Originally posted by mazeco
since I only have the xr thats what i use but when I jump I almost always land with my front tire
Mazeco.
I think Chili pegged it. You are probably letting off on the face of the jump.
A four stroke jumps a lot different than a two stroke. Especially an XR type of four stroke. An XR has a long stroke, small diameter piston and a large flywheel. When you shut the throttle off, you get a lot of engine braking. This will cause the front end to dive. When leaving the jump, you have to be on the gas and launch the bike over the jump. You have to be very aggressive and position your body further back on the bike.
With a two stroke or a modern day four stroke, (YZF or CRF) you don't get the same engine braking effect. They have a shorter stroke, larger diameter piston and smaller flywheel. With these bikes you have to have a more neutral throttle while leaving the jump or you may loop out. Also, body position is further forward.
Your XR is a completly different animal than a standard MX bike and as a result you have to use a completly different technique. A lot of the jumping techniques that you read here refer to two strokes or modern four strokes.
Be sure to wear all of your safety gear. :thumb:
good luck.