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.