Wheelies

[Lope]

So I've gotten to the point where I feel confident enough to start playing with wheelies. (been riding 3 years)
I've read some posts by captain sprocket (from a South African forum) He was saying that if you slip the clutch well, it doesn't put any extra strain on the bike at all (mechanically) other than the clutch.
Today I tried just getting the front light a bit. But I was almost home so only made 3 attempts. when I was at around 5-7k rpm in probably 2nd gear, I opened up, then slipped the clutch.
The first time I didn't do it well, and there was a bit of a 'cluck' sound from the drivetrain as the bike pulled forward. Obviously I squeezed the clutch too hard.
The 2nd and 3rd attempts went really well, I disengaged the clutch enough for the revs to rise, but not too much, so positive force on the drivetrain remained. When I released the clutch there was a smooth surge of power.

I realized I should first find out how much its going to cost for a new clutch and what the replacement procedure is before I play with this more :) I'll probably need a new clutch in 6 months to a year if I play with this.
Are the clutch plates in a modern 600 or 1000 a lot stronger than a VFR400 clutch?
They say the VFR400 is not a wheelie bike. But (the other) they also say "you can wheelie any bike with the clutch".
I know stunters with 600s etc do hundreds of wheelies without having to replace the clutch.
The good thing about killing my clutch is I could then get a slipper clutch (like NC30 has).

[royster81]

i'm not sure about the NC24 but the NC30 has the oil pick up at the front of the sump, so once the bike gets the front wheel off the ground the oil runs to the back of the motor, as the revs rise it goes through oil quicker and since all the oil is away from the pickup you stop feeding oil to the motor.

it'll not only be a clutch you'll be looking to replace if you keep trying to wheelie.

[Lope]

Is it really a big deal if theres no oil at the pickup for a few seconds?
Lots of bikes have the oil pickup at the front and people still wheelie them.

[CMSMJ1]

Try it then dude... There are plenty of people on here who would advise not to as a "few seconds" of no oil is going to screw your bike up. The main bearings run on oil pressure - if there is none then you are going to hurt the bike.

Wheelie a bandit...someone elses..that's the way

[Deviant400]

m8 of mine is a wheelie addict, personally i dont see the point, bent output shaft on his bike now , oh dear , (trying not to laugh) my old yz250 used to lift when you wacked open the throttle that was fun but then dirt bikes are a good crack anyway, ill keep the wheelies for the dirt bikes and me knee down on the NC

[Biscuits]

first bike i had was a mint honda cb50, back when i was 15. to get it to wheely you had to slow to a crawl, pull the clutch right in and wring its neck. the resulting front wheel lift was shortlived and more than a little unstable but fun nonetheless.
(traded it in for an MZ 125 )

[Neosophist]

I don't think i've ever wheelied a vfr, there doesn't seem to be much point apart from showing off? :p Used to wheelie my dirt bike a lot but thats for playing :D

Everyone can do it to some extent if you practice a little, however in the uk you get an instant driving ban if the police catch you.

not to mention the extra strain on the clutch, chain, and if your not good at landing the bike suspension too.

Plus you have less control on one wheel and if your SA roads are as shite as you say lets hope you dont' hit some pot-holes or have to stop in a hurry...

The oil pickup is in the same place as the NC30.. if you do a decent wheelie for any lenth of time your likely to starve the engine of oil and destoy it.

Can't help you on this one but i'm sure theres plenty of people here who'll be able to help if you want to practice.. just read around.

The vfr doesn't have enough power for you to wheelie it off the throttle but you can lift it easy with the clutch (probably better than doing a roll on theorttle anyway)

Have a look on YOUtube for MCN how to do a wheelie, i seem to remember there being a good guide there :)

Just dont' get doing it where your likely to trash the bike or for long time and you should be ok

[banoffee]

there's no way in hell my NC30 will wheelie with me on it! way to high a first gear and I'm way to big for the bike to even think about it.

my GSXR and 848 want to at every opportunity though!

[Drunkn Munky]

Put 14/45 gearing on it. wheeling any bike that doesnt come up on power isnt gunna do it any good.

Or take it flat out round the TT, theres bound to be a few wheelies then

[Spike16]

You dont need to go the the island to find some good crests to wheelie, I was wheelie/jumping the racer at brands hatch when you go into the infield out of the tunnel, theirs a blinding crest very dumb I know but it was one way and theirs no one about and it got me in the mood to race.