Slow Wheelies

JW381
Posts
10638
Joined
7/21/2009
Location
Harrisburg, OR, USA
Edited Date/Time 6/17/2013 2:53pm
Share some tips on the art of the slow wheelie

I'm finally gonna be getting back into the swing of things and my main priority is to have fun for the sake of moto. I'm a competitive person, so of course I'm gonna put in some laps and try to step my speed up, but all for fun.

But my 1.a priority is to learn to slow wheelie!

Tips, tricks, stories, pics, videos, share it all!
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144273
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GB
6/16/2013 9:23am
BobbyM
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21436
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USA
6/16/2013 9:52am
BobbyM
Posts
21436
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
USA
6/16/2013 9:54am
JW381
Posts
10638
Joined
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Location
Harrisburg, OR, USA
6/16/2013 9:57am
GOOD STUFF

The Shop

Preston412
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987
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Location
Saint Augustine, FL, USA
Fantasy
6/16/2013 11:08am
Go up 10 teeth on rear sprocket, turn the idle up on the bike(if using a 4 stroke) so engine brake doesn't bring the front back down, adjust the rear brake to soften it up, put 7 psi in the rear tire(helps get bike stable while learning). Once you learn and get comfortable doing 12 O'clock wheelies, then set the bike up the way you like it.

I practiced a lot on a DRZ 125 but here is a picture from a show I did in PA on a GSXR 750.




JW381
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10638
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Location
Harrisburg, OR, USA
6/16/2013 11:18am
Preston412 wrote:
Go up 10 teeth on rear sprocket, turn the idle up on the bike(if using a 4 stroke) so engine brake doesn't bring the front back...
Go up 10 teeth on rear sprocket, turn the idle up on the bike(if using a 4 stroke) so engine brake doesn't bring the front back down, adjust the rear brake to soften it up, put 7 psi in the rear tire(helps get bike stable while learning). Once you learn and get comfortable doing 12 O'clock wheelies, then set the bike up the way you like it.

I practiced a lot on a DRZ 125 but here is a picture from a show I did in PA on a GSXR 750.




Soft rear brake, i like that tip. Best gear is 2nd, and a little clutch or a lot??
Trent179
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1227
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4/3/2010
Location
Princeton, IN, USA
6/16/2013 12:06pm
The secret is to keep your front wheel spinning. Push ur caliper in before you do one so there is no brake drag in the front. Slow wheelies are easy until the front wheel stops rotating.
trb989
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57
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1/26/2011
Location
Helsinki, FI
6/16/2013 12:08pm
I used to be good at it when i rode 2-stroke 125. With 4-strokes its much harder, atleast for me. Havent been doing it too much lately tho..

Most important thing is that you have to trust your rear brake and feel confident about it. It feels hard and scary at the beginning when you are learning where is the balance point, and it feels that you are tipping over but keep training. Keep your foot always on the brake pedal.

i use 2nd gear, and almost immediately when the front tire is up i shift to 3rd so i dont have to rev the bike. And you need to get the bike to the balance point straight after releasing clutch because you dont want to gain speed. After that I prefer firm pressure on rear brake (not too much because you dont want to stall your bike) and steady throttle. But in the beginning it will be pumping the throttle and tapping the rear break like a crazy, but more comfortable you get with the balance point, the easier it gets.
Preston412
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Saint Augustine, FL, USA
Fantasy
6/16/2013 12:20pm
1st gear. Test your clutch preference, I used little clutch with the DRZ because of the tall gear in the rear but used a lot of clutch on the GSXR because of stock gearing and heavy front weight.

If you get too much wheel spin then try less clutch and sit just past the middle of the seat, never sit near fender because when the front wheel comes up fast, you will slide down a little before gripping side of bike and hitting the rear brake and butt on fender means your ass on the grass.

Hard on the throttle and as the top of the gas tank comes in the line of sight, let off throttle(high idle will keep you rolling) and press rear brake to slow the front end down. You want the gas cap in the line of sight to know you are in the balance point of the bike. You can now use the throttle(gently) or rear brake(gently) to keep it in the balance point area which is generally between 11 and 12 o'clock position.

Find a technic for the clutch and throttle that works for you. Once you get good, you will rarely use the clutch because it becomes a throttle and snatch habit and the initially reaction will be controlled by the throttle and then slowing your roll will come from the rear brake.
DrSweden
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6761
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Location
Stockholm, SE
6/16/2013 1:14pm
Good vid! I was able to do wheelies for kilometers with everything, now I have lost much of the touch. Dunno if it's the boots, but that tip point needs a pretty good brake foot to work. My sweetest memory was going up in sixth gear with an CR80, and being able to shift down to first again. Maybe it's an age thing... Sad
6/16/2013 1:30pm
The back brake a little clutch and not being afraid are the keys to slow wheelies, I've always been good at wheelies so they came easy to me.

Find the balance point, keep a finger on the clutch to keep the revs up and use the brake to keep it in the balance point and practice, practice practice. Be prepared to purchase some new levers and a few fenders.
6/16/2013 1:32pm
DrSweden wrote:
Good vid! I was able to do wheelies for kilometers with everything, now I have lost much of the touch. Dunno if it's the boots, but...
Good vid! I was able to do wheelies for kilometers with everything, now I have lost much of the touch. Dunno if it's the boots, but that tip point needs a pretty good brake foot to work. My sweetest memory was going up in sixth gear with an CR80, and being able to shift down to first again. Maybe it's an age thing... Sad
I think it is an age thing. i use to be able to do circles, figure eights and go around the block. Now I can still do an impressive wheelie, but not nearly as good as I use to and I don't know why.
DrSweden
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6761
Joined
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Location
Stockholm, SE
6/16/2013 1:49pm
DrSweden wrote:
Good vid! I was able to do wheelies for kilometers with everything, now I have lost much of the touch. Dunno if it's the boots, but...
Good vid! I was able to do wheelies for kilometers with everything, now I have lost much of the touch. Dunno if it's the boots, but that tip point needs a pretty good brake foot to work. My sweetest memory was going up in sixth gear with an CR80, and being able to shift down to first again. Maybe it's an age thing... Sad
UpTiTe wrote:
I think it is an age thing. i use to be able to do circles, figure eights and go around the block. Now I can still...
I think it is an age thing. i use to be able to do circles, figure eights and go around the block. Now I can still do an impressive wheelie, but not nearly as good as I use to and I don't know why.
Son of a bitch. I was certain it was the boots. You just killed part of my self esteem... Grinning

I promise you, I will not let this go. Next time on track, I will revive that old part of my brain, damn I feel I still have it! Smile I will post proof of success (failure), I shit you not! Woohoo
PressPassP
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3329
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3/3/2010
Location
Ipswich, GB
6/16/2013 2:22pm
JW381 wrote:
Share some tips on the art of the slow wheelie I'm finally gonna be getting back into the swing of things and my main priority is...
Share some tips on the art of the slow wheelie

I'm finally gonna be getting back into the swing of things and my main priority is to have fun for the sake of moto. I'm a competitive person, so of course I'm gonna put in some laps and try to step my speed up, but all for fun.

But my 1.a priority is to learn to slow wheelie!

Tips, tricks, stories, pics, videos, share it all!
Was it yourself that mentioned something about Cairoli doing a nose wheelie and activating his holeshot starting device with his boot?? Sounds awesome
JW381
Posts
10638
Joined
7/21/2009
Location
Harrisburg, OR, USA
6/16/2013 3:15pm
JW381 wrote:
Share some tips on the art of the slow wheelie I'm finally gonna be getting back into the swing of things and my main priority is...
Share some tips on the art of the slow wheelie

I'm finally gonna be getting back into the swing of things and my main priority is to have fun for the sake of moto. I'm a competitive person, so of course I'm gonna put in some laps and try to step my speed up, but all for fun.

But my 1.a priority is to learn to slow wheelie!

Tips, tricks, stories, pics, videos, share it all!
PressPassP wrote:
Was it yourself that mentioned something about Cairoli doing a nose wheelie and activating his holeshot starting device with his boot?? Sounds awesome
Nope, but thats incredible!!
smeg
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1096
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Washington, DC, USA
6/17/2013 5:23am Edited Date/Time 6/17/2013 5:24am
Saw Domokos up close and personal at the DC convention center back in the early '80s at a motorcycle expo type thingy. So close I could have reached out and touched him. He was doing wheelies over cars and all kinda stuff. His rear sprocket was freaking huge . I wouldn't even venture a guess at how many teeth it was, the thing was about a 14-16 inch diameter.

Very impressive display nonetheless. I have been riding about 40 years and I still can't do a slow wheelie to save my ass.
6/17/2013 2:53pm
bh626 wrote:
Maybe not the best venue but these guys are wheelie kings. How about a no-hander?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNnrCKi4-js
Little known fact...
The Wheelie Boyz developed the "one hand hangin low wheelie" as a way to carry out hand to hand transactions with cars without having to stop.
You think that's something? You would really be impressed to see them make change on one wheel!!!!

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