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How to Do a Motorcycle Burnout

If you need another lesson about how to drain your budget, here is one of the quickest ways: make a burnout. First, you must know that this is illegal, and it doesn't require too much space to do it. You may perform such a stunt only in a controlled environment, not in a public parking lot or road, with people surrounding you.
Motorcycle burnout 6 photos
Photo: John Getchel on Flickr
How to do a motocycle burnoutHow to do a motocycle burnoutHow to do a motocycle burnoutHow to do a motocycle burnoutHow to do a motocycle burnout
"Burnout" is mostly used for cars. But this kind of stunt is also known in bike communities as a "peel out" or "power brake." For those of you who don't really understand what's this, there is a short explanation: keep the bike stopped while spinning the rear tire. The result is a big cloud of smoke and a consistent smell of burning rubber.

At first sight, some might say that this is a very easy thing to do. And that's how many viral videos went online with people trying to perform such a stunt and ending up in a fence, tree, or ambulance. So, before trying to do your first burnout, you might want to read this so you won't end up as the hero from the next "motorcycle fails" compilation.

Understanding the stunt

First, you should understand what's going on when you're doing a power brake. The rear tire is spinning because it doesn't have enough traction to push the motorcycle. But the twisting force of the engine makes it turn faster and faster. Thus, the tire's rubber heats up, and as a result, it starts to burn. Its surface begins to peel, and small bits and pieces from it are flying around, mostly behind the bike.

Usually, this is impossible unless something stops the motorcycle from moving forward. And that "something" is called the front brake. That's right, folks, if the front wheel is braked, the rear one can't push it on dry, hard pavement. But there's more than that. If you're not doing it right, things can go south quicker than you might think.

How to do a motocycle burnout
Photo: Knox on YouTube

Check the area

As we told you, this is illegal. If you have seen this on some shows and exhibitions, you should know that those people are mastering it. Furthermore, they can do that only under a controlled environment where the spectators are away from the stunt area. Sure, you might want to do this in front of your friends and gain some "bonus points," but if the boys in blue are watching, you can kiss your driver's license goodbye and watch some Benny Franklins flying out from your pockets.

If you have solved the legal situation and you can do that in a controlled area, there are a few things you have to check. First, and most important, wear all the gear: helmet, gloves, boots, armor, the whole nine yards because if something goes bad, at least you'll be protected.

Inspect the surface where you want to perform the stunt because the front wheel must be on dry, flat pavement. If it's wet, forget it. You might be pushed forward with the front tire aquaplaning, and before you notice, you're gonna end in a place you don't want to be. That might be a fence, a tree... you got the idea.

Then, check the tires' pressure. While the front one had to be as the bike's manufacturer recommends, the rear one should be overinflated to reduce the tire's grip, making it spin easier. Beware that this peel-out will ruin your tire if you want to do it longer, so have a spare one with you. Or, at least, a trailer to carry your bike back to base. You should be fine if it's just a short power brake.

How to do a motocycle burnout
Photo: Matthias Weinberger on Flickr
So if you want to do it on public roads, don't! If you want to do it without protective gear, don't! If you want to do it to show off... well, don't! And never start a burnout with your front tire on a wet surface...

Technique

You still want to do it, don't you? Since this is what you have in mind, let's see what to do so you don't break something. A leg, for example. Since you are wearing your protective gear, mount the motorcycle and stand as flat on the ground as possible with both feet. If you have shorter legs, then do the best you can. Next, turn on the ignition and leave the bike in neutral until the engine reaches normal operating temperature.

Pull the clutch lever all the way in. Hold on to the front brake with all four fingers, and don't let go until you finish the burnout. If you want a shorter burnout (about 1 minute long), put the bike in the first gear, but if you want to last longer, then shift to second. Performing your burnout while in the second gear prevents you from bouncing off the rev limiter, thus avoiding possible engine damage.

Now slowly release the clutch to the point just before the engagement begins (if you know your bike and how it behaves, you should know where is that certain point). Rev the engine up the powerband, which should be at about 80 percent of its capability (in most cases to about 10,000 rpm), close to the red line.

Lean forward just a bit, but not too much. Release the clutch, and you have a burnout. This means the rear tire should be spinning. If it's not, give it slightly more power or let the clutch out faster. If you feel the bike going too much to either side or that you are losing control, quickly disengage the clutch and release the throttle in one quick, smooth motion. Try it a couple of times until you get comfortable doing this.

How to do a motocycle burnout
Photo: DieselDemon on Flickr
Now that you know a few things about how to perform a motorcycle burnout and managed to turn a few (female) heads, start jumping for joy and take a cold shower. And since you've been a good learner, we'll treat you with a tip: they say that burnout on a paint stripe does less damage to your tire and makes more smoke.

Ride safe!

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