| Rubbish at them and not getting any better
No sure about your KTM but I've been to a couple of wheelie schools and 'hung out' with a few crazee guys on Gixxer 1000's and I still can't do them. My mind says yes but my hand says no. Somedays though I fare better than others but with no real consistency.
What I have learnt though is that power wheelies are much easier than clutch wheelies and it is best to start on power wheelies before you attempt to do the clutch versions.
Power wheelies (I've been told) should be done on steady revs just as then power kicks in where it makes a fair bit of torque. The first thing to learn is being able to keep the bike at a constant speed (neither accelerating nor braking) so that the bike is as steady as possible then snap the throttle shut and then wide open and up she'll come. Keep it open until you **** yourself and then it'll come back down. The trick to doing this is to rotate your throttle hand forward and round about an inch so that you get a quicker throttle action. It is also harder to keep a constant throttle as your hand need to get used to the position. When I did my wheelie schools, that is all we practised at first, being able to ride along, at a constant speed without looking at the speedo. Sounds boring but essential for beginners when pulling power wheelies.
I practised this on 1200 Bandits on an airfield in a Galaxy far, far away. I managed to 'get it up' but never in a consistent manner and you are right, power wheelies on a big bike accelerate pretty fast so not the type of trick you want to do down your local high street.
Once you have the first and second gear wheelies mastered then you can attempt the clutch method. I spent another day with 'Jimmy Fireblade' trying this technique but never really got to grips with it. The only bit of info I can pass on is that the bike comes up much quicker and agressively and so can catch you out but it does mean that you get it up to the balance point - the 'Holy Grail' of wheelies. When you've sussed the balance point, the world is your oyster. I have also heard that practising on a pushbike is good as it gives you the spatial awareness of how high you actually are and the feel needed for 'hoisting a top minger'.
One last thing is always wear a back protector. My mate was getting really high and good at them but I saw a few close calls so gave him mine just to put my mind at rest.
Be careful though and as always 'caveat emptor'.
simon  |