Advice on wheelies

I can do brief wheelies in first gear. The problem I have is I'm afraid of flipping the bike backwards so I get the fronto tire about 2 feet off the ground then I let off the gas completely. Neeless to say teh front tire comes down pretty hard. Is the SV's dog bars able to handle this type of abuse? I notice they have shock absorbers

Snick up into 2nd gear at that point - the reaction to throttle inputs won't be so severe that way

[PS - doing wheelies isn't big or clever ]

BALLS

It's all down to having the balls to let it go higher.

One thing I will say is that shutting down the throttle like you do will not do your front end any good at all. You are putting a lot of stress on to the head bearings. Better to let the throttle off ever so slightly and the front will come down much smoother and at a controlled pace. Also much less likely to have a tank slapper too.

The other way is as Jabba says and get it in to second gear, the throttle response is much more subtle in this gear. However, to change from first to second whilst the front wheel is already in the air will mean that the front wheel needs to be MUCH higher than the two feet that it is now. Otherwise by the time you have done the gear change the front wheel will already be back on the ground.

You could try a wheelie straight from second gear, this however would require a significant amount of clutch dumping and not really the best and smoothest way of pulling a wheelie. Unless you are experienced of course.

I would say practise practise and practise some more. Get the front up a little more each time. But I would practise getting the front back down smoother before you progress trying to get the wheelie higher. Obviously the higher you go at the moment, the harder the front will come down. NOT GOOD. So for the time being keep to the height you have and practise the landings. When you have that sussed, concentrate on getting higher.

You do realise ofcourse that I do not condone such reckless activities in anyway, and you would never see me with my front wheel anywhere apart from firmly planted on the tarmac.

Originally Posted by Jabba-the-Hutt

Snick up into 2nd gear at that point - the reaction to throttle inputs won't be so severe that way :thumbsup:

[PS - doing wheelies isn't big or clever :oops: ]

I agree, whatever you do NEVER attempt to do wheelies.........(in front of a policeman).

Originally Posted by BigApe

But I would practise getting the front back down smoother before you progress trying to get the wheelie higher. Obviously the higher you go at the moment, the harder the front will come down. NOT GOOD. So for the time being keep to the height you have and practise the landings. When you have that sussed, concentrate on getting higher.

Best bit of advice so far. When the front goes up, the knee-jerk response is to snap the throttle snap and take control of your sphincter - overuling that initial reaction is vitrally important to perform smooth and safe wheelies. Closing the throttle slowly so the front wheel comes down gently and under control will give you the confidence to move on to higher more dangerous wheelies.

Do understand that the height of your front wheel, when off the tarmac, is directly proportional to the level of danger and flipping it. Wheelies are fun and give an excellent adrenaline rush but it would be wrong to pretend they're an easy and safe manoeuvre.


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The only proper wheelie I did was just after getting cut up by a plonker in a car, I had a word with him through his open window, and then pulled the most perfect wheelie. I was impressed, he probably thought I was mental :P

Ive taken this learn to wheelie to a new more sick level. I accidently did a wheelie off the lights by dumping the clutch, loved it totally. Next day kept practising in first and dumping clutch - got a bit better........

told my biker mate in the pub and he said 'ive got a dvd that shows you exactly how to do wheelies!' so I borrowed that and yeah its good stuff, shows you EXACTLY what to do

now I dont do the clutch thing, I lift it by loading the front forks and switching on the power - up she goes! plus it comes up nice and smoothly rather than jumping up in your face, havent had the balls to click it into second yet but im working on that.

DVD covers stoppies and burn outs aswell. the houligans handbook

Originally Posted by caines

Ive taken this learn to wheelie to a new more sick level. I accidently did a wheelie off the lights by dumping the clutch, loved it totally. Next day kept practising in first and dumping clutch - got a bit better........

told my biker mate in the pub and he said 'ive got a dvd that shows you exactly how to do wheelies!' so I borrowed that and yeah its good stuff, shows you EXACTLY what to do

now I dont do the clutch thing, I lift it by loading the front forks and switching on the power - up she goes! plus it comes up nice and smoothly rather than jumping up in your face, havent had the balls to click it into second yet but im working on that.

DVD covers stoppies and burn outs aswell. the houligans handbook

Big Dave is da man, and he makes em look so easy too.

Originally Posted by camhops

I notice they have shock absorbers