Procedure. This is for a 600CC or equivalent motorcycle.
I'm not sure what RPM I'm at. In the beginning I used to get up on the bike going around 60KM/h and then probably roll on the gas slowly until I got to around 70-80KM/h and then bounced it from there, but I held it at that speed for a little while so the shocks could fully expand and then I pushed down, arms and more importantly legs and I gave WOT as I was pushing down.
1. Go on a smooth road doing 70KM/h for a few seconds.
2. Standup on the bike pegs. (it may be scary at first so just practice bouncing for now).
3. While standing push arms and more importantly legs down, bending legs and arms. Push down as if you're about to jump off the bike so use your legs a lot! I can't say this enough, most people think it's all in the arms, but it's not. LEGS people!!!
4. As soon as you're at the end of the push give WOT with your arms.
5. Bike should come up. If it doesn't just keep practicing the bounce until you're sure that you're pushing the bike down! That's the key.
Warning Do not PULL! Pulling will cause you to either get wheelie wobble (your front tire will move left and right and the spinning will generate more wobble since it increases rotation) or will cause you to raise the bike up on an angle and that's not fun.
Once it comes up and you're comfortable with it you will be up there and you will stop thinking and just doing. It'll become a reflex and you'll be up there and thinking about what's around you, how much throttle you should give it, you might look at your front wheel, just be comfortable, but that's after a while. For now just practice bouncing and just popping it up. The other stuff will come naturally.
Oh and the lower the speed the longer I can ride them out (that's what I notice). I can now bring it up at 60-70KM/h and ride it out until 130KM/h and that's when I'm pretty much at balance point I believe.
Fun things to do while on 1 and standing.
Waive hi to other bikes in the other lane or cars. Sometimes a nod is just good enough.
Looking at the cars your passing by, this is great when it's jeep since you can see right in there.
Changing lanes and signaling. I've seen this done on a message board and had to try it myself, it's pretty easy to do, just move your right leg out a little bit so you make a ">" shape with your right leg and then you'll move in that direction. Put your signal on (it'll take practice to keep balance and not press the horn at the same time) but once you got it locked down it's awesome to look at. Really gets the crowd going.
After a while you'll be wanting to increase the speed, so switch to the next gear and practice 3rd gear wheelie's. This can be done on a stock 600 with the proper technique so I don't want to hear any excuses.
Anyway, have fun with it and go at your own level/pace and please don't do it on traffic congested roads, it's hard enough for cars to see you when both wheels are on the ground and your light is shining in their mirror...if they can't see that headlight, they probably can't see you. Be safe and ride smart! |