Help me transition from power wheelie to clutch wheelies

[Southern Pride]

Alright fellas, I know the wheelie topic has been beat to death in here but I'd like to get advice for my specific bike. I'm 5'10 160lbs on a 98 honda cr250 2-stroke, so power obviously isn't an issue. I've only had the bike for 2 weeks gone on a couple trail rides and mx track once. I've been playing around with power wheelies lately, only first or second gear trying to keep a somewhat slow speed.
Now, its obvious im not popping the clutch on the power wheelies but I am familiar with what a clutch wheelie is in general. I need your experience to help re-familiarize myself with what I need to be doing. ( let me begin by saying I have done clutch wheelies but only on a honda 250 quad. ) and I have never practiced "feathering" the clutch.

-What gear should I be in to begin practicing these?
-How many fingers should I have on the clutch? obviously I still need a good grip on the bars
Do I switch to a higher gear at a lower gear speed before the wheelie to pop it up and keep it going? Im not sure I am ready to switch gears while the front is up
(example of my understanding: in first gear speed, kick it up to second, clutch in: throttle it up and then pop out the clutch, front comes up and then it is all throttle control/ brake?)
Also I need to stick to sitting down for now, as I have no balance issues when sitting. Standing feels very challenging/unstable even when im just accelerating through a long strip. I also understand that as you get better the standing wheelie is better for long distance balance. Just let me know If i have the right idea here, your help is greatly appreciated

[kenyz]

Just out of curiosity....if you can wheelie fine without the clutch, why abuse it?
I only ask as there may be something I'm missing.

[Southern Pride]

Originally Posted by kenyz

Just out of curiosity....if you can wheelie fine without the clutch, why abuse it?
I only ask as there may be something I'm missing.

Yeah I can powerwheelie without the clutch(As in, in low gear using the bikes raw power to pull the front wheel up for a short period of time. ) but im trying to learn about doing more controlled wheelies (clutch wheelies). What I'm unfamiliar with is popping the clutch at the right time, rpms, and what gear to be in for beginning. I wanna be able to completely control it im not that interested in a wheelie at 40-50mph

ok, so i am but I know I have nowhere near enough experience yet...

[the_privateer]

can't help you with the clutch thing, I never use it for wheelies. but the secret to long controlled wheelies IMO is finding the balance point and throttle control

[crdude]

Dont pop the clutch in 1st and try to wheelie, its a no no on a 250. lol

[Southern Pride]

Originally Posted by crdude

Dont pop the clutch in 1st and try to wheelie, its a no no on a 250. lol

its a no no? not popping the clutch in first and wheeling is what I have been practicing (called a powerwheelie). I can't believe noone knows what I mean by clutch wheelies. I see this term used alot on here

I'm referring to using the clutch strictly to get the front up smoother than without using it. Anyone else think they can help?

[jhendrix]

I learned to do wheelies in third gear on my 80...i got up to the point right before the powerband..and then just leaned back while giving it gas into powerband. Worked good...haven't done wheelies on my 125 yet..seeing as i have not got it running yet. Ha.

Good luck!

[Southern Pride]

Originally Posted by UserName.

I learned to do wheelies in third gear on my 80...i got up to the point right before the powerband..and then just leaned back while giving it gas into powerband. Worked good...haven't done wheelies on my 125 yet..seeing as i have not got it running yet. Ha.

Good luck!

Thats what I'm doing on my 250 except in 1st or 2nd only...A 3rd gear speed wheelie on my bike...I am not ready for

soo anyone with a 250 know about clutch wheelies

[spartanbiker_117]

I'm not trying to answer about your clutch wheelies, but the reason that popping the clutch in 1st or 2nd on a 250 is a no no is that you'll be buying a new rear fender real soon if you don't have experience.

I only do 3rd gear power wheelies. I've read enough horror stories about people who have broken their backs riding wheelies and then flipping them, that I only do it in a gear where I know that I would really have to work to flip it (I ride a 125). I've actually heard that It's better to learn wheelies in a higher gear (3rd) and then work your way down the gears after you have the knack of balancing.

Anywho, that's just my .02 cents.

[Southern Pride]

Originally Posted by crdude

Dont pop the clutch in 1st and try to wheelie, its a no no on a 250. lol

dirtbiker117, I understand what you are saying but this guy, crdude said dont pop the clutch in 1st and its a nono, so a little confusion but I get what what yall are saying.

[Freak]

Time for me to make a wheelie video.

[Freak]

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[mossy]

Suggest you concentrate more on your back brake control, if you can hit it before the front wheel gets 2 inches off the ground when dumping the clutch from a balanced standing start and build your feel and control on the back brake it takes longer but is pretty safe, most kids i coach can scrape the back mud guard confidently within 12 months.

[Southern Pride]

Originally Posted by Freak

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bwahahah thats awesome.

[YZ 250 RIDER]

Originally Posted by dirtbiker117

I'm not trying to answer about your clutch wheelies, but the reason that popping the clutch in 1st or 2nd on a 250 is a no no is that you'll be buying a new rear fender real soon if you don't have experience.

I only do 3rd gear power wheelies. I've read enough horror stories about people who have broken their backs riding wheelies and then flipping them, that I only do it in a gear where I know that I would really have to work to flip it (I ride a 125). I've actually heard that It's better to learn wheelies in a higher gear (3rd) and then work your way down the gears after you have the knack of balancing.

Anywho, that's just my .02 cents.

Yep that exactly what happened to me, now listen up!!!

[yz250guy]

SouthernPride--I think you have all the basics in your first post. 3rd gear and the rest is trial and error. I LOVE wheelies, but got scared several years ago when I flipped over in a field. Scared the CRAP out of me The place I feel the most comfortable practicing is when I am riding uphill. For some reason it just feels more stable. The other thing is having good traction. Wheel spin is your enemy when doing wheelies. Try to find an uphill area that is grass or just something that does not cause wheel spin. Lean back a bit, and just practice. Good luck, and let us know how it goes.

[Freak]

I tryed to make you something you could use. I know I had the cam pointed down, I just wanted you to be able to see the tire better. I'm no expert at wheelies. It was hard for me to talk and do them at the same time. I did not have alot of room to wheelie where I was but you get the idea. I should be at the coast next weeked and if I am I will make you a better one down on the beach. Just remember bro. If you do wheelies, sooner or later you will flip over backwards. And yes, it does hurt. Again, no expert, just trying to help. [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

[Southern Pride]

thanks fer all your posts fellas

Freak- I have a new found respect for you. I thought you were just a dude with a good lookin bike. Turns out you can ride the **** out of it too.
One question, when your naming the gear your in before a wheelie you are throttlin up and then poppin the clutch to throw the front up right?
I know your bikes the 450 - 4stroke and mines 250 2-stroke but im sure neither really have a problem gettin the fron up. Just that torque/powerband difference

[kenyz]

Still not completely understanding why you care to learn to do it with the clutch .... that might be a useful skill but....

I am 5 10 like you @ 165 with no gear and I can bring my 250 up at almost any throttle position (granted I'm not lugging like crazy) through all 5 gears and it comes up smoothly. If you can power wheelie and power is no problem like you state....why screw with using the clutch?

Just a thought, not an argument. But I guess since no one's really touched this yet... the only way you will learn to clutch it up is to try it. 2nd or 3rd depending on what speeds you like. Just hold steady throttle like you are launching ( dont go wide open ) and let the clutch out... over and over. STart letting it out faster till you are getting the wheel up. Then I would worry about the throttle and using only what is neccessary to get the front up and eventually you will find your balance between clutch/throttle.

How's your balance on the power wheelies? This is just me and I'm a pansy when it comes to bike wheelies...but I wouldn't bother with clutching till I'm very confident in my balance on power wheelies.

But you get what I'm saying about the clutch? Dump it starting out small and go bigger and you will get the feel for what it takes to bring the front up....but not too far too fast.

I cheated and learned on my quad so I didn't have to worry about side-side balance

[Freak]

Originally Posted by Southern Pride

thanks fer all your posts fellas

Freak- I have a new found respect for you. I thought you were just a dude with a good lookin bike. Turns out you can ride the **** out of it too.
One question, when your naming the gear your in before a wheelie you are throttlin up and then poppin the clutch to throw the front up right?
I know your bikes the 450 - 4stroke and mines 250 2-stroke but im sure neither really have a problem gettin the fron up. Just that torque/powerband difference

If I'm doing a standup I tug on the bars and throttle up at the same time. When I'm sitting down I just pop the clutch, almost slip it to get it up. That 250 will have no problem doing the same thing. I suggest you stand first and have your bike in 2nd. Jus till your getting into the power, not powerband power, but close and give a slight tug on the bars. Try doing this on those little slight rises of dirt. Slight uphill inclines are great spots to try. Soon you being getting the front end up a few inches. It will feel werid at first, but soon you will get it a little higher and higer until you get her up there to the sweet spot.

That's when you try to focus on riding the wheelie till you run out of gear and a little farther each time. Don't push it, and when you get mad, stop and put the bike away until tomorrow. It takes time to learn. It will take you several months to get comfy. Practice bro!