What makes a G-SXR (or any other sport bike for that matter) so easy to do a wheelie on?

Question

I have a ZZR600 and I have a hard time doin a wheelie even in first gear. I have to dump the clutch even in first and then its even hard doing it that way. I was just wondering what it was that was the difference between a ZZR600 and a Gixxer or a CBR or something like that. I heard that it was the sprocket size but I was just wondering if there is anything that I can do to make my ZZR600 more like a Gixxer. or do I have to buy a new bike.

Answer 1

its nothing to do with making the sprockets smaller that would give more top end u make the sprockets big for low down grunt just my two cents also try yanking the bars harder as u clutch it first gear shite for wheelies anyway try second and really pull the bars hard

Answer 2

Its all about the power but for stunt riders they change the sprocket sizes smaller so it spins faster making it easier to get it up

Answer 3

The GSX-R is the best balanced machine made....period.

if you ride the thing at 65 MPH, and somehow lock the throttle open, so the bike would not lose any speed, and jump off of it, it would continue going down the road for a long ways!!!!

the GYRO effect is that good in those bikes...

Answer 4

It comes down to lack of regard for your motorcycle.

You may as well ask, How can I stuff my clutch up?, or How do I ruin my steering head bearings? (or chain, or sprockets, for that matter)

Regarding ZZR600, fast, but fat, too heavy, doesn't handle, but would be a reasonable sports/tourer and two/up bike, but as sports bike, nah.

A GSXR would be far superior in almost every way.

(Just prepare for the sore, neck, back, wrists......)

Answer 5

It's all about power-to-weight ratio... when you put 160+ hp and about 400lbs together, it's a fine balance, to say the least. The new superbikes will almost all power-wheelie at the top of first gear (no clutch-play involved, just twist, and go). With todays literbikes, being geared extremely tall (some with speeds around 100mph in 1st gear) they actually neuter some of the wheelie characteristics of the bike. Because wheelies can be better attributed to torque, than horsepower. Now it might seem like I'm contradicting myself but horsepower is directly related to torque (HP is calculated by torque @ RPM, times a multiplier (don't remember what it is tho).

When torque is your figure to go off of, gearing is the key! That's why you see those CBR600F4i with pizza pan sized rear sprockets on the rear wheel. It compensates for the bikes 400lbs/100HP ratio, by shortening the gearing, allowing more torque to the rear wheel!  It's like a go-kart, to make it go faster, you make the front sprocket bigger, but it also won't pull as hard at lower speeds, and might not even move with alot of weight on it. But you make the rear sprocket bigger, you can put more weight on it, and it'll pull harder, just won't have the higher top speed... LOL, just a little example.

It's all because shorter gearing makes for more 'thrust'. Taller gearing for top speed, shorter for torque, and exiting corners quickly. I'll go back to the 'fine balance' thing again. Look at Buell motorcycles, they have really short wheelbases, and are relatively heavy by sportbike references. But they wheelie extremely easy... Why? Because of gearing, and torque (they use Harley engines, with loads of torque, but not alot of HP).

Long answer short, you either need, less weight, more power, or better gearing to do easier wheelies!

Answer 6

I think they have a shorter wheelbase

Answer 7

alot of power at a twist of the rist

Answer 8

ok dude you just need to rev up and pop the clutch and ur on 1 wheel and if u do want a new bike my dad owns a motorcycle shop in wisconsin with shipping if u want one go to www.revdeals.com or call 262-363-7381 we have a wide selection of gsxrs cbrs ninjas and r6-r1

Answer 9

The simple answer is Torque and gear ratios.  High torque production at lower final gear ratio(s) will transfer enough power to the rear wheel to enable the front wheel to get light and go airborne.

I pull wheelies all the time, on whatever I am riding, because I either mathematically know what the torque curve is and where it peaks or else I can feel when it starts to get strong.

You don't necessarily need a new bike, but perhaps just more experience riding.

I pull wheelies on Gold Wings, just to see the look on my friends faces (even the sport bike riders and AMA racers, alike.)  So, it ain't the bike.  Find a wide open, level vacant spot with lots of running room.  Do a few first gear runs to feel where peak torque arises (and where the machine wants to be shifted).  Two options now exist: 1) You can continue doing running passes, then quickly pull the clutch in as you near peak torque  (while glancing at your Tach), then quickly let the clutch out, while still under power.  The front wheel will rise, in association with your courage and experience, Or, 2)  From a stand still, with your body and weight biased to the rear, rev the engine, build RPMs then pull the clutch in and let it out quickly.  (Keep your  foot on the rear brake pedal, to slow the rear wheel if necessary.)  With sufficient RPMS the front wheel will come up.  Coz its all about throttle control.

Alway wear a good quality, Snell (M2000) rated helmet, gloves , boots, protective jacket and pants.  Use common sense and good judgement.  And, don't create a bad image or impression for the rest of us.

Answer 10

Your ZZR weighs more then a small planet dude.

The Gixers are light, short wheel base, and powerfull rockets.

Answer 11

What you need is talent

that bike will wheel easy

Answer 12

Dude, the ZZR is a commuter bike whatever way you look at it. Commuters are geared differently (usually tall), there are siginificant differences in where the power comes in through the rev range, commuters are generally fairly heavy with their 'comfort' features.

Sportbikes have one purpose, as light as possible as fast as possible. They are geared low & close for the best mix of acceleration & top speed. And a 600cc commuter engine is usually a detuned sports engine, alot less power for longer life.

True, you can change your front, rear or both sprockets to improve acceleration but there isn't much you can do to make it 'like' a sportsbike. They are worlds apart.

If you brought the ZZR to do wheelies, start saving for a new bike. But then you'll wish you had a commuter for the rides through traffic to work. You can't win.

And just for your info, my GSX-R 750 wheelies off the throttle alone in first with a bit of a pull, but still a blip & pop of the clutch is needed in 2nd. Between the damage that wheelies can do to the head stem & the anti hooning laws - my front wheel now stays down.