How to Balance a Wheelie
Being able to pop a wheelie is an impressive move and relies on balance. Things that you might attempt to wheelie include bikes and motorcycles to impress other people and wheelchairs to achieve more independence. Pulling a wheelie requires finding the center of balance and with regard to motorcycles, finding the right speed. You should protect yourself as much as possible when practicing wheelies to avoid injury.Instructions
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Wheelchair
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1
Have someone stand behind your chair. If you have anti-tip bars, leave them on for the moment.
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2
Sit with your back firmly against the backrest and your bottom as far back as it will go in the seat.
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3
Grip the wheels in the top "12 o' clock" position.
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4
Push your back against the backrest until you have taken the weight off the front wheels of the chair. How much you have to push depends on the design of the chair.
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5
Begin to lift the front wheels off the ground. Hold the chair in position for a few seconds at different levels. Practice until you can hold the wheelchair at many different levels. If you feel the wheelchair going over backwards then lean forward to balance the chair.
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6
Have the anti-tip bars removed from the chair. Practice doing higher wheelies. Keep having the person behind you until you are comfortable.
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Turn the left or right wheel while in a wheelie to turn the wheelchair. This can be a useful skill to know in tight spaces.
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Pop a wheelie while going down a slope. This can prevent the front casters from being stopped when the level changes at the bottom and you subsequently falling out of the front of the chair. Use the wheelie also when traveling over rough terrain to avoid the smaller front casters from being stopped in motion.
Motorcycle
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Reduce the tire pressure of the bike tires to about 15 to 20 PSI.
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Start the ignition of the bike and put it into first gear. Accelerate to 15 mph.
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Pull in the clutch. Rev the engine and drop the clutch. Repeat this step, increasing the RPMs every time until the front end begins to rise close to the balance point. The balance point will be lower the faster you are going.
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12
Reduce the throttle on the bike when the front of the bike begins to rise up to the balance point. Cover the rear brake and keep control of the throttle. Speed up or brake as necessary to keep the bike at the balance point.
BMX
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13
Attempt your first wheelie pedaling up a gradual hill.
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Begin to ride the bike in a straight line. Keep yourself seated.
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Keep pedaling and use your upper body strength to pull the front of the bike up in the air. If you feel yourself going too far then lean forward to bring the bike front back down to earth.
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Practice until you find the correct speed and angle for the balance point.
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