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How to do Wheelies on the FTR 1200?

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#21 ·
KingChow said:
What cameroni said times a million. Believe it or not, power wheelies are more difficult and more dangerous to reach your balance point. Clutching up is by far the "safer" option, especially for a beginner.

It also cannot be overstated that keeping the rear brake covered and USING IT will likely save your beautiful ftr fairings. Your natural reaction at 12oclock will be to put your feet down. Start with small little pop and drops and get comfortable with using that rear brake!
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Hey man, thanks for the backup. We’re buds now.
 
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#23 ·
Massimo said:
FTR short wheelbase ???
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I come from a Diavel with almost 3" longer. It's longer wheelbase helps keep it from just coming up. I don't have wheelie mitigation, but can dial back the traction control to allow more difference between the front and rear wheels, hence more time with the front wheel not accelerating like the rear. I don't practice wheelies though, too expensive to make a mistake on in my book.

But my demo ride of the FTR, just taking off hard required a tempered hand to keep the front end on the ground on one specific bike, 2 others I've ridden didn't do that. Oddly enough, the more powerful one had the most miles, so I'm thinking these bikes get even better when broken in. It was a thrilling ride, enough to almost make me trade my Ducati, but the next 2 rides were tame enough to make me wonder if one of the demo bikes was a ringer? Or at least had all of the nannies turned off. It had the full race look kit and was a race replica if anyone else road that one this year.... I think there are only 2 demo trucks?
 
#25 ·
Zoidberg said:
I would train stoppies first.
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WARNING: The FTR does not stoppie well!!! The stock tire will slide out before you can get the rear to lift off the ground. It is possible, you will need a warm tire with low pressure to get it to maintain traction. You will also need to be experienced with stoppies so you know how to engage the front brake properly to settle the front suspesion and also to move your weight forward to help left the rear. Suggestion: aftermarket tires and stoppie practice on a smaller motorcycle.

KingChow said:
Your natural reaction at 12oclock will be to put your feet down.
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This is true for everyone. Your feet instinctively want to leave your pegs (and your fail-safe rear break). Once your feet drop back you're done. So take it slow with small clutch ups and go from there. (Read my next post below)
 
#26 ·
I want to let all the wheelie noobs here know that 1st gear wheelies can be very dangerous on most bikes, especially the FTR. With such a low granny gear, mated to a large torquey motor, you are asking to get into trouble VERY fast if you are doing wheelies in 1st gear. If you practice wheelies on the FTR, I highly recommend 2nd gear clutch-ups for your practice. It is faster speed wheelies, but much more controllable.
 
#32 ·
RoadmasterD said:
And since you own a FTR, I’m guessing it will happen by accident at some point, short wheelbase and lots of torque make for a wheelie machine!
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I had the same problem with my Honda magna, it was always wanting to pop. i learned to lay forward to keep it from happening after first time.
 
#34 ·
kemccall said:
Being a new FTR 1200 owner, and new to the whole motorcycle scene (I haven't owned a bike in decades since owning an old Yamaha 750 in the 90's). How exactly does one do a wheelie? I know you can rev it and pop the clutch, but that seems rather hazardous.

I'm under the impression that the FTR 1200 will wheelie with just a throttle twist, and in all reality I haven't push this baby hard yet, because of that belief.

Is there safe way to learn?
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the street isnt the place for doing that crap be smart.
 
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