Bike wheelies are fun, but you need to make sure you do them safely. Most experienced pilots recommend starting by learning the simplest technique - power. This method does not require the use of a clutch play or shifting gears, so it allows you to focus on balance and handling the vehicle on the rear wheel. Remember that this maneuver requires a lot of practice, preparation and a few falls.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Exercising on a Bicycle
Step 1. Put on protective clothing
You don't need the same level of protection that you would use on a motorcycle, but it's always best to practice safely. Remember to wear a helmet, at a minimum, and knee and elbow pads if you want to be really careful. While it may seem like a harmless action, wheelie on a bike always involves some falls and minor injuries.
Step 2. Practice uphill
Start by putting a soft relationship; probably the second or third is fine, so you don't have to pedal too fast. Check that the climb is not too steep, a gradual and limited incline allows you to train better, because you can control your balance and keep the front wheel in the air. When you are learning, pedaling is not very smooth and could make you lose your balance; the steepness of the climb helps you balance these forces. This way, when you switch to training on a flat road, you will be able to maintain a straight line even in motion.
It is not essential, but if you use a mountain bike instead of a BMX, the training will be easier. This kind of bicycle has more stable wheels and it is easier to lift the front one. The wide tread also conveys a feeling of greater power
Step 3. On flat roads, maintain a speed that makes you feel safe
This varies from person to person but, in general, you can stick to between 8 and 16 km / h. If you move too fast, you may lose control while on one wheel. On the other hand, if you are too slow, you lose momentum and cannot lift the front end.
Step 4. Lift the front wheel
You will need some strength in your arms and torso, accompanied by a power pedal stroke. Lean towards the handlebar and prepare to pull it up, not forgetting to look forward. When the handlebar is raised, bring your weight back and continue pedaling. You may lose your balance or fail to hold it for a long time but, with practice, you will be able to sway the front wheel in the air for more and more time.
Step 5. Keep moving as you rear
Once you have successfully raised the front for a few times, you can try to continue pedaling on one wheel. While the wheel is in the air, loosen your grip on the handlebars and straighten your arms. You can also "play" with the rear brake to change the center of gravity while you are wheelie. Some people keep the rear brake on for the duration of the wheelie, while others increase their grip on the handlebars when they notice the front wheel is rising too high. Obviously the greater the force with which you operate the brake lever, the greater the effort you will have to make while pedaling to keep the front end raised.
Part 2 of 3: Stay Safe
Step 1. Put on protective clothing
You must never ride a motorcycle without the right equipment. This means you need to wear an approved helmet, leather gloves, leather pants or a pair of motorcycle specific jeans and a heavy leather jacket. It would also be advisable to use resistant boots, preferably leather, which have a sole with an excellent grip. When starting out, it would be nice to use elbow, knee and ankle protectors as well, as you will fall several times.
Step 2. Go to a private road closed to traffic
Remember that learning how to wheelie will take some time and, most likely, you will fall badly a few times. It is not the case that you injure passing pedestrians, nor do you damage the parked or moving cars around you. Your constant attempts will also make a lot of noise, so you need to make sure you don't disturb anyone.
The highway code prohibits wheeling on public roads, so find a closed and private place where you don't run the risk of breaking the law
Step 3. Use a fairly powerful motorcycle
If you are looking to wheelie with a sports motorcycle, then you will need a model with a 500cc engine, as a minimum. You will have to lift the front wheel relying only on the power of the vehicle, so you must be sure that the bike has all the necessary horsepower.
You can also learn the power surge with a dirt bike. If you have one or want to use a simpler means to manage, then this could be a viable solution. A small 100 or 150cc motorcycle should be powerful enough for this stunt
Step 4. Check that the rear wheel is not damaged
As you exercise, put some pressure and wear on the rear wheel, then check that it is in good condition. Check that it does not wobble and lower the pressure slightly for greater stability.
Step 5. Remove the tip-over sensor, if your motorcycle has one
This system intervenes by switching off the bike or cutting the engine power when the vehicle leans too far back. Given that during the training phase some wheelies could be excessive, the sensor could activate; prevent the motorcycle from turning off in mid-motion by removing this device.
The drain hose may hit the ground, depending on where it was mounted. Make sure that you do not touch the asphalt during wheelies, otherwise you could fall
Part 3 of 3: Learning the Power Rush
Step 1. Engage first gear
You can practice any gear, but generally beginners are better off with the first. If, over time, you learn how to wheelie with a clutch play, then you will also need to be able to shift gears while having one wheel raised. Since the surge in power is generated by the acceleration of the vehicle alone, you don't have to worry about changing.
The rear brake, just like on the bike, will help prevent the bike from leaning too far back. While most riders don't use the rear brake too often, be aware that this is a very useful element as you take your first steps with this stunt. If you have the feeling that the bike is rising too high and dangerously, apply the rear brake: this will stop the rear wheel and quickly bring the front one down. Be very cautious when the bike lowers, as you will feel some forward pressure immediately after impact
Step 2. Reach a certain speed
When you are learning to wheelie, you should maintain a speed between 10 and 20 km / h. If the speed is excessive, you could lose control and unintentionally open the throttle in a dangerous way. However, if you train at too low a speed, you won't be able to lift the front wheel with enough power.
Step 3. Release the throttle slightly without slowing too much
You don't have to slow down too much, but you should slow down a bit before accelerating sharply to raise the wheel. This will give you more power when you open the throttle and the front wheel will rise in a smooth motion.
Step 4. Suddenly open the throttle to accelerate and raise the front end
Once you have slowed down slightly, pull the throttle hard. During this movement, pull the handlebars of the motorcycle upwards, just as if it were a bicycle. At first you will only be able to lift the wheel a few centimeters, doing a kind of jump. As you get used to it, you will be able to raise the wheel more and keep it in the air for a longer time.
If when you lift the wheel it lowers too quickly, remember that the front end will wobble slightly from the impact. Keep in mind that if the wheel is not straight as you "land" you will be thrown forward and fall, in other words you will be thrown. This is very real at first, so remember to keep the wheel as straight as possible to avoid falling
Step 5. Maintain your balance as you rear
When you have found the point of balance, lean towards the rear of the bike to keep the center of gravity of the system centered (the bike with you on it). This allows you to travel quite long distances with the wheel at the top. Remember that if you lean forward or backward, you alter the balance point of the system and you may tip over.
Beginners, at first, have a tendency to cling to the tank with their knees to stay in the saddle with the front wheel raised. This behavior, however, prevents you from sliding towards the rear of the vehicle. If you stay anchored to the tank while you rear, the system will not be in equilibrium
Step 6. Reduce the gas when you have found an equilibrium point
When you feel that the bike is well balanced on the rear wheel, you can reduce the throttle slightly without losing control. If you slow down too much, the bike will lose momentum.
Step 7. When you want to get the bike back on two wheels, press the rear brake
To lower the front wheel and bring it to the ground, simply apply the rear brake. Do not activate it too violently, otherwise the bike will lower too quickly and you could sway and fall. To remedy this, you can increase the throttle as the wheel lowers and keep the momentum balanced.
Advice
- If you rear up while standing on the rear footplates with both feet or left only, you will be able to maintain your balance better.
- Once you have learned how to power surges, you will be able to move on to "clutch" wheelies.
Warnings
- Don't think about learning to wheelie in one day. You will probably need to practice daily for a few weeks, at the very least, to handle the bike with some confidence. The pros you can see in the videos have been prancing for many years.
- Always wear protective gear.
- The highway code considers this maneuver dangerous and you could have big problems if the police catch you wheeling into a public road; you would be fined and maybe your driving license would be suspended. Always practice in a private area.
