FJ wheelies

[FJTillDeath]

Hi everyone Tea time at the office and I just wanted to ask. I know the FJ can wheelie from start(not that I have tried), but I want to know if it can do a power up wheelie as in while you are riding it normally and if so how? I dont have the guts to try yet nor do I want to I am asking incase I do it by accident, ie I dont want to to it accidentaly and put me or myself in danger. Somebody please let me know

[andyb]

Almost any bike will wheelie from a standing stop, if you abuse the clutch a bit.  Most non-cruisers will power wheelie with the right technique.

In first gear, rolling and running around 3krpm, lightly give it some gas, then shut the gas fully off and snap to WOT when the forks are mildly compressed... it'll stand right up for you.  With a passenger (depending on total weight) it'll pick the front up at 6k in first under normal WOT use.  With some clutch abuse, second gear will come up also.  And of course, if there's a crest in the road it's easy to just stay on the gas and have the bike pull the front up.

I don't condone practicing it, as it's a good way to wreck your shit.  It's sure handy to be able to control things and not freak out when it happens accidentally, though.  Ideally, learn on a dirtbike, preferrably on a softish surface.

It's a really good way to put flat spots on your headpipes, blow your fork seals, and destroy your steering bearings.  Getting really long, high wheelies will eventually lead to oil starvation and cost you a motor.  And that's all if you don't flip over or otherwise lose control in the process.

[FJTillDeath]

Wow okay now that I did not know. I will definitely keep mindful of what you have told me though. Now atleast when I see people trying to show off I will know they are doing more harm than good. By the way I saw you once posted a picture of an FJ that had bright red rims. Could you please tell me what base paint and colour you used if you know by any chance? thanks again for the info

[Klavdy]

Rim Stickers and brightly painted wheels on an FJ always remind me of a Baboons arse.

[fj11.5]

Lmao, @kladvy, been wondering why anyone would use wheel tape

[carsick]

In first gear, rolling and running around 3krpm, lightly give it some gas, then shut the gas fully off and snap to WOT when the forks are mildly compressed... it'll stand right up for you.  With a passenger (depending on total weight) it'll pick the front up at 6k in first under normal WOT use.  With some clutch abuse, second gear will come up also.  And of course, if there's a crest in the road it's easy to just stay on the gas and have the bike pull the front up.

I was going to reply that you really don't want to be asking this question when moving up from a 125, but I guess knowledge is power, and you don't need unpleasant surprises.
Andy, your summation is as usual spot on for my experience, with the caveat that gearing alters the results. When I ran 16-42 it would stand up when i hit 6k in first, I could bounce it up in second per your instructions, and a clutch blip would get a hop in third. Now with 18-38 I am wheelie free under most conditions unless I hammer the clutch in first.
If we're throwing out suggestions of what not to do, don't downshift 3 gears and let the clutch out traveling at speed with the engine at idle. A small engine will spin up, a bigger mill WILL slide the rear tire, very much so in a corner. Woke me right up the first time I tried that with my 1200.

[SkyFive]

XE-Ryder Yamaha FJ1200S Video Clips from 1990

[fj11.5]

So my new gearing of 15/40 could be fun , not a lot of long straights here unless im heading east a few hours away

[SlowOldGuy]

There's a good reason no one stunts on an FJ.  They are heavy pigs for that kind of stuff.  Like Andy says, wheeling you FJ is a real good way to tear stuff up.  

Eddie Lawson was once asked why he never wheelied his race bike across the finish line.  His response:  "It (wheelieing) doesn't make you any faster and when you screw it up you look REAL bad."

I always liked Eddie.

DavidR.

[andyb]

...says, wheeling your bike no matter what the type is a real good way to tear stuff up.  

Fixed for you.

Also a Lawson fan.  Standing a bike up has its place though... more importantly, knowing what to do about it has it's place.  Someplace I've got pictures of mine doing it from many years ago.

[Grey runner]

I was doing about 130 mph on full gas one day when I hit a wee bump in the road, I had no idea how quick the front could come up and the terror it caused.

                                                 

[FJTillDeath]

I will definitely keep that in mind and the part about downshifting too, i really dont want to go in to a slide with the bike. I cleaned and polished it this weekend and saw the small chips and scratched here and there. I really want to revamp the bike and make it scratch free. But I will give it a bit more time, get to know the bike better and then I can take the chance of purchasing the expensive plastic and giving it a refreshing paint job. The video with the FJ wheeling was a good example of why not to do wheelies. other than letting go of the throttle when the front starts to pick up and lift what would the best way to control the wheelie and get it back down to earth be? I know theres a back break but i dont want to use it if it will cause more harm than good. Also I once seen a motorsport gp bike wheelie all the up and nearly tip back over while the rider crossed the finish line but luckily he controlled it while it wobbled in the air and brought it back down. I was going to ask if the bike could do an endo but considering its weight i think the front tire would just slip out from under, i dont know maybe it is different for the ABS models, anyway thanks again for the info on wheelies and gearing I will definitely try to stay clear of those 

[RichBaker]

A little pressure on the rear brake is typically what is used to control a wheelie... not enough to lock it, but just a little drag to bring the front back down.  Dirtbikes are great for learning these techniques.

[andyb]

I was going to ask if the bike could do an endo but considering its weight i think the front tire would just slip out from under,

Good tire on good pavement, yes it can.  There's a little technique involved though.

The GP bike you saw nearly flip was likely Max Biaggi.

You can chop the gas, lift the gas slightly, hold the clutch a second, or use the rear brake to control a wheelie.  Depends on the situation.