Loopout

A loopout happens when a wheelie goes too far: the front end keeps rising past the balance point and the bike flips over backwards, usually leaving the rider on the ground and the bike landing on its rear. It is typically caused by too much throttle or dumping the clutch in a low gear, especially on a powerful bike or when going up a steep hill.

Leaning forward with weight over the bars, using a higher gear and feeding in the clutch smoothly all reduce the risk. Covering the rear brake is the key safety habit: a quick touch brings the front wheel back down.

Many modern bikes have wheelie control in their electronics, which cuts power if the front rises too quickly.