yzeater

~SPONSOR~
May 21, 2001
1,995
0
Hi guys (and girls), I have a little problem. There is a hill near my house that is set up a heck of a lot like a table top. Until about 2 weeks ago, I'd never considered trying to clear it. Well, I put in about a half an hour of practice and cleared it. Now it's not that big (about 25 feet from lip to landing), but this was the first real jump I've ever cleared.
Now for the problem. I don't have any finesse when I clear it. I do the whole deal where I get the bike almost vertical, and that's not good in anybody's book. Let me describe the jump. First, it has more than enough take off. I could get into 5th if I wanted to before I got to the face. The face is probably 15 feet long at a 65 degree angle, but there is no lip whatsoever. The landing is a little thougher. It's steep, probably about 15 feet long also, but it's really rough terrain (from water drainage), and I have to be stopped by the time the landing touches the flat ground (because of a fence that's a little ways away and such). My tendancy is to hit the jump in middle 4th gear, preload, and slam on my rear brake about half the way across. So my question to you is how can I clear this? How do I keep enough speed, but still be able to stop, while flying with the bike not pointing at the sun? Hope this is enough information. Thanks a lot
-Stephen
 

MXP1MP

Member
Nov 14, 2000
1,845
0
I can't tell ya how to do this jump not without doing it myself :) But from what you describe I'm assuming its got a steep face I can only suggest using a more forward body position during take off alittle more than your would normally.
 

Jeff Gilbert

N. Texas SP
LIFETIME SPONSOR
Oct 20, 2000
2,963
2
If it's only 25' accross I'd hit it in 2nd and on the gas, chop the throttle at the top. A 65 degree face is pretty steep so I'd think you'll need to be pretty far forward on the bike and ready to tap the rear brake when launched. With out sounding negative I'd probably agree with Shank and find somewhere else to ride if there's a fence at the end of the landing.
 

dell30rb

Uhhh...
Dec 2, 2001
1,510
0
I would try to hit it out of the powerband, (mabye 4th gear) and chop the throttle about 1/2 way up the face. If you start to endo, blip it in the air.

According to your description, this should send you on a level flight path, but since I cant see the jump or havent jumped it, I cant tell you what it would do. Start by jumping it how you normally do, then try using less and less throttle each time, until you get a level flight path.

Be careful though, riders are different, and what works for me on a particurlar jump might just send you into an endo.
 

Jaybird

Apprentice Goon
LIFETIME SPONSOR
Mar 16, 2001
6,449
0
Charlestown, IN
The jump face is probably more like 25 deg. than 65 deg.(horizontal is 0 deg.) That would be closer to the slope of a landing on the track. With 15 feet of face and no lip, it may actually be leveling out on you towards the top. (got a pic?)
By the sound of it, it should be a pretty tame jump and you may be to far rearward. Try moving up.
You may want to do as described by others and chop the throttle just before you go airborne. That will help to keep the nose down. IF the landing is steeper than the take-off you may actually need to pull in the clutch and tap the brake, but I always like to try my best to get postioned without the brake or throttle if possible.
One thing....Squeeze with your knees! That willl help the bike from wanting to nose up or dive on you. Be conscience of the leg grip, it works wonders.
 

gorhen

Member
May 18, 2002
26
0
Ok i'm not an expert but i've been riding long enough to kinda understand the situation. First how long have you been riding, two when you leave earth its best to have your helmet over the crossbar pad. Third hit it slow a couple times even though youv'e already cleared it. Let me know how it goes. Good Luck
 

limitless

subscribed
~SPONSOR~
Aug 11, 2002
568
0
what do ya'll mean by chop the throttle? i find that (in this situation) if i let off the throttle when i leave the ground it will keep the nose down and if i give it a good twist right before leaving the ground i tend to go vertical..(based on my minimal exp. i would go a lil faster and have no power i leave the to the ground at the moment ground...is this wrong?)
 

Boozer

Member
Oct 5, 2001
351
0
if it isn't very steep, then it is best to keep your body well forward (head over cross bar) and keep a steady hand at the gas, all the way up. i think you are doing this but you are not keeping your head over the front of the bike.
 

nos96

Member
Jun 3, 2002
39
0
My only adivce, concentrate on that landing, I speak form a very similar situation as the one you are describing. local construction had a plateau like pile of dirt that was alot like a tabletop to me only my landing area was limited by a wall of trees, you had to land, slam brakes and turn downhill. I dislocated my jaw, broke two ribs, and three fingers in a "competition" with a friend. Toady chewin aint the same. That was 10 years ago. Try to ride elsewhere, but if not that jump surlely isnt 4th gear anything. Try third, maybe second.
 
Top Bottom