Learning to jump?

Hey i just recently started riding, i rode my friends yz85 for a bit of time then i upgraded to a yz125.

I want to start hitting the tracks and get off the trails. But ive never really did any jumps or anything.

I just really dont want to go to the track clueless.

My questions are:

When im in the air should i be staying on the gas or letting off?
How do i know how fast i should be going on a certain jump?
What would be a good jump for a begginer? Like what hight.

Thanks.  

start small, right before landing get on the gas. Get bigger and slightly faster as you go. It will take 50 to 100 jumps per day to "start" getting used to jumping at speed. Good luck, and chics dig scars!  
My sponsorships Winners do it in the Corners!

Start with tabletops. Don't even try a double at this point. Tabletops are very safe. Depending on the size of the jump, the length of the run-up, etc you could use 3rd gear, or even 2nd gear if you want to be really safe. But 3rd gear should be fine. And make sure you accelerate through the lip. Don't let off the throttle before your rear tire leaves the lip or your nose will tend to drop more. Most people I've watched like to give the throttle a quick blip right at the lip.  
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Southern California

* 2007 YZ450F *

sorry if i sound like a noob but what is a lip exactly.  

a lip is the very end of the height of the jump, after you get to the jump your rear wheel will leave the jump at the very top of the jump.  
My ride -2002 KX 125

Yeah, the lip is the last thing your rear tire touches before flying into the air.  
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Southern California

* 2007 YZ450F *

and the most IMPORTANT THING EVER when you go off a jump keep your knees squezing on the radiator shrouds ok. this will make so you dont go flying off the jump without your bike lol!!! and like they said keep and even throtle speed till you are in the air. and keep center on the bike on most jumps. and here are some advanced tips ok-if you feel the bike is going to endo do what we call a PANIC REV if your starting to endo rev your gas just pin it in the air and that will level you bike to a nice flat postition. now if you feel like you are popping a wheely in the air this is a fast but technical way to get to a flat postion in the air when your popping a wheely in the air- you grab your clutch in all the way and hit the back brake it the air thats a fast but hard way. now the EZ way is to just lean over your handle bars i mean really lean your chest over your handle bars hope i helped just start slow man and good luck.      
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Autismspeaks.org   check it out
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life in the fast rut!!!!
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my rides- 2008 yz250f fully modified, use to be j-laws bike
        &
2004 107cc SDG pit bike speed mini!



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    Maple

Hitting jumps in 4th is safer then 2nd gear imo. 2nd gear has too much torque for a jump and it will throw you off (I saw my friend almost break his neck from hitting a jump in 2nd). 3rd gear is good to use too.  

I didn't have any trouble hitting jumps in 2nd when I first started. Of course I was WOT in 2nd on a 2 stroke. But 3rd & 4th are the most comfortable. I haven't hit one in 5th yet. That just seems crazy to me at this point.  
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Southern California

* 2007 YZ450F *

Thanks guys  

Jake_Sheridan:
Thanks guys

I highly recommend (if you can't attend a formal MX school) getting one or more of the training DVD's by Gary Semics or Gary Bailey.  That will explain and sjow things much better than can be explained here.  
.
Dave H 2006 YZ250
(2008 YZ 125 son)

I agree with DL big time that would be great for you.  
--------------------
Autismspeaks.org   check it out
--------------------
life in the fast rut!!!!
--------------------
my rides- 2008 yz250f fully modified, use to be j-laws bike
        &
2004 107cc SDG pit bike speed mini!



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    Maple

nah m8, im going to be riding with some friends. and they're pretty experienced to that should help. I just dont want to look like a fool when i hit the track.  

thats understandable man, well good luck i am sure you will do just fine.  
--------------------
Autismspeaks.org   check it out
--------------------
life in the fast rut!!!!
--------------------
my rides- 2008 yz250f fully modified, use to be j-laws bike
        &
2004 107cc SDG pit bike speed mini!



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    Maple

Someone said chopping the gas on a jump face will tend to make you nose dive.
That is an understatement; first time I went over a jump I chopped the gas mid face.

Yup, I chickened out....

WOW, I nose dived past vertical....  
I ended up chucking the bike in mid-air and landed
butt, then shoulder,  then head....so steady on the gas...

Also, no injuries because I wear safety gear 6 layers deep,
which I would highly recommend... at least 'til your
past flat over 90 foot gaps.......  
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Jim O
Clermont, FL
2006 CRF250R
2007 CR250R