Trials Terminology the Stoppie

November 6, 1:59 PMPortland Motorcycle ExaminerBen Baucum

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There are times when corners are too tight to make, even with the steering head fully locked.   This is when practicing tricks are rewarded in a practical environment.  In this situation we see Max using a stoppie (or nose wheelie) as a strategy for navigating a tight turn.

Max starts by slowly descending the hill directing the front wheel through the turn while applying a steady amount of front brake.

As he begins to turn his knees bend and he smoothly squeezes more front brake.   At this point Max explodes up with his legs and throws his hips in the direction he wants his back tire to go.  The back end of his bike must get high enough to clear the stump.  As he lands his knees absorb the impact.

Max finishes the turn by getting low on the bike and widening his legs, pretending that there is a 55 gallon drum between his knees.  He also uses steady throttle and milks the clutch to avoid spinning the rear tire.

Max practing stoppies in the open.

Ben Baucum