jumping ditches, yes or no

georgieboy · Jan 21, 2002

In my country we have a lot of water. In fact if we did not have dikes we wld be underwater. So it is apparent that so now and then you have to cross a little water. Little ditches of 1,5 mter wide which you jump when you use enough speed and balls.
The question when to jump or when to find an other route is in the story of a/enough space to build up the neccesary speed, b/tractions at the edge of the ditch, when you have to blip the throttle for the front wheel high attitude c/landing area, higher or lower,d/smooth runout etc.
Now is my question to you all, people who practice trial, how do they jump gaps with almost no room for building up speed.
They stand still and just use a technic that jumps them over 1 meter gaps. The rear wheel is actually coming up 0,5 meter in the air.
So, is there someone who can explain this in simple words to me.
I am always keen in learning(and i can swim)(so is my bike)

Jeff Gilbert · Jan 21, 2002

I think you should take the word "trial" and add "error" to it and that's probably going to be your best approach. You may consider taping the top of your boots to keep the water out.;)

roosterboy · Jan 22, 2002

I ont think you'd be able to do that on a regular dirt bike. Trials bikes don't weigh jack so they are much easier to lift off the ground.

georgieboy · Jan 22, 2002

Jeff, you read my mind. Trail and error is my piece of cake.
Although i hoped for a more sophisticated answer, i can live with yrs.
After i jumped a certain ditch several times with first gear. The approach was very narrow, just 4 mtrs, and slippery.(gravel) I thought that, because of the wheelspin, to try it in second one more time, to see if that was any better.
Well, no, i made it to the other side, only my speed was not enough to lift my rearwheel out of the ditch. So i was backwards into the water. Lucky it was only knee deep. Man, 228 pounds is heavy to lift. It was a steep ditch(vertical to say) and 1.2 mtrs deep. Happy jumping everybody.
And Roosterboy, yeah i think weight has got to do with it a lot. Also see above. Splash!!!!!!

fresnosmooth · Jan 22, 2002

My understanding of it is this:

Take a look at the way they spike their suspension, then power the front end up really quick. What that will do is accelerate the CG of the bike upward very rapidly. If you are going to try that be carefull that you don't power the front end over backwards, and drive with your body up and FORWARD.

georgieboy · Jan 23, 2002

fresnosmooth, do you think that wile the front end is up, and the rearspring of the shock is compressed, that they pull the clutch to release the rearspring, so it katapult it self even more up? Or will the spring release itself even with power on?
The theory that they launch CG upwards with a lot of throttle sounds good.
This weekend i will try that. Call the hospital, here i come.
It is sort of doing the Jap Zap over logs, right?

Anssi · Jan 23, 2002

Originally posted by georgieboy
fresnosmooth, do you think that wile the front end is up, and the rearspring of the shock is compressed, that they pull the clutch to release the rearspring, so it katapult it self even more up? Or will the spring release itself even with power on?

I think it's more like compressing the spring USING the throttle at the same time as using the throttle to bring the front end up. Then you can release the throttle a bit to get the bounce from the rear spring.

DVO · Jan 23, 2002

These bikes are HIGHLY SPECIALIZED and built for this kind of stuff. It's got a lot to do with the compression and rebound front and back. You need to be able to compress the front and rear and get some spring from them. If your DIRT BIKE is set up properly, this will be difficult or impossible. Do some checks on trials sites...there's lots of info. Good luck.

Danman · Jan 23, 2002

There is a vidieo on www.trialstv.com that shows a guy going over a high rock using the techniuqe that you are describing. They show it from many different angles and I think slow motion. You get a feel for how they do it. There are also some other nice videos.

georgieboy · Jan 23, 2002

The feeling you get of the moment you realise that you passed the point of no return is great. And when you made it to the other side, fantastic.
I found myself one time hitting the bike in neutral just before i went for the jump.
That was not a great thing.
So, in the end it all is a matter of confidence, and lots of practice to build more confidence.
The stupid thing is, i am even looking for ditches to jump.
Seeking thrills.
Haven't jumped a ditch, you haven't been living.:)

jumping ditches, yes or no

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