Riding Techniques

[theLeopard]

Anyone got any riding techniques to improve my skillset?
I'm learning to use my hips more than my hands, and been practicing looking backwards while driving in a straight line.
I really wanna learn how to wheelie though 

[Bones]

The best technique is to use your head, or rather what's in it. Make sure it's turned on before you turn that key.

[ribbert]

..... and been practicing looking backwards while driving in a straight line.

I'm probably going to regret asking this, but why?
(I have mirrors on mine)

Noel

[charleygofast]

If you want to learn to wheelie you're better off learning on a much smaller bike like a 125-250 dirt bike or dual sport find someone who knows how and practice off road it's tricky and you might flip over or crash. Dont try to learn on your FJ you'll surely fuck it up! I've done a few on mine but they are not really good wheelie machines. Off road Leapord, on a dirt bike with someone to show you how.                                                                                     Charley.

[Dads_FJ]

Start here:
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=7072.0

Then move on to Twist of the wrist. Here's part II:
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=7065.0

[The General]

Anyone got any riding techniques to improve my skillset?
I'm learning to use my hips more than my hands, and been practicing looking backwards while driving in a straight line.
I really wanna learn how to wheelie though 

With enough practise you, Leopard, can do anything!
But do me a favour and don`t post a pic of your wheelie consequence here.
The Chainsore incident was bad enough....but your arse!......... gives me nightmares just think`n about it!
Here`s a little reminder! 
....BTW, how is that finger?
(I do have a future hope of not asking..... BTW, how is that Arse!....admittedly, it wouldn`t be the first time I`ve asked that question!)

[theLeopard]

fingers great, general  a little shorter but works about the same.
killed the exposed nerves with alcohol & iodine, that was the worst bit of the whole experience.

noel, for myself personally learning how to ride without having to look where i'm going has opened up alot more of the road for me.
also, if i'm weaving thru traffic mirrors aren't adequate for safe & quick visual ques.

The best technique is to use your head, or rather what's in it. Make sure it's turned on before you turn that key.

100% 

[fj1289]

....also, if i'm weaving thru traffic mirrors aren't adequate for safe & quick visual ques

That doesn't sound like it's going to end well

[Tekime]

I'm no seasoned rider, but I'll throw my $0.02 in. I've gone from complete weenie on a little 500cc, terrified of highway speeds, to "wow, am I REALLY going 125mph?" and easily throwing down decent wheelies on my big tank of an FJ in a few years.

Best way to improve your skill is to ride more. More seat time = more muscle memory development.

The key though is to keep pushing your techniques and pushing your comfort zone. If you're repeating the same bad habits over and over, riding more is just going to strengthen bad technique rather than improve it. Twist of the Wrist is a good place to start reading. Be aware of your strengths and weaknesses - when do you start to get scared and feel like you're getting out of your comfort zone? That's where to concentrate. Never operate at the absolute edge of your comfort zone (unless you're on a track, in full gear, and prepared to crash). Push your limits by moving closer to the edge slowly, take baby steps, and constantly check your own progress.

The FJ is definitely NOT a wheelie machine, and probably the last bike you want to learn wheelies on. But you can definitely pop a nice little wheelie, if you're happy riding it out a foot or so off the ground, without too much cause for alarm. I like little 1st gear wheelies every so often, cruise at about 20mph with the throttle slightly open then smoothly pull the clutch, rev to about 6k rpm and smoothly pop it out. Work your way up REAL SLOW and NOT IN TRAFFIC. If you get comfortable you can ease the throttle open as it pops up and ride it out for a few seconds, or bring the front up even higher.

That being said, I just don't recommend wheelies on an FJ until you practice on something smaller, wear full gear, and like the idea of crashing and wrecking your beautiful FJ.    But god damn it is fun, lol (says my inner squid, always taunting me...)

[ribbert]

.......If you're repeating the same bad habits over and over, riding more is just going to strengthen bad technique rather than improve it. Twist of the Wrist is a good place to start reading.....

You mention "Twist of the Wrist" as a good reference, I don't recall the chapter on popping wheelies.   

Seriously though, you do make a good point. Many riders spend their entire riding life repeating the same mistakes they picked up as learners, others treat every single ride as an opportunity to practice/improve their riding skills, even after 40 or 50 years on the road.

Noel

[FJ_Hooligan]

I subscribe to the great Eddie Lawson's take on wheelies:

"They don't make you any faster and when you screw them up you look REAL bad."

[Tekime]

You mention "Twist of the Wrist" as a good reference, I don't recall the chapter on popping wheelies.   

Seriously though, you do make a good point. Many riders spend their entire riding life repeating the same mistakes they picked up as learners, others treat every single ride as an opportunity to practice/improve their riding skills, even after 40 or 50 years on the road.

Noel

Haha

Actually it should really be a part of teaching technique/bike control. Learning how to manage small wheelies has helped me know the limits of my bike, especially during takeoffs, how to position my body and distribute weight and the exact point that I lose rear traction vs. pop the front up. I figure at SOME point I'm going to miss a gear or give it too much throttle and I want to react appropriately, not just panic.

But for me, challenging myself and finding my limits is a big part of the fun. I'm definitely not trying to be a squid and out there in traffic doing stupid stuff, but I have a blast on a desolate road or parking lot seeing what I can do / what the bike can do, it's what keeps me hooked. Frustratingly even with the huge power in the FJ after a few weeks riding I'm already craving more lol