Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 998 / 996 / 916 / 748 > Wheelies

[Mike Davis]

OK OK, ther are two types of wheelie the one Antonye describes and a real wheelie where you ride along on the back whell changing gear as you go till you decide to put the front wheel down, usualy because theres a roundabout or a sharpish corner.

Three big tips firstly you need to able to change gear swiftly and smoothly with no clutch, if you dont change up the box using this method start now and do it for every day riding till it becomes second nature.
Secondly the balance point is bigger than you think as in a margin of some 15 degreess or so, on a Ducati you should need to stretch your neck slightly to see over the top of the screen, thats how high you need to get.
This is the biggie and will make all the difference, sit towards the back of the seat and fairly upright with your hand on the throttle in its normal position roll it forward slightly, about an eight of a turn.
The reason for this is when you grab a handfull of throttle say half to two thirds it leaves your arms balanced and straight giving you better control of the throttle and better balance.

It took me five or six months to get it right so be patient. when you do your first proper wheelie lifting in first shifting to second then third and riding on a constant throttle as if on two wheels and putting it down when you want the buzz is awesome.