Does your VTR.....

[PARSLEYRIPPER]

Wheelie off the throttle in 2nd gear? I have not had mine long and have been struggling to get a controlled front wheel up in first, If you open the throttle in first (crack it wide open) it comes up so fast I am struggling to keep it up in a controlled way. If you just opened it wide and left it it would just flip on its back
In 2nd gear it also comes up pretty fast with no clutch needed but is a bit more controllable.

What I am wondering is, with all the people on the board there will be some wheelie kings that can give some advice on the best technique. I had an ACU lic back in the day and was well able to hustle a bike around a track BUT have always been garbage at pulling a wheelie. The mountain at Cadwell is the only place I could ever really pull a good one think it was the gentle slope.

Oddly enough I could feet up wheelie a 100cc scooter at 50mph for a mile, but a bike......just pish

[agentpineapple]

wheelie school for you young man.........

[lloydie]

I can get it up ! But keeping it up takes something I ain't got !

[VTRDark]

Viagra.

(:-})

[Flatline]

It's your age Lloydie, its your age

[Jamoi]

Can you wheelie a bicycle? Learning on one really helps you tune into balance points while on your back wheel.

The Firestorm has lots of torque which is good for getting the front up, but as you are experiencing the torque is a bit strong for the balance point which requires a real gentle touch to maintain it, especially if you have... much play in the throttle cables, slack drive chain etc.

I wouldn't say it's a great bike to learn on, the rear brake isn't the strongest especially if you overcook the balance point and need to reign it in and the power delivery isn't as forgiving as a 600cc il4, BUT... It's possible! You've obviously got bike control if you've been racing, so make sure you have smooth power delivery (no slack in anything) and a well serviced rear brake with a grippy set of pads and go for it!

If you've been racing and are used to clutchless gear changes, that'll help, nothing like going up through the box on your back wheel!

[Jamoi]

Here's some things I do to warm up if I'm feeling rusty, which might help...? But, it might not!

1 - Warm your back brake up by pumping it while moving.

2 - Cover your back brake!

3 - In second, catch the revs at around 6500rpm with your clutch, and as the front rises use your back brake to bring you down smoothly asap.

4 - keep repeating step 3, but increase the time before using the back brake to bring you down.

5 - Wheelie forever! Cover your back brake but don't use it until you need to change gear or come down from the wheelie.

I used to love wheelies, especially on dirt bikes and my SV, I think they worry me a little more than they used to, which isn't a good thing.

[PARSLEYRIPPER]

Thanks for the feedback.....well, some of you

I live on my back brake, lots of time on m/x bike sand to be honest the rear brake is shite. I could forgive it if it was never used and not kept clean/bedded in but thats not it, as its used all the time. Coming to think of it the brakes work but seriously lack feel, as I said in another post they are on my hit list.

I think I needed someone who CAN wheelie to confirm its a tricky bike to practice on. I rarely use the clutch when properly on it, only in town or pootling about lookinat women

I know its off point slightly but I really do like the way it feels when cranked over a bit, as said the roads here have quite a lot of gravel/mud/sheep on the corners and changing line is very safe and predictable, the rear brake comes into its own when cornering. I really do like this VTR, I am quite shocked I am even looking at leathers and some new knee sliders on Ebay

[PARSLEYRIPPER]

Here's some things I do to warm up if I'm feeling rusty, which might help...? But, it might not!

1 - Warm your back brake up by pumping it while moving.

2 - Cover your back brake!

3 - In second, catch the revs at around 6500rpm with your clutch, and as the front rises use your back brake to bring you down smoothly asap.

4 - keep repeating step 3, but increase the time before using the back brake to bring you down.

5 - Wheelie forever! Cover your back brake but don't use it until you need to change gear or come down from the wheelie.

I used to love wheelies, especially on dirt bikes and my SV, I think they worry me a little more than they used to, which isn't a good thing.

Thanks for that advice, I am the same. I used to ride like I had nothing to live for, now I am just slooooow and worry about everything.

[darkember]

I can get it up ! But keeping it up takes something I ain't got !

Too many ring visits M8

[geodude]

Love watching the wheelie learning process

[youtube][/youtube]

[youtube][/youtube]

[PARSLEYRIPPER]

Hmmm good ole US of A, bet its down south. I cringe every time he throws it away.

[AMCQ46]

2nd gear and ride along just below 4000 revs then dip the clutch open the throttle and it comes up nice and slow. As others have said, it's not the easiest bike to balance, but it does come up easly

[Duffy1964]

+1

[8541Hawk]

Hmmm good ole US of A, bet its down south. I cringe every time he throws it away.

And why would you say that? Ever been here?