Wheelie School

Charles Oertel's picture
Imagine going to a secluded parking lot by the sea, and having a professional stuntman put you on his stunt bike and explain to you how to 'pop a wheelie'. That is what Freak and Flipper organized for myself, Neil Terry, Alan ShadedGS, Stephen Cloudgazer, and Johan GPS. We met at Biketique around 9am, paid our fees and signed the indemnity while watching Enduro racing on the big screen. We had to pull Alan out from under the musclecar where he was marvelling at how heavy and solid everything about it was... A short trip to the Strandfontein pavillion, where we rendezvouz'd with Gavin Collins (aka flipper) with his stunt bike and big van. Gavin covered the theory of best practice wheely-popping (as in the safest way of doing it), then showed us how. There are many ways to do it: but only one right away if you want to avoid hurting yourselfThere are many ways to do it: but only one right away if you want to avoid hurting yourself The exercise is just to get the feel of where the clutch takes, how many revs are needed to lift the front, and using the back brake to bring it down again immediately. That is all - no fancy riding on one wheel over long distances (at least not at first). Gavin and Marius were only too happy to show us how... The bikes: The Yamoto in the foreground is the one we used.  A very sturdy bike and excellent value.The bikes: The Yamoto in the foreground is the one we used. A very sturdy bike and excellent value. Like so...Like so... When Gavin asked who was going first, every stepped back a pace, and I was left standing in front. Living proof that I am probably the slowest and most uncoordinated person there and should have been left until last. So, I get on the bike and ride around a bit to get the feel of it. Then I start trying to wheely, using progressively more revs each time in order to find the sweet spot. Small beginningsSmall beginnings After a while of failing, Gavin tells me that I am letting the clutch out too slowly. It needs to come out smoothly, but fast. Success! After a few pops I hand the bike over to the next person. Gavin had the right advice for each of usGavin had the right advice for each of us Soon we were getting better: Alan lets ripSoon we were getting better: Alan lets rip Neil becomes a hooliganNeil becomes a hooligan And nearly gooses his cookAnd nearly gooses his cook Freak is let off the leash for a whileFreak is let off the leash for a while And even mild programmers become a bit wildAnd even mild programmers become a bit wild By midday we knew we had to stop because we were starting to get tired and were pushing the limits of our skill. Our new skills need to be practiced over the next few months to cement them before we can try anything more than a short pop. ===What we learned=== * '''Always''' cover the back brake when doing this exercise, so that you can stop a flip. * Flipper didn't earn his name for nothing - he knows how far is enough, because he has been too far many times... * A 'clutch' wheelie is safer and more controllable than a 'power' wheelie * Never wheelie over 60km/hr because it can be fatal. * If a policeman sees you wheelie on a public road, you will be arrested and locked up. * Do not show your friends/girl-friends that you can wheelie - Murphy's law says you will overcook it. * '''''Do not try this at home without suitable tuition''''' We concluded that even if you don't take your skills further than this lesson, just the experience of the lesson was worth it and has improved our riding ability. Thanks again Freak and Flipper - the morning was even better than I had hoped it would be.

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Neil Terry's picture
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Joined: 2007/07/01
To Gavin and Marius, many thanks, I thoroughly enjoyed myself....really good clean fun, and also my first attempts at wheelies! Thanks guys....Jane is interested now too!
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Joined: 2008/03/15
Thanks Guys! Gavin for the lessons and the use of your bike! Marius for co-ordinating the whole thing - well done :) To Charles, the reason we let you go first was so that we could see how bad it could get, retrospectively a bad idea, because you were the hooligan closest to over cooking it - SEVERAL times... It was great fun - I think with practice this skill will definitely come in handy off-road!
rynet's picture
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Joined: 2008/03/17
hehehe a little bird also told me that Charles was the star hooligan of the day :) Charles you set such high standards ,how must the rest of us live up to you ? :) next time I am also in for wheelie school please. ''"4 wheels move the body,'' ''2 wheels move the soul"''
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Charles Oertel's picture
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Joined: 2007/04/14
''Star Hooligan'' - that's much much better than when I won, as a 19-year-old, the Durban Surf Lifesaving Club's ''Dis-arse-star of the year'' award (it's a long story). What can I say - it wasn't my bike so I became fearless? Website Administrator [http://honeybadger.net Honey Badger IT Services]

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Cloudgazer Steven's picture
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Joined: 2007/10/03
Yup, a great morning, Charles was definitely the star pupil. I think he was less fearful than the rest of us - but he picked it up very quickly. It's a good skill to have, but one that will take months and month of practice. Thanks to Freak and Flipper.
There are so many problems in this world. Luckily there's a wristband available for almost all of them.
Neil Terry's picture
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Joined: 2007/07/01
Charles..tik away....:-)
Charles Oertel's picture
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Joined: 2007/04/14
A quick update on the skills I learnt: Yesterday evening on the way home I applied my new skills to Mr. Badger. What an improvement! At the BMW offroad training, we were taught to 'whee' by compressing the front shocks and powering the bike up, with no clutch. I have been practicing this religiously, but not too frequently as it seems to me to put the bike under strain. And I could never really get it right. Last night, at low speed, I was able to get the front up easily, with very little strain on the bike or tyres. I also had more control. '''''A big improvement'''''. For now, as per flipper's instructions, it is just small up-and-downs to get the feel of it for a few months. But already, I feel as if I can master that bunny-hop over the trench at low speed on the advanced course. My wheelieing has gone from hit-and-miss clumsy fumbling to a reliable, controlled exercise. '''Thanks again Freak and Flipper - you guys rock!''' Website Administrator [http://honeybadger.net Honey Badger IT Services]

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Freakonaleash's picture
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Joined: 2007/06/19
Thanks Charles, not wishing to procrastinate to much just a abreviated bonzai Freakreport should suffice. On the ride to the pavillion I decided to test the wind velocity to determine the crosswinds which would effect the days events. Glancing accross at Charles I was satisfied that the windspeed was perfect for wheelies, on passing down Military rd I was convinced I saw two little horns starting to grow from the top of his helmet my my. At the Pavillion under Gavins tuition things ran smoothly and soon everybody was chomping on the bit to have a go. A quick recce and just as I thought there he was , the local po-po trying to disguise himself as a refuse container. .. But fear not we decide to prevail and quickly it becomes evident that every candidate with a little practice will be able to wheelie ,its not as hard as it appears. .... .. .. In the end I had a blast and so I would believe did everybody else, even the po-po decided to take a walk so he could have a better look at the mad bikers that were clapping hooting and cheering each other on. ..Dont let the nonchalant attitude fool you. Cant wait for next time!! RIDE,RACE,PLAY! I RIDE THEREFORE I AM!
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