Wheelie discussion

First gear clutch wheelies are always fun but I make sure whenever I do one I sit far as back as possible if your up close against the tank most likely you'll slide right back depending how high of a wheelie you get and when I do it I don't pull up from my handle bars instead I pull back this will def. help you get it up better at least from what I experienced. But I usually blip it around 5-6k keeping my hand on a steady throttle and roll on and then off the throttle as I release the clutch in and back out all one motion and be able to ride it about 10-15ft or so just right before it redlines and comes back down. Just Practice some more and get use to the feeling for it, it'll come natural as you progress. Just always remember to keep and your foot on the back brake just incase you 12oclock it. Second gear are a little bit harder to get the tire up as high but it all depends on where your pre load is on your suspension. I prefer having it on 3 to do wheelies but I have mine set at 4 so it's little stiffer making it a little difficult for me to get it up as high. But I blip it at the same rpms and do the exact same steps as I mentioned above but only thing I do different is right as I'm about to pop in the clutch I give a little love tap on the rear brake which creates your suspension to compress tighter in the rear giving you a upward pre load off your front forks thus giving you a higher wheelie in second gear and be able to ride it out longer and higher. Hope this helps!

I AM NOT GOOD AT WHEELIES. (but dang, they're fun...)
That said, after @ 500 or so miles on my new R3, I decided to try a wheelie. All I did was roll on-off-on the throttle and the front wheel came off the ground @ 10"-12". Rolling off the throttle causes the front suspension to preload (kinda like using the brake). Then grab a handful of throttle and TWIST! Get the rhythm right, and the (preloaded) fork springs help to bounce the front up as your TWIST causes the rear suspension to squat. Then it's just a matter of engine torque lifting the front end AND you balancing the bike up. I've never clutched a wheelie before. Just seems hard on the moving parts. Since then, I've pulled some pretty tall wheelies. I'd say prolly 10 o'clock or 11 o'clock. Riding in front of my mammy once, when we got to the next stop she said she thought I was gonna loop it back there. LOL, I never felt uncomfortable when it came up. Always cover the rear brake, and remember that if you land the wheelie hard, YOU WILL SLAM YOUR TENDER BITS INTO THE TANK.
Technically, that's a power wheelie.

EDIT: it helps if your tank is 1/2 or less full and if you scootch to the back of your seat. Although, I've actually gotten the front wheel pretty high even sitting up against the tank.

Power wheelies are not wheelies
You need to know how balance it at lower throttle openings and bring it back on the brake when out of hand.
Slow speed first gear wheelies are the hardest.


The faster the wheelie starts at, the easier it is to practice as it stays straighter.
Relax ze arms and upper body.


I prefer to pop it up on the change into 2nd, and then not let the speed pick up after that unless going for 3rd which is very hard on 250's,


Uphill is the best place to practice.