Nose Wheelin'
by Sam Maclachlan
published by AMCN (Australian Motorcycle News) Aug 13 04
1. As with anything, start off slow and build up your speed. 40km/h in second gear is generally a good place to start. Get your body in the correct position now: butt as far forward as your tank will allow; gripping the tank tight with your knees; head up, looking ahead; relax.
2. Close your throttle as you pull in the clutch lever and squeeze the front brake lever with four fingers (four gives better feel than two). Use the forward weight transfer to help get the rear wheel light. Note: if the front tyre locks, release the front brake immediately, then go and warm up your tyre with some hard stops and try again.
3. You should now be braking almost as hard as you can, the weight compressing the front forks, the tyre gripping firm. Keep your eyes looking up the road at least five bike lengths in front of you, then smoothly but purposefully push your weight forward onto your hands and, therefore onto the 'bars, while giving the front brake lever a hard squeeze to start the rear wheel travelling skywards. You can also help it on its way by bouncing your weight down on the footpegs just before you transfer your weight, using the rear spring's rebound to help raise the rear wheel. This requires even more timing than the above method because it's a more advanced technique.
4. Now's when not to panic. As the rear elevates, ease off the front brake pressure to keep the rear wheel from either rising or lowering, and keep your eyes up. Straighten your arms as much as you can, effectively pushing your upper body high and back so the rear doesn't need to come too high. You should be gripping hard with your knees to keep the bike straight.
5. If all is going well, you will reach balance point on the front wheel where you can adjust the braking force to keep yourself there. If the back wheel comes up too high, release the front brake. If you need it higher, squeeze harder.
6. It's best to return to Mother Earth with the bike still rolling forward as it's easier on the tyre, wheel and suspension. And your butt. To come down, ease off the brake pressure (as opposed to just letting go - it's smoother). I like to stand up as the bike comes down to absorb the shock with my knees and take some weight off the rear.
A. HEAD AND EYES: keep them up and looking ahead
B. BUTT: slide as far forward as you can before you start
C. ARMS: push you upper body high and back
D. KNEES: squeeze hard - it helps keep the bike straight
E. RIGHT HAND: be smooth but purposeful with the brakes
F. FORKS: use compression ot help transfer weight
G. TYRES: must be warm and in good condition