Hey guys.. ive been a member for a little while but havent really posted. Ive been riding for years and have had 3 bikes (98 katana, 2000 gsxr, and my current one). I only recently got into learning wheelies and stoppies. I was more into drag racing and etc before, which is why i picked up my current bike (2002 yamaha R1).

Ive done a few performance mods, but that's about it...

Velocity Stacks
Scorpion Exhaust
-1 tooth front sprocket
K&n air filter
power commander
lowered in rear, strapped in front
200 rear tire
smog block off kit

I think theres more but it doesnt matter..

I took off the strap on the front, the rear is only lowered about an inch or so. I can do stoppies ok, and am working on them. They come up fine, I just have to keep working on my technique.

The point is, I'm trying to learn wheelies and the bike seems to throw them up pretty violently. I lowered the rear tire pressure, but it didnt help much. I started off powering them up, which took a little while for me to get semi-comfortable with, and I was sitting down doing them. Now I just started trying to clutch them up. I like clutching them up better. I also do not feel comfortable standing up on the bike at all. I tried standing up on the front pegs, the rear pegs, staggered.. it just feels weird and i kinda get jerked around when i'm trying to bring it up. I guess its cuz i learned sitting down..... prolly just need to keep practicing.

Regardless of how I bring the front wheel up it seems to come up TOO quick and i always just slam it back down. I see my friends doing it the same way, on there 600's and without a doubt it seems to come up smoother. I had a buddy of mine try it out on my bike, and he had the same issue.

My question is, are we doing something wrong, or is an R1 a bad bike to learn wheelies on.......? I'm honestly thinking about trading it for a 636, or selling it and buying a 636. What do you guys think? I have it in my head that my bike is not the one to learn on, but i could be wrong.

Hope you guys can help, thanks.

Will

 

If your gonna stunt, sell the R1 and get a 600. Read the sticky's and practice. Or just practice on what you got, its all gonna be new just gotta practice.

 

Well.. thanks. I already read the stickies a hundred times but I think i'll attempt to sell the R1. I'm still going to keep practicing on it until I sell it.... i suppose.

 

The R1 would be ok to stunt but will be twitchier than a 6 and that big rear tire wouldnt make it easier. If you have enough money fix the R1 if it got damaged then go for it, but the 6 would be more practical in the long run.