View Full Version : Wheelies !
Chaps and ladies.
I want to learn to wheels my pointy, on my private road of course.
So how do you guys get your front wheel up, i am guessing you cant power wheely on the SV and some clutch action is needed.
Any tips and help would be great.
Many thanks!!!!
I wouldn't expect too many replies x
Wideboy
13-12-11, 07:19 PM
Yeah, don't do it on an sv
Dave20046
13-12-11, 07:24 PM
Since when did you two turn into mega bores?
Yes you can power it up unless you're a fat lump and have an underpowered bike, but it's hard to get the hang of.
Clutch it up as with any other bike, search for all the other threads on it for specifics.
The reason widey says don't do it on the sv is because you can starve the front engine cylinder of oil which'll seize your engine...so yes it isn't really advised. I can't see having it up for a few seconds at a small angle doing much...but I'm just regurgitating my girlfriend's words now..
You can power wheelie thje SV if you put your ar se to the back of the bak of the seat and pin it in first. Easiest way to clutch up is accelerate hard in second, **** at back of seat again, slip clutch at around 4.5k n keep the throttle open. However id suggest you experiment with hump back bridges and crests etc first. Get used to the feeling of the front going light, wheelieng needs confidence which comes with experience. make sure you are very used to the bikes power delivery and clutch. I wouldnt be trying it this time of year if its wet or too cold or youll be spinning up rather than lifting the front. If youve got a stupid friend however they could act as a great counterweight lol. Just pulling away hard with someone on the bak will get the front wheel up.
Wideboy
13-12-11, 07:29 PM
I'm not a mega bores, I just don't do it on my sv :p
Specialone
13-12-11, 07:30 PM
I could never power lift the front wheel of my pointy, just wasn't powerful enough for someone of my weight.
Yet my drz400 will :)
I'm not fat either before mr numbers pipes in with an insult.
Dave20046
13-12-11, 07:36 PM
hmm didn't think about what I said there, may be "aslong as you're a runt like me" would've offended less of the websites community
Widey - well some of us don't have a BMW and multiple motorcycles....you've changed man...
:razz:
maviczap
13-12-11, 07:39 PM
I'm sure we've been here before.
I seem to recall that if you spend too much time on the rear wheel you'll starve the oil pump of oil and lunch the engine, so budget for that, plus chains & sprocket, best get a replacement clutch. :laughat:
Maybe get a lower headrace bearing stored up when that gives up after frequent wheelies.:?
Oh and while you're making a shopping list, add some wheel bearing for the front wheel :?
maviczap
13-12-11, 07:42 PM
You can power wheelie thje SV if you put your ar se to the back of the bak of the seat and pin it in first. Easiest way to clutch up is accelerate hard in second, **** at back of seat again, slip clutch at around 4.5k n keep the throttle open. However id suggest you experiment with hump back bridges and crests etc first. Get used to the feeling of the front going light, wheelieng needs confidence which comes with experience. make sure you are very used to the bikes power delivery and clutch. I wouldnt be trying it this time of year if its wet or too cold or youll be spinning up rather than lifting the front. If youve got a stupid friend however they could act as a great counterweight lol. Just pulling away hard with someone on the bak will get the front wheel up.
He said he was going to do it on a private road, he'll get nicked doing it your way :rolleyes:
Haha thanks guys. When i was 18 i had an RVF400 an i could wheelie that for fun. Since then i have had a load of CBR's, firestorms and a Ducati 748 and just never really bothered with wheelying after my beloved RVF. Maybe the SV isnt the best bike to get back into it by the sounds of it.
There seems to be alot of these private roads around now days :P Theres a time and a place for wheelies as with speeding. I think the oil starvation can be partly avoided by keeping the oil at the full mark. However it will be hard to find neutral at a standstill and gears may be a little stiff. The only noticable extra wear on my sv when i used to do alot of holliganism was the chain and sprockets which stretched very irregulary probably due to slipping the clutch. However the clutch was fyn as was head bearings etc and put 25,000 miles on her.
I'm not a bore, I just don't really think wheelies are that great especially on the road.
maviczap
13-12-11, 08:33 PM
I'm not a bore, I just don't really think wheelies are that great especially on the road.
Yep,
Owenski
13-12-11, 08:41 PM
Do I get to be the one who says:
"pull up in a very public place, pull the clutch in and shout "watch this" then take the throttle to the red line and let go of the clutch. That'll get your front wheel up.
I genuinely feel ashamed and embarrassed if I'm with my mate and he wheelies in front of people in town or in front of a group of bikers. Makes me glad I have a black visor. I imagine everyone is thinking 'tw*t' rather than 'that's awesome' like he probably does.
I dont think there is anything wrong with wheelies at all. If anything it shows good throttle/ clutch control. I have been riding for about 11 years so wouldnt say i am wet behind the ears when it comes to biking and i wouldnt say i am a boy racer, i think its a nice little trick to have in your bag. I also snowboard quite a lot and for me its like saying "why bother learning to jump on a snowboard?" WHY THE HELL NOT!!!
I wouldnt wheelie in front of a crowd but on a quite stretch of road i use to love seeing how long i could hold the wheel up !
matt_rehm_hext
13-12-11, 08:51 PM
I once had a car driver deliberately cut me up and nearly knock me off because another biker with me did a wheelie (we were both nowhere near said driver by the way) and when I pulled up to her car at the next junction to ask her wtf her problem was, she just said:
"Your mate is riding like an idiot, that's why".
?!
I don't wanna come across as preaching btw lol. Just my opinion.
Specialone
13-12-11, 08:57 PM
Nope id feel like a t**t being with someone doing wheelies as well, a little one is ok, but fast full on ones on the public road with other road users around attracts bad attention.
Owenski
13-12-11, 09:20 PM
Should point out I love wheelies I just wish I wa better at them.
i've done a good 'accidental' one. I Was pulling away fast from a set of lights, the clutch slipped from 4,000rpm to 7k then kicked in, resulting in a nice wheelie.
Stick engine crash bars on your bike, set the clutch so you can use it with one finger (so you can hold onto the grip with the rest of your fingers)
25mph, 2nd gear , bout 5500rpm and it'll be up.
It's feels awful to start with.
I'd invest my time in more riding though rather than wheelies.
Jayneflakes
13-12-11, 10:46 PM
If my front wheel lifts, I always feel like I have made a mistake. I like to pull away with both wheels down, so amazingly I am in agreement with Reeder, Wideboy and the others who think that lifting the front wheel is a bad idea.
With Wifey having her instructor head on, she says wheelies are bad too, how ever this does not stop her from wheelies and stoppies when she is allowed to ride Sylvie. Being a pillion at the time she chose do these things was probably the only time she scared me on the bike.
STRAMASHER
14-12-11, 08:21 AM
Chaps and ladies.
I want to learn to wheels my pointy, on my private road of course.
So how do you guys get your front wheel up, i am guessing you cant power wheely on the SV and some clutch action is needed.
Any tips and help would be great.
Many thanks!!!!
Just open the throttle faster and more when you leave the lights, the fatter you are the earlier and more you need to do this. Make sure you are rolling first though.
They do not come naturally on the SV, so you just need to work the bike (and your brain!) harder.:)
No joy?
Sit further back.
As folk have said if you start doing a lot of them and like most mere mortals, not be that great at them, you'll shag your chain with tight spots and put a notch in your head bearings and buckle your front wheel blah blah blah. ;)
Fill yer boots Evel! :)
Dicky Ticker
14-12-11, 09:39 AM
Stick to doughnuts------------more appropriate.
As you probably have guessed by now not the sort of road riding that is thought of highly on this forum,plus surprised with your previous history of bike ownership you have to ask.
hardhat_harry
14-12-11, 10:18 AM
You can power wheely an SV just take one tooth off the front sprocket.
Paul the 6th
14-12-11, 01:44 PM
As a serious answer to OP:
I remember reading a review/article for 'the wheelie school' run by paul gower. They've got a bandit 1200 with a special arm hanging off the back of the bike like a giant anti-static strip most cars used to have in the 90's.. They give proper instruction on how to wheelie with the clutch & back brake to keep the bike under control, but if you go too far and the arm touches the floor, it cuts the ignition and returns the bike to a safer angle..
Basically they teach you how to wheelie off the highway, on a bike which is designed to stop you from flipping it.. Not really my cuppa tea because wheelies are for moron's who usually end up crashing on youtube, but if it's something you're interested in learning well it might be worth looking into:
http://www.thewheelieschool.co.uk/
As a silly answer: learn some good roadcraft or how to get your kneedown on a trackday - both are far more impressive when done well :)
plowsie
14-12-11, 02:01 PM
You can power wheely an SV just take one tooth off the front sprocket.
?
hardhat_harry
14-12-11, 02:02 PM
fit a 14 tooth front sprocket instead of the 15 tooth one and an SV wheelies easily
I had a 14 on the front and 2 up at the back, still didn't power wheelie that easy. Best way is to use clutch, but it takes time and practice. But if you on a quite road with no one around to anoy/be hit by they are a skill to learn.
Stick to trying them in the dry, don't seem to work as well in the wet :P
Dave20046
14-12-11, 08:06 PM
I had a 14 on the front and 2 up at the back, still didn't power wheelie that easy. Best way is to use clutch, but it takes time and practice. But if you on a quite road with no one around to anoy/be hit by they are a skill to learn.
Stick to trying them in the dry, don't seem to work as well in the wet :P
I think suspension geometry may come into it also.
And set up for that matter, too soft at the back and it just wallows down and the front stays down.
Scythe92
15-12-11, 08:42 AM
I think suspension geometry may come into it also.
This. The SV has a large wheelbase to the torque required to raise the wheel higher is much larger than a shorter wheelbase m/c.
or ask Stig. The wheelie king at AR08 or 07
yorkie_chris
15-12-11, 05:02 PM
I found the easiest way was to accelerate in first relatively aggressively, then at about 6k slam the throttle closed then open again.
fizzwheel
15-12-11, 06:16 PM
I found the easiest way was to accelerate in first relatively aggressively, then at about 6k slam the throttle closed then open again.
I never felt like I had much control over it that way, I felt I had more control if I got into 2nd gear then popped the front up on the clutch.
Its one of those things I did a few times and then that was it I didnt want to do it again. Just nice to know it was something I could do that was all.
I found the easiest way was to accelerate in first relatively aggressively, then at about 6k slam the throttle closed then open again.
+1. Easy way to get the front up. And no clutch use makes it easier to master IMO. Not that I would do it in public.
DJFridge
15-12-11, 09:11 PM
I had enough trouble trying to pull wheelies on my mate's Chopper. That was over 25 years ago when I was young enough to bounce and dumb enough not to care! I've accidentally wheelied a quad bike a couple of times - quite scary enough thank you.
Still wish I could though!!
Searley
15-12-11, 09:31 PM
I've gotta say I don't see anything wrong with wheelies, obviously there's a time and place for it, but wheelies are definitely not a bad thing :D
Like any trick/stunt either on a bike or anything else (like snowboarding as mentioned) it's only a bad thing if the person attempting it lacks the skill/experience to do it. That said, if you wanna learn a stunt then you've gotta start somewhere ;)
Power wheelies are ok (very easy if you have lots of low/mid range torque), but it's far easier to flip the bike due to the speed which the front lifts while you're accelerating at the same time.
I personally find wheelies much easier using the clutch. Check out this (quite old) video of Dave Sonsky who worked for Superbike Magazine for a short time. He's a very experienced stunt rider and explains both the power and clutch method of wheelies in a very clear, straight forward and easy to understand way.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qncPBZ9DRRk
slow rolling in first. sit back cover the back brake and accerlate hard.
Wheelies rule!
Nobbylad
15-12-11, 10:10 PM
I can do mini wheelies in 1st then again changing up to 2nd from the lights. Don't do it often, and not normally on purpose, however I find it reassuring to be able to do it when I want and control it, rather than do it by accident and panic/end up on my arris.
i alweays found 1st tooshort on the sv, 2nd gives a decent speed/rev range and if you get the balance point you can hold it for a while, i learnt to wheelie uphil...its much easier due to the lower angle to the road needed. But obviously not alot of private roads are steep straight hills.
I think, along with a few others on this thread, that wheelying on a public road or really anywhere is pointless tbh. it doesnt solve anything and in all fairness, if you were riding your bike down the road, and a car did a handbrake turn instead of a Uturn in front of you, you would call him a Twonk or some similar word.
hindle8907
16-12-11, 01:40 PM
nothing wrong with it, as said time and a place.
God there is some right moaners on this site these days.
Lighten up ffs.
Searley
16-12-11, 03:04 PM
nothing wrong with it, as said time and a place.
God there is some right moaners on this site these days.
Lighten up ffs.
I totally agree mate.
Don't get me wrong though, if you don't do wheelies or can't wheelie and have no intention of learning that's fine, not everyone wants to wheelie. BUT, to say it's pointless to wheelie anywhere and if you do wheelie then you're a tw*t, I wheelie think is a bit OTT!! :D
Most people buy a bike because it's fun and gives the rider an adrenalin rush that can't be matched in a car. Some of those riders like to wheelie and some of them don't. I wouldn't slag someone off just because they don't wheelie, so I don't expect to be called a tw*t just because I do wheelie. Obviously there are idiots out there who ride badly, but you get that in cars and everything else on the road too.
There's too much stereo typing in the bike world today. When I first got into biking when I was about 18 years old, every biker got on with every other biker. No one cared what bike you rode, how much your leathers cost or whether you pulled wheelies or not!
The OP was simply asking for some advice because he wants to learn to wheelie, fair play to him I say. At least he's trying to get some advice first and not just going out to blindly have a go.
So come on guys, if someone rides differently to you just remember...they're still a biker! :)
I totally agree mate.
Don't get me wrong though, if you don't do wheelies or can't wheelie and have no intention of learning that's fine, not everyone wants to wheelie. BUT, to say it's pointless to wheelie anywhere and if you do wheelie then you're a tw*t, I wheelie think is a bit OTT!! :D
Most people buy a bike because it's fun and gives the rider an adrenalin rush that can't be matched in a car. Some of those riders like to wheelie and some of them don't. I wouldn't slag someone off just because they don't wheelie, so I don't expect to be called a tw*t just because I do wheelie. Obviously there are idiots out there who ride badly, but you get that in cars and everything else on the road too.
There's too much stereo typing in the bike world today. When I first got into biking when I was about 18 years old, every biker got on with every other biker. No one cared what bike you rode, how much your leathers cost or whether you pulled wheelies or not!
The OP was simply asking for some advice because he wants to learn to wheelie, fair play to him I say. At least he's trying to get some advice first and not just going out to blindly have a go.
So come on guys, if someone rides differently to you just remember...they're still a biker! :)
tw*t
Just kidding :D
Jayneflakes
16-12-11, 04:53 PM
Wheelies look cool, it shows great control if done well, but I have just one question, what is the legality of being on one wheel (back or front come to that) on the public highway?
Riding a push bike about town, you need to learn to jump the bike to protect your wheels from pot holes, broken glass and pooh (dog and human in some parts of Devon!). Do you think motorcyclists could claim the same? I should point out I was pulled twice in 1995 for jumping my mountain bike and my old BMX on public roads for the reasons stated above. A three inch bunny hop is acceptable it seems, a three foot table topper is not... Damn Rozzers! ;-)
Searley
16-12-11, 04:59 PM
tw*t
Just kidding :D
:smt046
Dave20046
16-12-11, 05:02 PM
Wheelies look cool, it shows great control if done well, but I have just one question, what is the legality of being on one wheel (back or front come to that) on the public highway?
Riding a push bike about town, you need to learn to jump the bike to protect your wheels from pot holes, broken glass and pooh (dog and human in some parts of Devon!). Do you think motorcyclists could claim the same? I should point out I was pulled twice in 1995 for jumping my mountain bike and my old BMX on public roads for the reasons stated above. A three inch bunny hop is acceptable it seems, a three foot table topper is not... Damn Rozzers! ;-)
Illegal unless you you get lucky in court I'd say.
Can't see lifting the front wheel to protect it working in many scenarios as 1) the back wheel would most likely hit the hazard anyway 2) a swerve would usually be less compromising as in my opinion you'd keep more control over the bike (primarily the front brake...incase a new hazard appears soon infront of you.
I think it's just a case of talking to the plod, trying your nicest smelly biker charm/humour (chesticles help!) and if that fails taking it on the chin (not like that) or trying the same in court.
Thanks guy !! Very helpful.
I think i will wait for the roads to dry, and the snow to go !!! before i try them !
Dave20046
16-12-11, 05:39 PM
Pussy :D
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c7/Stromette/wheelieSNOW.jpg
Jayneflakes
16-12-11, 05:54 PM
(chesticles help!) and if that fails taking it on the chin (not like that) or trying the same in court.
Can you lot predict where I am going to laugh? Thank you... :smt041
alfa.rbt
16-12-11, 07:22 PM
Pussy :D
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c7/Stromette/wheelieSNOW.jpg
:rave: winner
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