Wheelies (how to)

OK...i know we have some experts here and this question has been asked
before
but i'm asking it now.

I have an SP1, *sometimes* the front wheel goes light on me, and more often
than
not the back wheel slides out a bit causing heart palputations, after all i
am an old git.

But i want to be able to do controlled wheelies, i want to learn properly
and take it steady
and hopefully dont drop the bike, that becomes expensive. Should i start on
a little
125 or something?

Confidence i gues is the key?

Alan

 

Step one. Start engine.
Step two. Rev engine until needle is in the bit marked in red - known in the
trade as "The Wheelie Zone".
Step three. Release clutch quickly. Hold tight.

 

[snip]

Go to a school, for example http://www.thewheelieschool.co.uk/ and get
professional advice.

--
Tim two#21, YGL#3 & BOTAFOT#84

Due to the limitations of current email, the lip movements may be
out of synchronisation as you move your finger under the text while reading.

tim dot ukrm2 at dsl dot pipex dot com

 

And you can f**k right offski.


Alan

 

Forgot to mention that one should shout "Geronimo" at step three.

 

*Ding* - the quickest way to get this confidence without crashing would be
to attend one of the many wheelie schools advertised in <cough>MCN</cough>

The quickest way to get this confidence with an increased risk of crashing
(most likely from flipping it or launching badly so the bike comes crashing
down off-line) is to just get out there, find a nice straight strip of
tarmac with no pot-holes etc and practice practice practice.

It takes time but each extra inch higher the front wheel goes gives you the
confidence that it's not going to flip at that height.
And after a while you'll be wondering what you were so worried about because
you can get the front *very* high without fear of flipping it.

For me the secret is to be consistent, confident & positive about the
launch. Being consistent (i.e. launching in a similar way each time) brings
confidence. Confidence helps to reduce the worrying thoughts that distract
you from the important things that make a wheelie work. Launching positively
is important because the bike is working hardest when it's trying to get the
front off the ground - the higher it gets the less power is needed to keep
it rising - so that's where you need to have good throttle control - small
changes in throttle - small body movements (if any).

In your case it sounds like you're overwhelming the rear tyre - perhaps
they're too cold - but more likely you're being too ham-fisted with the
throttle or dumping the clutch too savagely - combine with you leaning too
far forward over the tank.

So my advice would be to either 'dial in' less throttle before dumping the
clutch and/or dump the clutch less savagely - or if you're not using the
clutch at all then obviously be a little less savage with the throttle.

Once you've got most of your attempted wheelies to the stage where the front
goes light or a few inches off the ground then you can start making small
adjustments to your technique.
These could include sitting more upright or further back in the seat - with
your arms more outstretched - instead of hugging the tank like you were
trying to ride under a car-park barrier!
Also, start to increase the amount of revs/throttle. Once you're used to
shifting your weight back a little the back wheel will be a little less
likely to spin up.

Just my take on it - your mileage may vary, etc etc

p.s. I wouldn't bother with a 125 - you can wheelie them but it'll be a ****
of a lot harder than wheelying a SP1.

 

Bonus points for getting as far as the "o", obviously.

If it turns into "Geronimaaaargh!" points _will_ be deducted, although
there is a chance to redeem yourself with artistic impression and
style points, dependent on the attitude of the motorcycle when you
part company, number of subsequent cartwheels and attitude when coming
to a halt. Much like caber tossing, iyswim.

 

I believe that maximum style is achieved when, in the inlikely event of
remaining on your feet when the bike takes its leave, you then saunter
casually back to the assembled onlookers giving the impression that the
whole thing was intentional.

 

Absolutely.

Bonuses available for lighting a fag on the walk and totally ignoring
the agonised death crunches as your bike finally comes to rest, having
left a trail of its components down the road. Oh, and not crying adds
to the cred yet further.

 

And round it off by slapping the bikes actual owner on the back and saying
"I reckon now's the time to start that streetfighter project".

 

Superbike Magazine gave away a video with two lessons

1. No clutch just hold in 2nd gear at about 20-25 mph and open the throttle
until the front comes up then shut off and get used to the nose coming up

then

2. introduction of the clutch

They may still have copies available ?

MN

 

I was watching the "Run wot you brung" at the "Bulldog Bash" one year.
Someone with a *very new* large capacity sports bike was on the line.
His "friends" had told him that to get off the line quickly you have to:
Get the RPM just short of the rev limiter.
When the lights go green drop the clutch and give it full throttle at
the same time and hold on.

If it hadn't been so expensive it would have been funny. The bike leapt
out from under him rotating upwards and at an angle because he was still
holding on to the throttle. As it tried to destroy itself it took out
the christmas tree lights as well.

 

I've got a copy if you want it. It's very good IMO.

 

Sorby wrote

All the more cred to the wheelier then IMHO. If any **** can wheelie
and SP1 and it takes skill to raise a 125 then I know who my adulation
is going to.

 

Although being over-confident is a killer

This stage is usually reached just after you learn to get the front
wheel up every time

--
Veggie Dave
UKRMHRC#2 BOTAFOF#08
IQ 18 FILMS http://www.iq18films.com
V&S Extreme Photography http://www.bikehouse.demon.co.uk
Extreme Racing http://www.veggie-dave.co.uk
Put Out The Lights On The Age Of Reason

 

Scare yourself shitless at 90mph

Yeah, sounds like a great idea to me...

--
Veggie Dave
UKRMHRC#2 BOTAFOF#08
IQ 18 FILMS http://www.iq18films.com
V&S Extreme Photography http://www.bikehouse.demon.co.uk
Extreme Racing http://www.veggie-dave.co.uk
Put Out The Lights On The Age Of Reason

 

<fx:makes mental note about CIHAGM fest at BSOM to not let flash anywhere
near the Varadero>

 

<dutifully>
I don't think flash can get it up.

 

I don't think I could even manage to get *on* a Varadero.

 

In

http://www.dhpmoto.com/Reports/Wheelie/01406301.rm

(requires Real Media Player)
--
Steve Parry

http://www.gwynfryn.co.uk

K100RS SE
F650