Wheelies - How do you do them?

[Twin Zim]

I've had my M1100 for over 4 months now, and feel pretty comfortable on it. One thing that I haven't tried yet is to do a wheelie.

On Sunday, a friend, who rides an R6, is going to help teach me how to do them. He's an experienced rider (track days, dirt bikes, etc.), and has no problem doing them on his bike, but he suggested that I also post the question on this forum to see what advice I get from folks with Ducati's - V-Twin torque vs. high revving 4.

My wheelie experience is pretty limited - about 7 or 8 years ago I had an SV650 and then a GSXR-600. On the SV, I would get up to around 25mph, chop the throttle, and then hammer it, and the wheel would come off the ground. With the GSXR, I would just mash on the throttle in first gear at around 30mph, and the wheel would come up. In both cases, I never was able to keep the wheelie up for more than a second or two.

Anyway, I am not looking to ride down the interstate on one wheel, or join a stunt team - I just want to learn how to execute a wheelie in a 'safe' or controlled manner simply for my own enjoyment.

Other than turning off traction control, I'm a blank slate - any advice or information is appreciated.

[keantan]

As far as Ducati's go, I heard wheelies on them are pretty hard on the engine because of how the oil is circulated in the engine. Try to avoid is my advice.

However, if you still want to do them, on youtube theres a user called motorcyclenewsdotcom (maybe you've heard of them, UK bike magazine) they have a couple of videos on how to do wheelies in controlled conditions.

Hope this helps you! Ride safe buddy!

[TheX]

The only wheelies I do are torque induced coming out of corners and getting on the gas.

[Ducci]

^ x2 what he said

[Dmitry]

1100 should just wheelie if you mush the throttle, at least that's what my TL1000 did, with 748 I have to chop it to get front wheel off with a stock gearing.

When you wheelie a Duc it tends to push oil in to a breather, don't be surprised to see a cloud of white smoke.

[Twisted10]

i dont do them. intentionally anyways.

[RcrBoy]

Originally Posted by TheX

The only wheelies I do are torque induced coming out of corners and getting on the gas.

This x3

[Ritter]

I've only done two wheelies so far in my short riding career. One was on the first dirtbike I ever rode. That was on accident. Second was with Pridmore down the straight at Heartland park.

[Twin Zim]

Originally Posted by keantan

As far as Ducati's go, I heard wheelies on them are pretty hard on the engine because of how the oil is circulated in the engine. Try to avoid is my advice.

However, if you still want to do them, on youtube theres a user called motorcyclenewsdotcom (maybe you've heard of them, UK bike magazine) they have a couple of videos on how to do wheelies in controlled conditions.

Hope this helps you! Ride safe buddy!

Thanks, I watched the MCN video - looks like that'll be a good starting point.

[ltsnipe]

Originally Posted by Ducci

^ x2 what he said

same!