General Discussion Forum

Hey....its my first year riding and i need tips on how to jump, i can get off a jump fine if i tried but the feeling just isnt right. if u have any tips, send them....thanks!

i just got to play around on a mx track the other day and at first i was a little apprehensive about the whole thing. the jumps at the track i was at looked a little intimidating at first. but i took every jump step my step, and i worked my confidence up from there. i didnt to to show off or look impressive or anything. after i got comfortable, i found what gear i needed to be in when i hit the jump, and i just put in lap after lap, trying to get smoother. so i guess for someone who is going to try it, take everything in small bites. i took a break and i was sitting on this bench, and this guy pulled on to the track on a CRF250. he thought he had everything in the bag. he just tried to look cool and jump it, without even warming up. he hit the first jump and landed on his rear tire. i thought for sure that he was going to loop it, but he didnt. he got lucky. and after he barely landed the first jump he rolled over the second jump and pulled off the track, and i didnt see him for the rest of the day. by taking everything easy at first, it worked for me. i didnt crash once that day and after a few laps i was comfortable and i didnt even look like a noob. personally, i would rather look like a noob for a few laps than to eat it hard and look even more stupid as everyone is looking at you on the ground, hopefully not injured.

When your jumping, the keys are throttle control and preloading.  When you hit a jump, you want to make sure your in the right gear and not having your bike lugging or over revving.  To get the most air, hen you at the base you want to push down and give the bike some throttle.  This will load your suspension and cause it to unload at the top of the jump.  If your trying to keep your speed and not get much air, I try and lean back and hit the jump almost like a whoop.  I haven't mastered the art of the scrub yet, and if your just starting then scrubbing insn't for you.  If your bike starts to endo in the air, throttle will bring your front end back up.  If your trying to get the front end down, gear down or tap the back brake in the air.  Like CR said, take it slow at first until you get the hang of it.

Hey CR, the track at Hollister is awesome huh?

ya, the track was cool. but man was it HOT out. and i mean hot with a capital, capital H! i put a few hours on the track on friday and then i put another couple of hours on there on saterday. it was tons of fun and i had a great time. maybe my dad will take me to a track sometime soon around here. that would be cool. so... hopefully that will happen.

Ok, thanks both of you...the next time i go out i'll take your advice and i'll tell you what happens!
Thanks Again!!!

hope you have fun when you get the chance to go on your next ride.

thanks....i went yesterday on a track behind home depot in plymouth and i took ur advice and it really helped me alot! i wanna thank you again for the advice!

Mike

the plymouth that is in the foothills of CA? because i think i know of a place called plymouth that is kind of close to where i live.

im glad you had a great time!