| Author | Message | ||
     Scheith |
I have reached the point that I am ready to do some wheelies, I have pulled a couple small ones while trying...but I haven't really mastered it yet...any tips? | ||
| Andymnelson |
If you have to ask, then you're not ready. Keep riding and getting to know your bike better. Most of all, ride safely and don't be a squid. | ||
| Scheith |
I guess you have a point... | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Get a cheap old dirtbike. They are made to be wheelied and dropped. Also, they are fun. | ||
| Andymnelson |
Sorry, not trying to be a punk. I had an acquaintance and a friend (2 separate guys) die in accidents a couple of weekends ago, and my younger brother crashed his X1 the same day and is still laid up. I hate seeing people out ride their abilities. Please be safe! | ||
| Froggy |
Get a dirt bike, beat the snot out of it off road till you get a feel for it. It is much cheaper to fix and you are less likely to get hurt when you screw up  | ||
| Scheith |
No, i understand. dirt bike would be a good idea. i dont but any where to ride or to funds for one though... | ||
| Spacecapsule1 |
isn't there a video of froggy pulling a nice wheelie somewhere? | ||
| Luv2spd |
This is a good instructional wheelie video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3_Z96lxyUo Just a reminder that if you just starting to learn how to wheelie, it is pretty bad for the motorcycle, belt, suspension, screws coming out from bagging the front down, etc. | ||
| Froggy |
There are lots of things on youtube Also, I grew up on dirt bikes as a kid. I'm no wheelie pro, in fact I'm "out of shape" so to speak, but I did learn a bit on dirt. Give this a watch, and be safe. | ||
| Terrys1980 |
I would also suggest getting a steering stabilizer. | ||
| Reepicheep |
+1 for Froggy. I started with a KLR-250 as my "second bike". I have since upgraded to a KDX-200 bored and ported to a 225. When I ride it, it's more or less a perpetual wheelie. If it's moving, it's probably on one wheel, and it is NO end of fun. A dull day of trail riding on the KDX involves 5-10 crashes or drops. On the M2, the 9sx and the Uly, I would occasionally pull small little wheelies if I am clearing a speed bump or accelerating over a rise, but anything big just feels stupid. It's hard on the bike, distracting to people around you, and too expensive to make even a minor mistake. Its just a waste of the bike, and in invitation to a wreckless operation ticket or an injury (both gifts that keeps on giving long after you wish they would go away...) So pick up a beater dirt bike, and go have a blast on it. Don't stop with wheelies, do stoppies, powerslides, jumps, burnouts, bunny hops, mud crossings, you name it. Don't screw around with punk ass wheelies on a street bike, go get a dirt bike so you can have some real fun, and learn to just ride the street bike safe, smooth, safe, fast and safe. You can probably pick up a nice KDX-200 for $1000. Which is probably less than your first loop on the street bike will cost you, even if you are lucky enough to be in good enough shape at the end of it to drag yourself and the bike away before the cops come... (Message edited by reepicheep on August 31, 2011) | ||
| Scheith |
Awesome guys, thanks I appreciate it. I will stay safe and take it slow. Ill attempt for a dirt bike...but my wallet it a little on the empty side until I graduate and start pulling in bank... | ||
| Scheith |
another question, my engine was covered in oil and grit in i bought it...whats the best way to clean that crud off? | ||
| Spatten1 |
I have the same bike. You can get it up to about 4.5k or 5k in first while accelerating moderately, chop the throttle and let the front dive and compress the springs, then hammer the throttle wide open as the front springs bounce up. I now ride at 8k feet and higher most of the time, so I have very little power. I run it up to about 5k in first, slip the clutch and rev it until it's bouncing on the rev limiter, and dump the clutch completely. I can't get it up to the balance point any other way with the low power at high altitude. The 12 will do it with no effort at all at high altitude, just chop the throttle and bounce it up with the throttle. | ||
| Ourdee |
Here is a vid. of me being a squid. Watch and learn. | ||
| Spikey |
You could always try this,http://wheelieteach.com/ they make it for Buell's too. | ||
| Fast1075 |
If you ever come to Florida with your bike, DO NOT get caught doing even the tiniest wheelie...it will cost you a LOT of money. | ||
| Iamarchangel |
In Ontario, Canada, you will lose your license for a time and pay a big fine. (N.B., key word is "intentional" wheel raising.) And, seeing as you're new at this, an '03 belt isn't really strong enough. They run about $180 now, and the price is increasing. Your call. | ||
| Scheith |
Why did Buell decide on belts instead of chains? Im not really sure what the pros and cons of each are. | ||
| Terrys1980 |
Well the newer belt setup is suppose to be a zero maintenance, zero adjustment, lifetime belt but some still manage to snap a few. Also when a belt snaps it will cause a lot less damage to the parts in comes in contact with. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Belts are lighter, quieter, and won't stretch over their life. They can also be made to be a zero lash drivetrain (because they don't stretch)... worse for wheelies, but better for a motorcycle drive system. Belts don't eat sprockets like chains do either. Chains are easy to repair and more readily available, but don't last as long. Chains ans sprockets both wear pretty quickly. Chains are *slightly* more efficient at transferring power when new and clean. But they aren't new and clean for long. From then on, the belt wins. The chain does have two distinct advantages the belt can't touch... 1) Cheap and easy to re-gear the vehicle. Sprockets have to be replaced often, so there are generally lots of them around cheap, and they are easy to cheaply make in all sorts of sizes. 2) It's easy to pack a spare master link for your chain on the bike... so if the chain does break, you can (if it didn't rip out your crankcase or destroy your rear wheel or get launched into low earth orbit) grab the chain and use the spare master link to limp home. My favorite part of a belt is how clean and quiet it is. My dirt bikes are a noisy mess. | ||
| Spatten1 |
Most important advantages of a chain: 1. You can actually buy one anywhere without going to a Harley dealer. 2. You can change the drive ratio with different sprockets. The belt has severe limitations for a track day, forget about a race. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I can buy a belt anywhere without going to a Harley dealer now. I just have to pick up a phone and call American Sportibike! Thats a point though. We need to make sure we can still get the belts after Harley throws us to the wolves. We will probably be fine, doesn't the XR1200 use the same belt? | ||
| B00stzx3 |
Like posted above LEARN IT ON A DIRTBIKE. I have an 03' 9r as well, and you will either a. crap yourself b. 12 o clock yourself or c. 12 o clock yourself with crap in your pants. The torque makes it so easy to fack yourself up. Learn on a tiny dirtbike, master it, then start on the Firebolt. And don't get caught! | ||
| Andymnelson |
lol | ||
| Bikelit |
The Rear Brake is your friend.............. | ||
| Buewulf |
Scheith - If you don't have the funds for a dirt bike, get a bicycle. I know it may sound stupid, but it gets you familiar with the "balance point" which feels the same on a 30lb bicycle as it does on a 500lb motorcycle. Plus it takes more finesse to maintain a wheelie on a bicycle (since you are powering it and moving your body around a good bit as you do it), so you'll get a better feel for "managing" the wheelie once you are up. Penalty for failure is much lower as well. There are no doubt plenty of youtube videos on how to wheelie a mountainbike. Learn on one of those so that you can get the feel of it and overcome some of the panic responses that get a lot of people hurt or killed when doing one on a 500lb bike on asphalt. (Message edited by Buewulf on September 02, 2011) | ||
| Mc4life27 |
yeah everyone is right learn on a dirt bike or even a bicycle first. i learned on a bicycle witch still to this day i can jump on a ride a wheelie all over the place. then dirt bikes and now im on street bikes. now i almost got in BIG trouble with Johnny law when i was caught doing a wheelie plus it is hard on the rest of the bike. i have seen friends go through head tube bearing because of doing to many wheelies and slamming the front end down. so all in all if you dont have the funds to buy a dirt bike try a regular bicycle and then wait and practice some more before you get on the BUELL. now keep in mind one small little mistake it can cost you a big penny and even possible total your bike if you dent your fame and damage a few other parts. ps- look on you tube there are many of good how to's posted. watch them all and then watch them again before you try anything. |
