Mad, bad and occasionally dangerous to do: Wheelies and how to pull them

They are illegal and can be hazardous to both rider and bike, but almost anyone who ever swings a leg over a bike wonders; ” Can I pull a wheelie? ” Our video guide will answer your question.

We called in expert Kev Smith to show us the ropes. He makes it look easy. But then, he does this for a living. You might watch it a thousand times and still be staring dropped-jaw at the wheelies he can perform.

But his step-by-step tips are designed to do more than entertain you. Follow them and you may actually get that front wheel off the ground.

Even if you don’t feel ready to try it yourself, at least you’ll know exactly how it’s done.

Click on the link on the right for his video guide.

The wheelie is without a doubt the world’s favourite stunt, but aren’t they mad, bad and dangerous to do? Well, the answers are yes, yes and occasionally, but not if you stay within your limits.

Pulling a wheelie on the public highway is against the law and we can’t condone it. If you’re caught the police will push for you to be prosecuted for either dangerous or reckless driving. Get the wrong magistrate and this can cost you your license and a retest at the end of your ban, or in extreme cases, even a spell in prison.

Track day marshals take an equally dim view and will show you the black flag and call you in for a little chat on circuit etiquette.

There is a time and a place for them. We chose Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground, an old airfield, where we had plenty of time and space and no traffic or cops to concern us.

You might not have a similar facility. So if you do want to practice, then we would strongly suggest you go well away from cars, pedestrians and officers of the law.

Similarly, must advise you that if you do want to practice what Kev has to offer then you should do it on something you’re not too concerned about damaging.

There are factors that make some bikes harder to wheelie than others. A long wheelbase, tall first gear or lack of low-down power don’t necessarily rule them out just make them slightly harder to get right first time. These bikes might need a tug on the bars to get help the front wheel up initially.

Anyone who has seen Kev keep a CG125 on the back wheel for nearly a mile will know that all that’s required is practise, and the will to do it.

The mechanics of a wheelie are fairly simple. Overcome gravity with judicious use of the throttle and weight distribution as Kev explains.

The first method is the fairly straightforward one of wheelieing off the power.

With the bike in first gear, tickle along at around 15-20 mph. Shut the throttle, then simply snap it open. Voila, the front comes up.

Rate of ascent, and descent can be controlled by the throttle. Roll off and the wheel returns to the Tarmac. Should you need to bring it down in a hurry, applying the back brake or pulling in the clutch will have the same effect but will land the bike more violently.

One thing to bear in mind is the damage that repeated crash landing the front wheel can inflict. Ovalled headstocks and squared head race bearings join stretched chains, knackered sprockets and worn clutches as some of the casualties of persistent, ham-fisted wheelieing.

And while you’re at it there are some other things to be careful of. Trying this first method on a ZX-9R, GSX-R1000 or similarly powerful bike could see the front wheel rising so sharply that controlling the wheelie is next to impossible.

Learn how to pull wheelies on a machine with a less savage power delivery.

The second method involves using the clutch. It requires slightly more finesse but produces wheelies that are easier to control.

This version is easier to perform on more powerful machines, but with practice can be performed on any bike of any capacity.

Get up to about 25-30 mph in second gear, then shut the throttle. As you snap it back open ” dip ” the clutch. This means bringing the clutch roughly halfway back, then as you continue to progressively, but quickly, wind on the throttle, release the clutch fully.

As you can imagine this method will see you covering a large distance (quite quickly). It is essential therefore that you ensure your ‘runway’ is clear.

There are few things in life as cool to do, or watch, than a well performed wheelie. Equally the horrors of getting it wrong put many of us off the idea. If, after watching Kev you’re motivated to try it but remain nervous of trying it on your own pride and joy you can sign up at one of the wheelie schools that can be found in our directory or in the back of MCN’s Bike Mart. They will provide the bikes, and a safe, controlled environment while you learn.

Comment on this story by following the link, right. You’ll find a thread titled ” Wheelie Tips ” in Talk News in the Talk Bikes section.