1st gear wheelie question/concern

[RiPTOR]

Hey guys, I bought my '04 CBR 600RR in December, and it's my first sportbike. I've gotten quite used to it and am starting to toy around with wheelies. I know my biggest problem at this point is just getting over my fear. I've played aorund with power wheelies a bit. I bring it up to about 7k in 1st pretty quick, slam it shut and then open it up, I can pop it up once in a while. My most successful wheelies so far have been when riding out 1st through most of the power band, having the throttle pretty wide open, throwing it into second while leaving the throttle wide, then droppin the clutch, I can pick it up about a foot or more. I've been reading and trying clutch wheelies starting in 1st gear going about 15-20mph. I guess what I'm concerned about is wether or not it's supposed to be smooth. It seems very jerky when I try to do it, and I let off the throttle before I can pick it up. Is the front wheel going to jump up real hard ? Should I just be ready for it to do that? And what should I be looking out for... is looping even a possibility ? I guess once I know what to expect and get over those fears I'll be good to go. Thanks guys.

[drog]

looping is a very real possibility. it shouldnt be jerky, but until you get used to wheelieing, get used to it cause it will be for a long time. to smooth it out takes clutch control and knowing when to chop throttle. there's really nothing anyone can tell you to get this down other than to practice. it's something you have to learn yourself - eventually you'll learn it without even trying, just out of habit.
my suggestion is to never "dump" the clutch. that means pulling in the clutch, holding it, full throttling, then releasing clutch. that's a good way to both lurch and/or loop. the smoothest wheelies are ones where you (in my experience) only use the clutch to bring the tire off the ground, then turn it into a power wheelie to bring the wheel where you want it... if you're clutching the tire all the way up, you put too great a risk in looping (again, in my opinion). just get used to quickly slipping the clutch to get the tire up 2 feet. 2ft should be your goal for a while. get to the point you can bring it exactly 2ft every single time without going higher/lower. 2 ft is the barrier in my mind - once you're used to bringing the wheel 2ft with the clutch, start throttling after it comes up and bring it to the balance point -- do not go for the balance point for a very long time.

hope that helps - there are several posts around explaining what slipping is, GL

[snigg]

drog i clutch mine right up to where i want em, then feather the throttle. i dont know bout "getting the front wheel up a little and turning it into a power wheelie" but whatever works. looping is a part of stunting, it'll happen eventually. learn to use the back brake, and learn throttle control

[J0HNK]

Ask Snigg... he's the wheelie KING... as you can tell just above my Avatar... I suck at it.

[and I CAN'T really ride either]

[drog]

well, for learning purposes, he doesnt need the bike flying into his chest. i gave him a description to help him bring it up smooth rather than overwhelmingly fast.

[snigg]

Originally Posted by J0HNK

Ask Snigg... he's the wheelie KING... as you can tell just above my Avatar... I suck at it.

[and I CAN'T really ride either]

post some pics or video

[RiPTOR]

Thanks for the tips guys. I know it'll just take some practice. When you start talking about slipping the clutch, you mean that let's say im in 1st gear and am powering up, once ima round 15-20mph... pull in the clutch slightly but continue to apply throttle, then slowly let he clutch out as I continue to apply more throttle. Am I correct ?

[drog]

that's pretty close to it. i use the half inch method. pull in clutch 1/2 inch and goose the throttle, then let out the clutch.

[RiPTOR]

Cool. I'll be sure to start trying that out. Thanks alot drog.