Being a motorcycle rider in itself means that you lead a carefree life and you are in love with adventure. But this does not mean that motorcycle riders are careless or reckless. The same applies to performing a wheelie as well because it’s one of the oldest stunts in motorcycle books that can only be performed if you are careful and have full control over your bike.
There is no glory in attempting to do a wheelie or any stunt on your bike and then failing to execute it only to meet with an accident.
So how do you perform a wheelie on a motorcycle?
When performing a wheelie on a motorcycle, there are different components that play an integral role.
- The rear brake is pulled and the front wheel is lifted.
- Throttle control and rear suspension maintain the balance point to pop a wheelie.
- A perfect wheelie happens on a low gear like the first gear.
- Use the back brake to throttle quickly and return to comfortable riding.
- The best bike wheelie is when the front end is lifted and the rider can ride the wheelie straight.
- Lean back, far back, to stretch and maintain the wheelie.
Please only attempt this if you are in a safe environment and understand the risks before attempting.
In this article, we will provide you with a step by step guide on how to wheelie a motorcycle with utmost safety and attention so that you don’t end up causing damage to yourself or your bike.
The two types of wheelies are Power Wheelie and Clutch Wheelie.
What is Power Wheelie?
This type of wheelie is performed by opening the throttle completely. This causes an increase in speed and creates lift which eventually sends the rear wheel up into the air.
To perform a power wheelie, you need to start off gently on your bike, gradually increasing both acceleration and speed according to your speedometer.
Once you are at a speed limit of 30 mph or more, try rolling near to 70% of throttle which will cause the back wheel of your motorcycle to come up without any difficulty before gradually slowing down again.
Also, make sure that there are no obstructions when performing this stunt because it can lead to serious accidents if something goes wrong.
What is Clutch Wheelie?
This type of wheelie is performed by using the clutch to control the power and speed of the motorcycle. When you release the clutch, it gives the engine more power and this, in turn, lifts the rear wheel off the ground.
Clutch wheelies are a bit more dangerous than Power Wheelies because if you release the clutch too suddenly or at a higher RPM, it can cause the rear wheel to lock up and throw you off your bike.
To do a clutch wheelie, start off by rolling your bike slowly in first gear while keeping the clutch engaged. As you gain speed, increase your RPMs until you reach about 4000-5000 before slowly releasing the clutch as you feel the bike lift off the ground.
Make sure you keep a firm grip on the handlebars and use both your feet to balance yourself as you hold the wheelie for as long as possible.
Now that we have covered the basics of wheelies, let’s take a look at some tips on how to stay safe while performing this stunt –
How to Stay Safe While Performing a Wheelie?
No matter which type of wheelie you are attempting, always make sure to wear a helmet, boots, and protective clothing.
When starting off, make sure there are no obstacles in your way and that the area is clear before attempting to do a wheelie.
If you are doing a power wheelie, gradually accelerate until you reach the speed limit before starting the wheelie. Also, make sure that you are not losing control or rocking back and forth because that can cause forward momentum to lose its balance.
When doing a clutch wheelie, try keeping your RPMs between 3000-4000 so it will be easier to maintain control of your motorcycle during the wheelie.
Another tip is to keep practicing until you get used to lifting off with ease rather than actually trying to hold it for as long as possible. This way you will be able to perform this stunt without making any mistakes!
How to Do a Power Wheelie?
Here is a step by step guide to performing a power wheelie:
- Start Slowly
- Gradually Increase the Speed
- Slow Down Cautiously
Start Slowly
Start off gently on your bike, gradually increasing both acceleration and speed according to the speedometer. Remember that you need at least 30 mph before you can attempt to do a wheelie.
Gradually Increase the Speed
Gradually increase the throttle as you start accelerating and assume 70% of throttle near 45-50 mph. This will cause your back wheel (rear wheel) to pop up easily without much effort.
Slow Down Cautiously
Slow down as soon as you feel the rear wheel coming up in order for it not to go too high into the air or risk losing control of your motorcycle during the wheelie which leads to serious accidents.
How to Do a Clutch Wheelie?
- Sit Upright
- Maintain Your Speed
- Open Throttle & Accelerate
- Disengage the Clutch
- Release the Clutch Fast
- Control Throttle & Clutch
Sit Upright
Make sure to lean forward and sit upright in order to balance the weight during the wheelie.
Maintain Your Speed
To do a clutch wheelie, you need to maintain your speed between 1500-2000 RPMs in first gear, which is almost 10 – 20 MPH.
Open Throttle & Accelerate
Once you reach around 2000 RPMs, slowly release the clutch while opening the throttle for more power and speed, causing your rear tire (rear wheel) to come up easily with less effort than a power wheelie and keeping yourself safe from accidents.
Disengage the Clutch
When your rear wheel comes up into the air, turn off the engine by disengaging the clutch so it won’t cause any damage when coming down onto its legs which can cause serious injuries to yourself and others.
Release the Clutch Fast
Since you need to perform this stunt quickly, it is best to release your clutch fast so your front tire will not lose any momentum and can come down safely and straight away.
We recommend releasing the clutch when your power is around 80 percent. However, if you release it too quickly, your RPMs will drop which will result in difficulty maintaining the wheelie for a longer period of time.
Control Throttle & Clutch
At this point, you should have full control of both throttle and clutch since we disengaged the engine from the wheels while balancing on the front wheel.
In order to stay up, remember that you need to keep both throttle and clutch, without letting them go. Fair to say that this balancing act will take its time for you to master.
Conclusion
Wheelies are a fun and adrenaline-pumping stunt that can be easily done with a little bit of practice. Remember to always be cautious when attempting to do wheelies and to never lose focus while performing this stunt as it can lead to serious accidents.
And always perform stunts or go for a ride wearing your protective gear on. Even a momentary lapse can be extremely fatal.
So stay sharp and perform your stunts safely!
