This almost feels like a lack of torque problem or something. I have a 2001 F4i, about 11,500mi. Micron high-mount slip on, rest of the bike is stock. I've talked to friends, read forums, etc. Ive gotten a lot of advice about power wheelies, clutchin it up, you name it. Power wheelies, ill wind it out to about 6 or 7 grand, let off and snap the throttle, sometimes this works but it never comes up any higher than about 2 feet. Ive tried clutchin it in 1st doing about 20mph - nothing. That could be because ive only tried the clutch method a couple of times. Ive tried the clutch in 2nd also - i would accelerate into 2nd gear, and at about 6000rpm i think i was doin about 45-50? and i pulled the clutch (throttle still open) got it to about 10,000rpm and popped it out. I dont think the tire came up at all, maybe 2 inches if was lucky. Im 5'8" 175lbs, sitting forward on the seat - would sitting back help at all?
I hear that the f4i is easy to wheelie with. I seem to the loner with the only f4i that refuses to fricken show off its power.
Bike problem? or operator error?

Your thoughts are appreciated

 

... I forgot to add a potentially important piece of info. the other day I rode my buddys bike. he also has an '01 f4i, stock other than a Two Bros slip on, i got his up a lot easier than mine. it was no 11o'clock but it came up in first a foot or so by simply accelerating to about 4 grand and punching the throttle. i tried the power wheelie and got it up about 3 feet.
i was also wondering if the settings of my suspension would play a role in not being able to wheelie. ive never messed with the suspension at all, so as far as i know its all stock settings.

 

maybe it has a dead-spot in the RPM range (you have a Power commander?) You will know if you have a dead-spot, if you twist the throttle and the RPM's just hiccup anywhere in the range.

sitting back more will always help when trying to pull a wheelie, just make sure you dont overdo the throttle. F4i's are the easist bikes to wheelie because of how close their motor is to the rear-wheel (not like a 600RR). I think you might just need more practice - you probably just have fear of looping it, which is understandable.. Just keep clutching it and give alittle more throttle each time.

(2nd part of your question)

yes, your suspension will have some affect on wheelies - but i would check what kind of sprocket he has on his bike. Seriously, a person could -4 in the rear on a 600 and still probably bring up the front. It just takes time to get used to your bike and to wheelie it.. your friend might have mods that makes it easier to wheelie. (also check his tire pressure to yours, the lower it is - the better grip and easier to bring the front up). Maybe read the sticky on "how-to wheelie"

good luck and keep the shiney side up

 

Im gonna lean towards your body position is probably your problem, it is with almost everyone trying to learn. It just takes time and practice getting used to. As far as clutching, it sounds like your doing it too slowly and pulling in the clutch too much, its just a real quick slip. This will be kind of a useless video, but maybe it can help give you an idea, just listen to the first wheelie and you can hear it clutched, its just a very quick slip of the lever and raise in the rpms. You dont need to hold it in and rev the heck out of it.

http://s131.photobucket.com/albums/p318/TK954rr/?action=view¤t=plant.flv

 

hey vermino-
thanks for the reply. no, i dont have a power commander. im not really too familiar with dead-spots in the rpms. ill take a look at it though, you could be right. maybe i do, subconsciously have a fear of looping it i dont know. its hard to say because ive tried my damndest to get that thing up and it just isnt doing it. ive done a bunch of wheelies but nothing anyone should ever brag about, a foot or so high haha. once, maybe twice ive got it to about 11 o'clock, in first gear. that was a while ago, never recently, it just wont get that high anymore. but once i did hit that height i immediatly let off the throttle... so now that i think about - i clearly had to have been scared to loop it.
ill be practicing though. thanks for the help bro

 

yup, i've done the same to my 1Krr - was seriously close to looping it (well more like loose my balance, which would wreck the bike) so i've be cautious on doing it in 1st, But if you already had it to BP before - then your bike is able to wheelie. It's just you scared to wreck the bike, or getting hurt. Just go slow when learning if you dont have a crash cage.

but like TK954 said, it's body position and your clutch techinque.. Give it time

 

Get your *** to the back of the seat, go 15mph in first, run her to 11k and light her up...you'll be on your way. I spent a lot of time last week playin with my '03 F4i and learned a hell of a lot by just doing diffrent thing. I also learned that you need high rpm and keep the slipping to a minimum

<-burnt up his clutch[:@]

 

I have a 2001 F4i also I but a 48 on the back and a 15 on the front and I could bring it up pretty good by doing power wheelies. But then I tighten the suspension in the back and now my bike will liftat about 3000 RPM's just start messing withsome stuff on your bike you will find what feels right and you will be on your way. Just keep practicing

 

Eric,
I had the same problem when i started getting the front up. (not long ago actually) First thing, when you slip the clutch make sure the rpms are rising and not stable. In first, I ride at a steady 15 or 20, twist the throttle to rise the rpms and give a quick clutch slip and it comes right up. Helps if you lean back and give a little pull, just not too much. Dont chop the throttle too hard or your bust your fork seals. And when you ready to get to about 11olock, well thats major throttle control and familiarity with the balance point.
Good luck be safe

 

holy sh*t, you burnt out your clutch? I've never heard of anyone doing that except drag bikes.. You going to get an aftermarket one? if so, let me know how it goes - like to know a review on them

yeah just play around with adjustments and then do test runs - usually stock suspension is adjusted for maxmium load (think it's usually 345lbs), also the stock tires are PSI for that weight too.. Cro said it best, got to make sure the rpms are rising when you slip it (ALWAYS cover your rear brake) and try to get in the habit to bring it down easy or you will be looking/working on some forks [8D]