Jumping and flying through the air while riding a dirt bike is one of the most exciting aspects of bike riding. However, it is also the most challenging one to master. Getting air is never really easy and there is no one-size-fits-all method for jumping the dirt bike. However, there are some general rules that will help you to learn the basics of navigating the bike off the ground and stay in control. We have shared these tips for jumping your dirt bike and landing safely in this article. Take a look.
Practice Step Ups
Most likely, your first jump won’t be an actual jump. Instead, you can use a step-up of sorts. Step-ups can help you feel the elevation. You can ride through a step-up and feel the bike while you climb and descend without having to go over a lip of the jump. You’ll eventually get airborne if you take a step up fast enough.
Don’t Rush It
Reverting to your childhood is a great place to start. You should try to imitate a six-year-old Motocrosser who doesn’t make big jumps right from the word go. Ideally, you should start slow as you perform steps ups and then slowly increase the speed of your step-ups. Try to lift one tire initially. Then try lifting both the tires once you have gained enough confidence. If you can find a place where you can practice this in private without being bothered by other bikers you will be more relaxed. However, you can also use the nearby track for practice.
Body Position
Taking off, landing and lead-up are all dependent on your body positioning. Note that it is simple to position your body, but it isn’t easy to maintain it.
- Stand, don’t sit.
- Bend your knees properly.
- Use your knees to grip the bike.
- Place your head and shoulders just above the handlebars over the forks.
- Keep your elbows out.
This is how you will ride into and jump. Do not pull up on your bike when you reach the lip. Instead, let the momentum take you up and over while you keep the standing position. This position is suitable to build up muscle memory until you do it without thinking. It will also help you go over small jumps a practice for bigger ones. Why you should be standing up? If you fall, sitting down can cause you to be thrown off your bike. Interestingly, sitting down may seem safer and more controllable, but it is the exact opposite. Also, if you land wrongly or are on the throttle, leaning forward could cause you to flip over the bars. On the other hand, if you lean too far back, you can end up on the back of your bike or get a bottle of whiskey throttle.
The Big Jump
Once you are ready for a bigger jump, make sure you start with a tabletop jump. This way, you won’t have to worry about landing too low or too high. You can also use a tabletop as an initial practice tool. Table top jump allows you to slowly increase your speed and build confidence until the time comes when you can fly over the whole flat section and land on the transition. You’ll be able to control the throttle if you have practiced enough for the smaller jumps. Also, it’s natural to want to slow down at the jump time. This is why you start slowly and then work your way up to a speed using proper throttle control that lifts you off the ground. Keep going as you approach the jump’s face. Keep your body in the right position once you are airborne. This will keep the bike as flat and stable as possible. You will know you have two wheels above the ground by rolling the throttle once or twice. Remember that you must maintain your body position when landing to avoid being thrown off.
Safety
Jumping your dirt bike isn’t easy, but you can master it with practice. There will be some fails on the way, so make sure you always wear the proper protective gear like motocross helmets, boots etc… to protect you in case you crash.