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Jumping tips for beginners

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Posted by: Stoked_KX---------------------

Yesterday was my first day to ride at a track. By the end of the day I was pretty comfortable on the singles and too chicken****e of the doubles. Anywa, since this was my first time really trying to jump, I learned a few things...

1. If it doesn't feel right, don't go for it.

2. Try to be aware of your body position and the bike's attitude in the air.

3. Grip that tank with your knees!

4. Remember that you have a rear brake and a clutch.

5. Learn to control the throttle on the landing. (Looped it yesterday when I accidently pinned it after I landed. I started pulling in the clutch right before I land and it helps!)

6. Wear your gear! If you got a chest protector, wear it. One of these days you'll be glad you did!

7. Stay LOOSE!!!!

Side note on whoops:

If you never have done any whoops before, scoot your butt back and get into an attack position! Otherwise, you're in for a rude awakening when you get popped in the nuts for not being in the correct riding position! That was the longest trip back to the truck after I found this out the hard way! :scream:

Anyway, I hope these tips help. I'm still learning how to properly jump and I am sure I will learn TONS more. I hope that in about a month I'll be ready for those doubles!

Happy Jumping!


Posted by: 2001yz250---------------------

Sounds like your learning pretty well. Remember, jumping it is smoother and faster than rolling it or half jumping it. Don't get to the jump at speed and then change your mind :scream: that can get you hurt. :whiner:


Posted by: RM250'er---------------------

Stoked, Sounds like you are on your way... Good luck. The only thing I would say is DON'T get into the habit of pulling in your clutch when landing jumps. You actually want to be on the pipe when landing.


Posted by: Stoked_KX---------------------

Yeah RM, once I learn how to maintain throttle control on my landings I'm going to leave the clutch alone. For right now, my current technique saved my butt a couple of times yesterday.

I've got most of this year's SX series on tape and I plan on studying them soon. I know I got a LONG way to go before I get good at jumps.

Anyway, thanks for the advice!


Posted by: tx246---------------------

im in denton and am curious as to what track you went to. probably the best begginer track to race at is burleson. i love village creek and have a good time at badlands.


Posted by: Jaybird---------------------

I find I do better if I pull my clutch in just after I leave the jump face. At that point you will have the control to either rev it a bit if you need the front up, or a little rear tap to bring the front down. For now just worry about getting the bikes attitude correct. The bike will have a different arc of travel on a double than it does on a smaller single jump. Once you start landing doubles with the bike correctly positioned, you will find that being on the gas prior to the wheels hitting will be a good thing.
Keep on using your knees!
Good Luck.


Posted by: Stoked_KX---------------------

Thanks everyone for all the advice!

The track is called Boondoxx out in Farmersville (north on 78). My buddy is building it up right now, and it does need some grooming work. It's got singles, doubles, whoops, and a huge tabletop. So basically, it's got everything I need for now. I'm not looking into racing, just some great fun.

As far as the clutch usage, I actually do pull it in right before I'm in the air or if I have enough speed I'll pull it in at the face of the jump. Like I said before, this is only until I get more comfortable with the jumps.

I'm still sore from those dang whoops! :confused:


Posted by: Okiewan---------------------

Quote:
As far as the clutch usage, I actually do pull it in right before I'm in the air or if I have enough speed I'll pull it in at the face of the jump. Like I said before, this is only until I get more comfortable with the jumps.
:scream:


Posted by: Stoked_KX---------------------

Yeah Okie, it's truley a "spodely" technique.




Posted by: mprest4---------------------

hey stoked_kx, when is boondoxx open. i have a flier from there but no one answers when i call. i'm in plano and would love to go try it out.


Posted by: skalywags---------------------

Stoked, if you are ever looking for another rider, I just started riding back in November. I haven't been to a track yet, but plan to soon. The biggest problem is I have no one to go with. The guys I started riding with just do trails.


Posted by: Stoked_KX---------------------

mprest4, I was out there with the owner and asked him that same question. He said that it's only been open twice due to all the rain. He is going to be doing some maintenance on the track and hopefully get it all groomed. I hope your expectations are not too high before you see the track. He doesn't have the time to work on the track 24/7, but as far as I am concerned it allows spodes like me to get comfortable with a track environment. Just keep calling or PM me and I can try to get a hold of him myself for ya.

Yo skalywags, I'm always lookin' for new people to ride with. I normally stay kinda local, but on the weekends I'm up for a venture out. But don't kid yourself about riding trails. That's how I learned, and trails are a blast with a group. You can get a lot of practice out of rippin' thru trails. I can't stand slow, tight, technical trails. Must go fast!

I take it that you got a way to haul your stuff? It would be a haul for me to head out to Irving to pick ya up, unless of course we were going to like Shady Grove. But I seriously doubt either of us are ready for that. Anyway give me a shout anytime. I mainly ride on the weekends. Same for you mprest4, hollar if ya want to play at the Boondoxx.


Posted by: MXP1MP---------------------

I just started to really ride MX a few months ago I've learn alot in terms of jumping. doubles arn't really that scare honest, proper gear selection is a must on 125 you want to be on the pipe good and hard up the face of the jump till the bike is in the air. I suggest finding a good smaller double that has a nice run to it to try that with. One that isn't very peaked so if you happen to case it slightly it won't kill you. Its better to over jump than under jump and case it I learned that the hard way. Once you do a double if you can immediately loop back and hit it again and again and again do it like 10 times in a row and do it for the rest of the day. I suggest learning techniques of learning how to go farther and higher off of a table top. I'm usually in 1st gear like hard on the gas for small double like 5-15 feet in gap 2nd hard on the gas for stuff 15-30 and 3rd for larger stuff. Depending on the run at the jump, it might be easier to learn how to do it practicing a good bermed corner were your hard on the gas and like 15 feet after it there's like a 20 foot double so you can get a good feel for what its like being under power the whole time. Landing with the clutch in is bad, you want to be on the gas in case your rear is slightly off to the side upon landing don't have to be screaming the bike but in the meat of the mid is good. so that way when you hit being under power the bike will straighten out and keep you from crashing. Another common mistake alot of beginer make is not keeping thier elbows up and getting forward enough in turns and on jump take offs the steeper the jump face the more forward you should be generally you want you head over the bars at least. Definetly do what you feel comfortable with but you might never get over your fear if you never really try to go for it but only do that if you feel like you can do it. I suggest right now stay away from jumps with steep faces and lips with kickers untill you get a feel for jumping the bike.

Now another topic which I feel is related to being able to be a good jumper is cornering. Good corner speed is very important cause if you kill your momentum you may never be able to do what seems like a hard 10 foot double after a corner when in fact once you master going threw the corner with alot of speed is in fact very easy. I'm still learning myself but this here alone has helped more than I thought.


Posted by: dirt:biker---------------------

im brand new to riding. i was just wondering if its bad to be standing up to go off a jump.. i built just a small jump in my back yard and i stand up going off it. is that wrong?


Posted by: High Lord Gomer---------------------

You should be standing with your legs slightly bent. In general, if you sit while gioing up a jump, it will throw you up and off the seat. For some situations this is desirable, but it is an advanced technique that you should not chance hurting yourself with while learning.



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