Wheelie help!!!! Setup? What am I doing wrong?
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Didn't really have time to read all the responses here so I may be repeating some things, sorry if I am.
First off let me say that its you're ride and your coin, so if you're aren't interested in replacing your clutch and probably your forks as you learn how to not slam it back down (assuming you can get the front up to begin with) and maybe various other important and expensive pieces, then dont try.
To the good bits:
Technically you can get a stock Harley of any sort airborne but only if you know what you are doing, and by that I mean very experienced in the art of wheelies (born on a 2 stroke dirt bike kinda thing)
Next, as said previous, there are 3 factors, knowing the powerband, slipping the clutch, and covering the rear break. There is some confusion on the clutch slipping thing so I will explain. Its not so much that you pull in the clutch, snap the throttle and snap out the clutch...it's more or one fluid motion, think of the pulling in of the clutch as the first motion, but the snapping of the throttle and the snapping out of the clutch as the second motion, they happen at the same time. That is really where people get messed up on this, they think that they pull in the clutch, rev the motor, then release the clutch. All that happens there is a hard jolt forward. So we're talking some delicate timing which comes from years of messing with dirt bikes and lower CC sport bikes (600cc for example). Unless you have some super sick torque under your *** you are certainly not gonna wheelie with straight roll on power.
It is not likely you will be able to practice this on your Harley with much success without doing some kind of immediate damage to your ride, its simply not design for it, however, If I had my choice of Harley VS any other brand of cruiser to try it on i would certainly pick a Harley. Much more solid...But still not designed for it so keep that in mind.
Good luck.
First off let me say that its you're ride and your coin, so if you're aren't interested in replacing your clutch and probably your forks as you learn how to not slam it back down (assuming you can get the front up to begin with) and maybe various other important and expensive pieces, then dont try.
To the good bits:
Technically you can get a stock Harley of any sort airborne but only if you know what you are doing, and by that I mean very experienced in the art of wheelies (born on a 2 stroke dirt bike kinda thing)
Next, as said previous, there are 3 factors, knowing the powerband, slipping the clutch, and covering the rear break. There is some confusion on the clutch slipping thing so I will explain. Its not so much that you pull in the clutch, snap the throttle and snap out the clutch...it's more or one fluid motion, think of the pulling in of the clutch as the first motion, but the snapping of the throttle and the snapping out of the clutch as the second motion, they happen at the same time. That is really where people get messed up on this, they think that they pull in the clutch, rev the motor, then release the clutch. All that happens there is a hard jolt forward. So we're talking some delicate timing which comes from years of messing with dirt bikes and lower CC sport bikes (600cc for example). Unless you have some super sick torque under your *** you are certainly not gonna wheelie with straight roll on power.
It is not likely you will be able to practice this on your Harley with much success without doing some kind of immediate damage to your ride, its simply not design for it, however, If I had my choice of Harley VS any other brand of cruiser to try it on i would certainly pick a Harley. Much more solid...But still not designed for it so keep that in mind.
Good luck.
I feel the same about all that chrome and leather to be honest. A new generation of riders is here and we don't want to just cruise around national parks and chat with our wife's on the back through a Bluetooth intercom. This was just to honestly get some advice. I grew up on bikes, I'm young and honestly have always enjoyed pushing the limits on anything I do. Cruise up on your bagger to the bar... Cool, maybe snap a few old broad. Ride by on a wheelie and watch the pu** melt on your face.
I hope no one takes offense to this as I am just trying to make a joke. Every generation has a tendency to push the limits. Someone recently told me "harley wheelies are dumb, save it for the street bikers" it's a completely different shock and suspense when you see this heavy beast come up at 12 o'clock and scrape the rear fender. Looking literally like a monster coming down the road. A bike that wants to do nothing more then keep its fat a** on the ground is literally coming at you on one wheel.
I'm into it. Maybe I won't ever get them up but I'll keep trying thanks to everyone for putting your options and tips
I hope no one takes offense to this as I am just trying to make a joke. Every generation has a tendency to push the limits. Someone recently told me "harley wheelies are dumb, save it for the street bikers" it's a completely different shock and suspense when you see this heavy beast come up at 12 o'clock and scrape the rear fender. Looking literally like a monster coming down the road. A bike that wants to do nothing more then keep its fat a** on the ground is literally coming at you on one wheel.
I'm into it. Maybe I won't ever get them up but I'll keep trying thanks to everyone for putting your options and tips
I totally agree with you, Harley wheelies are badass, and all the old guys who say that's stupid, they need to pull their ***** out of the jars their wives have been keeping them in lol.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: springfield missouri
You should try it with a girl on the back. Just don't go crazy the first time or you will end up on the ground. (need more weight to keep back tire from spinning). also let a little air out of the rear tire.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 854
Likes: 20
From: CT
Great advice. If you don't know how to do it it's best to attempt this dangerous stunt for the first time with an innocent lady on the back. Also works best without a backrest or helmet and don't warn her ahead of time. If you don't know how to do something it's always best to risk someone else's life while learning. 
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,749
Likes: 16
From: sand mountain Alabama
Here some are trying to do wheelies but can't get the hang of it.
I'm the opposite, I want the front end on the ground but have a hard time keeping it there under acceleration. It just won't cooperate
Oh well, live and learn I guess. .
I'm the opposite, I want the front end on the ground but have a hard time keeping it there under acceleration. It just won't cooperate
Oh well, live and learn I guess. .
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 854
Likes: 20
From: CT
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Low low low. Tighten up the shocks, drop the tubes and strap the front, a seat that keeps you up on the tank. Not sure if you have mids or forwards but mids are pretty much a must to keep the front end down. When the situation requires I can go to this setup in about 15 min and it comes out the hole like a bad mfer. Of course it's not in any way practical for how I normally like to ride but you simply can't have both with the same bike.
Damn. I'd like to ride up there and see that.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 570
Likes: 9
From: Salt Lake City, Utah
How still are the rear shocks? If they are soft the rear will squat quick and the backward momentum of the back will lift the front wheel…. Your skill and bikes power will determine how long and how far