Tricks to Riding Wheelies

The wheelie involves riding a bicycle or motorcycle on a single wheel. The trick is common on BMX bicycles and possible on street racing motorcycles. Riding a wheelie on a motorcycle is dangerous and not recommended unless you are already an experienced rider in a supervised setting. Riding a wheelie requires practice and the development of balance. Several tricks are used to practice and accomplish the wheelie in a slow and controlled manner. Riders should be safety-minded while attempting the wheelie and wear protective helmets and padding.

  1. Balance Control

    • Riding a wheelie requires a balance point. The balance point is influenced by speed and the position of weight. Find the balance point by riding at a slow speed and accelerating quickly while pulling up on the handlebars. Overshoot the balance intentionally and jump off the bike. Land on your feet and maintain a firm grip on the handlebars to control the bike. Gradually reduce the force used to pop the wheelie until you hit a point of control on a single wheel. The process requires time to gain control of the bike at the balance point.

    Speed

    • Speed is used to initiate and control the wheelie. Start at a slow speed and rapidly accelerate to pop the initial wheelie. Control the wheelie by increasing and decreasing your speed. Ride faster when the weight shifts forward and ride slower when the weight shifts backwards. Experiment with the speed until you find a comfortable pace that holds the wheelie at the balancing point with minimal effort. Ride at the consistent pace to hold and control the wheelie.

    Posture

    • Begin the wheelie with your weight forward, leaning into the handlebars and shift your weight backwards to raise the bike on the single wheel. Maintain a straight back and position perpendicular to the ground. Posturing in a straight position is natural and your balance is controlled. Leaning forward or backward is unnatural and difficult to maintain the balanced position. Adjust the position of the bicycle to accommodate your natural standing position. The straight posture centers your weight over the single tire, creating a control position.

    Practice

    • Although the latter tricks and techniques are helpful for riding wheelies, no substitute is available for practice. The wheelie requires a good feel for your bike and numerous repetitions before it becomes a smooth motion. Plan on falling a few times and work through the process of over-correction and under-correction. Practice develops the confidence necessary for a successful wheelie.