When it comes to performing the ultimate wheelie on a dirt bike, the crown goes to the Wheelie King, otherwise known as Doug Domokos. Domokos is a Guinness Book of World Records holder, a Michigan native who began fueling his obsession for motorcycle mayhem at the young age of 15.
He practiced his now world-famous stunts at abandoned railroad roundhouses for years, riding for hours until he had worked up the skills to enter a motocross racing competition. He first began to do wheelie performances at the races he attended in Michigan and soon became the center of attention with his amazing bike stunts that left the crowds wanting more. He traveled the country to perform the ultimate Wheelie, every motorbike enthusiast's test of bravery and courage.
The wheelie is performed by lifting the bike up during a speedy ride and navigating it across a course or different types of terrain without touching the ground with the front of the bike. Domokos not only performed the wheelie by sitting and standing on the bike but also executed the stunt by navigating the bike with one hand and doing acrobatic tricks right on the bike while in motion.
The Motorcycle Museum's Hall of fame reports that the record-setting event that got him into the Guinness Book of World Records took place in 1984 at the Tallageda Speedway in Alabama. He set the wheelie record of 145 miles at the event, and this record stood for almost a decade. To date, Domokos' stunts have been recreated for Hollywood feature movies, and he also published a book called "Wheelyin' with the King."
Wheelie and motorbike enthusiasts of all ages can learn a lot from this talented stunt master; today's biking enthusiasts perform similar acts on BMX bikes, mountain bikes and the classic dirt bike, and there are dozens of variations of Domokos' jaw-dropping acts.
Wearing the right shoes and gear is a must; the right shoes ensure you have a strong grip on the bike pedals, all while navigating in style. Then you need to practice your body control and balance as you shift your weight to different parts of the bike; when you feel the power coming into the bike as you accelerate, you'll need to open up the throttle quickly to full blast so that the front of the bike lifts upward.
And that's it! With the front of the bike in the air, you can start performing a balancing act like the Wheelie King himself.
