How To Pop A Motorcycle Wheelie The Right Way - Cycle World

Skip to content
Tips for popping a wheelie the right way.Cycle World

There are three kinds of motorcycle wheelies: the intentional, the unintentional, and the intentional gone bad. Here's how to do it right. Best bike to learn on? Someone else's, preferably a dirtbike. And wear all of the protective gear that you possibly can.

THE POWER WHEELIE Perfect for beginners. Sit back on the bike. Take off in first gear. When you're moving and the clutch is out, open the throttle quickly until the front comes up. Repeat this, trying to get the front end lighter and ride the wheelie farther. You'll learn throttle control and get used to the idea.

THE CLUTCH WHEELIE Start the same way that you would for the power wheelie, sitting back on the bike. Take off in first gear. When you're moving, pull the clutch in enough so that it slips. Rev the engine and let the clutch out until the front wheel lofts. Repeat until you can ride this wheelie farther.

Motorcycle wheelie gone wrong? If the bike’s starting to loop out, stab the rear brake and the front end will drop back down. It’s always easier to wheelie with the bike pointed uphill. Sometimes, a small bump in the road or trail can help you loft the front wheel.

More Tips-Tricks

  • Tips-TricksHow To Stay Warm On Your Motorcycle
  • Tips-TricksHow to Change a Motorcycle Tire
  • Tips-TricksHow to Navigate on the Trail without a GPS or Compass
  • Tips-TricksHow to Change Your Motorcycle Grips
  • Tips-TricksGet To Know The Safety Features Of Your Motorcycle Boots

Latest

Bikes2026 Indian Chief Vintage First LookReviews2027 KTM 1390 Super Adventure S Evo First RideThe WireHarley-Davidson Bagger World Cup Confirms More Teams, Reveals Weekend Format, And Opens Ticket SalesRacingCatching Up With Ricky Brabec After 2026 DakarThe WireNew Michelin Anakee Adventure 2 Tire Turns Everyday Rides into New AdventuresThe WireDunlop Named Official Tire Supplier for Harley-Davidson Bagger World CupNewsYamaha Plots Simplified Semi-Auto TransmissionNewsZongshen Shows Single-sided Front Swingarm and Power SteeringNewsDucati Desmo450 EDS Coming This Summer
  • NewsZongshen Shows Single-sided Front Swingarm and Power Steering
  • The WireHarley-Davidson Bagger World Cup Confirms More Teams, Reveals Weekend Format, And Opens Ticket Sales
  • The WireDunlop Named Official Tire Supplier for Harley-Davidson Bagger World Cup
  • NewsDucati Desmo450 EDS Coming This Summer
  • BikesMore Power for 2026 Trident 660 and Tiger Sport 660
  • Honda2025 Honda Dax 125
  • NewsIndian Motorcycle Celebrates 125 Years with New Campaign
  • BikesHarley Unveils 2026 Touring, Trike, Adventure and CVO Models
  • The WireTriumph Factory Racing Partners with 5.11 for its US-Based Racing Program
  • NewsPatent shows the secret of Ducati’s race-style transmission
  • ReviewsExclusive: 2026 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide ST Review
  • BikesThe Top Power Cruisers Of 2026
  • NewsMouthwatering collection of historic machines grabbed in drug raid
  • Gear and ProductsRiding Italy’s Eastern Alps With Edelweiss
  • Reviews2026 Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally First Ride
  • NewsHonda CBR500R Four First Specs Revealed
  • NewsKTM RC450 Emerges From CFMoto Partnership
  • Reviews2026 Honda CRF300F First Ride
  • The WireYamaha Outdoor Access Initiative Awards Q3 Grants
  • The WireDucati North America Launches “Ducati Rewards” Off-Road Race Contingency Program
  • The WireBuell Motorcycle Co. Begins Deliveries of Much Anticipated Super Cruiser
  • NewsKawasaki Patent Points to More Hybrids
  • The WireThe Brembo Group Marks 50 Years in Motorsport with Over 1000 World Titles
  • BikesTriumph Unveils Tracker 400, Brings Thruxton 400 To The US

Tag » How To Do A Wheelie On A Motorcycle