magley64 Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 Currently riding a 99 XR200R trying to learn how to get wheelies under control to the point where I can stand this thing up and ride it like a unicycle for as long as I want.I've been practicing for a couple hours a day on the weekends, and an hour or so a night during the week. I've added pegs to the swingarm back closer to the wheel where passenger pegs might go if a bike like this came with them.Right now, I'm just standing on that rear peg, rolling the bike at an idle in 2nd, then pushing down on the front forks and as they rebound cracking open the throttle. I can get it to come up but usually it's not quite far enough (i might be backing off too soon) but other times it comes up too far, and I have to drop my feet to keep it from going over.it seems as time progresses I'm able to get closer and closer to keeping it upright. so is it a matter of "just keep practicing" or are there some tips or pointers that someone has that can accelerate this process? thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magley64 Posted September 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 here is the machine (before the pegs) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gixxie750 Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 Just do it!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowdog Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 You can try to clutch a little if that would make you more comfortable than rolling on throttle, also try and use your rear brake to level you out if you feel you are getting to far back, it will feel pretty differant at first but you should get use to it, then you can stay in the power and use the brake to control you from going over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidgetTodd Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 Clutching it up gives you a better more controlled start than powering up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magley64 Posted September 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 I tried clutching it a couple of times, and that did seem to work but it made me uneasy because i didn't have a full grip on the left bar. it also seemed less consistent than just powering it up. (maybe just me)the rear brake tends to stick a little, if I'm gonna use the brakes, I'll have to service them, and I did consider hooking up a rear brake lever above the front brake lever... so that might still happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad324 Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 yut ugh! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBrown57 Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 If you were down by me I have a friend who is "The Wheelie Wizard". Bet he could help ya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gixxus Christ! Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 Only use 2 fingers on the lever when you clutch it up, keeps more of your hand on the bar where you need it. Fix that back brake and use it to control your height. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donkason Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 Sounds like you are on the right path. Balls and practice lead to skill. Throttle control is very important on the way up and the way down. You don't want to loop it or blow fork seals. On the way down leave some RPMs and throttle it down a bit to keep from dropping the nose when the rev limiter kicks in. Set it down smooth like a jet plane landing. Clutching up on a 200 may be an option as there is a lack of power, but it comes up quickly compared to a power wheelie so be ready. 2nd gear is a good idea to as a higher speed makes the wheelie seem less violent and gives you time to react and control. My brother learned on my XR 100 by doing clutch wheelies from a dead stop and dragging his feet behind him in 1st gear. I never was that good at wheelies and prefer to drag my knee instead. Good luck! Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magley64 Posted September 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 (edited) thanks for all the pointers so far...i'll give a few of these techniques/ideas a try.like i said, it's been improving, I just didn't know if there was something I was missing.How close should I be to the handlebars when it is vertical to make it easier on myself? (tight to the chest or arms extended?)should i be controlling it with the throttle while vertical, or using body position more? Edited September 7, 2012 by magley64 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donkason Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 thanks for all the pointers so far...i'll give a few of these techniques/ideas a try.like i said, it's been improving, I just didn't know if there was something I was missing.How close should I be to the handlebars when it is vertical to make it easier on myself? (tight to the chest or arms extended?)should i be controlling it with the throttle while vertical, or using body position more?Control with the throttle unless you need to turn the bike, then lean with the body to turn. The less you wiggle around up there the more stable you will be.As for elbows find a sweet spot in the middle that is comfortable for you.Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disclaimer Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 Here's a good writeup on wheelie control:http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/9/14095/Motorcycle-Article/2012-Superbike-Traction-Control-Comparison.aspxTotally opposite of what you want, but... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r1crusher Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 yut ugh!That's exactly where I would have gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magley64 Posted September 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 It's just a skill i'd like to develop... maybe someday if I get good I can parlay it into a paying side gig... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkow97 Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 keep in the habit of covering the rear brake. You might need it some dayhttp://youtu.be/YiCHgOiLW9s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magley64 Posted September 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 I'm not going fast enough to need the rear brake just yet (if it goes over, I just put my feet down), I figure if I can get control over it going slow, going fast will be easy in comparison.I can do power wheelies on the XX, but I never get it up high enough to where gravity doesn't bring it back for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron505 Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 keep in the habit of covering the rear brake. You might need it some dayhttp://youtu.be/YiCHgOiLW9sAgreed. I've always covered my rear brake....learned that the hard way on my old KX500 in 4th gear. That was a doozy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSB67 Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 I can't wheelie for shit, but I think if you aspire too, you ought to get used to using the rear brake.One of my favorite quotes from a friend: "That thing got a rear brake? Here - hold my beer." 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magley64 Posted September 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 lol, yeah, I'll definitely be tearing into that rear brake soon...I'm thinking it needs some new shoes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkow97 Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 I'm not going fast enough to need the rear brake just yet (if it goes over, I just put my feet down)Understood, but that's not a habit you want to get into and then find out that it's a reflex on a bigger bike at greater speed. think of it as handling a BB gun like an AR15 in the interest of building good habits early. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magley64 Posted September 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 point taken, I'll get working on it..I'm also considering lengthening the rear axle to put pegs there... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magley64 Posted September 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 anyone think there is a benefit to letting some air out of the knobbies? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donkason Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 anyone think there is a benefit to letting some air out of the knobbies?I doubt it would help much on the dirt. On a street bike it will give a nice big flat contact patch with an aired down tire. Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyperion Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 Another referencehttp://www.soflasportbikes.com/forum/stunt-freestyle/35825-how-wheelie.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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