Hello, My name is Jim, I'm 32, Denver, CO .. I own 2001 XR650L ,Trakmaster tires, Pro taper bars, Scotts Stabilizer,K & N air filter, Acerbis Taillight, Cut out Airbox, Snorkel removed, Pro Circuit T4 Exhaust, IMS 4 gal. tank, digital dash.

Here's my question, I have been riding for about 3 years now and have had a serious yearning to ride wheelies since the very beginning. I consider myself a pretty good dirt and street rider and ride fairly aggressively..I can do first gear wheelies only... I can ride out most of the gear but cannot shift and am slowly building up speed throughout the gear. I'm definitely at the balance point as very little throttle input keeps me balanced. I've been trying to learn 2nd gear clutch wheelies for about 6 months now...maybe 1 out of ten times I get to the balance point. The bike seems to jump up though, not real controlled. also when I'm at the balance point it seems real sketchy... Feels like when I back off the throttle the bike float more so than in first gear(When I chop the throttle in first, the bike comes right down). Do I just need to get her up higher? Get my balance point higher? The reason I ask all these questions is that I have no-one to ride with nor do I know anyone who can wheelie.

Thanks for any help you may offer...

Jim K

 

anyone, anyone?

 

All i can say is... practice. Try going slower in 2nd, pulling in the clutch, and letting it revs climb, then slip the clutch out fast. Start with lower revs, than gradually goto higher. Im no pro but it worked for me.

 

Jim-
What I suggest for shifting, is if you already don't know how. you can shift without pulling in the clutch. Practice this when you aren't doing a wheelie, but normally riding your bike.. When you are on the throttle moving forward, give some pressure to the shift lever with your foot, then when you wanna shift let go of the gas and kick it back on real fast. I always do this anyway when I don't feel like shifting normally. This is how you would shift when you are doing a wheelie.

And for the balance points. Its all about getting that front end up. I was doing wheelies for so long, and when I saw it on video I was no where near the height I should've been. I can ride first gear wheelies for miles now that I hit that balance point.

Gearing down your bike helps a lot too. I do 12's which is a whole nother ball game, but it will really help with the clutch wheelies. Maybe just going 1 down in from for your sprocket.

and as TCifani said, it does take a lot of practice. But you'll get it, i have faith :YEAH :YEAH

Hope I helped.
~Jared

 

Thanks! I appreciate the help.....no back to wheelie-ing!

Jim