How to Jump ?

[limyh]

1991 KDX200. Stock. How do I best jump the bike ? Should I leave the throttle open from approach to jump to landing ? or blip the throttle at take off ramp then close it ? or close it at take off ramp ? currently I use last method and usually land head first !!

 

[Johnnyboy]

If you leave yor throttle wide open while in the air you will rotate backwards. If you hit your rear brake or close the throttle in the air you will rotate forward. I like to leave the engine revving at the same speed as at take-off while I'm in the air. It wont rotate the bike either way. NEVER touch your front brake while in the air it will make you nose in BAD.

 

[Hucker]

The last thing a new rider needs to be doing is "pinning" it off any jump. Bad idea. Find a jump that has a nice gradual take off, nothing to steep and abrupt. Usually tabletops have good takeoffs for beginners. Go slowly at first so you get a feel for the takeoff and just build your speed up. If you do it correctly the first time you won't have to worry about hitting the back brake or gassing it etc. Make sure when you take off your in the attack position, knees bent, crouching over the seat, head just back from the bars. Try and keep your weight centered on the bike. Don't lean to far back, or to far forwards. And don't standup when your in the air! Let the bike come up to you, and suck it up with your knee's. The whole thing with jumping is repetition. Find a jump, that your comfortable with and just do it over and over and over. Don't go blasting off the the first jump you see, gradually increase your speed when you start feeling more comfortable. Before you know it, you'll be clearing the whole thing. It just takes practice. Its also alot easier to jump a gear higher(say 4th, instead of 3rd) because when you let off the gas before the jump, you won't get as much engine braking which will cause you to nose dive..

Good Luck!!!!!