Learning my wheelies

[81-Honda-04]

here are some pics of ME practicing my wheelies.
http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss206/BigtunaEX/Wheelies10-18-09018.jpg
http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss206/BigtunaEX/Wheelies10-18-09016.jpg
http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss206/BigtunaEX/Wheelies10-18-09010.jpg
http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/ss206/BigtunaEX/Wheelies10-18-09009.jpg

[tater281]

Is that a St. Joe flag?

[slightlybent47]

Very nice,
just remember to keep your right foot on the break pedal so you can stop your self from going over.

Then you can shift your wait from side to side and make it turn.

Keep at it and you'll be doing them in your sleep.

[81-Honda-04]

Originally posted by tater281
Is that a St. Joe flag?

haha yeah thats place is awesome I go there all the time! you been there?

[trailrider894]

Yo dude i was just there last weekend!!! Awesome last ride of the season!!!!!! everybody out there are so slow and way to cautious about how they ride!! I just hit the whoops full out 5th gear.

[dankbud42o]

nice, i just started last week. not that bad. just gotta learn how to shift doin them now.

[IcutMetl]

Looks like a nice machine you have. It took me a long time to come close to mastering the wheelies on my 400ex, but it was an excellent machine for them- that's for sure.

What helped me the most is to be very comfortable with the power, and how it comes on. That, and not being afraid to lay it down on the grab-bar...it's going to happen. Once I got some grass stains on my pants and a sore tail a time or two- I was ready to learn.

I was (and am) about 6 foot, and 175lbs. What worked the best...for me was to plant my tail just off the back edge of the seat. Roll along in 2nd gear, get into the power, let off, then give 'er a little jerk and smoothly roll the power back on. THROTTLE CONTROL IS EVERYTHING! The 400 has a huge balance point. Once you get close, it's just little blips until you get to the point where you can hold it there and/or accelerate.

Once I got to that point, I learned to use the clutch in 3rd and it was pure love after that. Came right up like a dream. Same body position, no jerking...get to the point where the power is right about ready to get strong but still bogs a bit- slip the clutch and pour a little beef to it at the same time. It will roll right up very smoothly. Once near the balance point, 3rd is much easier to control than 2nd in my opinion. Could ride any field in 3rd like cruise control.

If you're quick with your left hand and have a smooth clutch, practice shifting while at the balance point. Again...throttle control...very important. More often than not, I skipped the clutch and let out of the gas just a bit when I shifted. Could easily get into 5th in a smooth field. Riiiiiide 'em out!

Most of the time, I forgot the rear brake was even there...but get used to using it....smmmmooooothly- just like the throttle. Stab the brake, you come down hard...stab the gas...get a dirty, well you know.

You've got one of the best 'wheelers out there for wheelies. Get used to the balance point before you worry about shifting. Smooth throttle and brake application, plus good body position is everything.

Now if only I could get used to my 250R like that...that thing just has a NASTY attitude when the power comes on

:devil:

[tater281]

Originally posted by 81-Honda-04
haha yeah thats place is awesome I go there all the time! you been there?

I've rode out there tons of times. Its a nice place to go!

[camaromitch]

Hey, I'm about an hour NW of St Joe, where do you guys go? My little brother just got a 400ex a few weeks ago and I have about 7 acres that lays pretty flat. We take it down there and practice wheelies.

I for the practice I've been popping it up in 1st and hitting 2nd as soon and the nose is up good. I got back on it too fast in 2nd last week and laid it back and when I reached for the brake the quad went sideways and rolled onto it's nose. I must say something for those Pro Taper bars (not so much for the plastic).

[VTredneckgames]

Im not very good at them.

How do you get passed the being "spooked" part? I always feel like Im going too high and its going to come back over. Maybe Im just a wuss? I know I just need to practice, but I dont bounce as good as I used to.

so any tips for newbies?

[Pipeless416]

Originally posted by VTredneckgames
Im not very good at them.

How do you get passed the being "spooked" part? I always feel like Im going too high and its going to come back over. Maybe Im just a wuss? I know I just need to practice, but I dont bounce as good as I used to.

so any tips for newbies?

go too far once.. slowly.. it'll just stand up on the grab bar. once you stand it straight up and realize they really won't go backwards you'll be fine.:p

[81-Honda-04]

yeah once you fall back a couple times ull know when your about to go to far back.. then just tap the rear brakes and it will come right back down. i cant be afraid to fall the first couple times if you want to really learn

[dankbud42o]

Originally posted by VTredneckgames
Im not very good at them.

How do you get passed the being "spooked" part? I always feel like Im going too high and its going to come back over. Maybe Im just a wuss? I know I just need to practice, but I dont bounce as good as I used to.

so any tips for newbies?

haha thats what took me so long to start trying to do wheelies. but i purposely gave it too much gas a few times just to get it on the grab bar, was sketchy at first but now im not afraid anymore. only thing that sucks is fallin on ur rump when the bikes straight up. def gotta get it on the grab bar on purpose and get a feel for it...im stil trying to master the balance point. spent 1 day doin wheelies so far, few more days and i think i can get it down pat. the bicycle is mad easy to learn. thats teh first trick i learned.

[IcutMetl]

Yep, get on some soft ground and set 'er all the way back a couple times. After you get over that, it's not so bad. I've ruined a pair of jeans from skidding off at speed, but hey...it's all a learning curve.

[Andrew Eden]

yea you will learn that a 400ex does have a large balancing point and it seems like they don't really want to flip over like u can go almost backwards and still not hit the bar, jest don't back out and you'll get them, im not that great at them yet but i love them now im trying slow wheelies and on hills at the moment, but once your over the fear they will be all u want to do.

It is kinda hard for me thought i have no back break and my 400ex doesn't idle cause my carburetor cable is broke at the moment but still not hard cause of its big balancing point.

[Andrew Eden]

Hey guys i love my 400ex if anyone wants to talk about them add me at Donau_Aikou@hotmail.com
im from ky if anyone is close and wants to ride.:confused:

[IcutMetl]

You know what helps you ride killer wheelies? A helmet!

[sven_502]

Originally posted by VTredneckgames
Im not very good at them.

How do you get passed the being "spooked" part? I always feel like Im going too high and its going to come back over. Maybe Im just a wuss? I know I just need to practice, but I dont bounce as good as I used to.

so any tips for newbies?

I've ridden so far my buddies 500 predator, his brothers kawasaki 400 kfx, and my 440ex. Hands down, the 400 is easiest to wheelie and is just too fun. The predator is next to impossible to hold wheelies on, im sure if i practiced for a day maybe but I like mine anyway.

If you're afraid of finding the balance point because you can't really see, I found (and you may not) that I liked standing on the grab bar, having the knees on the seat or just standing straight up, and trying some slow speed gear 1 or 2 wheelies. This way you can still see where you're going, (and its a pretty cool view up there lol ) and since your weight is spread out so much more, its easier to find the balance point.

Now all I do is seat wheelies because its more fun since it can be more spontaneous, but those are always fun too. The 400ex is definitely the easiest atv to learn wheelies on, and its just too fun starting in gear 2 and wheeliing out to gear 5 accross the fields. Sometimes if my dad and I are going into the bush to work for a bit, he takes the tractor and I take my 440 and wheelie up and down the field a couple times before he gets there. Good fun.

Heres a vid of some crappy ones I tried 5 mins after I got the atv home when I bought it, up until this video I'd never driven anything other than a 4x4. Fell in love with the 400 right then and there lol. http://www.youtube.com/sven502#p/u/9/taNKSJpsgYs

[slightlybent47]

Originally posted by IcutMetl
You know what helps you ride killer wheelies? A helmet!



Good one !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[slightlybent47]

Oh yea wheres the no helmet ban?

[dankbud42o]

Originally posted by IcutMetl
You know what helps you ride killer wheelies? A helmet!

LOL. :D

[dankbud42o]

Originally posted by IcutMetl
Looks like a nice machine you have. It took me a long time to come close to mastering the wheelies on my 400ex, but it was an excellent machine for them- that's for sure.

What helped me the most is to be very comfortable with the power, and how it comes on. That, and not being afraid to lay it down on the grab-bar...it's going to happen. Once I got some grass stains on my pants and a sore tail a time or two- I was ready to learn.

I was (and am) about 6 foot, and 175lbs. What worked the best...for me was to plant my tail just off the back edge of the seat. Roll along in 2nd gear, get into the power, let off, then give 'er a little jerk and smoothly roll the power back on. THROTTLE CONTROL IS EVERYTHING! The 400 has a huge balance point. Once you get close, it's just little blips until you get to the point where you can hold it there and/or accelerate.

Once I got to that point, I learned to use the clutch in 3rd and it was pure love after that. Came right up like a dream. Same body position, no jerking...get to the point where the power is right about ready to get strong but still bogs a bit- slip the clutch and pour a little beef to it at the same time. It will roll right up very smoothly. Once near the balance point, 3rd is much easier to control than 2nd in my opinion. Could ride any field in 3rd like cruise control.

If you're quick with your left hand and have a smooth clutch, practice shifting while at the balance point. Again...throttle control...very important. More often than not, I skipped the clutch and let out of the gas just a bit when I shifted. Could easily get into 5th in a smooth field. Riiiiiide 'em out!

Most of the time, I forgot the rear brake was even there...but get used to using it....smmmmooooothly- just like the throttle. Stab the brake, you come down hard...stab the gas...get a dirty, well you know.

You've got one of the best 'wheelers out there for wheelies. Get used to the balance point before you worry about shifting. Smooth throttle and brake application, plus good body position is everything.

Now if only I could get used to my 250R like that...that thing just has a NASTY attitude when the power comes on

:devil:


thanks for the tips.

[slightlybent47]

http://i36.tinypic.com/zl54ib.jpg

[81-Honda-04]

Hey guys thanks for the comments if you want post up some pics of you doin a wheelie.

[katch26]

Originally posted by Andrew Eden
Hey guys i love my 400ex if anyone wants to talk about them add me at Donau_Aikou@hotmail.com
im from ky if anyone is close and wants to ride.:confused:

damn we got nigerian exriders scams now lol

[Andrew Eden]

Yea last i heard i don't half to wear a helmet in my own front yard but its cool i wear one usually jest wanted to snap a quick photo and didn't feel like grabbing my helm for a 5 sec pic. but very true better safe then sorry but to me a helm gives me bad peripherals and i don't like them.:blah:

[VTredneckgames]

so what is the general thoughts on people starting out learning to ride wheelies on one knee? Right leg on the brake, left knee on the back of the seat? Ive always looked at it as the wussy way, but for me, I have a ton more confidence that way for now.

Can I learn to start out like this and then switch to riding them with my butt on the seat? Just trying to get the feel for her.

[Andrew Eden]

yea i like to use my foot on the bar it makes it so much easier to find the balance point but i use my left foot on my gears because i have no back break at the moment lol, so when i srat to go over i shift up and it slams back down but better than flipping your fourwheeler but id recommend u use your rear break.

but yea sitting down wheelies are a lot more difficult but i still wouldn't call the foot on the bar a cheap wussy way out cause if u were a wussy then you'd prob not be doing any wheelies at all, i do whats conformable at the time.

[IcutMetl]

Haha my balance sucks either way, but somehow while I was out riding one day, the "light bulb" came on and sit down wheelies became easy. Never cared for the knee wheelies...too much moving around for me. Hopefully with some more seat time, I can flip that light bulb back on again for my 250R....

[billyboy93]

me doin some wheelys

<a href="http://s486.photobucket.com/albums/rr228/trx400boy/?action=view&current=m_0bbb0b6fbec8496aa0079ea8cb16505a.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr228/trx400boy/m_0bbb0b6fbec8496aa0079ea8cb16505a.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s486.photobucket.com/albums/rr228/trx400boy/?action=view&current=m_b4c7a1f4ecfe409395ad44a1a0a5b7ec.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr228/trx400boy/m_b4c7a1f4ecfe409395ad44a1a0a5b7ec.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s486.photobucket.com/albums/rr228/trx400boy/?action=view&current=l_bff941b3a66342bcb44354d7eeab0079.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr228/trx400boy/l_bff941b3a66342bcb44354d7eeab0079.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[81-Honda-04]

haha thats tight. pretty gutsy... i tried that one day and bailed lol.
but you guys cant be afraid of flippin your bike back and if you do fall back most lickly it will just stand up, if your not on a hill. Your not ridin' if your not crashin'.

[f4iracer]

wheelies on quads are super easy. I come off a sportbike and it takes alot more courage and balls on that thing, especially when it comes to parking lots. 40mph wheelies are manageable, but the slow speed creeping is real tough on a bike.

It didn't take me long to master the quad wheelies. I ride all gears all speeds, all day long, you'll have it down pat the more you do it.

I always cover the rear unless i'm doing a flamingo off the grab bar, or high chairs.

It's nice to have that rear brake especially when you're coming up high around 11 and 12. you always wanna have a back-up plan.

[VTredneckgames]

my biggest problem is that I cracked my tailbone once trying to ride a wheelie a while back. I know what I done wrong (wasnt watching the rear brake). Anyways, it has taken me some time to get up the nerve to try them again.