| Author | Message | ||
     Shoredairy |
why am i not wheelie-ing? everything i have ever read (and continue to read) comments on the buell xb bikes as fantastic stunter bikes. i'll admit i have a hyperactive self preservation center in my brain, but i would like to play once in a while. my 04 firebolt is stock except for a jardine slipon. it has not been remapped or tps reset. is it really robbing that much power? i need some advice on methods and execution. rpm launch points, clutch action, suspension setups,etc. thanks guys. p.s. I live in the middle of nowhere, ride by myself and refuse shenanigans in traffic. i'm just interested in those moments when the roads are empty for my personal satisfaction. | ||
| Glitch |
 I can wheelie a little. One way is to get up to about 4000rpm, chop the throttle, and then get back on it. Another way is to get up past time to shift, and power shift into second. Yet another way is to get going, then slip the clutch a little while giving it gas, then let off the clutch pretty fast. All of the above, will make the bike come up fast! So be careful. This is on a Nine, I'm sure it'll be easier on a Twelve. There are other ways, it's just that wheelies aren't my strong point. Now, get me on some tight twisties, and I'm in my element. | ||
| Bake |
On my 9r it's a matter of taking it to 3500 rpm in first, chopping the throttle then opening it wfo...viola. I don't do it much but it works every time and usually best when the engine isn't too hot. | ||
| Shoredairy |
thanks guys. i'll let you know how it goes | ||
| Dtx |
Wheelies are not real easy to do. Once I finally figured them out, I was surprise how much you have to beat on it (try real hard) to get it to come up. Its all about timing and technique. Try a couple of different ways and you will find what works best for you. Its frustrating at first, but keep at it and practice. It will become easier and easier. If "I" can wheelie, anybody can learn it! | ||
| Gschuette |
I live around 6000 feet and the elevation seems to kill the power. What is your local altitude? | ||
| Spatten1 |
I'm at the same altitude, and power on the 9 is pathetic. I need to get it to 5500 in first, chop the throttle, and hold it wfo when the suspension bounces back up and it will wheelie, most of the time. Then you hit redline really quickly. At lower altitude I can do the same at 4500 and ride it in first for quite a ways. The 12 is easy to wheelie in first at our altitude by bouncing the front at 4500 rpm, or even less. | ||
| Beachbuell |
My twelve will come up 1, 2, and 3 with out even trying. Just the natural raw power and torque. Power wheelies rule! | ||
| Xbcrazy |
Learning to wheelie can be scary. There are so many stories about how wrong things can go in an instant. The sensation of the front wheel lifting from the ground is quite unique. Once you get the feel for it controlling the height and distance of the wheelie becomes more predicable. Take baby steps. Try rolling along in first gear at 10-15 MPH in a parking lot. Roll into the throttle and then chop it 3 times in a row. This will make the front end pogo up and down. On the forth time get into the throttle a little more than the first three times. The front wheel will lift. By the time the wheel actually comes of the ground you will be around 35 MPH and accelerating into the wheelie. The more throttle you give the higher the wheel will go. Please be careful. This method will not make you a wheelie king, but will give you the feeling and experience to move on to wheelies at higher speeds and other gears. | ||
| Dtx |
Well, I am no wheelie god (see Duff below) but I can give some more advice. If you are a timid and cautious person (like me), you are going to have a hard time learning to wheelie by dropping the clutch at 5k plus RPM's. What you need is something to help you at first. For me, I found that using humps in the road allowed me to get used to the sensation of the front end getting light. I found a country road where a culvert tunnel went under the pavement. This makes the road into a small "ramp" where it rises over the culvert. Using second gear, I would power over this ramp and essentially power wheelie. I would repeat this over and over, until I was doing long power wheelies all the way to red line. (It was great fun!) Now that I was familiar with the "feeling" of a wheelie, I was much braver and began clutching wheelies up. I learned this in one summer of riding. Duff can give you the expert advise.  (Message edited by dtx on December 29, 2007) | ||
| Helpu2 |
bumps? clutch? red line? hummm.. have a stock XB9 and in first and second just need to back off throttle then hit it.. it raises naturally. my sporty comes up easier. and its longer and lower. but its a long way from stock... maybe its a thing left over from dirt bikes where i do them regularly. either way should be easy. keep them low till you get confidence. oh, if it comes up too high and you panic a little, tap the rear brake. it will come down. | ||
| Spatten1 |
bumps? clutch? red line? hummm.. have a stock XB9 and in first and second just need to back off throttle then hit it.. it raises naturally. My twelve will come up 1, 2, and 3 with out even trying. Are you guys talking about raising the front wheel a few inches, or getting all the way to the balance point? You must have some special Buells if you are pulling to the balance point that effortlessly. | ||
| Rieguy187 |
use the clutch power wheelies are so unpredictable, I have one xb12 set up for stunting and one set up for the street w/ a jardine. the weight saving on the jardine makes the bike come up like nothing. start small and take your time. just go practice in a parking lot with no one around. With completly stock xb12 you can bring wheelies up from a dead stop no problem they are great bikes. here are some pics of mine.        | ||
| Shoredairy |
nice work!....}is that santa hat DOT???? | ||
| Ferrisbuellersdayoff |
Rieguy: Is the dented muffler giving better the right about of back pressure for maximum torque?  | ||
| Ferocity02 |
I find wheeling my XB12Scg to be difficult as well. The only time I've gotten the front tire off the ground was a strong shift into 2nd, the wheel only came up about 6". | ||
| Cochise |
Balance point wheelies are effortless for me, the problem for me is keeping it there, I always instinctively let go of the throttle and it comes right down. I'm just a chicken at heart. | ||
| Spatten1 |
If you can make yourself back off the throttle in a small increment rather than chopping it you will be shocked at how easy it is to ride the balance point. First try backing off a decent amount without chopping it and let the front come down slowly. Then backoff a little less each time. Eventually you will feel the balance point. | ||
| Olinxb12r |
The bike will do it. It is all about comfort level when it comes to riding wheelies on any bike. It took me a while to get comfortable doing wheelies on my 12R, but after a season or tow 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear were no problem. You'll get it if you keep trying. The bike will do it. | ||
| Uawjesse |
www.craigjones.com, this guy can wheelie! watch some if the videos on his site. | ||
| G234146 |
The Wheelie stuff starts at 2:00 | ||
| Helpu2 |
i am not a "balance point" wheelie guy. i just bring it up a couple feet for fun and sometimes hang it there. i am not a stunter. in my racing days trying to keep wheel down was the problem... when i was drag racing i consistantly did 130 mph plus wheelies. actually hurt times. when wheel got too high i shifted to get it down (and power to the track) | ||
| Toona |
My personal favorite  Gotta love the kids in their bare feet stuntin'. I found a set of these N.O.S. in the box. They should be here sometime this week! Now I need a nice Schwinn to put them on. | ||
| Panhead_dan |
It seems to me that someone should point out that if a person really wants to learn to do wheelies, they are going to go down a time or two. It's just a question of when. I know I have. I would bet that Rieguy187 who posted those most excellent pics above has a pile of used up parts. Helpu2 - It's good to see you on here and posting! | ||
| U4euh |
What the heck is that! Craig Jones school of stunting??? He makes it look so simple! Of course he did lay one down, and like pan_head said, you will eventually drop one, that is why I try not to practice too often, cant afford to be replacing broken parts due to my own bone head moves!!!! i have nothing to offer for advice but matbe try "throttling". Once you get the front wheel up try wide open throttle-blip it shut-over and over in very quick movements. the Buells have enough torque to hold it in a nice wheelie for a short distance. Once you get the feel for that sweet spot, try holding the throttle. I've been in the 12 oclock position once and it scared the (*&% out of me. I just got happy with the front about 2 foot off the ground. | ||
| Rieguy187 |
pan head is correct. Wear your gear and go in a parking lot. you will crash and you will break alot of things pushing the limits. I know I've done it. THe safest way to learn rear brake control is on a 50, like a CRF50. if you don't have rear brake control you should never even attempt a wheelie on a big bike. that's just my 2 cents | ||
| Mesafirebolt |
Step One, Rebel Racing Pipe Step Two, Race ECM or ECM Spy Step Three, Wheelie at will using throttle only  |
