| Author | Message | ||
     Midnightrider |
Anyone know of any local (MD, PA, VA) “wheelie schools”? I did a search here on learning to do wheelies and came across a wheelie school – you use their bike, with wheelie bar and power limiter, etc - $500/day for a one day school. The closest one I can find is in NJ. I was just trying to get a rise out of my wife so this morning I told her “I need $500 plus travel to go to NJ for a wheelie school”. She just said “OK” I could do wheelies forever on our little banana bikes in the late 60’s but I have never had the guts to try one on a motorcycle. I haven’t been riding that long. I got my first bike – 1999 X1 – in 2003. Now I feel I am a much more proficient rider but I can’t stomach the thought of dumping my Uly. I was a gymnast in my younger years and I still have a pretty good sense of balance, but let’s face it – I’m not 20 anymore (48). Anyway – any help is appreciated Don | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
. <-------------Been riding since 1957. My advice to any rider over 40 would be to endevour to keep both wheels on the ground at all times. That is hard enough. Falling off is less fun ever year older you get. I think a good track school would be more likely to provide a more successful and meaningful riding experience than wheelie school. just an old man's .02¢ | ||
| Cochise |
As a young whipper snapper of 31, I think wheelie School would be much easier and more fun that that other school, The School of Hard Knocks" I had heard of a wheelie school that put you on a drum sort of thing, with your own bike tethered by a strap to a harness on a sturdy structure that would give you the feel for throttle response, and not be able to go backwards because of the strapping. Do the class, should be neat. | ||
| Court |
I stick by my time tested and proven theory. First, but a bike to learn on. To make certain you have the proper bike, as soon as you get it home, walk out in the driveway and kcik it over. If you can't do this, you have the wrong bike. Next, start slow and let grins and giggles guide you. I used to ride with many folks who could wheelie much better than I. I wanted to learn. For myownfoolself, I bought a great (<2,000 miles) 1995 KLR, it was perfect. I am not near as good as my riding mates, but I now have the unparalleled joy of getting home, after following my wife from anywhere, and getting the "you guys act like damn kids" lecture as visions of a 100w light in the tree dance through my head. Fun stuff. But learn at your own pace. | ||
| Midnightrider |
Hey Appreciate the input - especially about the KLR. By time I pay for the class, the travel, the shopping the wife does while I'm playing Evel K, probably be cheaper for the KLR plus I'd have the bike to boot. | ||
| Midnightrider |
PS - anyone know where I can pick up an old KLR in the VA/MD/Metro DC area? | ||
| Buellrcr |
wheelie on a fire bolt took some getting use to they come up quick. i still don't have it down pat yet. but i got rolling endos good thought | ||
| Midnightrider |
Now realizing I may not be able to find a KLR - how about a 1996 Honda XR 400? I'm guessing there is nothing magic about the KLR - the bike just needs to pass the "kick over" test | ||
| Interceptor |
any decent size dirt bike is a good start. practice on the db then try the road bike. an xr 400 is probably a great bike to wheelie on. any bike that has enough power to get it up. | ||
| No_rice |
good to practice on a beater bike, but the real problem comes when you do it on an xb and the balancing point is WAY up there. | ||
| Midnightrider |
I'm thinking that I might be able to get it out of my system on a db. This may be delusional, however | ||
| M2nc |
Buy a Ulysses and ride a passenger. Any throttle in first gear and the bike stands up easy! If you are like me, you get to explain to your parents what you were doing popping wheelies with their grand-daughter on the highway. NO REALLY, I DIDN'T MEAN TO!  They still don't believe me. | ||
| M2nc |
Court, I like the way you think! | ||
| Blasterd |
It's a gift! Imagine my surprise when I was watching my 7 year old daughter while she was riding her PW 80 she got for Christmas pull a wheelie about 5 feet, I don't know who it scared the most me or her. She bragged about that one all night! Ken | ||
| Cochise |
Buy a Ulysses and ride a passenger. Any throttle in first gear and the bike stands up easy! Hell, you really don't need that passenger on the ULY. On my test ride at Appleton, that front end came up EASYYYY! | ||
| Dragon_slayer |
Midnightrider, just go buy another STINGRAY! | ||
| Spatten1 |
I did the on one wheel school at the Orange County New York airport a couple of years ago, its not a bad drive from Philly. By the end of the day I was pretty much over my fear of looping it. I now wheelie every time I go out. | ||
| Spatten1 |
Oh yeah, I'm 38 now. I was sick of doing 20 years of crappy wheelies (out of fear) and decided if I was going to ride for another 20 years I might as well get better at them. $500 is very pricey, but for me it was worth it. | ||
| Midnightrider |
thanks for the inputs The Sting rays are actually coming back - unfortunately my knees will not allow me to return to me former pedal-powered prowess. Glad to hear the school was worth it. I am still considering buying a dirt bike. Last August we moved from upstate NY where there was no limit to the places I could ride. Now I am living in Bethesda, MD - and I realized I don't know anywhere I could legally ride it. I would have to trailer it (that's OK) but any public land sites usually prohibit them and any private land is - well - private. The wheelie school may be the best solution afterall | ||
| Spatten1 |
Yeah, I moved from OC California, 10 minutes from Ortega Highway to the Philadelphia suburbs. I don't ride on the street much anymore, it just isn't much fun. The roads and drivers are both terrible here. I've been doing track days instead. |
