[yzryder]

I have an 04 r1 (stock gearing) and have a couple questions that are bike specific and not covered in the sticky thread.
First, let me say that I've been riding 13 yrs, raced mx for 6 and can wheelie the shyt out of my yz's. The problem is that they're 2 strokes, a lot less powerful, half the weight, different ergonomics and A LOT LESS EXPENSIVE when I loop 'em. Plus I don't get hurt as bad. Anyway, on to the questions:

1. Throttle position: I've always clutched and will always clutch (so I don't want to hear anything about powering vs. clutching) but, while playing around in first, I realized that I can't just slip the clutch without rapping the throttle to get it to come up. Paraphrased= ride in first to about 45 mph and 6-7k, slip clutch and turn throttle about 1/4 turn (actual throttle pos. is almost 5/8 open) and I hop up about a foot. Do I need to bring it to (or close to) full throttle before I let go of the clutch lever? If so, Bottom line is I am a puss. That will take practice to overcome (and more cheese in the savings account).

2. Body Position: I am 5'8", 210 and not chubby, so I am used to just muscling my way through other sports. Motorcycles are different, I know....let them do the work for you. I just tense up with this one because I see dollar signs when it comes up. The latter seems to cause a subconscious weight shift (forward) and I think I back off the throttle. That will change with practice. Do all the other fellow short guys sit back to ride wheelies? I have short arms too, but I can comfortably put the small of my back against the passenger seat when launching, I just feel more "off" with regard to covering the back brake.

So.........when clutching.........how far to crack the throttle? If it is at or near full throttle, will it come up and over so fast I can't save it? Do I need to scoot my a$$ as far back as possible?

Stand-ups: Is jerking on the bars necessary or is the power sufficient enough? Do you launch them and ride 'em at the peak rpm (12-13.5k) or lower? Does anyone else get "the tankslapping wobbles" when you put a wheelie down or do I need to set 'em down perfect every time? Am I going to die doing this?

I have the utmost respect for the guys clocking miles on the freeway because even though it's illegal, it takes skill............plus, it's pretty damn cool. Thanks in advance.

-Kris

 

[jkrunsthecity]

1. Throttle position: I've always clutched and will always clutch (so I don't want to hear anything about powering vs. clutching) but, while playing around in first, I realized that I can't just slip the clutch without rapping the throttle to get it to come up. Paraphrased= ride in first to about 45 mph and 6-7k, slip clutch and turn throttle about 1/4 turn (actual throttle pos. is almost 5/8 open) and I hop up about a foot. Do I need to bring it to (or close to) full throttle before I let go of the clutch lever? If so, Bottom line is I am a puss. That will take practice to overcome (and more cheese in the savings account).

Your not a puss, you just have common sense, parts are expensive. I have an 06 stock gearing as well (not giving up my top end). When I clutch in first you have to give it plenty of rpm's. Yamaha set the torque curve kind of high to prevent people with little riding experience to go crazy. Typically I rev it between 9 and 12 grand. Give it plenty of rpm's and work on the clutch control (i dont have to tell you that your an experienced rider). Really it just takes balls. This may be irrelevant but i to do no want to drop my bike so I threw some race railz on it to feel a little more comfortable if something did happen (piece of mind).

2. Body Position: I am 5'8", 210 and not chubby, so I am used to just muscling my way through other sports. Motorcycles are different, I know....let them do the work for you. I just tense up with this one because I see dollar signs when it comes up. The latter seems to cause a subconscious weight shift (forward) and I think I back off the throttle. That will change with practice. Do all the other fellow short guys sit back to ride wheelies? I have short arms too, but I can comfortably put the small of my back against the passenger seat when launching, I just feel more "off" with regard to covering the back brake.

Find a body position that is comfortable for you. I don't really think that there is any right answer. Bigggest thing is make sure your right foot is comfortable over your break. Stay on the throttle and use your break to control urself more (w/ the mx bikes you can get away w/ just the throttle but thats the difference when riding a liter bike).

So.........when clutching.........how far to crack the throttle? If it is at or near full throttle, will it come up and over so fast I can't save it? Do I need to scoot my a$$ as far back as possible?

Anywhere between 9-11 grand. It will NOT come up and over so fast that you cant save it. My best advice is just work on clutch control and always cover your rear break. Rev it the same every time and get a feel for your clutch. Normally I rev it to about 11 and bring the clutch out a little smoother then if i want to pop one up at quick i would rev it to 9 and then just dump it. And you do not need to scoot your ass back as far as possible.

Stand-ups: Is jerking on the bars necessary or is the power sufficient enough? Do you launch them and ride 'em at the peak rpm (12-13.5k) or lower? Does anyone else get "the tankslapping wobbles" when you put a wheelie down or do I need to set 'em down perfect every time? Am I going to die doing this?

Jerking is not necessary, it will save you a few rpm's on your rev to clutch it but thats about it. For most guys tugging on the bars is more a timing and feel thing rather then them trying to lift the bike. You can ride them at w/e speed or rpm you want in any gear, depends where you get it up to the balance point at (me personally - I can ride em out highways n shit but i dont like to cause i cant afford to fix my bike if i drop it). You will get wobbles if you dont put them down correctly. A steering damper will help this somewhat but you want to make sure you put them down as straight as possible. Keep your eyes forward - point and shoot like your drag racing. You shouldn't die if you go at your own pace - don't try and keep up with the big boys, I don't.

I have the utmost respect for the guys clocking miles on the freeway because even though it's illegal, it takes skill............plus, it's pretty damn cool. Thanks in advance.

-Kris

Hope I helped a little bit. I don't claim to know alot but thats my two cents on your questions. Everyone else feel free to add on or correct anything.

-JK

 

[jray02r1]

try staggered wheelies------->left foot on the passenger peg, right foot on the rear break...Its a bit weird to get used to but once you do you have alot more control over the bike when standing up...

 

[VSGONZO]

dude I"m 5 8 210 myself and you just need to play with it a little. do second gear wheelies for starters because 1st will come up pretty fast. I get to about 45mph and then I slip the clutch and in creasing the rpms to maybe 8000. and as it comes up give it a little more to bring it up where you want it Then when you start feeling comfortable slip the clutch at 9k, then 10k , and so on till you find Utopia on the wheelie height. We all sit different on bikes and some of us intentionally and unintentionally yank on the bars, sit up towards the tank, push to the rear of the seat.

but Yeah first is not a good gear to wheelie. if your slipping it at 12k help you god. because at 8k, 9k on first I get the bike pretty damn high. when I had my -1 countershaft sprocket you can forget first gear. I had to go back to stock because I wanted to hold my 2nd gear wheelies out longer.

Stand ups - still working on because I'm a chicken. I stand up a little and put a little bounce in my KNEES and slip the clutch at 8k in 2nd gear at 45 and bring it up to a 45 deegree angle and I try to go higher but I'm tooo scared

 

[jkrunsthecity]

do second gear wheelies for starters because 1st will come up pretty fast.

That's good advice ^^^

 

[yzryder]

Thanks Jk and everyone else that responded. Even though I look like an asshole, I'm a "check your ego at the door" kind of guy..........especially when I don't know something. Jk, your response was exactly what I needed. Jr, I mix it up a bit as far as staggered vs. sit-downs and, although I prefer staggered because I feel more in control (once I am up), I usually come to a couple of issues: 1. Launching is akward 2. Landing them is where I usually get wobbly and 3. Out of respect for every other sportbike rider here in dallas, I don't have a lot to play at and really prefer to keep the guys who can wheelie in good standing with motorists (by not wiping out around them).
Gonzo, I have only tried 2nd gear once but I see your point. Good call. I can tell you the only reason I keep it in 1st is because when you roll at 45 in second and try to clutch it, that scream (obviously rpms need to be higher when launching a slower wheelie with a higher gear ratio) gives me a fakin heart attack. Thanks everyone.

 

[VSGONZO]

2nd 50mph is all you need man! Trust me. 2nd of all do you have a damper on your bike? shouldn't be getting wobbly

 

[BSR-1]

you said you don't want to hear it but in 1st gear (or even 2nd) the clutch is completely unnecessary.
I mean if you open the throttle enough you could flip the damn thing.
how much more lift do you need?

 

[yzryder]

Gonzo, I have the stock damper. The wobbles are a result of my inexperience and nothing more. I'll get it with practice. BSR, to each their own. Obviously, you're the man with power-ups. I'm not. I prefer the clutch. Someone has to keep barnett in business.

 

[VSGONZO]

I clutch everyone of my wheelies. will never power them. Powering is unsafe imo.

Well I'm not that experienced. When I first did wheelies I never had any shaking comming down or wobbles. should be up then down. Now there has been times that I came down so hard that I've almost went right over the bike. I cracked a windscreen because my helmet slammed into upon landing it.

Dunno what happened with that one.

Anywyas take care and ride safe.

 

[yzryder]

Thats pretty funny! That is what happened to me when I first tried a staggered stand-up. It came up faster than I expected, I dug into that back brake and WHAM! I looked like a retard humping a door-knob. I think everyone around me laughed for about 45 minutes. They could even hear me screaming (cussing) in my helmet.

 

[BSR-1]

I prefer the clutch. Someone has to keep barnett in business.

:thumbup

I guess I'm just afraid. it comes up so fast with just the throttle I can't imagine pulling the clutch & rolling on the gas & dropping the clutch. :scared

I just picture a video I saw a couple of years ago with a guy at a stand still, he revs it up, drops the clutch & the bike shoots out from between his legs & does a flip.

promise me I'll get a copy when you do a remake!

good luck!

 

[VSGONZO]

:thumbup

I guess I'm just afraid. it comes up so fast with just the throttle I can't imagine pulling the clutch & rolling on the gas & dropping the clutch. :scared

I just picture a video I saw a couple of years ago with a guy at a stand still, he revs it up, drops the clutch & the bike shoots out from between his legs & does a flip.

promise me I'll get a copy when you do a remake!

good luck!

powering is worse because you don't have control of it. if you wrap the throttle the bike might come past your limits before you know it. clutching is very simple in the fact that you slip it. like flicking a wire on the guitar and giving it very little gas. if you clutch at same speed and same 8rpms then it should always come up that high. and so fourth. try it out. just slip the clutch at 8k then at 9k then 10k. you'll get the hang of it and you'll wonder how you never lived with out clutching.

Also you can wheelie at a slower speed thus less damage if you jack up your wheelie and the other way of looking at it is that you can ride your wheelie out longer

 

[mefistofeles]

second gear 50 mph clutch release, with stock chain-sprocket,, the position of you hand is very important,,,


grab a hall way of gas and work with the momentum as soon you disengage the clutch keep practicing until you maintain the wheelie longer..:riding

 

[yzryder]

BSR, will do on the video. Since your expertise far surpasses that of this thread, you can carry your "polished cylinder heads" on over to one more advanced so that I don't slow you down anymore. Mefist, thanks for the pics bro. I figured I would need to grab more throttle, I just wanted to make sure before I re-create an aforementioned video.

 

[jkrunsthecity]

second gear 50 mph clutch release, with stock chain-sprocket,, the position of you hand is very important,,,


grab a hall way of gas and work with the momentum as soon you disengage the clutch keep practicing until you maintain the wheelie longer..:riding

this is great advice as well.. this makes your launching so much easier

 

[BSR-1]

BSR, will do on the video. Since your expertise far surpasses that of this thread, you can carry your "polished cylinder heads" on over to one more advanced so that I don't slow you down anymore. Mefist, thanks for the pics bro. I figured I would need to grab more throttle, I just wanted to make sure before I re-create an aforementioned video.

you ain't slowing me down. I'm not trying to sound superior or anything, hell everybody on this thread probably wheelies better than me.
sorry if I gave you a hard time.

 

[yzryder]

No worries BSR. I just came from class and did a little playing on the way to and from. Thanks fellas, I guess your advice put a little juice in the ole testicles. Bringing it up consistently and much higher in both 1st and 2nd now. All that is left is for me to get comfortable, loosen up the nerves a bit and learn to ride them out. I'll tell ya though, 2nd gear clutching at 45 mph takes a good bit of "throttle control." Like I said, that scream (when you pull in the clutch) will give you a heart attack. haha. The first couple of times, I was almost too much of a pussy to keep the throttle open that much when I let out the clutch lever. woo=hoo. Hopefully all goes well from here on out. If not, I'll be posting pics under "wheelies gone bad." haha.

 

[VSGONZO]

No worries BSR. I just came from class and did a little playing on the way to and from. Thanks fellas, I guess your advice put a little juice in the ole testicles. Bringing it up consistently and much higher in both 1st and 2nd now. All that is left is for me to get comfortable, loosen up the nerves a bit and learn to ride them out. I'll tell ya though, 2nd gear clutching at 45 mph takes a good bit of "throttle control." Like I said, that scream (when you pull in the clutch) will give you a heart attack. haha. The first couple of times, I was almost too much of a pussy to keep the throttle open that much when I let out the clutch lever. woo=hoo. Hopefully all goes well from here on out. If not, I'll be posting pics under "wheelies gone bad." haha.

are you like pulling in the clutch then revving it up and droping the clutch? When I started I thoughts how you did but boy was I wrong. My wheelies (well not really wheelies at all) just sucked.

slip and rev at the same time. it should be like a 1/10 of a second for the motions to take place. I don't think I even pull the lever more than a 1/3 or 1/4 of the way back on the clutch and I keep my throttle at the steady position and right when I pull back on the clutch a little I give her an extra 2000 rpm bump and there she goes. As the front comes up and you feel the rock back give her more to come up higher if not hold it there for a second then you can give her more to chase the wheelie (stay at that height and rocket down the road)

 

[vance]

are you like pulling in the clutch then revving it up and droping the clutch? When I started I thoughts how you did but boy was I wrong. My wheelies (well not really wheelies at all) just sucked.

slip and rev at the same time. it should be like a 1/10 of a second for the motions to take place. I don't think I even pull the lever more than a 1/3 or 1/4 of the way back on the clutch and I keep my throttle at the steady position and right when I pull back on the clutch a little I give her an extra 2000 rpm bump and there she goes. As the front comes up and you feel the rock back give her more to come up higher if not hold it there for a second then you can give her more to chase the wheelie (stay at that height and rocket down the road)

I hear guys do this a lot, rev for a full second it seems, then dump the clutch. You're right, for me it's a slight bump at the same time I slip the clutch. But I aslo jerk the sh#t out of mine, mostly in 3rd or 4th, staggered and standing.