platinum Member]

Great post. It made me laugha few times also

[Flynall TT Gold Member]

Good post, put I have one simple suggestion....

Strap a pillow to your ass for when you loop it!

OK, maybe just a nice pad in the riding pants, but a fair number of folks have wished for better protection to "save their ass" after the fact.

RH

[polybash TT Member]

Flynall said:

Good post, put I have one simple suggestion....

Strap a pillow to your ass for when you loop it!

OK, maybe just a nice pad in the riding pants, but a fair number of folks have wished for better protection to "save their ass" after the fact.

RH

I completely agree.  I have looped out a few times practicing on my street and was wishing I had some rear end protection.  
Appreciate all the tips as well.  I have since learned to take my practicing into some more forgiving terrain and will use these tips for better technique.

[Pyromania TT Bronze Member]

Finally. Someone explained it simply.   I learned a lot. Thank you.

[jbusa8 TT Platinum Member]

polybash said:

  I have looped out a few times practicing on my street and was wishing I had some rear end protection.

wow....sounds like your tailbone was made to last!

[lastoneup56 TT Silver Member]

Does this mean there wont be anymore wheelie thread?! haha

[vaca450 TT Member]

Chillwabbitt said:

Please someone at TT make this a sticky so ppl stop asking this question over and over and over again.

+1....

[promac TT Silver Member]

^Pretty please with sugar on it?  Oh well, at least I'm subscribed now!  Hopefully I won't end up on my azz.  

[washington_rider TT Bronze Member]

vaca450 said:

+1....

+2:applause:

[runerider TT Member]

uhhhh.... i think you lost me.  What is a wheelie.  jkjk nice post

[Chillwabbitt TT Silver Member]

revive time.

[promac TT Silver Member]

Lesson#2 - High-chair?  Stoppie?  J/K!

[unclewho TT Silver Member]

One thing that helped me getting used to the bike being vertical is doing walking wheelies, sit on the back of the seat, feet on the ground and pop the clutch. you get used to the bike being vertical with this method.

[scmb-drz TT Newbie]

BA post! very helpful

[Chillwabbitt TT Silver Member]

For those of you who are still confused - #refresh!

[hedwards79 TT Bronze Member]

Thanks for the easy explanation. Now to just take that info and use it withouth busting my a#*