Lost my Wheelie Virginity

[Liono]

I've had a fantastic morning out on my bike, started off with a ride from York out to Helmsley early on, leaving at about 7.00 to make the most of the quiet roads. In the past I've been a bit put off riding along the Helmsley to Stokesley road by the heavy police presence and the Sunday loonies which you often get around the area, however I decided to give it a go this morning and I loved it! Loads of nice bends, very picturesque and some nice crests to make the front go a bit light. Back to Helmsley for a quick coffee, then back to York. Now, I was reading something about how having a nearly empty tank makes it a bit easier to wheelie, so I thought I'd pop out for a quick go as although I've tried a couple of times I've never really got the front wheel off the ground as I don't think I was committing fully to it. Just off the A19 to Selby there is a really quiet road with a good straight, so I headed there for a spot of practice. After a couple of fairly pathetic attempts I managed to pull my first wheelie It was only a couple of seconds long, and the front probably wasn't much off the floor, but it felt bloody brilliant. After a bit of practice I can now get the front wheel up fairly easily, although I need a bit of practice at keeping it there and stopping it slamming back down again. Can't wait for next weekend for another go.

[Chriss]

Mind me asking which method you used on what bike?

Well done, first wheelie always feels good! Keep at it, and you'll keep 'em up for ages!
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TheShaggyDA: I've got 3 or 4 pairs that predate my wife, so at least 11.5 years old.

[Liono]

Was on an SV650S. I initially tried to do a power wheelie in first, but couldn't get this to work and it felt a bit too uncontrolled. I then had a go at clutching it up from first which was much more sucessful and felt a bit more controlled. I think for next time I'm going to adjust the clutch lever so it bites a bit further out from the bar, as I was pulling the clutch with 2 fingers and the 2 fingers I had left on the bar seemed to be getting in the way a bit.

[PsychoHippy]

The way to stop it slamming back down is to use the back break. Keep the power steady, then gently pressing the back break will bring the front down slowly - the harder you break the quicker it comes down.
With a lot of practise you will be able to put the front down so it won't damage you head bearing
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I spend all my money on bikes and beer, the rest I simply waste!

[G]

I still can't get a hang off the back brake.

Just dipping the throttle then bringing it back on to the position you were at before or even more throttle should help it float down.
This of course presumes you haven't already ran out of revs.

Once you've lost a bit of altitude, the same throttle won't hold it up, so it should lower it's self fairly gently.

Shutting the throttle off causes a much more violent landing.

[riichy]

being on two wheels is fun but one is super, well done