How to Perform Clutch Wheelies on a Motorcycle

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: You don't need a very powerful bike.

   You can definitely clutch wheelie a 500 cc sport bike, it just takes higher revs.
   
   Stock gearing is fine, however, with this setup it can't clutch up in 2nd.
   
   You'll need a 520 kit for that. (To clutch up in second with less bouncing, try going
   -1 on the front sprocket, and +2 on the rear.
   
   If you buy these sprockets in 525 pitch, you will be able to change them and use the stock chain). (Edit:
   The chain length will be correct, but you cannot use a 520 chain on 525 sprockets, or vice versa.)
2. 2

   Step 2: Sit comfortably

   You don't have to slide back for this trick. "It is possible to pull a wheelie at 70 mph (110 km/h) in 3rd gear on a gsxr-600." This will take more practice, but it is very possible. , (Should be about 10-20mph). , This is VERY important because it compresses your rear suspension.
   
   It's very difficult to clutch a wheelie without compressing rear suspension first.
   
   You're not trying to build up speed! Starting at low RPMs is very important.
   
   If you start a clutch wheelie at 5000RPM, it will be very difficult and you'll red line long before you go vertical.
   
   Power comes from low RPM. , You can do this slow at first, eventually it becomes an instantaneous motion. , This is the hardest part.
   
   You HAVE to release fast.
   
   You'll know you released too fast when your RPM drops down to 2000
   - this means you released too fast.
   
   Practice, practice, practice.
   
   When you get it right it will feel like you have hydraulics on your front wheel and pop right up (much quicker and smoother than a power-bounce wheelie). , The next step is throttle control.
   
   While releasing the clutch, add throttle.
   
   If you want to go big
   - vertical
   - and stay there
   - the big thing to learn is that you can not let go of the throttle OR the clutch.
   
   You will control height of the wheelie with your clutch at this point. , You should be able to keep it up in 1st gear for a few seconds without any problems.
   
   The higher you go the longer you stay up. , Do them at the same time. ,
3. 3

   Step 3: upright on the bike.

4. 4

   Step 4: Drive at a steady pace around 1500-2000rpm.

5. 5

   Step 5: When you are ready for liftoff

6. 6

   Step 6: quickly open up the throttle and accelerate.

7. 7

   Step 7: Almost immediately after accelerating

8. 8

   Step 8: pull clutch in enough to disengage and let the engine rev to about 6000RPM.

9. 9

   Step 9: Quickly release the clutch at about 80%.

10. 10

    Step 10: Once you master this

11. 11

    Step 11: your bike should be popping up a little bit.

12. 12

    Step 12: So once again.. once comfortable with the clutch release motion

13. 13

    Step 13: start giving it lots of throttle.

14. 14

    Step 14: Once you get good

15. 15

    Step 15: you won't have to rev before you clutch.

16. 16

    Step 16: Finished.

Detailed Guide

About the Author