Wheelie School

WayneM · Post by **WayneM** » Mon Jul 22, 2002 9:23 am

Hi All,

I attended the wheelie school (is there more then one? - The one near Swindon then) on Saturday.

What a flipping (no pun intended) brilliant day out !

From 9:30 to 15:30 on a 1200 Bandito. Popping wheelies - loads of fun!

If, like me, your a wheelie virgin then this is totally recommended. Its a lot to take in but its done so well that it isnt a problem.

First lessons include;

Getting the speed right.
Getting feet and hands in the right place (away from all levers and peddles!)
Getting the seating position right.
Getting Relaxed.

Now do it all together.

Time for the fun stuff!

Getting the front wheel in the air in a crontrolled, effortless manner! Sounds easy!

The funny thing is, once youve got the other stuff right (speed, position etc) it is really easy. No pulling on the bars. No dipping and yanking the trottle. Just a little "cough" on the throttle and, whoosh, up she comes!

First time, it scared the bloody bejeezus outa me! So much so I let go of the throttle which wasnt a brilliant idea - managed to realise the stupidity of that move before the wheel hit the ground which was a result!

The bikes are all fitted with this clever little switch thing which cuts the engine for a nano-second when the front wheel is at a certain height - so if you do give it to much, the engine cuts and the front wheel comes down nicely. Amazing the difference knowing this makes to your efforts!

Anyway, once the wheel is nicely in the air its time to move on to control and distance. Basically this is all about feathering the throttle a tiny (and I do mean small) bit. Took me ages to get the hang of this as I'm a bit of a ham fisted blokey! However, after plenty of practice and a break for some food I managed to get the hang of it and finished the day off with a 75 metre full on wheelie. Greeeaaaaattt!

The day was Â£150.

Now all I have to do is build up some spunk (in the old English meaning of the word!) and try it on my bike!

Post by **firestorm996** » Mon Jul 22, 2002 9:28 am

Cool

Always fancied a go at that since I heard about it. Don't think it'd turn me into a wheelie monster though, some people have it and others just don't!

adamski · Post by **adamski** » Fri Aug 09, 2002 9:11 pm

Don't be a girl!

2nd gear 40 mph dip the clutch, big handful of revs and up she comes

Then use the throttle as a elevator control, easy!!

IF you are feeling VERY brave get it up on the balance point and hooh 3rd, you may not want to do this as it takes you well over 100mph and that is quite quick on one wheel

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sat Aug 10, 2002 12:23 am

I wouldn't mind going to this - anyone else up for it, maybe get a group discount?? It's near Gloucester I think....

adamski · Post by **adamski** » Sat Aug 10, 2002 10:45 am

IT's OK for basics, but you need to learn how your own bike does it, not a bandit!
(which are the easiest bike in the world to whelie)

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sat Aug 10, 2002 11:00 am

I need to learn the basics without fekking up my own bike - I have tried on mine but it is harsh on my bike when I panic and slam the front down.... I haven't done this often as I have spent too much on my bike to wreck it learning stunts!! I know where you're coming from though....

adamski · Post by **adamski** » Sat Aug 10, 2002 11:09 am

You WONT wreck it!

1st gear and just accelerate hard and up she comes, once up just wait, when it runs out of torque the wheel comes down nice and smooth.

IF you do panic just turn the throttle back a little, dont slam it shut.
HTH.

Post by **firestorm996** » Sat Aug 10, 2002 2:23 pm

Adamski

You're right of course, the problem is that most people (ie me) will slam the throttle shut 30 times before they get the bottle to keep it open or feather it a bit. So that's 30 hard landings, busted fork seals, loose head bearings or worse. I've just had my head bearings replaced so this is first hand for me, and I still can't fecking wheelie!!!

:

So getting the basics right on someone elses bike ain't a bad move for people who aren't blessed with natural wheelie ability. :wink2

adamski · Post by **adamski** » Sat Aug 10, 2002 4:35 pm

Hmmm, Not sure there is "natural ability" for wheelies, but I do see, and even concede your point.

I have just been out and Can now do 2nd gear balance ones, for as long as I like

WayneM · Post by **WayneM** » Sat Aug 10, 2002 11:15 pm

Id be up for doing it again. Dont mind organising it either if theres enough interest. I think we'd need nine people. Looking at Â£150 each.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sun Aug 11, 2002 12:02 am

Top - that's two of us then - anyone else??

Post by **firestorm996** » Mon Aug 12, 2002 9:50 am

If you can get some dates, let me know. Also Del-boy might be interested I think.

Where is it btw?

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Mon Aug 12, 2002 10:08 am

Near Gloucester I believe...

adamski · Post by **adamski** » Mon Aug 12, 2002 1:45 pm

STOP BEING GIRLS!!!

Your bikes will cope, just find somewhere quiet and practise!!!!!

Even if you kill your head bearings, it's only Â£50 to fix it, how much was the course?

delmeekc · Post by **delmeekc** » Tue Aug 13, 2002 10:44 am

adamski,

who you callin a girl, my black one wheelies ok but my streetfighter comes up in third on the throttle (no clutch, no tuggin on the bars and all that sh1t), it comes up at about 90mph @ 7000rpm on the flat and cos I love it so much I just keep it up until it comes down nice and slowly on the rev limiter (Thats set @ 9,600rpm just after peak power) I used to clutch it up and can do if I can be bothered, I pull 1sties everywhere, well when ever I'm in 1st really, ask Neil.

Del

VTR1000.ORG

Wheelie School

Wheelie School

Count me in