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wheelies how do you do them?

209manny

209manny

\m/
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Location
Modesto
Moto(s)
2001 Triumph Speed Triple
Name
Manny
I went riding in the dirt country back roads on my xr650. I was looking for little jumps and nice areas to wheelie. Anyways the only way I can wheelie on my bike is after immediately releasing the clutch in first gear like at 5mph roll then I smoothly open up the throttle for guaranteed wheel in the air. I tried doing that in second gear and I didn't even come close.


I know that I can use the clutch but I don't want to beat up on my clutch

by the way my bike is uncorked, not sure about the jetting though, because I haven't bothered to check, but I do know that the airbox, intake boot, and exhaust have been de restricted. And I run 15/45 gearing.
 
I open throttle and the wheel comes up. Even in third gear. No clutch.
 
stan23 said:
I open throttle and the wheel comes up. Even in third gear. No clutch.
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I hope nothing is wrong with my bike, I heard that the xr can easily loft the front in 2nd but I can't do it. I have to gas it at low rpm before the engine sounds buzzy. I weigh 200lbs without gear

I checked the valves about 400 miles ago and they were in spec, put in new spark plug, and changed oil/filter.
 
209manny said:
I hope nothing is wrong with my bike, I heard that the xr can easily loft the front in 2nd but I can't do it. I have to gas it at low rpm before the engine sounds buzzy. I weigh 200lbs without gear

I checked the valves about 400 miles ago and they were in spec, put in new spark plug, and changed oil/filter.
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You have to be in the meat of the power band. Try a lower RPM in 2nd gear. Chop throttle, and open it quickly. It should easily come up in 2nd.

Also, try shifting your weight back a few inches - it helps.
 
Clutchless method:

Sit back. Get the engine in the meat of the torque then back off and load up the forks. Get on the gas and pull on the bars as the forks rebound. Cover the rear brake and stab it to cancel the wheelie when you get scared.

A big thumper should be about the easiest bike in the world to #1 get up and #2 hold up. Uphills help if you still have trouble.
 
2strokeYardSale said:
Clutchless method:

Sit back. Get the engine in the meat of the torque then back off and load up the forks. Get on the gas and pull on the bars as the forks rebound. Cover the rear brake and stab it to cancel the wheelie when you get scared.

A big thumper should be about the easiest bike in the world to #1 get up and #2 hold up. Uphills help if you still have trouble.
Click to expand...

first gear is easy to do, I can bring it up in first an carry it all the way, just anything other than first and i don't even fell the front tire lifting an inch. It could be my seating position, I sit furthest up front.
 
Just shift to second with the front wheel in the air. I usually bring it up in second, then shift to third, then to fourth, and I don't put it down till the next stop sign. :)
 
wstick1 said:
Just shift to second with the front wheel in the air. I usually bring it up in second, then shift to third, then to fourth, and I don't put it down till the next stop sign. :)
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:squid
 
As others have said:

I go about 20-25mph in 2nd gear (that's the meat of my torque curve), shut down, then wack the throttle open and pull up on the bars. The bike stands up, and on its way up I'll shift into 3rd, then balance the bike out and ride it until the next stop sign, or turn, or cop, or whatever. I never cover the rear brake.
 
Screw first gear; all that will get you is short hops. Second is best for learning.

You might have a problem with your machine if 650cc can't loft the front wheel in 2nd. Crazy tall freeway gearing?
 
2strokeYardSale said:
Screw first gear; all that will get you is short hops. Second is best for learning.

You might have a problem with your machine if 650cc can't loft the front wheel in 2nd. Crazy tall freeway gearing?
Click to expand...

no that's what I thought it was, when I bought the bike it had 15/39 gearing I switched it to 15/45
 
Try pulling away slowly and shifting into 2nd at about 20-25mph (don't nail it through 1st). Then just whack the throttle and pull back on the bars. You should be trying this WAY lower in the rpm's than you think will work. I'm 210 lbs and my drz will wheelie 2nd with ease with stock gearing. I'm guessing you are trying too high in the rpm range if it doesnt feel like it wants to come up. With a 45 tooth rear sprocket that thing should be effortless to wheelie.
 
Mondo said:
Try pulling away slowly and shifting into 2nd at about 20-25mph (don't nail it through 1st). Then just whack the throttle and pull back on the bars. You should be trying this WAY lower in the rpm's than you think will work. I'm 210 lbs and my drz will wheelie 2nd with ease with stock gearing. I'm guessing you are trying too high in the rpm range if it doesnt feel like it wants to come up. With a 45 tooth rear sprocket that thing should be effortless to wheelie.
Click to expand...

+1, and I believe manny that you are coming from sportbikes. It is waaay different. I had to get used to it at first too. Start way low on the rpm's.
 
wstick1 said:
+1, and I believe manny that you are coming from sportbikes. It is waaay different. I had to get used to it at first too. Start way low on the rpm's.
Click to expand...

My last bike was a ninja zx10r, and I agree it is much different doing a wheelie on a sport bike than on a thumper. It took me about 3 days of banging near rev limiter in first trying to bring up the front, until one day I was at a stop and gave it too much gas while I was releasing the clutch and the front shot up real fast.

don't know why I'm having a problem with second I'll have to hit the goat trails to practice. Or I'll have to make it to any upcoming tard ride so one of you guys can give me some hands on pointers
 
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