The One-Wheeled EVO

[Jaelum]

My EVO is finally broken in, so it's time for the fun to begin!

Allow me to preface this post with a disclaimer - I never wheelie around any other traffic or other dangerous situations.  In fact, I barely wheelie at all!  My previous motorcycle was too heavy and old to be doing hooligan stuff with, so this is my first attempts at learning how.

So after watching some videos and talking with folks, I decided that I'm not initially going to try to "clutch it up", but rather use the first gear, throttle-off-then-back-on method.  My results have been mixed...

My general method is to sit back on the seat, keep all my weight off the handlebars, accelerate to around 25 mph, chop the throttle and immediately roll back on it.

Seems like sometimes, the front wheel just rockets up; sometimes so fast it scares me and I chop the throttle for a hard landing (rough on the boys).  Other times, I hit the gas and the front wheel gets light, and I rocket off, but the front won't come UP.  And these two scenarios happen together - one night I can't get it up, the next it's flying up all over the place.

So, I ask you - any other EVO owners becoming hooligans yet?  Any general tips or specific methods anyone would care to share?

Cheers!

[rockaduc]

Just a comment on performing wheelies in general:  it is a good idea to keep the rear brake covered at all times as it is a much better way of halting the party if things start to get out of hand.

[Drjones]

Go buy a used $500 150cc dirtbike and practice on that . .  offroad.   Learning fine throttle control during a less than stable ride condition isn't exactly something to do on your nice shiny expensive Ducati . .  on the street.


Otherwise, start small.  Concentrate on repeatably getting the front end light first.  When you can repeatedly achieve that then step it up to mini wheelies, etc.  Trying for the 1000 yard standup wheelies off the bat is going to end up with the bike on top of you or smacking into a tree.

[bikepilot]

Its all about timing, it'll come right up without a ton of throttle if you get the timing right.  To prevent the hard landing whack the throttle again right before the front end crashes down and it'll be much smoother (easier on you and easier on the bike). 

If you've got a bicycle around use it to learn the basics, if not a dirt bike or ideally a trials bike is a good learning tool.

[Armor]

Second gear is easier to control.

[Travman]

- one night I can't get it up, the next it's flying up all over the place.

[Betty]

- one night I can't get it up, the next it's flying up all over the place.

Consequence of :

a hard landing (rough on the boys).

 

Sorry nothing else to add ... I prefer both wheels on the road.

[Jaelum]

Quick update:  I figured something out tonight - traction control makes wheelying nearly impossible.  I'd had it off when I first started trying, then I turned it on during a rain-sodden ride (only to level 2) and ever since was having a hard time.  Finally remembered tonight that I had it on and turned it off after a couple of attempts and the difference was pretty amazing.

Also, I always keep the rear brake covered - but it's great advice, thanks.

Now that I have that out of the way, I'll post again as I figure things out.

I'd love to hear from other EVO owners on their experience....

[corey]

Consequence of :

 

Sorry nothing else to add ... I prefer both wheels on the road.

me too. they have two wheels for a reason...
but sometimes i still want to be a jackass around say... a jeep full of college girls...

I don't have the skills necessary to wheelie my 800 :/

[Rameses]

If you're riding an 1100, you really don't need to chop the throttle to get the front end up.

That engine has way more than enough balls to loft the front end in 1st gear just by opening the throttle fast from about 3000 rpm.  No need to compress the front suspension first.

[Jaelum]

In my experience, if you just hit the gas, the front wheel does come up (maybe a foot or so, sometimes less) and you rocket forward, but it doesn't go up any further.  The only way to get an impressive wheelie is to "bounce" it.

I'm going to try just power wheelying it next time to confirm; I'm also going to mess around with clutching it up in first and second and see how it feels.  But I'm a bit worried about abusing the clutch, and I'm also wondering if it being a slipper clutch will make it more difficult to use.

[rockaduc]

In my experience, if you just hit the gas, the front wheel does come up (maybe a foot or so, sometimes less) and you rocket forward, but it doesn't go up any further.  The only way to get an impressive wheelie is to "bounce" it.

I'm going to try just power wheelying it next time to confirm; I'm also going to mess around with clutching it up in first and second and see how it feels.  But I'm a bit worried about abusing the clutch, and I'm also wondering if it being a slipper clutch will make it more difficult to use.

My KTm 450 exc wheelies at will in 1st and 2nd.  I can do the "chop the throttle" method in 3rd and 4th.  your EVO should be able to do the same.

[Jaelum]

Rained during my riding opportunity today.  Probably more wet tomorrow.  I'm looking forward to experimenting and reporting.

Also still looking for feedback from other 1100EVO owners - I can't be the only one trying this...   

[KRJ]

   Once You actually "get it up" You will realise that the rear suspension is unloading, which will send the front out fast. When You feel the seat come up You have to back off the throttle so You don't loop it, hence the rear brake, that should be only used in an emergency! Where the front slams down hard...then You find the balance point, let it fall foreward a little bit and apply more throttle, fall, throttle, till You run out of gear, then You shift.....When You get to that point then I will explain more, point to note, it's cheaper on a dirt bike when You're 12 yrs old......

[Jaelum]

Okay, got to do some experimenting on the way home tonight (after re-verifying that DTC was OFF)...

Rameses is right - you don't need to bounce the front end to wheelie in first gear.  However, the type of wheelie you get is different.  By just slamming the throttle at about 4k, the front end does slowly rise up, but you hit the 8.5k rev limiter before it gets very far off the ground.  It's a very gentle and controlled wheelie, and would have been outstanding if you could hit 10k on this engine.

Bouncing it, though, gives some awesome wheelies    Bikepilot's advice of hitting the throttle hard again just before touchdown has made my landings much easier, and has given me the confidence to start holding the wheelie for a longer time.  Not to mention how great the bike sounds howling along!

Second gear, though....  Just can't seem to pop it up at all in second.  Tried whacking the throttle at 4k and 6k; the response is much better at 6k, but the front barely even gets light.  I also tried slipping the clutch but it didn't work either.  Of course, I have no idea if I'm even correctly using the clutch as I've never wheelied that way.  I'd love to hear from another EVO owner if they can get the front wheel up in second.

As an aside, when I was shopping for a bike a few months ago, the other bike I looked at very hard was the Speed Triple.  I test drove one for almost an hour and MAN did that bike move.  It would wheelie like a demon in first, of course, but it would also lift the front wheel in second and third just by throttle alone.  If that bike hadn't sounded like a weedwhacker on crack cocaine, it might have won me over. 

Still, I'm damn happy with my Monster and am enjoying learning how to ride her "properly"