WHEELIE The balance point is the wheelie angle where bike and rider balance on the rear wheel. Reaching it is the difference between a jerky lift and a long, relaxed wheelie: at the balance point you no longer have to push to keep the front up, you only correct.
What the balance point is, in simple terms
Every bike with its rider has a center of gravity, the point where all the weight acts. When you wheelie, the bike rotates around the rear tire's contact patch:
- below the balance point the center of gravity is ahead of the contact patch and the front wants to drop: you need throttle or pedaling;
- at the balance point it's right above the contact patch: balance;
- past the balance point it's behind and the bike wants to loop out: you need the rear brake.
The higher the center of gravity, the lower the balance point (you reach it sooner). The further forward it sits relative to the rear wheel, the higher you need to lift.
How many degrees is the balance point
It depends on the bike, wheelbase, weight and rider position. With our physics model, for a 5'9" (175 cm), 176 lb (80 kg) rider:
| Bike | Estimated balance point |
|---|---|
| Mid-size naked (e.g. MT-07) | about 45° |
| Supersport (e.g. YZF-R1) | about 46° |
| Supermoto (e.g. DR-Z400SM) | about 43° |
| Motocross (e.g. CRF450R) | about 40° |
| Mini bike (e.g. Grom) | about 41° |
These are model estimates: real values vary with your riding position. Work out yours with the wheelie balance point calculator, which covers dozens of models. On a bicycle the rider is about 85% of the total weight, so body position matters even more: measuring it in practice is the most reliable method.
How to recognize the balance point
- The front wheel feels light, like it's floating.
- You no longer need much throttle or hard pedaling: a little holds it.
- The bike doesn't drop forward or pull you back.
- On a motorcycle the throttle stays almost steady and barely open.
How to find your balance point, step by step
- Short lifts first: learn to lift and set down with the rear brake always ready (motorcycle, bike).
- Go a little higher each time: a few degrees per attempt.
- Feel for lightness: when the front starts to float, you're entering the zone.
- Use the brake so you don't overshoot: a touch of rear brake when you go past teaches you where the limit is.
- Get measured: sit on the bike in your wheelie position while a friend lifts the front until it weighs nothing. That's your static balance point.
Why it's hard to find by feel
Angles feel much bigger from the seat: at 20° it feels vertical, yet a motorcycle's balance point is often past 40°. Many beginners stop well short of it and think their bike "doesn't have enough power". An objective reference helps.
Find it with Wheelie Trainer
Wheelie Trainer measures the angle with the sensors of the phone on your handlebar and guides you with sound: faster and faster beeps as you get closer, a steady tone at the balance point, an alarm if you go past it. Your starting value is computed from your bike model or bicycle type, then refined from your own wheelies.
Frequently asked questions
Is the balance point the same for everyone on the same bike?
No: it changes with the rider's height, weight and position. A taller or heavier rider moves the center of gravity and lowers the balance point.
Does the balance point change with speed?
The static balance angle doesn't, but at different speeds the throttle and brake inputs needed to hold it change, and so does the feel.
What happens if I go past the balance point?
The bike wants to loop out backwards. Recover with the rear brake, which brings the front down. Chopping the throttle is a mistake.
What's the MTB wheelie balance point?
On a mountain bike the frame angle is much lower than on a motorcycle, because the rider's body is most of the weight and sits close to the rear wheel. It depends heavily on how you sit: find it with lifts that feel "light", or have a friend measure it.
Train with Wheelie Trainer
Your phone on the handlebar guides you to the balance point with sound. Free for iOS and Android.