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Cars & Other Vehicles
Motorcycles
How to Perform Clutch Wheelies on a Motorcycle Download ArticleExplore this Article Steps Steps Other Sections Questions & Answers Video Tips and Warnings Things You'll Need Related Articles Author Info
Last Updated: December 4, 2023 Approved
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wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 25 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 99% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 695,583 times. Learn more...
Clutch wheelies are better than power/bounce wheelies because you can do them without accelerating (much); in tight areas, at very low speed, and they are much smoother than power wheelies both on the way up and down. You can also ride them out much longer and shift into higher gears.
Steps
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1 You don't need a very powerful bike. You can definitely clutch wheelie a 500 cc sport bike, it just takes higher revs.
Stock gearing is fine, however, with this setup it can't clutch up in 2nd. You'll need a 520 kit for that. (To clutch up in second with less bouncing, try going -1 on the front sprocket, and +2 on the rear.
If you buy these sprockets in 525 pitch, you will be able to change them and use the stock chain).
(Edit: The chain length will be correct, but you cannot use a 520 chain on 525 sprockets, or vice versa.)
2 Sit comfortably, upright on the bike. You don't have to slide back for this trick. "It is possible to pull a wheelie at 70 mph (110 km/h) in 3rd gear on a gsxr-600." This will take more practice, but it is very possible. Advertisement
3 Drive at a steady pace around 1500-2000rpm. (Should be about 10-20mph).
4 When you are ready for liftoff, quickly open up the throttle and accelerate. This is VERY important because it compresses your rear suspension. It's very difficult to clutch a wheelie without compressing rear suspension first. You're not trying to build up speed! Starting at low RPMs is very important. If you start a clutch wheelie at 5000RPM, it will be very difficult and you'll red line long before you go vertical. Power comes from low RPM.
5 Almost immediately after accelerating, pull clutch in enough to disengage and let the engine rev to about 6000RPM. You can do this slow at first, eventually it becomes an instantaneous motion.
6 Quickly release the clutch at about 80%. This is the hardest part. You HAVE to release fast. You'll know you released too fast when your RPM drops down to 2000 - this means you released too fast. Practice, practice, practice. When you get it right it will feel like you have hydraulics on your front wheel and pop right up (much quicker and smoother than a power-bounce wheelie).
7 Once you master this, your bike should be popping up a little bit. The next step is throttle control.
While releasing the clutch, add throttle. If you want to go big - vertical - and stay there - the big thing to learn is that you can not let go of the throttle OR the clutch. You will control height of the wheelie with your clutch at this point.
8 So once again.. once comfortable with the clutch release motion, start giving it lots of throttle. You should be able to keep it up in 1st gear for a few seconds without any problems. The higher you go the longer you stay up.
9 Once you get good, you won't have to rev before you clutch. Do them at the same time.
10 Finished.
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Question Can I do a wheelie on 110 cc bike? Community Answer Yes, pull in clutch, rev engine a little in low gear then let off clutch but don't drop it. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 8 Helpful 42
Question Does this bike have an exhaust? Community Answer Yes, it does. It is located under the swing arm, and ends where it becomes hidden by the rear wheel. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 23 Helpful 20
Question Do I have to hold the throttle, or do I just quickly accelerate and then pull the clutch? Community Answer Get your motorcycle rolling on half clutch. Then, you just need to sit back, rev hard, and let the clutch go. Your bike will do the rest. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 13 Helpful 18
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Tips
Try using two fingers to pull in the clutch, that way you'd have a better release. Thanks Helpful 118 Not Helpful 38
Your front wheel acts as a gyro to keep your bike straight. Don't hit the front brake! Keep it spinning! Thanks Helpful 108 Not Helpful 47
Only put one finger for the clutch; it only needs a tiny bit of pressure. Once you're up, apply the rear brake to find the balance then fan out between throttle and brake to ride it out. Thanks Helpful 33 Not Helpful 19
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Warnings
Using the clutch to wheelie will eventually destroy your clutch, chain, and sprockets, so make sure to check them for damage before and after each practice session. Thanks Helpful 44 Not Helpful 17
It's best to learn wheelies on a small dirt bike. Street bikes are heavier and more powerful; they can hurt you more easily and are a lot more expensive to fix when you fall. Thanks Helpful 5 Not Helpful 1
Most insurance companies WILL NOT cover damage done while "riding unsafely", which does include stunting, so be prepared to pay for everything you break. Thanks Helpful 35 Not Helpful 32
When practicing wheelies, assume whatever object is, or will be within 500 feet (152.4 m) of your direction of travel, you WILL hit. Remember, you have no steering and no front brakes whatsoever when on one wheel. Even when your front wheel comes down, your shocks are compressed, therefore no brakes until they decompress.(Edit:The position of the suspension has no bearing on the operation of the brakes.) (Edit: The front brake will work just fine with the front suspension compressed. The problem is inertia. If you slam on the front brakes the back will start to come up. This effect is increased with the suspension compressed and you wind up in the "endo" stunt position. If you are meaning to do this and can control it, fine. If not, you just wrecked your bike and possibly injured yourself.) This could take 100 feet (30.5 m) depending on speed! Make sure the path is clear at all times!! Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
Riders of above-average skill frequently fall (crash) when stunt riding. You don't have to flip the bike to hurt yourself badly. Trust your instincts and don't let others pressure you into wheelies or other stunts. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1
Wheelies are REALLY dangerous. Doing them on public roads is irresponsible and can easily cost you your license, or even your life. Proceed with care! Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
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Things You'll Need
Helmet, gloves, protective pants and jacket. You probably won't loop your bike but be ready for the worst. Frame sliders are also recommended.
A special "stunt cage" is available for many bikes. It's an external frame that protects the bike from hitting pavement.
A special bar can also be installed on the rear. Also known as a 12-bar. This prevents the bike from going beyond vertical.
Stunt riding should be practiced only on a closed course with proper preparation (gear, insurance, and someone to provide first aid and call paramedics if needed).
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About This Article
wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 25 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 695,583 times. 18 votes - 99% Co-authors: 25Updated: December 4, 2023 Views: 695,583 Categories: Motorcycles In other languages Spanish Italian Russian German
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Reader Success Stories
Ed Roger
Sep 20, 2017
"It's very clear and informative. I am going to try it and will let you know any developments ("hope i gonna start wheeling my big bike :p"). "..." more
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About This Article
Co-authors: 25Updated: December 4, 2023 Views: 695,58399% of readers found this article helpful. 18 votes - 99% Click a star to add your vote
Ed Roger
Sep 20, 2017
"It's very clear and informative. I am going to try it and will let you know any developments ("hope i gonna start wheeling my big bike :p"). "..." more
Norm Krauss
May 18, 2016
"Good to get this clear info from another perspective. Will prepare me for the new experience. Thanks for taking the time to make this clip."..." more
Ditshego Molokomme
Apr 1, 2020
"The reading on how to clutch wheelie-ing a bike, it's pretty convincing and I enjoyed also safety tips. Thanks."..." more
Atharva Mehan
Mar 12, 2017
"I want to learn bike stunts. Thanks. " Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories
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1 You don't need a very powerful bike. You can definitely clutch wheelie a 500 cc sport bike, it just takes higher revs. 
2 Sit comfortably, upright on the bike. You don't have to slide back for this trick. "It is possible to pull a wheelie at 70 mph (110 km/h) in 3rd gear on a gsxr-600." This will take more practice, but it is very possible. Advertisement 
3 Drive at a steady pace around 1500-2000rpm. (Should be about 10-20mph). 
4 When you are ready for liftoff, quickly open up the throttle and accelerate. This is VERY important because it compresses your rear suspension. It's very difficult to clutch a wheelie without compressing rear suspension first. You're not trying to build up speed! Starting at low RPMs is very important. If you start a clutch wheelie at 5000RPM, it will be very difficult and you'll red line long before you go vertical. Power comes from low RPM. 
5 Almost immediately after accelerating, pull clutch in enough to disengage and let the engine rev to about 6000RPM. You can do this slow at first, eventually it becomes an instantaneous motion. 
6 Quickly release the clutch at about 80%. This is the hardest part. You HAVE to release fast. You'll know you released too fast when your RPM drops down to 2000 - this means you released too fast. Practice, practice, practice. When you get it right it will feel like you have hydraulics on your front wheel and pop right up (much quicker and smoother than a power-bounce wheelie). 
7 Once you master this, your bike should be popping up a little bit. The next step is throttle control. 
8 So once again.. once comfortable with the clutch release motion, start giving it lots of throttle. You should be able to keep it up in 1st gear for a few seconds without any problems. The higher you go the longer you stay up. 
9 Once you get good, you won't have to rev before you clutch. Do them at the same time. 
10 Finished. Advertisement 
Community Answer Yes, pull in clutch, rev engine a little in low gear then let off clutch but don't drop it. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 8 Helpful 42 
Community Answer Yes, it does. It is located under the swing arm, and ends where it becomes hidden by the rear wheel. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 23 Helpful 20 
Community Answer Get your motorcycle rolling on half clutch. Then, you just need to sit back, rev hard, and let the clutch go. Your bike will do the rest. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 13 Helpful 18