500 Ninja wheelies

[SaltyDog]

I've only been riding since last season, but I've put down 7k miles between two bikes. I'm on an EX500 currently, but I cant seem to get the front end up... I'm probably being too wussy about the throttle but I would really hate to loop my bike. I've been trying to clutch it up in 2nd, i pull the clutch around 4k and let the needle jump to around 6-7.

Anyone out there ever had an EX that they've wheelied? I'm all for tips if it means I don't destroy my bike or my ass. I'm not really into stunting, I just think it would be fun to do some short wheelies once in a while.

Also... locations? I've been working out near republic on some farm roads around a family farm... but the barbed wire is really messing with my head with "what if", and there are more cars and driveways than I'm really comfortable with. I've had trouble finding a good place to practice getting my knee down and cornering as well, I live next to Grizzly but its closed off now, or that would be perfect.

Edit - I DID use the search function, and didn't find much of use on smaller bikes. So please no flaming the new guy.:)

[JOS51700]

My 500 would wheelie pretty easily with my fat ace on it. Try more Body English.

Get a fat girlfriend for the back?

Props for being smart about where you practice at.

[SaltyDog]

My 500 would wheelie pretty easily with my fat ace on it. Try more Body English.

Get a fat girlfriend for the back?

Props for being smart about where you practice at.

I think I'm leaning forward without realizing it, because when the wheel doesn't come up the bike jumps forward pretty hard. I'm anticipating that to happen when the wheel comes up too, and I really don't want to end up on my butt.

Where abouts in the rev range did you pop yours at?

[bimmerjo]

About how hard do you let off on the clutch?

[SaltyDog]

Seems pretty hard to me. I pull it all the way to the bar, wait for some revs, then I let it out like I would if I were racing it hard through the gears. Pretty quick, but I don't snap it.

[racerV]

If you care about yourself and your bike, don't try so hard to do it..... My personal thoughts.

[SaltyDog]

Well that's probably why I haven't actually succeeded yet lol. I'm honestly scared sh*tless of dropping it or getting myself hurt. So I'm trying to take it slow and stay in control as much as possible.

[Tiffany]

I think I'm leaning forward without realizing it, because when the wheel doesn't come up the bike jumps forward pretty hard. I'm anticipating that to happen when the wheel comes up too, and I really don't want to end up on my butt.
Be sure to cover your rear brake and you won't loop it. If you feel the bike going up to fast, just apply a little rear brake, it will bring you right back down. But also be careful because if you give it a lot of rear brake your bike is gonna come back down fast and hard and that may throw you, too. Keep working at it ... you'll get it. I think you have the right mindset as far as taking your time and respecting the bike.

[V92max]

I know it's not the best, but I could bring my Vmax up very easily while putting standing on the rear pegs. I could ride that well. You do NOT get the comfort of covering the rear brake just in case though. Now, I know my Vmax was a 1200cc, but it was also 600 pounds without me on it. I was always more nervous about throwing too much weight back as well. It may be different with a lighter bike though, if I got too much momentum going back it would have been hard to stop.

Good luck with that, and I very much applaud you for being safe and careful about it.

[nomoreusmc]

Staggered is the way to go, foot on rear brake, other foot on the pass peg. You don't have to be so gentle on the clutch, don't be afraid to gag it pretty hard. Just short of dumping it. After you do it a few times you seem to be able to do it from the seat. I think it's kinda like jerk`n off, once you get it the first time, the rest is easy.

[THRASH]

Be sure to cover your rear brake and you won't loop it. If you feel the bike going up to fast, just apply a little rear brake, it will bring you right back down. But also be careful because if you give it a lot of rear brake your bike is gonna come back down fast and hard and that may throw you, too. Keep working at it ... you'll get it. I think you have the right mindset as far as taking your time and respecting the bike.

Words of wisdom. I refuse to teach wheelies but you might try turning the idle up.

[SaltyDog]

I got up maybe a foot or two earlier, but had to head back in due to rush hour/sunset. I wasn't revving high enough, and I'm leaning forward expecting the bike to jump out from underneath me. I'm kind of worried about the clutch, but I've heard replacing them is cake anyways. Its not slipping or anything, I've just ruined a car clutch being a whole lot nicer than I am to this thing lol.

[bimmerjo]

took me 15 minutes to change the clutch in my ex500 motor that was on my dunebuggy. Give it hell and don't look back, bikes were meant to be abused :)

[CrF_Dima]

Well that's probably why I haven't actually succeeded yet lol. I'm honestly scared sh*tless of dropping it or getting myself hurt. So I'm trying to take it slow and stay in control as much as possible.

well if you are scared and you care for your bike, STOP before you end up in the hospital and your bike in the junk yard...

i have talked to allot of great riders that cant do it ether...
it's not something everyone can do.....
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[slowninja]

Lol

[SaltyDog]

Lol thanks. I'll strive not to be 'that guy'. But I think the hard part is over. Now I'm just worried about finding a better spot to practice.

[BRAD]

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/5971/90082221bq5.jpg