How to Do a Standup Wheelie

A wheelie is controlled riding on the rear wheel of a motorcycle. Front-to-back balance is controlled with the throttle and rear brake, side-to-side balance with the body. If you decide to learn wheelies, you need a stunt bike (a cage and a bar are enough), gear (a helmet and knee guards are the most important) and a place to train (lots of space, smooth asphalt and no cars). All of this is clear and obvious! It's easiest to learn wheelies in the basic standup position, since it's easier to jump off the motorcycle if it flips. Of course, you can also learn seated, and perhaps for some it will be easier, but most start standing. Lift the motorcycle from a standstill or at very low speed, since the lower the speed, the safer the crashes. Obviously, blasting off traffic lights at full revs trying to lift the front wheel is much more dangerous, although people learn that way too.

The whole process can be divided into phases:

Holding still

The goal is to keep the motorcycle upright for a couple of seconds in place or at very low speed. Don't take your feet off the pegs or your hands off the handlebar: balance only with your body. This is needed so the motorcycle doesn't lean sideways when the front wheel lifts. Once you can consistently hold still and feel comfortable in the standup position, you can start lifting the front wheel.

Lifting the front wheel

First you need to set up the motorcycle:

• Raise the idle to 3,000–3,500 rpm so the motorcycle can move with the throttle closed.

• Lower the rear tire pressure to 1.2–1.4 atmospheres; this increases the bike's stability on the rear wheel (you should aim for 2.5 atm, but at first such pressure will seriously slow your progress).

1. To lift the front wheel, pull the clutch with one finger.

2. Raise the revs by a couple of thousand and hold them steady: don't blip the throttle (it's very important to keep a steady throttle; when you blip, you instinctively back off).

3. Shift your body weight onto your left foot and dump the clutch (or rather, release it very quickly), keeping your right foot on the rear brake. You need to shift your weight onto the tail not only so the motorcycle lifts more easily, but also so it doesn't lean sideways (if you press hard on the right peg, the motorcycle will pull to the right).

At first raise the revs by 2,000–3,000 before engaging the clutch. As you gain confidence, add 1,000–2,000 at a time until you approach the balance point (the motorcycle will start rolling a couple of extra meters). At this point, constantly concentrate on the rear brake and press it if you feel you're flipping over (don't press the brake hard, or you'll fly over the handlebar).

Bringing the motorcycle back with the brake

Once you can consistently and controllably pull the motorcycle up to the balance point and roll a few meters, start trying to lift the motorcycle past the balance point and bring it back with the rear brake. Strictly speaking, this is the wheelie. That is, the goal is to lift the motorcycle above the balance point, bring it back with the brake, add throttle if it starts to come down, and so on indefinitely. To get used to the brake faster and drag it correctly, apply the brake slightly even before the wheelie starts (your foot should press the rear brake ever so slightly).

Wheelie step by step

1. Hold still in the standup position. Index finger on the clutch, right foot on the brake, pressing it slightly.

2. Pull the clutch. Give it throttle and hold it steady. Shift your body weight onto your left foot.

3. Dump the clutch.

4. Scrub off speed with the brake if you gave too much throttle, or add throttle if you didn't lift the motorcycle high enough.

5. Control the angle with the throttle and brake, steering with your body to control side-to-side balance.

That's all; happy training. I hope you learn faster than we did! Criticism and suggestions in the comments or on the forum. Don't forget to wear your riding gear!