SHIFTING(in a wheelie) 101 [Archive] - Suzuki GSX-R Motorcycle Forums Gixxer.com

: SHIFTING(in a wheelie) 101


a56kuser
12-23-2003, 10:06 PM
OKay So you want to learn how to shift in a wheelie Ill make a lil tutorial

Purpose: There is more than one purpose on shifting in a wheelie.
- Gain more rpm: Some people are at the point where there wheelies are constantly redlining, mostly because they're are chasing their wheelies and instead of gonig higher in a wheelie to hit balance point a alternate way to hold your wheelie just a tad longer can be to shift gears and you gain more rpm thus giving you a few more seconds to hold your wheelies. Doing this is fine..... some people dont want to bring the wheelies higher cause they're not use to the height yet......
- Have More Throttle Play: As you should know the higher the gear you are in the easier it is to play w/ the throttle..... 1st is more twitchy than 2nd and 2nd is more twitchy than 3rd and so on. For some people they like to have alot of throttle to play with because its obviuosly more easier to control and apply small throttle increments. Applying small throttle increments is key to keeping your wheelies in balance point...... you dont wanna be jerky and you want to be as smooth as possible. Itll definitly be weird to get use to at first but you will get use to it and find it towards your advantage..
- Do fast wheelies: Well this is self explanatory like the gain more rpm..... you cant really go 100mph in 1st gear.
- Make Up for loss of power & Save RPM: Well some people really want to do 3rd gear wheelies, for some people it might be hard and take alot of effort...... like some of those on the 600... yes it is possible to lift it up on 3rd gear but really whats the point if you know how to shift? Example to do a 3rd gear wheelie on a stock 600 you would have to be around 80mph give a good bounce and hit that throttle hard..... Chances are your wheelie will come up slowly too which makes you waste rpm just getting the damn thing up to balance point!!.... Now look at this...... your in 2nd gear and you bounce it up at 50mph, once you get use to the power you can bring up the wheelie pretty damn fast to balance point.... by the time your at balance point your only at 55mph and thats where you can shift into 3rd gear and there you are riding a 55mph wheelie in 3rd gear .

Things You Need to do or be ready for before trying:

- Well since this is Gixxer.com im pretty sure you all have gsxrs and im pretty sure that all gsxr's are capable of going reverse shifting. Reverse shifting makes it so much easier... There is no special kit you need to buy to do reverse shifting unlike the R1's where those kits cost 100+ so why dont you just take advantage of a good free thing? Just do a search for GP shifting in the forum your bike falls under. The advantages of reverse shifting is obvious, you simple have better foot position and you wont miss 1st to 2nd gear as much and you would with regular shifting. Yes it may take a little while to get use to but id say its worth it.

- When Shifting in a wheelie I highly recommend NOT to use the CLUTCH, i repeat I HIGHLY recommend NOT to use the clutch. Yes it is possible to do it with the clutch and some people can do it with the clutch and do it pretty damn good, i just dont recommend it and this is why.... There is more things that i can see go wrong when using the clutch in shifting in a wheelie...
- since your learning to shift in a wheelie most people are still learning and unless you can release the clutch to the catch point and apply the correct amount of throttle to sustain the wheelie i wouldnt do it.... cause its just too much to think of when learning......
- Thing can go horribly wrong.... if you release the clutch too late its like your double clutching 1st gear..... execpt this time when you do you double clutch itll be in the air and you'll most likely flip over...
- Sometimes when you land hard or akward your right hand might hit the throttle, and if your left hand is still playing aruond w/ the clutch you might be in for something unexpected
- Like i stated earlier I believe its just harder, however as it is obvious safer for your tranny, i think its better to risk wearing down your tranny a little bit than fucking up your bike completely...... Stunting will harm your bike more than regular riding...... accept that fact


HOW TO SHIFT WITHOUT CLUTCH

- well there is a proper way of doing it and if you do it correctly it wont hurt your tranny. and yes you may practice this with both wheels on the ground. Go a speed your confertable with ... maybe 30mph in 2nd gear??keep the throttle steady and put your foot on the shifter getting ready to shift and right when you let off the throttle thats when your transmission will be open to go into the next gear.... a good way to get the feeling of it first is to apply small pressure on the shifter, not alot ....if your grinding the gears thats too much. Anyways apply small pressure and let off the throttle.... it will fall right into gear....... when you think you got that down you can do it at faster speed.... and also try it in 1st to 2nd gear cause thats where it might go wrong since you might slip into neutral.... but its really not that hard......... no more than 1 minute of practicing that and you should get it.

PREREQUISITE for shifting 1st to 2nd gear (sitdown)
- Should be able to ride 1st gear wheelie to redline... not absolutely neccessary but i reccomend it and thats how i learned it.
- Got your no clutch shifting down w/ two wheels! obviously http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
- No throttle jockeys, i dont recommend any twitchy first gear wheeliers to shift gears yet.... learn to ride 1st gear relatively smoothly...... you dont have to be that high, just be smooth.

PREREQUISITE for shifting 2nd to 3rd gear (standups)
- Should be able to lift up 2nd gear standups constantly
- I recommend you know what 2nd gear balance point feels like or at least know what the throttle feels like when its near balance point (throttle should feel light and you should be feathering the throttle to keep it up in 2nd) why i say you should be at balance point is because 2nd to 3rd gear shifting shouldnt be about having more rpm to spend..... it should be about saving rpm and keeping the speed of your wheelies slow 50-60mph ish.... the reason for this is 2nd gear can hit 100mph on most bikes..... if your hitting redline 2nd gear standups , dont you think your going too fast already??? your goal for 2nd to 3rd is too bring up 2nd gear and shift 3rd gear straight into balance point and you should be adjust to the throttle since you have more play.


**SHIFTING 1st to 2nd in a wheelie**
okay now that you know what you need and what to expect i can explain what to when shifting in a wheelie
- So you go the speed you do your regular 1st gear wheelies at (5-35mph)
- I suggest power wheelie so you gas on , gas off, and gas on again... Itll come up smoothly this way
- Keep your foot on the shifter and apply real little pressure.... if you have reverse shifting just rest your toe on the shifter so itll be easier to shift when your in the air.
- Once your front wheel comes off the ground, let off the throttle and at the sametime shift into 2nd gear , dont even bother riding out 1st gear at all....... its simple just lift the wheel off teh ground and shift into 2nd right away.
- You give the exact same throttle you used to bring it up in 1st to get back on the throttle again in 2nd..... usually you'd use 1/2throttle or less to bring it up in first, if your using more than that you need help!! the whole shifting proccess is done in a split second.... i cant really type out what im trying to say so i have uploaded a video for your viewing pleasure.... Its kinda hard to tell by the video so just listen to the audio and see how it sounds like when i shift it into 2nd.
http://www2.hawaii.edu/~kuroyana/Files/shift.WMV
Remember you dont have to be at balance point when shifting, THis is the height im at when i shifted into second
http://www2.hawaii.edu/~kuroyana/Images/shifting.jpg

Okay chances are you wont get it the first time, or the second or the third for that matter.... here is somethings you might of ran into
-most common problem is you slip into neutral. This is because either you didnt bring your wheel high enough the ground due to you bring up the wheelie slow
To solve that try to hit the throttle harder when you bring it up in 1st, when you do this the bike will still have the momentum of going upwards even when you shut off the throttle.
The other reason you hit neutral is your not clicking it hard enough into 2nd...... remember apply pressure on the shifter before the wheelie.....and make sure you have your clutchless shifting down.

-Another problem that could happen is that you click it into second gear but when you got on the throttle again you slip into neutral..... This has happened to me alot...... i think its part of the tranny thats going bad but you can correct by doing the same thing you would do if you hit neutral in a wheelie.... just make sure you click it into 2nd good and you got your clutchless shifting down....... the higher you are the lighter the bike would be........therfore putting less strain on the tranny when shifiting in the air....

- Another problem you might run into is you manage to shift into 2nd gear but you just dont got enough power to keep it up..... GOOD you got it to shift into 2nd gear!! thats a important part..... you just gotta get a tad higher and make sure your shifting is efficient and FAST.... there can be no lag when you let off the throttle to shift gears....... its Gas up to bring the wheelie up , let off throttle and shift gears, and get on the throttle again all done within a split second.... only practice can help you out on this one.


**SHIFTING 2nd to 3rd in a wheelie (STANDUP)**
Okay so you wanna know where the funs at??? its in the 3rd gear standups
Again like 1st to 2nd gear wheelies you shift into the next gear pretty fast.... but you may want to shift it right at balance point cause the purpose of this is to save RPM and keeping the 3rd gear wheelies slow right?
- Bounce or Clutch your 2nd gear standup wheelie up pretty hard.....
- Make sure your foot is over the shifter ready to shift into the next gear and when you get near balance point let off the throttle and shift into 3rd at the same time.....
- I like to bounce up 2nd gear hard...... so when i shift into the 3rd gear the bike is still floating upwards and has the momentum of going up still....
- So now that i shifted i should be right at balance point..... i get on the gas and im riding out a 3rd gear wheelie..... you'll notice that youll have more throttle to play w/ to keep it up in 3rd gear but you'll just get use to that in time.

Not much can go wrong here...... if you cant keep it up in 3rd you just gotta go higher and give more gas....
you cant miss shift becuase there is no neutral between 2nd and 3rd.....
just remember you want a quick shift, snap your hand off and on to shift
I uploaded a video of me doing 2nd to 3rd gear shift..... sorry about the music , i ripped this from a dvd.

**what i want you to notice is right before i shift the wheelie, notice how the bike kind of shooots up fast.... thats what i meant by bringing the wheelie up hard.... if you shoot it up that hard...itll float up there for a split second enabling me to shift into 3rd gear......... you may have to replay the video a few times to see my right hand let off the throttle and get on it again..... i do it real fast, almost looks like im snapping the throttle and thats how it should be done. ( dont pay attention to my wheelie form, my legs were tired okay??? i couldnt keep em rock solid straight http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif ) i brought this wheelie up at 55mph and rode it out at probably 60..... you can tell by looking at the median or the little circle bumps on the freeway that im not going anywhere near 80mph.
http://www2.hawaii.edu/~kuroyana/Files/2ndto3rd.WMV
here is a picture of the height im at when i shift into 3rd gear....
http://www2.hawaii.edu/~kuroyana/Images/shifting2.jpg

Well mods please sticky this.
And this is just a rough draft.... i have to wait for your guys replies to see what i need to fix and add on so post away.

BADASS954
12-24-2003, 12:15 AM
wow good write up .. thanks for taking the time to type that out .. alot of good tips and thew video do help alot . .

with that last vid of u doing the stand up right at the end it shows a guy going in to a 180 endo .. whats up with that vid let us see ..

gixersixer
12-24-2003, 01:11 AM
http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/applause.gif http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/applause.gif http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/applause.gif http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/applause.gif
great post. I think this is the hardest part of learning how to wheelie, so I think this should be a sticky for sure. My only complaint is that you posted all of this great info and it is too darn cold to ride

STICKY PLEASE

Heyabuza
12-24-2003, 03:41 AM
http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/applause.gif http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/applause.gif http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/applause.gif Good write up! http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

One question though... why shift 1-2 right as it's coming up, as opposed to waiting til the wheelie is settled a bit, riding 1st out a ways (but not winding it all the way to redline) and then shift to 2nd? The reason I ask is the only times I've ever really come close to looping is trying to shift from 1st to 2nd right as it's coming up, and getting too much pop (I assume) into 2nd and nearly going over. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif Just seems like too much going on at once and thus too much margin for error. I understand the concept of using the momentum of a quick hoist to shift on the upswing, but again I would argue that takes perfect timing, and perfect re-application of the throttle to do it smoothly.

What say you?

a56kuser
12-24-2003, 04:36 AM
Heyabuza said:
http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/applause.gif http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/applause.gif http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/applause.gif Good write up! http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

One question though... why shift 1-2 right as it's coming up, as opposed to waiting til the wheelie is settled a bit, riding 1st out a ways (but not winding it all the way to redline) and then shift to 2nd? The reason I ask is the only times I've ever really come close to looping is trying to shift from 1st to 2nd right as it's coming up, and getting too much pop (I assume) into 2nd and nearly going over. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif Just seems like too much going on at once and thus too much margin for error. I understand the concept of using the momentum of a quick hoist to shift on the upswing, but again I would argue that takes perfect timing, and perfect re-application of the throttle to do it smoothly.

What say you?



well tahts a good question....... why i like to shift right away is because
1. Its possible , you can ride second gear at a real low speed as long as you got the height
2. As you know first gear is more twitchier than 2nd , why bother w/ all the twitchiness?
3. Shifting should be smooth and done efficiently, You cant do efficient shifting from riding out first gear and then shift into 2nd, you would be more efficient learning to shift it right off the bat
4. I havent mentioned this in the 2nd to 3rd gear but it applies as well, when you power it up and get ready to shift you want it to come up kinda fast so when you let off the throttle itll float up for a split second enabling you to shitt into 2nd...... if your riding out in 1st gearyou would have to give a extra blip of the throttle right before you shift gear....... an extra blip in 1st gear might be dangerous.

i also believe that its harder for you cause your on a 1k http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif shifting 1st to 2nd might be a tad harder..... people w/ 1k usually wont bother w/ 1st to 2nd..... if your on a 1k and still want to learn how to shift i suggest you practice the same concept as 1st to 2nd except do it in 2nd to 3rd (sitdown) once you get that down you can apply it to 1st to 2nd.


Ill add this question to the main post
Thx.

oh and about the 180 endo , it wasnt a 180 endo really..... more like a 90 degree endo lol.

a56kuser
12-24-2003, 04:40 AM
okay gixxer.com wont let me edit my post anymore.... so i guess ill just have to answer the questions and answers here...
You also asked did i come close to flipping over shifting?

- Yes i have had couple close calls but nothing major........ remember you dont have to be at balance point when you shift gears and thats the good thing about it, you dont have to be high at all, remember that.

Riden420
12-24-2003, 04:59 AM
Damn, that a book. Very nice write up!! http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/applause.gif http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

D

tlynch750
12-24-2003, 06:56 AM
Good post 56k...

I got a question...Why is it everytime i see a vid or pic of you stunting you have that backpack on?? do you put a lot of wieght in there so you can keep the front wheel up

a56kuser
12-24-2003, 08:23 AM
tlynch750 said:
Good post 56k...

I got a question...Why is it everytime i see a vid or pic of you stunting you have that backpack on?? do you put a lot of wieght in there so you can keep the front wheel up



SHHHH MY SECRET is OUT NOW!!!
no really i just feel confertable w/ it and i have some valuable stuff iin there...... tire air pump, tire repair kit, zip ties, porn, extra bulbs, serves as a good back protector when i crash too.

mcook
12-24-2003, 12:16 PM
That is a very good write up and must have taken some time. I'm plenty of people will put the info to good use. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

gixsixkid02
12-24-2003, 02:55 PM
thanks 56 that was an awsome write up it's just what i needed i think i'm gonna try the 2nd to 3rd shift but with stock setup no gp shift for me yet it's gonna be a little weird. but like someone said i think shiftin in air is the hardest thing to learn. i'm currently stuck with second gear half mile wheelies. and to click into third will save me big time i can tell that second especially in the higher revs is very twitchy wich is why i think i can only get a half mile or a little more outta of it. 3rd is where the fun is at i know cause once i shifted without me trying to and ended up dropping the wheel at 105 wich i never saw on my speedo in 2nd. oh well when the weather get's better i'm gonna go out and do this i think for anyone with a 600 it's a must to know how to shift in air. We gotta prove to these liter bike guys that real men stunt 600's. but none the less man that post needs to be a sticky it cleared up a few questions i had about shiftin.

LBXR
12-25-2003, 03:30 PM
One of the advantages of short shifting from 1 to 2 gear is that the transmission shifts easier and more reliably at lower rpms. I think it is generally less abusive, wether you use the clutch or not. I use the clutch myself. Another advantage is that short shifting feels "natural" and is easy to be smooth. I also shift the bike while the front is still coming up, almost immediately. Then underway in second I have all day for the shift to 3rd. I can play around with the throttle for awile and shift when I get it right, and also when the front wheel is rising towards the bp. I dont ever shift near redline or go near redline in wheelies as it is not necessary on the 1000. Shifts at high rpm w/o the clutch is asking for trouble as it easy to mess up the timing and apply throttle before the dogs on the gears are fully engaged... I am not sure short shifting would work so well on a 600 though. As I ve stated before, this is better learned on a dirt bike offroad....

tlynch750
12-27-2003, 09:13 AM
a56kuser said:

tlynch750 said:
Good post 56k...

I got a question...Why is it everytime i see a vid or pic of you stunting you have that backpack on?? do you put a lot of wieght in there so you can keep the front wheel up



SHHHH MY SECRET is OUT NOW!!!
no really i just feel confertable w/ it and i have some valuable stuff iin there...... tire air pump, tire repair kit, zip ties, porn, extra bulbs, serves as a good back protector when i crash too.



haha, yeah i crashed with mine on but i dont think it did anything!!!

JetSpeedz
12-27-2003, 12:38 PM
a56kuser said:

tlynch750 said:
Good post 56k...

I got a question...Why is it everytime i see a vid or pic of you stunting you have that backpack on?? do you put a lot of wieght in there so you can keep the front wheel up



SHHHH MY SECRET is OUT NOW!!!
no really i just feel confertable w/ it and i have some valuable stuff iin there...... tire air pump, tire repair kit, zip ties, porn, extra bulbs, serves as a good back protector when i crash too.



http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif , good write up.. but your still gonna get newbies to post how to shift...

a56kuser
12-27-2003, 12:51 PM
yep and nobody better freakin reply!!!! im just simply gonn alink them to this soon to be sticky????? MODS???????? where you at?

trickr6
02-28-2004, 05:08 PM
thanks for that it helped me alot accept for one thing i know this is gixxer but i have a 03 r6 with a pc3usb a 520 conversion on it would i still ned to buy the equipment that ud have to buy for the r1 oh and by the way gixxer is the best site ive found thats why im here instead of the r1 forum or any of the others and my freind is a member here to but thanks for the help it told me alot http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

a56kuser
03-01-2004, 05:41 AM
yah man kits cost around 100 bucks.... i see your name is trickr6...... maybe you wanna buy them expensive rearsets??? they look nice and some of them let you convert to reverse shifting easily.... not sure which ones though.... i think its attack rearsets .... gotta make sure though it should say it in the product description..... 2 birds 1 stone... might as well.


trickr6 said:
thanks for that it helped me alot accept for one thing i know this is gixxer but i have a 03 r6 with a pc3usb a 520 conversion on it would i still ned to buy the equipment that ud have to buy for the r1 oh and by the way gixxer is the best site ive found thats why im here instead of the r1 forum or any of the others and my freind is a member here to but thanks for the help it told me alot http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

Aaron L
03-02-2004, 04:46 AM
I've got an 02 750 and I haven't seen anything about how to make it reverse shift. Please help. I've been riding for a little while but I want to change as soon as I can so it isn't so hard to get used to.

a56kuser
03-02-2004, 05:33 AM
Aaron L said:
I've got an 02 750 and I haven't seen anything about how to make it reverse shift. Please help. I've been riding for a little while but I want to change as soon as I can so it isn't so hard to get used to.



try searching up on GP Shifting on the Y2k forums...... pretty sure its possible seen my friend on a brand new stock 03 750 the other day that he just got and he was on reverse shifitng...

absolute1
03-07-2004, 11:40 AM
man you must be tired from all that driving,you need a break go do some more wheelies,good job.

instructor
03-19-2004, 02:29 PM
Documentary style, on board camera, commentary about wheelies/balance point/setting your bike up, etc.
Check it out:

www.fromdummies.com (http://www.fromdummies.com)

LowViscosity
04-20-2004, 09:51 PM
Aight well I get my first gear wheelies to redline then it sets down cuz the rev limiter... i figure you can't ride first gear wheelies for a while ... but i was wondering does this hurt your tranny? I donk't clutchless shitf often but used to on dirtbikes.. just a question

a56kuser
04-21-2004, 04:10 AM
doesnt seem to be hurting anythign enough for me to noticed....

badgixxer
05-05-2004, 09:21 PM
excellent write up...
http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif
http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

ericgsxr
05-06-2004, 09:00 AM
How do I get my 2001 750 to pop a wheelie? Just kidding!

Whasup peeps! I have one more final to take today, then I'll have my A.S. Web Technology. I'm trying really hard to break the habit of shifting at all. Put it up fast, lock those legs, back that ass up a bit, and if it feels a tad too high lean into it, if it starts to drop lean back a bit. Doughy has em on lock, can ride em out for miles, I have to cheat now and then and reward myself with a gear or two. We've also been banging up wheelies on our new pocket rockets, I wielded a wheelie bar onto mine so I wouldn't f up the plastic too bad. I've flipped it several times and sustained no damage to the pocket rocket whatsoever.

Back to the topic at hand, this is indeed a good write-up even if it did come from loveable Hawiia guy. Ya see peeps, he can only give ya limited wheelie advice, cause Hawaai is so short ya run out of road.. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/banana.gif Just funnin ya A56 so relax. When ya gonna find me some work down there in Hawaii so I can move some place warm and get outa crap ohio weather? http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

Till then, all you gixxer peeps, keep the faith, keep the gear on, and try to keep the points off the liceanse.

E

http://rocketboyz.tk

ps, you Ohio peeps need to get over here and ride with us, we've found so many new wheelie roads this year, and gained so many members...

Heyabuza
05-06-2004, 05:14 PM
Good to hear from ya again, Eric! I was wondering what became of the "Rocketboyz". You gonna be back on a more regular basis soon?


Back on topic, I still say shifting from 1st to 2nd on the way up (at least on a 1K) is asking for trouble. It snaps up so fast, just from a slight off/on throttle, (I'm talking like 1/2 inch off, 1/2 inch back on at the most) that it's hard to be super consistent. Maybe if you made sure to start at the exact same RPM every time, but I don't. I just get rolling to a speed that feels right, and then do the chop/whack and hoist it on up. Then it takes a bit of throttle modulation to get the wheelie to the right height and settle down. THEN I just snick it right into 2nd. No muss, no fuss. Definitely no need for an extra blip on the throttle beforehand. Just a nice, quick shift and done properly it feels like the bike doesn't move at all. (the wheelie height doesn't change at all is what I mean) Once in 2nd it's all smooth sailing, and I'll just keep it a tad below the BP like that til I see the tach hit 10 grand or so then snick it up to 3rd. Again, no muss, no fuss, no extra blip on the throttle, just a nice quick shift, the bike barely even twitching as it goes into 3rd.

I had a chance to do a few 1st gear wheelies on a bunch of 600s the other day. (CBR600RR, R6, ZX636) And found them much easier to wheelie in 1st than my 1000, just cuz you can play with the throttle so much more. Sure you have to use more throttle & be at a higher RPM to get em up, but once up it's far easier to modulate.

Most impressive was the 636, which I was throttling up (sitting) in 2nd fairly easily. That's right kids, a bone stock 636 (doesn't even have a pipe yet) throttling up in 2nd gear! WHEEEEE!!!!

I hear the new Gixxer Sixxer will throttle up in 2nd too. Haven't tried it myself yet, but I know a guy who just got one that will probably let me try. Damn, 600s are getting STRONG these days!

a56kuser
05-06-2004, 05:46 PM
ericgsxr said:
How do I get my 2001 750 to pop a wheelie? Just kidding!

Whasup peeps! I have one more final to take today, then I'll have my A.S. Web Technology. I'm trying really hard to break the habit of shifting at all. Put it up fast, lock those legs, back that ass up a bit, and if it feels a tad too high lean into it, if it starts to drop lean back a bit. Doughy has em on lock, can ride em out for miles, I have to cheat now and then and reward myself with a gear or two. We've also been banging up wheelies on our new pocket rockets, I wielded a wheelie bar onto mine so I wouldn't f up the plastic too bad. I've flipped it several times and sustained no damage to the pocket rocket whatsoever.

Back to the topic at hand, this is indeed a good write-up even if it did come from loveable Hawiia guy. Ya see peeps, he can only give ya limited wheelie advice, cause Hawaai is so short ya run out of road.. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/banana.gif Just funnin ya A56 so relax. When ya gonna find me some work down there in Hawaii so I can move some place warm and get outa crap ohio weather? http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

Till then, all you gixxer peeps, keep the faith, keep the gear on, and try to keep the points off the liceanse.

E

http://rocketboyz.tk

ps, you Ohio peeps need to get over here and ride with us, we've found so many new wheelie roads this year, and gained so many members...


McDonalds is always hiring http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

GixFever
05-13-2004, 07:33 AM
Wow, that definetly took some time out of your day to post. Thanks for sharing. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

JiggyVintz
06-09-2004, 08:23 AM
GREAT ARTICLE!! I'VE APPLIED THIS TO REAL LIFE AND DO FIND THAT THE QUICK SHIFT TO 2ND DOES STOP THE TWITCHINESS OF 1ST....... GREAT JOB ON THAT.

287ridah
08-27-2004, 08:01 AM
Great write up. Looks like your improving your skillz fast.

Diddly
11-13-2004, 02:41 AM
Great clip, the sound really makes you understand the process. My brain however, still wants to squeeze the clutch in. PRACTICE

Jazz
02-23-2005, 02:18 PM
damn good write up. one question though, if you can pull it up in second why bother shifting from first to second? i mean i learned sit downs and stand ups in first. but since i can pull it up in second why just start the practice there?

a56kuser
02-23-2005, 04:00 PM
Jazz said:
damn good write up. one question though, if you can pull it up in second why bother shifting from first to second? i mean i learned sit downs and stand ups in first. but since i can pull it up in second why just start the practice there?



i already explained this in the write up but its in the standup portion

there is really no significants in shiftings 1st to 2nd becuase you can bring 2nd up at a low speed as well......... 2nd to 3rd is where you gonna love to use it the most..... you can bring up a wheelie in second gear w/ ease at 50mph where as 3rd you may have to go faster..... bring up the wheelie and shift to third and you got yourself riding at 55mph at bp w/ ALOT more throttle to play with.......and with this it gives you alot more control.

yellowgixxer04
05-05-2005, 05:12 AM
I just went out to try the shifting during a wheelie. I'm getting the hang of it and it seems a little bit easier to hold then just simply clutching it in second gear. I feel safer because you dont have to go as high either. The first few attempts that I did, the bike did go into neutral and went right back down. After a few runs, it gets easier and easier. Hopefully i get better. Nice post BTW.

gixxertony22
05-06-2005, 03:52 PM
hey dude this info has help a ton, if you get the next gear , you are screw!!I'm now going 2nd to 3rd gear smooth as silk thank again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

kels
05-23-2005, 10:50 AM
I have being doing wheelies for about 2 months now, but i never shift gears. but the next time will. 2K2, 1k. good write G.

Retribution
06-21-2005, 05:20 PM
Nice tips and vids! I'll try getting it up with that quick shift to 2nd tomorrow, maybe that's just the tip I needed to lock it down.

And dude... regarding that second vid's end, you sure got guts pullin' a stoppie that high n' fast! http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/icon_rant.gif

a56kuser
06-21-2005, 06:51 PM
that stoppie in the end wasnt me........it was actually mana 3-4 years ago..... im sure you heard of him.

Retribution
06-21-2005, 07:18 PM
I have indeed. Well, he's got guts hehe

fwdgst
07-06-2005, 03:19 PM
Tried this over the weekend and love it! It is so smooth if performed correctly just bumps into the next gear . Great info!

FuzioNx
07-08-2005, 12:10 PM
awesome gonna go out a try shifting tonite!

iflyjets86
07-31-2005, 09:34 AM
ive got an 02 gsxr and i cant seem to shift into second and keep it up. i wack the throttle at around 8k rpm in 1st, let it come up, let off, pop it into second without the clutch, and go full throttle. the front end goes down without hesitation. what am i doing wrong? is there something i can try? any input would help. thanks

a56kuser
08-01-2005, 09:43 AM
shifitng should be done smoothly and efficiently.... .... you have to do it quick.......
practice shifting on two wheels first to make like your shifitng w/out slowing down....
and you dont need to go full throttle remember that .... in fact i recommend you not to go full throttle after a shift because you might go over.

iflyjets86
08-02-2005, 07:37 PM
went out tonight and practiced. rode it twice after some practice. i made a post about it. thanks a lot for the help!

CLovaGSXR
11-30-2005, 04:45 AM
I can't shift standing up, but I stop at 4th sitting down. By 4th i'm going to damn fast anyways. Also, I USE the clutch when I shift. I shift on one wheel just like I do on two. I never give wheelie advice to anyone...I dont want to hear "but you tole me to....." once they loop.

a56kuser
12-03-2005, 10:55 AM
I can't shift standing up, but I stop at 4th sitting down. By 4th i'm going to damn fast anyways. Also, I USE the clutch when I shift. I shift on one wheel just like I do on two. I never give wheelie advice to anyone...I dont want to hear "but you tole me to....." once they loop.


the whole point of this tutorial is to use shifting as a easier way to hold wheelies.......not to give you more rpms to chase your wheelies.... just wanna clear that up.

derrickgsxr6
12-29-2005, 05:05 AM
whats bounces it up mean to get the bike up. do use bounce the rev limiter and pop the clutch??

a56kuser
12-29-2005, 12:57 PM
no, it means to bounce on the pegs and do a standup wheelie.

gimpsta
12-30-2005, 05:13 PM
compressing the forks right before you snap open the throttle. you can come up off the recoil.

JDGSXR1000
05-06-2006, 10:43 AM
Love the write-up...I have an 02 GSXR 750 and 05 Gsxr 1000....but I cheat and go with steeper gears and just bring it up in 2nd or 3rd and ride it out that way. I am running 2down 5up on the 750 and 2down 3up on the 1000 and man it is super easy plus takeoffs are crazy the 1000 never goes into 1st gear....no use for it to! Take off in second and still has an awesome launch. The 750 is good for slow wheelies and the 1000 is good for wheeles up to about 135mph corrected speed. But also one thing I learned is that standing on the pegs is a way easier way to wheelie and I never use the clutch for shifting in a wheelie...but once again great write-up and good luck to all of you who are learning.

gixxsexR
05-06-2006, 10:54 AM
wish i could hold em up like that all day in the vid. good stuff. all that squirrlyness though still gets me. i havnt tried shifting yet.

gixxsexR
05-06-2006, 10:54 AM
wish i could hold em up like that all day in the vid. good stuff. all that squirrlyness though still gets me. i havnt tried shifting yet.
thx for the writeup

nastynikolai
05-07-2006, 11:57 PM
That is a very good write up and must have taken some time. I'm plenty of people will put the info to good use. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

+1...

insanegsxr19
11-01-2006, 03:45 PM
no need to shift in a wheelie . If you have to shift you are simply not at the balance point. Thats all that needs to be said.

a56kuser
11-14-2006, 10:39 AM
you dont have to shift...... but itll give you more throttle play..... this doesnt apply to slow wheelies...... only high way wheelie.........
and i have more fun when there is more throttle play and thats all that needs to be said but that.

stunter2B
11-27-2006, 01:43 PM
Great write up, love the way you incorporated your Vids..


Good JOB.

mitsufinmgr
01-06-2007, 10:38 PM
deff some good info can't wait till tomarrow (day off ) :punk

Claydo
01-25-2007, 10:52 PM
good reads! thanks. i changed to GP shifting on my 1000 and love it! makes it a lot easier to shift while on one wheel

TWISTED METAL
05-20-2007, 10:35 AM
good write up

K-Rash
12-17-2007, 10:28 PM
OKay So you want to learn how to shift in a wheelie Ill make a lil tutorial

Purpose: There is more than one purpose on shifting in a wheelie.
- Gain more rpm: Some people are at the point where there wheelies are constantly redlining, mostly because they're are chasing their wheelies and instead of gonig higher in a wheelie to hit balance point a alternate way to hold your wheelie just a tad longer can be to shift gears and you gain more rpm thus giving you a few more seconds to hold your wheelies. Doing this is fine..... some people dont want to bring the wheelies higher cause they're not use to the height yet......
- Have More Throttle Play: As you should know the higher the gear you are in the easier it is to play w/ the throttle..... 1st is more twitchy than 2nd and 2nd is more twitchy than 3rd and so on. For some people they like to have alot of throttle to play with because its obviuosly more easier to control and apply small throttle increments. Applying small throttle increments is key to keeping your wheelies in balance point...... you dont wanna be jerky and you want to be as smooth as possible. Itll definitly be weird to get use to at first but you will get use to it and find it know how to shift? Example to do a 3rd gear wheelie.

Things You Need to do or be ready for before trying:

Shifting in a wheelie I highly recommend NOT to use the CLUTCH, i repeat I HIGHLY recommend NOT to use the clutch. Yes it is possible to do it with the clutch and some people can do it with the clutch and to risk wearing down your tranny a little bit than fucking up your bike completely...... Stunting will harm your bike more than regular riding...... accept that fact


HOW TO SHIFT WITHOUT CLUTCH

- well there is a proper way of doing it and if you do it correctly it wont hurt your tranny. and yes you may practice this with both wheels on the ground. Go a speed your confertable with ... maybe 30mph in 2nd gear??keep the throttle steady and put your foot on the shifter getting ready to shift and right when you let off the throttle thats when your transmission will be open to go into the next gear.... a good way to get the feeling of it first is to apply small pressure on the shifter, not alot ....if your grinding the gears thats too much. Anyways apply small pressure and let off the throttle.... it will fall right into gear....... when you think you got that down you can do it at faster speed.... and also try it in 1st to 2nd gear cause thats where it might go wrong since you might slip into neutral.... but its really not that hard......... no more than 1 minute of practicing that and you should get it.

PREREQUISITE for shifting 1st to 2nd gear (sitdown)
- Should be able to ride 1st gear wheelie to redline... not absolutely neccessary but i reccomend it and thats how i learned it.
- Got your no clutch shifting down w/ two wheels! obviously http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
- No throttle jockeys, i dont recommend any twitchy first gear wheeliers to shift gears yet.... learn to ride 1st gear relatively smoothly...... you dont have to be that high, just be smooth.

PREREQUISITE for shifting 2nd to 3rd gear (standups)
- Should be able to lift up 2nd gear standups constantly
- I recommend you know what 2nd gear balance point feels like or at least know what the throttle feels like when its near balance point (throttle should feel light and you should be feathering the throttle to keep it up in 2nd) why i say you should be at balance point is because 2nd to 3rd gear shifting shouldnt be about having more rpm to spend..... it should be about saving rpm and keeping the speed of your wheelies slow 50-60mph ish.... the reason for this is 2nd gear can hit 100mph on most bikes..... if your hitting redline 2nd gear standups , dont you think your going too fast already??? your goal for 2nd to 3rd is too bring up 2nd gear and shift 3rd gear straight into balance point and you should be adjust to the throttle since you have more play.


**SHIFTING 1st to 2nd in a wheelie
**
okay now that you know what you need and what to expect i can explain what to when shifting in a wheelie
- So you go the speed you do your regular 1st gear wheelies at (5-35mph)
- I suggest power wheelie so you gas on , gas off, and gas on again... Itll come up smoothly this way
- Keep your foot on the shifter and apply real little pressure.... if you have reverse shifting just rest your toe on the shifter so itll be easier to shift when your in the air.
- Once your front wheel comes off the ground, let off the throttle and at the sametime shift into 2nd gear , dont even bother riding out 1st gear at all....... its simple just lift the wheel off teh ground and shift into 2nd right away.
.
http://www2.hawaii.edu/~kuroyana/Files/shift.WMV
Remember you dont have to be at balance point when shifting, THis is the height im at when i shifted into second
http://www2.hawaii.edu/~kuroyana/Images/shifting.jpg

Okay chances are you wont get it the first time, or the second or the third for that matter.... here is somethings you might of ran into
-most common problem is you slip into neutral. This is because either you didnt bring your wheel high enough the ground due to you bring up the wheelie slow
To solve that try to hit the throttle harder when you bring it up in 1st, when you do this the bike will still have the momentum of going upwards even when you shut off the throttle.
The other reason you hit neutral is your not clicking it hard enough into 2nd...... remember apply pressure on the shifter before the wheelie.....and make sure you have your clutchless shifting down.

-Another problem that could happen is that you click it into second gear but when you got on the throttle again you slip into neutral..... This has happened to me alot...... i think its part of the tranny thats going bad but you - Another problem you might run into is you manage to shift into 2nd gear but you just dont got enough power to keep it up..... GOOD you got it to shift into 2nd gear!! thats a important part..... you just gotta get a tad higher and make sure your shifting is efficient and FAST.... there can be no lag when you let off the throttle to shift gears....... its Gas up to bring the wheelie up , let off throttle and shift gears, and get on the throttle again all done within a split second.... only practice can help you out on this one.


**SHIFTING 2nd to 3rd in a wheelie (STANDUP)**
Okay so you wanna know where the funs at??? its in the 3rd gear standups
Again like 1st to 2nd gear wheelies you shift into the next gear pretty fast.... but you may want to shift it right at balance point cause the purpose of this is to save RPM and keeping the 3rd gear wheelies slow right?
- Bounce or Clutch your 2nd gear standup wheelie up pretty hard.....
- Make sure your foot is over the shifter ready to shift into the next gear and when you get near balance point let off the throttle and shift into 3rd at the same time.....
- I like to bounce up 2nd gear hard...... so when i shift into the 3rd gear the bike is still floating upwards and has the momentum of going up still.... .

Not much can go wrong here...... if you cant keep it up in 3rd you just gotta go higher and give more gas....
you cant miss shift becuase there is no neutral between 2nd and 3rd.....
just remember you want a quick shift80mph.
http://www2.hawaii.edu/~kuroyana/Files/2ndto3rd.WMV
here is a picture of the height im at when i shift into 3rd gear....
http://www2.hawaii.edu/~kuroyana/Images/shifting2.jpg

Well mods please sticky this.
And this is just a rough draft.... i have to wait for your guys replies to see what i need to fix and add on so post away.


never ever ride your wheelies higher than 9000 rpm that means you don't have balancing point yet even though you might have thought so (you still need accelaration to keep the front in the air) not balancing point!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Un51RnRJSdM

for sit downs be sure to shift at the exact rpm in each gear from 2nd onwards for instance power up at 6000 shift, immediatly shift again and stick to shifting at 5000 rpm in each gear till you max out probably 5th maybe 6th if your eaxact here's a pic of me doin a 5th gear sitdown with the rpm static at 8000rpm oh and if u touch the clutch whilst shifting forget about ya wheelie

Gixxer_rat85
03-19-2008, 05:15 AM
Great thread! Can i just re-inforce the section on shifting gear through wheelies? Unless you`re an expert already, DON`T use any clutch while shifting gear through a wheelie! I did, (once), purely out of habit. Collapsed fork springs, blew out fork seals, and cracked fairings from the landing, and I was lucky to stay on it. Cheers.

ReadNotReed2007
04-17-2008, 06:48 PM
OFF TOPIC QUESTION:

What is the music in that last video? (the one with the stoppie at the end)

PJ240
12-27-2008, 02:22 PM
when u guys r shifting into the next gear....do u give a lil more gas to keep the rpms up and front end

03SevenFifty
12-27-2008, 04:54 PM
No you do not.. You actually let off for a nano second and then get right back to where you were.. (throttle wise)

PJ240
12-27-2008, 09:54 PM
ok...cuz seem when i shift into second i cant keep it up.....maybe jus gotta find that bp

londongixxer
03-03-2009, 08:53 PM
hi if uves got a k5 gsxr 1000 it will bounce up in 3rd at about 65mph and ride it out i found this out on sunday just playing around and feels stable even at 135mph on 1 wheel best advice just get out there and just try differant ways and which ways comfy 4 u


live life on 1 wheel and enjoy ureself