Maybe its my technique or maybe its my weight, probly both, but I am finding that clutching up my wheelies in second or first is getting expensive on clutches and apparently timing chains. My bike is a 1999 CBR600F4. Recently reverted to stock gearing. I would like to know how to do the bouncing technique for say second gear. I can balance good but I usually get the wheel up and then slowly stand while keeping controll, but getting it up WHILE standing is a bit nervy for me. I have tried clutching before while standing and the jerky result has been un nerving worse than before I could wheelie sitting! I have heard that when you bounce, most do not use the clutch at all so any advice/input/suggestions/examples would be VERY much appriciated!

Fox

 

i use both you bounce while you clutch, like that less stress on your chain and your sprocket.

 

The hardest part for me was to lean back. Have someone video tape you or follow behind. Actually now all I do is stand up, lean back almost so my leg touches the rear cowl , clutch, and pull up. If done right it comes up nicely. Whenever I dont commit to leaning back nothing happens. This is in 2nd gear. Leaning back was the hardest part to overcome. Practice makes perfect.

 

When you say you want to bounce it up, do yu mean without the clutch?

 

yeah, without, im like 300lbs so i can bounce the hell outta the poor thing for sure. And im SOOOO sick of replacing clutches and the timing chains in this year of bike are prone to getting rattle-ish and out of adjustment easily and ive been told that its from the stress of reving and dropping the clutch constantly. And it just sounds easier lol.

So yeah, without using the clutch would be best. I can already do that for my sitters.

 

Bounce N lean back..

 

right on, bounce and lean back sounds good, but, what do I do with the throttle? In second or first? With my weight im sure it would be easier in first but where should I position the throttle? Get it to a certain rpm bounce, lean back and gas it hard at the same time, or close the throttle, bounce give it gas and lean back? I need to know what the basic technique is PLEASE........Im sure I sound dumb right now but I wanna bust the bike practicing, not because I dont know how to do it lol. Thanks GUY/GIRLS!!

FOX

 

i doubt that you keep having to replace clutches b/c you are clutching your wheelies. 95% of the people on here clutch and dont bounce their wheelies up. I replaced my clutch myself, but it went because i slipped the clutch wayyy too much when i was trying to learn rolling burnouts.

About the cam chains, what the problem lies within is the cam chain tensioner. F4's (and numerous other bikes) have problems with them. Replace the stock hydraulic CCT with a manual APE unit (~$60 from your local honda shop, or like $48 on ebay) and all will be well. Im not saying that you shouldnt bounce your wheelies up, but in my opinion it is far easier to clutch it b/c you dont have to give it an entire handful of throttle to get it up, then hopfully roll off at the correct time.

Why did you go back to stock gearing btw?

 

I agree that clutching is the way to go, however if you put it in second cruise at a steady speed just below your powerband, stand up, bounce down hard like really put your weight into compressing the springs then smoothly but quickly open the throttle as you are at the bottom of the compression, it should easily come up, it's all in the bounce / throttle timing. Right when it compresses and is about to come back up. Start with little ones and work your way up.

 

Thanks for the advice on the bounce CHAOS. I will try that. And Squidmark, I reverted to stock gearing because I had put it to -3 in the front to learn to balance my wheelies. I would power them up in first and only "worry" about what the BP felt like. Then I went to -2 in the front and learned to clutch them up in first and then second but the whole time the thing was eating chains and the shaft that the front sproket is on was JACKED UP a few times (replaced twice from supposed bending) and thats when it started burning clutches and slipping. Replaced at least four clutches in one year. And the rattling that had started in the timing chain got so bad that I had to have the tensioner replaced three times but with the stock part which I am hearing now will just do it again and again so THIS time im going with the better one. Also I live in a very windy part of the desert right next door (300ft) from willow springs raceway, and the low gearing and wind combo was killin the expensive *** gas. 265 per gallon for cheep **** in this town. And I commute so I decided to go with the stock gearing. Plus, since going back to stock gearing and re-learning the wheelie sweet spot, the clutch is starting to slip AGAIN! so im thinking it must be the way I do
it or just my weight on the little bike? so Im thinking if there is a way to get my wheelie high WITHOUT clutching, I should try it out and see if it works for ME. I have heard that its easier standing with the clutch but when MY weight shifts back it SHIFTS! and I just dont feel in controll of the bike when I have tried that. SO im just lookin for something new to try.

FOX

 

If your gonna bounce em up, do it standing. It requires less throttle. Bringing it up is all in the initial throttle input. The more gas, the higher it goes, but roll off as it comes up and cover that rear brake!
HAVE FUN

 

i have a 99 f4 and it comes up easy with no clutch standin in 2nd...i am -1 up front but i could still do it easy before i dropped a tooth. like chaos said its all timing and make sure you stay leanin back....fight that urge to lean forward as it comes up...also keep you legs ALMOST straight...it should come right up...btw i usually bounce it up around 6-7k rpm....good luck bro

 

dude i have 00 f4 and i can get it up in 3rd by bouncing it but it is either coming up or just staying down when i do it so usaully i clutch them up but second just blip the throttle and bnounce at the same time and i do it around 6-7k good luck

 

Thanks guys! I will try it soon weather permitting!