Author Topic: wheelies (Read 8062 times)

mainerider · « **on:** November 13, 2005, 06:49:15 PM »

I keep reading about Bandits being wheelie machines. Before getting my stock 01 B12s, I had several big, older ujm's, any of which would wheelie easily, using the clutch. From everything I read, the Bandit should wheelie without the clutch.

So- I am #190, I sit with my butt slight back from my normal forward riding position, and crack the throttle wide open in 1st gear. I have done this at various RPM's At about 5000 rpm, the front wheel lofts a little bit. It has also come off the ground a bit when hitting second hard and fast. The wheel will come up as high as I want, using the clutch.

The main reason I write, is not because I really want to do wheelies. I am a little old for that, and am pretty happy not to dent my nice shiny bike, or my old rusy self. From all I had read, i was concerned about keeping the front wheel planted. I am curious if maybe my bike is under-powered. It is by far the fastest thing I have ever been on-but if it is underperforming, I'd like to figure out why.

When people talk about roll on wheelies, are they sitting back, pulling back on the bars, or just nailing the throttle?
Mainerider

Wayina · « **Reply #1 on:** November 13, 2005, 07:29:24 PM »

FWIW I have a 05 bandit 1200S I weigh 130kg (about 286 lb) If I roll away from a standing start and give full throttle the front wheel lifts easily and the same in 2nd gear, I sit in the normal position on the seat and sit upright. My riding buddy has an 03 bandit, he weighs 100kg and has to sit back and then has difficulty lifting the front at all, , yet when we are on the open road in 5th he can pull away from me rapidly, I have a stock bike , he runs a yoshi pipe, I'm like you, I take too long to mend these days
Cheers Wayne

mike · « **Reply #2 on:** November 13, 2005, 08:15:39 PM »

Hmmm... strange...

Try taking off normal cruise up to about 3500-4000 rpms in 1st, then close the throttle and whack it open full immediately (no clutch). Be careful !

terrebandit · « **Reply #3 on:** November 13, 2005, 08:20:11 PM »

Easy.... just remember this...

Hit it HARD and hit it EARLY. Thats it!

Dave (46)

solman · « **Reply #4 on:** November 13, 2005, 09:12:56 PM »

I have the same problem with wheelies. I can get the front end up some, but it normally stops there. I am in the 220lb category and about the only times I have cracked it in first and kept going was when I am low on petrol. I even added two teeth in the rear and it still doesn't stand up, but accelerates even quicker.

chupacabra · « **Reply #5 on:** November 13, 2005, 11:38:46 PM »

Do like Mike said and be careful not to brake your tail light.

PaulVS · « **Reply #6 on:** November 13, 2005, 11:52:50 PM »

I'm 6'2" about 230lbs... with a Yosh race slip-on and jet kit.

The bike runs perfectly... nearly rips my arms out of my sockets.... but I'm kinda wheelie challenged as well. The times I try to get it to lift it doesn't want to do it. Then out of the blue it will pop the front end up, and I dump the throttle because I'm so surprised. I seriously doubt that there are many Bandits (with a slip-on and jet kit) that are as fine-tuned as mine.

I have gotten a wheelie in 2nd gear by accident, so I know the power is there.

So I think it really has just got to be just bad technique on my part. I do know that I have a subconscious fear of flipping it over which may keep me from my maximum wheelie potential.

The other possibility is that guys like me... in the 220-240lb range... just have too much weight loaded on the front end to really see the full wheelie potential. Guys who are heavier and put their weight back will probably see wheelies a lot more. Guys who are lighter than 220lbs are probably wondering WTF I'm taking about.

It's interesting that with my 120lb wife on the back... I can't even keep the front end from lifting when I am WFO from a stop. It scares the crap out of her.

Heaven Bound · « **Reply #7 on:** November 14, 2005, 12:15:30 AM »

Remember also that center of gravity plays a role in whatever you ride...you are the top of a triangle with your wheels being the other two points. Move the top point anywhere forward or reverse and the center of gravity will follow, making it harder or easier for the front to overcome gravity. And as always, be careful!

Fromage · « **Reply #8 on:** November 14, 2005, 01:12:47 AM »

Just be sure to keep your right foot on that rear brake to save yourself if you wack the throttle a little to much!!

rider123 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 14, 2005, 05:54:04 AM »

I have a semi-rough running(pilots need a little tweaking) brand new 2005 bandit 12 and it seems to want to wheelie too much! I don't even try to wheelie, If I just take off fast in first to pass a streetcar or something the front end gets light and I'm a couple of inches off the deck. However I'm a little lighter than you (180lbs) and I like to sit far back in the seat. So if I sat farther forward I doubt the bike would wheelie as much. A shift in weight of just a couple of inches can mean alot on the front end. I don't really like to wheelie too much as it makes you accelerate slower than if you were flat on the deck.

mike · « **Reply #10 on:** November 14, 2005, 08:53:54 AM »

Quote

center of gravity plays a role in whatever you ride...

A quoted directly from the gospel of wheelies ! LOL!!

I was 240lbs at one time, and the bike would wheelie fine.

I think the key ingredients missing here are:
You have to be comfortable with instant full power and know exactly what to expect. in other words when the front lifts it should be predictable feeling, nothing should make you say woah! didn't expect that...

And remember wheelies are fun (god knows I've been bad and played with them enough

), but in reality they're really just hooligan antics aand really have no place on the legal street.

Now-empty office Parking lots on Sunday! That's a diferent story...

Plus, as you can see I'm quite forward on the seat here, it comes up instantly and smooth-no clutch..

Good luck and be careful...
It's really best to get comforatable with wheelies on a dirt bike with some power and balance, like a Motocross 250... It hurts the wallet less when the unavoidable learning mistakes happen... Not too mention dirt is softer than concrete...

2WheelinDaily · « **Reply #11 on:** November 14, 2005, 09:20:07 AM »

I've noticed if my tires aren't good and warm it tends to slip instead of pulling the wheel. Also, if I've been through some gravel or dust on the road, same thing. For tires, I run BT020 on a stock 2003 B12S...all other times wheelie at will!

mainerider · « **Reply #12 on:** November 14, 2005, 05:33:28 PM »

Hey-
I appreciate all the thoughts. I don't need to be doing wheelies any more than I need to be riding 140 mph- however, if my bike topped out at 120, I'd want to know why.

Now, if the temps just come up a little tommorow here in maine, I just might apply some of this feedback.

Mainerider

I do kinda like doing wheelies, but my wife says I'm not allowed to.

ttewejnodnarb · « **Reply #13 on:** November 14, 2005, 07:42:29 PM »

For me it's experience...or the lack there of. I weight 140lbs (not a typo) and am getting used to my bike. It has a little more power than my ducati monster 620. I got the wheel up on that bike once off a stop, but mostly just light front end with full acceleration. I have never learned the proper technique using the clutch and have only experienced power wheelies on this bike. Second gear 40 to 60 mph siting back against the corbin seat brought it up in a hurry! (and back down when I rolled off with haste) For the most part I ride safely and at normal speeds but I think you need to know your bike and what to expect in all conditions. If anyone has any tips or warnings please chime in!

2WheelinDaily · « **Reply #14 on:** November 15, 2005, 09:10:37 AM »

Hey Maine, forget the wife rules! I got rid of my wife and bought the Bandit: just as dangerous but doesn't talk back near as much!