highway wheelies(Balance point)
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 58
From: Simi Valley, CA
Re: highway wheelies(Balance point)
Originally Posted by stuntnstyle
i rode dirtbikes and 4 wheelers for 10 years before i got on a bike the first was a 900rr rode for a week and was doing 12's
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 64
From: Portland,OR
Re: highway wheelies(Balance point)
I rode dirt for 10+ years and it only took me 3 weeks to find the balance point and ride a 1st gear wheelie for a good distance. Its alot depending on natural talent and years on ANY bike. You can look at all different types of riders and one guy that's been riding for 2 years is just starting to learn wheelies and the guy next to him has only been riding for 2 months and can pull 2nd gear stand ups on the freeway all day! You know your ability better than anyone here, just take your time and when you get more and more comfortable you'll start trying more and more stunts as your talent progresses. Just DO NOT practice on the streets!!! Find an area that has a good lon stretch of road(ie industrial area) and do it to it! Good luck and make sure your wearing gear! 
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,813
From: Ottawa Canada
Re: highway wheelies(Balance point)
It took me a good 3 months of practice before I was any good at keeping the front wheel up for miles..The biggest thing I found was that I took my time and did not try and rush anything.
When I bought my gixxer 1k I first started learning to bring it up in 2nd gear, using all throttle as the clutch scared me. I also stayed away from 1st gear as the throttle just seemed a bit to twitchy...I probably practiced 2nd gear for at least 2-3 weeks before I even thought about switching gears..Once I was comfortable with 2nd even though I wasnt at the balance point, it took me about 2 days to learn to switch thru the gears comfortably. I probably did that for another month before I attempted my first standup. By that time my throttle control was alot better and I started pulling 2nd and 3rd gear standups. This maybe took another few days to learn..However switching thru the gears on a standup took another week or so as I always felt that as soon as I went for the switch standing up the bike would lurk back..but it never did. There is no substitute for time. This isnt a race and we all have different learning curves..But I never dumped a wheelie (until learning 12's) and all my practice was on the back roads..I didnt mess around with the clutch until about 6 months into it. Which was a bit of a mistake and I am sure if I had a smaller bike I would of had to learn to use it quicker.
I mostly use the clutch now...all the 12 practice assures you of getting to know your clutch (I am still not great at it !)...its not easy...but once you are able to use it...it makes wheelies a hell of alot easier....especially on the smaller bikes...
My one bit of advice to you is there will be times you feel that you just wont get it...but the practice will pay off....but during these times of frustration make sure and park the bike and let the blood pressure settle. I cant count how many guys I have seen flip their shiat b/c they got pissed off and decided to give it a bit to much....
Oh and remember to get some cornering in from time to time...nothing wrong with being an all around decent rider...Makes the whole bike experience alot more fun..
Hope this helps..
Cheers
SK
When I bought my gixxer 1k I first started learning to bring it up in 2nd gear, using all throttle as the clutch scared me. I also stayed away from 1st gear as the throttle just seemed a bit to twitchy...I probably practiced 2nd gear for at least 2-3 weeks before I even thought about switching gears..Once I was comfortable with 2nd even though I wasnt at the balance point, it took me about 2 days to learn to switch thru the gears comfortably. I probably did that for another month before I attempted my first standup. By that time my throttle control was alot better and I started pulling 2nd and 3rd gear standups. This maybe took another few days to learn..However switching thru the gears on a standup took another week or so as I always felt that as soon as I went for the switch standing up the bike would lurk back..but it never did. There is no substitute for time. This isnt a race and we all have different learning curves..But I never dumped a wheelie (until learning 12's) and all my practice was on the back roads..I didnt mess around with the clutch until about 6 months into it. Which was a bit of a mistake and I am sure if I had a smaller bike I would of had to learn to use it quicker.
I mostly use the clutch now...all the 12 practice assures you of getting to know your clutch (I am still not great at it !)...its not easy...but once you are able to use it...it makes wheelies a hell of alot easier....especially on the smaller bikes...
My one bit of advice to you is there will be times you feel that you just wont get it...but the practice will pay off....but during these times of frustration make sure and park the bike and let the blood pressure settle. I cant count how many guys I have seen flip their shiat b/c they got pissed off and decided to give it a bit to much....
Oh and remember to get some cornering in from time to time...nothing wrong with being an all around decent rider...Makes the whole bike experience alot more fun..
Hope this helps..
Cheers
SK
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3
From: urbana il
Re: highway wheelies(Balance point)
Originally Posted by bler
w0w, your soooooo cool
your post helped him ALOT, trust me.. now he can do 12's in a week because you did too !
your post helped him ALOT, trust me.. now he can do 12's in a week because you did too !
dont worry i dont believe him myself!!!!!!!! 
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