How to do a wheelie

[wanderer]

Ok I'm stupid, it will tear up equipment, it's dangerous, it's better left to the squids. I acknowledge all the above. How does one go about lofting the front wheel on a GS. The only wheelie I have ever done was on a trials bike and I wasn't even trying. I see the pictures of GS's and all other manner of bikes with the front wheel at a 45* angle and I honestly can't imagine how it's accomplished. Humor me and let me in on the secret. I don't even know that I ever want to attempt it. I'm just "not in a good place with myself" because I don't even know how it's done. I hearby waive all responsibility for all responses from my stupid Q. Go ahead and flog me!!

[Stuff2C]

Can't be done on a BMW :D

[Hodag]

I should post one of me on my LT? Actually its kinda easy, high revs, and a almost clutch dump, with a little weight at the back (take weight of the front). Its a strange sensation, you may not even know your getting the wheel off at first. Takes a little practice, and its not advised to do such things. Kinda like scrapping pegs, once you do it a few times its kinda cool. I used to do 35 MPH speed wheeelies on my rice rocket, but seemed to burn up alot of tires, chains, and clutches back then.
Practice, practice, practice, have someone watch and let you know. In no time you'll be an idiot also :twirl
Mark

[BMWDEAN]

It absolutely cannot be done with an RT. :p

[Hodag]

is that a spare helmet on the rear bag or the last look at the passenger as they fell off?
mark

[bigfoot105]

Actually, its pretty easy to get the front tire of my 1150GS off the ground.....I just sit toward the back....while it is on the center stand and presto!! the front wheel is off the ground! :thumb

[wanderer]

Exactly the responses I expected from this crowd. I kind of suspected it couldn't be done on a BMW. Especially a GS. We all know they suck. :D :D :D

[Cliffy777]

if you do a web search there is a site with instructions on how to wheelie any bike. i used to wheelie my little kaw 250 enduro but i haven't the stones to try on the Rockster.

try here: http://www.cybersportbike.com/stunts/wheelies.htm

or here: http://www.physics.isu.edu/~hackmart/wheelie.htm

[GlobalRider]

And they wonder why rear drives fails. Duhhh.

[riderR1150GSAdv]

A wheelie on an LT can be done too!! :D Just look at Jean Pierre Goy! All you need to do is take the windshield off, so it doesn't hit you in the head and off you go! :wow
If you haven't seen the video of Goy doing that with an LT, you ought to, it is amazing the control that guy has over any bike he rides. :thumb

Now if I only could muster the courage to wreck my 05...... :stick

[oldcarkook]

For those of you that are concerned about pulling a wheely on a big ol beemer, the trick is to avoid the low speed manuever, just like anything else that involves riding skill at low speeds. To get around the issue of having to both balance the bike from side to side as well as front to back on the wheelie, use a hill.

Here's an easy start: Find a steep paved hill that has a good runout where you can pin out first gear - not a driveway - and then in first gear starting at the bottom of the steepest part of the incline, roll hard on the throttle. Get comfortable by hitting the same point repeatedly until you can then time your roll in the throttle to the steepest point on the hill.

The trick here is to use the hill as resistance but have the higher torque of the motor working for you so it drives through the front end and pulls the front up from all the torque. Its a LOT easier to learn how to ride them on a hill than it is try to snap it up from a dead stop or slight roll on level ground because you're fighting acceleration so much on level ground, you can't develop the skill to get the front to come up before you're out of RPMs and space. By playing with your weight on the seat a little bit, and also yanking back on the bars, the front will come up for you gently and you can comfortably roll off the throttle if you're scared about it coming up too much. Using the uphill holds the bike back but the engine still does it's job with torque driving through the front end. You will be surprised how easily the front will rise when you hop on the gas on a steep paved grippy hill at a fairly low speed.

The good thing about this approach is that you're not doing ANY driveline slamming or smoking the clutch by trying to deliver all that torque to the rear tire from a dead stop on level ground. The hill lets you get on it without even having to play the clutch and rpms at all. Practice makes perfect. Once you are able to do it with no effort on a steep hill, you can then work your way down to level ground.

With the weight of a beemer, I agree that dumping the clutch is just asking for trouble and is abusing the bike, but a roll on wheelie is fun, easy, and doesn't hurt the bike at all...unless of course you happen to lose it.

If you live in an area without any good steep hills with straight aways, you're screwed.

[85138]

If you would like formal instruction on someonelse's bike ...

http://www.ononewheel.com/

I've heard good things. Too pricy for my rather finite resources and especially given that I could get 2 tracks days for the same. But heard it's loads of fun ... and in a controlled environment.

[Stuff2C]

Ok I'm stupid, it will tear up equipment, it's dangerous, it's better left to the squids. I acknowledge all the above.

Get a cheap bike you can work on, so “when” you crash it can be fixed with little to no expense. Being able to bend your handlebars back into shape is always nice. Extra brake and clutch levers are always good to have around. Vice Grips are a necessity when the shift lever snaps off. A dirt road and a dirt bike are a good choice. Dirt is easier on the safety gear, provided your smart enough to use it. If you’re over 40 forget it. **** doesn’t heal as easy as it used to. Go find out where the Squids hang out and watch. :lurk Stupidity will be painful. :stick

Just a thought

[YB in IN]

I also learned on Monster Garage, of all places, that you don't want to turn the handlebars while in mid-air. Hooliganism is good for the soul. :)

[breyfogle]

Since power wheelies are frowned upon by the local law, can anyone tell me how to do a stoppie on an RS :dunno

[Stuff2C]

Since power wheelies are frowned upon by the local law, can anyone tell me how to do a stoppie on an RS :dunno


Trade it for a GS so you can turn off the ABS. :brow

[lorazepam]

Here is the definative guide to wheelies and stoppies. Phuzzy (http://www.cbr600f4.com/secondary_pages/phuzzy1.html)

[wanderer]

I read the posts, I read the links, I think 2 wheels is about all I can handle. I really like my current black GS paint job just as it is. I also like my clutch, front forks and my skin. I mean my skin in the locations it currently occupies on my ageing body rather than grafting part A to part B. I guess I lied earlier when I said the only bike I had ever lofted was a trials bike. I now recall regularly getting my 500cc Yankee Z 2 stroke up. I guess what I didn't understand (and now I do) is how to get a bike up that won't come up on throttle alone. Thanks to all but I think this is one of those times that I'll just understand the process without ever feeling the need to apply it. :bikes

[rocketman]

It absolutely cannot be done with an RT. :p
no no no that's not a wheelie,...
this is a Wheelie!:D
http://roadrunes.com/Mid-Ohio-2004/images/P1010032.jpg

RM

[bigfoot105]

YES...SIRRR. That there is a wheelie alright!.... :thumb The question is... "Wheel he"....or Is He.... looking for replacement parts on Ebay now???

[manicmechanic]

Judging by your address, my recommendation would be to investigate any and all of the mountain passes you have within range, ride them well, smile broadly and exclaim, "Wheeeeeeee!" I don't know about you, but I wheelie, wheelie like riding those curvy roads. :rofl

[wanderer]

Funny, I met a guy at a gas station a few months ago, in the middle of Kansas, with a Duc in a trailer who was heading to Colorado Springs. He asked where a nice twistie was. I was actually speachless!!! I eventually said "stay west of I 25!!" Any road, any day, any direction. Colorado really is riding heaven. Happy holidays to all.

[Grey Matter]

I accidentally did one on my GS once. Oops was my first though, then I thought huh… that was kind of fun. I used to do them on my dirt bike when I was a kid all the time.

[dano]

If there was one thing that was not applicable to any BMW, I would think that would be a "wheelie".

First of all, the hp isn't there on a BMW. Second, the clutch, driveline, and final drive can be somewhat fragile from all that I have heard, and third, it's just not a part of BMW's character. :dunno

[breyfogle]

I accidentally did one on my GS once. Oops was my first though, then I thought huh… that was kind of fun. I used to do them on my dirt bike when I was a kid all the time.

Reminds me of my first BMW. I hadn't owned it a week before I pulled an unintended wheelie. The R75 airhead was my first "big bike" after owning a series of ring-ding Hondas. On the Hondas the first gear proceedure was to bring the RPM up to several thousand and drop the clutch and the bike would just pull away from a stop. That's not the way to engage first gear on an R75! I was sitting at a red light, on the brand new R75 when the light turned green. I absent mindedly brought up the revs and dumped the clutch and proceeded to wheelie across the intersection, in traffic, with ease. BMW's may not make a lot of HP but they do have more than enough torque at low RPM to pull the front wheel several inches off the ground.

[Grey Matter]

I actually did a small wheelie on the freeway the other day. I had no idea the GS Adventure would pull the font wheel off. It was kind of fun & kind of scary all at the same time.

[kbasa]

Since power wheelies are frowned upon by the local law, can anyone tell me how to do a stoppie on an RS :dunno

YOu have to lean forward, get the bike down below 5 mph and then NAIL the front brake.

Ya can't really get a power wheelie all by itself with a BMW, you need to use the clutch a little. Roll along at a walking pace, run the engine up to about 5K and then dump the clutch. Make sure you're leaning back in the seat.

R12GS owners can initiate wheelies at speed by gassing it properly as you hit a bump in the road. Zip. The front end will come right up, even at 55mph.

[JetDoc]

I have a plaque on my office wall that says

"Flying is the second greatest thrill known to man...
Landing is the first!"

Could also apply to wheelies with big BMWs :thumb

[breyfogle]

YOu have to lean forward, get the bike down below 5 mph and then NAIL the front brake.

While I have not tried it, I would think that the tele-lever front suspension would limit the front-end weight transfer enough that the front tire would break traction before the back end came up.

[BobFV1]

My torque-ey little Beakster does power wheelies in first gear if I am sitting sort of upright and twisting the heck out of the throttle (as usual).

[basketcase]

Back when I rode dirt bikes, the easiest and least stressful on the bike was a rolling "snap wheelie."

While standing on the pegs and cruising along just below the power band in second gear, drop down and back onto the seat while simultaneously snap rolling on the throttle.

The quick shift in body weight and front-to-rear center of gravity will help cause the front wheel to rise without all the wrenching torgue on the drive train and gear box.

The downside to this technique is that if you do not really know the performance nuances of your bike, you may do a snap wheelie straight over onto your arse and onto the asphalt -- with the bike pretty much on top of you. Don't worry about how I know this, just trust me. :brow

Finally, unless you are morbidly obese, I don't think this option will help much with a K12LT.

Rick (I disclaim all liability for negative results that may occur if you try this techinque) in AL

[dano]

Many years ago in my younger years, I had a 1972 Suzuki TM-400 Cyclone.

This dirt bike was the king of all wheelies, both planned.....and unplanned. :doh There was no having to get up on the pegs, shift your weight, bounce up and down, or any other similar gymnastic maneuvers.

All you had to do was twist your right wrist. :D

[110997]

I have to be very careful with my throttle otherwise, my GS will wheelie too easily.

[dano]

Ain't no way that I could get my 2003 RT to wheelie......but it can and will.....surge all day long. :D

And.....BMW didn't even charge me extra for that "feature". :p

[Cliffy777]

If there was one thing that was not applicable to any BMW, I would think that would be a "wheelie".

First of all, the hp isn't there on a BMW. Second, the clutch, driveline, and final drive can be somewhat fragile from all that I have heard, and third, it's just not a part of BMW's character. :dunno

dano you better take a look at the Track Day story in the latest Owners News. that guy has his roadster walking tall in one of the pics. the right kind of rider can coax a wheelie out of any bike. me, i prefer the patented "mind wheelie" in which both tyres are in contact with the pavement, but in my mind there is a whole nother thing happening!

[sgborgstrom]

I seem to remember Charley Boorman doing more than a few wheelies in "Long Way Round" and on a well (over) loaded GS to boot!

The only wheelie I remember pulling was accidental- dumping the clutch on a short steep hill while riding my Vespa (Rally 200).

Steve

[wanderer]

I noticed that to in the series. Of course they had a lot of reels of film to edit. Then I started thinking a GS as arse heavy as those bikes appeared to be would probably come up much easier. I think it also helps if the bikes are a "donation" of sorts and you weren't really too concerned what happened to the bike beyond 20K miles. That's all pure conjecture on my part but seems fairly logical. It would seem that 60K worth of bikes is almost throw away in the realm of even the lowest budget commercial film series.

[BradfordBenn]

I think it also helps if the bikes are a "donation" of sorts and you weren't really too concerned what happened to the bike beyond 20K miles. That's all pure conjecture on my part but seems fairly logical. It would seem that 60K worth of bikes is almost throw away in the realm of even the lowest budget commercial film series.

Yup, however after reading the book, I was really surprised when it became apparent that Ewan wasn't going to get to keep his. Hmmm. That would suck.

[aclighthall]

My most impressive (to the spectators) wheelie on a GS was done while on a long trip with a big load on the bike. System cases full, duffel bag across the rear seat, top case also. As with lesser wheelies, a few revs, fairly sudden clutch engagement and you have a modest wheelie. However, with a lot of rearward weight, the same technique produces a 45 degree thriller real sudden like.
The group I ride with are all over 60 yrs. old, and for the most part, are not drawn to squid like stunts. After the aforementioned episode, I was asked to sit alone at dinner; no one would admit that they knew me.

[dano]

Okay......I'll agree to try a wheelie on my '03 RT, as soon as I get back from the drag strip.

Yeah.....like that'll ever happen........... :p :lol

[28796]

With my Aprilia it's just a matter of cracking the throttle in the lower gears although it will also lift the frt wheel while accelerating hard through the gears. I try to squeese at least one wheelie into every ride but only on the back roads where there's no traffic. A good wheelie gives me the same rush I use to get when I wrenched on airplanes and we'd have to test the stall feature by nosing it up until the engine cut out & the plane just drops suddenly. I've found the Oilhead GS will wheelie on demand but my wife"s RS is terrible. Her R11S is better but nothing like the Aprilia. I would think too many wheelies could take a toll on the drive shaft universals & you'd have to be careful not to starve the oil pickup which isn't an issue with the Aprilias dry sump.

[Bigrider]

After 27 years of marriage, I finally got my wife to join me for a short ride in the 'burbs. As luck would have it my headlight went out, but I could keep the high beam on as long as my thumb stayed on the high beam button. Since the trip took us into the night, this option was necessary for life and limb. While waiting at a stop light I let my thumb relax, as the light turned green, I was more intereted in turning the light back on and inadvertantly slipped the clutch. With the added weight of the wife on the back, the front wheel lofted and we went throught the intersection on the back wheel. Luckly, we were headed straight and landed softly on the other side. Wife said it will be another 27 years before she rides with me again.

Dave Hoover
Peyton, CO