05-16-2012, 07:22 AM
Definitely it is hard to train your mind to keep throttle on and use the rear brake to control height.
As far as when to apply the rear brake, there is no benefit if it is applied while the front wheel is below the balance point. Most people will sort of lightly rest their foot with minimal pressuse until the bike nears the balance point and then steadily apply more pressure very quikly then let off a little(much llike doing a stoppie).
I first learned to slow down while doing 'faster' balance point wheelies in 1st gear (not at the lot). A good way to train your brain/muscle memory is to do your balance point wheelie as you normally do and start pressing the foot brake to cause it to fall. Do this over and over for a little bit. Then start adding gas to fight the brake and try to keep your wheelie at the same height that you started at. Do this over and over. Then once you're comfortable with that, start letting off the brake a little while holding the gas steady (fighting the brake) and you will slow down.
Do this over and over till you are very good at it and you can transfer the knowledge to a very slow/stopped clutch up wheelie at the lot.
For those interested in learning rear brake control very quickly, I suggest learning on a 50, quad, or dirt bike of some sort. These are much lighter and easier to learn on and force you to learn the foot brake because the throttle/engine brake is not strong enough to keep it from flipping.
As far as when to apply the rear brake, there is no benefit if it is applied while the front wheel is below the balance point. Most people will sort of lightly rest their foot with minimal pressuse until the bike nears the balance point and then steadily apply more pressure very quikly then let off a little(much llike doing a stoppie).
I first learned to slow down while doing 'faster' balance point wheelies in 1st gear (not at the lot). A good way to train your brain/muscle memory is to do your balance point wheelie as you normally do and start pressing the foot brake to cause it to fall. Do this over and over for a little bit. Then start adding gas to fight the brake and try to keep your wheelie at the same height that you started at. Do this over and over. Then once you're comfortable with that, start letting off the brake a little while holding the gas steady (fighting the brake) and you will slow down.
Do this over and over till you are very good at it and you can transfer the knowledge to a very slow/stopped clutch up wheelie at the lot.
For those interested in learning rear brake control very quickly, I suggest learning on a 50, quad, or dirt bike of some sort. These are much lighter and easier to learn on and force you to learn the foot brake because the throttle/engine brake is not strong enough to keep it from flipping.