Learning how to jump an MX bike...

[jaypro55]

I've had my 2001 Honda CR 125 now for about three weeks and I'm starting to slowly get more

confident and the weather is starting to be clear and dry now for good. So lately my friend Jordan

and I have been working hard on building new jumps and obstacles for the summer. We have a 30 foot

double from last fall, a three jump rhythym section, and two 4 or 5 foot high ramps. Back when I

had my XR200, I could do the 30 footer without much problem, but it never really involved any skill.

I just mashed it and hoped to land on the downslope. Well today was my first real time hitting

these things with the 125 and boy was it different.

The biggest problem was my nose just diving. I nearly went over the bars three times because I came

off the jump and landed straight down on that front wheel. Thanks Honda for making the great

suspension on the CR, without it I would have broken my wrists. I think the problem is me not

getting in the "attack position" I've heard and I'm on the gas all the way off the ramp. I had to

be like that on the XR or I wouldn't clear but with the speed of the 125 I figured it would be

better to let off about half way up the ramp. Also, where should I be at the point of takeoff?

Another thing I worry about are my feet. I wear Fox Trackers and have a size 11 boot and sometimes

they can be a pain. Back in the XR days, with those small pegs and tight controls, sometimes I'd

come down with a foot right on the rear brake. Even with this bike I worry about it although it

hasn't happened yet. So where should the pegs be underneath my boot? And how far should I be on

the pegs, in terms of should my toes be over the two controls (shifter and rear brake)?

Basically I just really need some beginner's tips for these jumps. I don't plan on racing but I

want to be able to take her up the track and not feel like a fool. And our jumps are very fun, if

you can do them and right now I'm extremely nervous on them. So tomorrow after I get my new plug, I

really want to try some of the stuff you guys recommend...thanks a whole lot.

 

[WaltCMoto]

I beleive the nose dive problem comes from letting off the gas part way up the take off ramp. As you let off the gas, the engine acts as a brake to slow you down. so imagine the front wheel coming off the jump and the rear brake being applied..... nose dive.
When jumping, I keep the arch of my foot on the peg. Weight should be strait up from the pegs or slightly forward if you are accelerating. Try jumping with no throttle influence for now, by this I mean if your going along in 3rd gear at medium throttle, just keep the gas right there, not full on or off the gas. This is the easyist way to fly level.
Hope this makes sense, Walt

 

[jaypro55]

The thing was I don't think I was totally off the gas on them. I really tried to stay even. In many jumps I've seen guys with their butts back and the head over the bars. That seems like the most easy way to do it.

 

[xtreme73]

are you gripping the bike with your knees? When it dives you can pin the throttle to get it back, this is a crude method though. Just lean back a little more in the air and maybe when launching. Easiest thing to do is watch someone at the track and see what they do.

 

[jaypro55]

Yeah, I've heard the grip the bike with your legs things and haven't really been doing it so I definetely want to start that.

 

[HiG4s]

Start on a small jump and don't think "jump" but think "hop" once you have the hop and flat landing down use the same technique on the bigger jumps.

But like Walt said, letting off, even a little brings the front end down. Also jumping mid throttle in a gear higher than necessary give you more control.
IE: 3/4 to full throttle in 2nd gear on a short jump will require more pecise throttle control than 1/2 throttle in 3rd on the same jump to stay level.

 

[jaypro55]

Yeah thanks for the advice. I was back there on the same jump and I found that if I pulled up a little on the takeoff it made me fly and land a lot cleaner. Our biggest jump is a 2nd gear jump but it becomes very difficult to get into third, impossible probably with the run we have. I'm just going to have to keep practicing.

 

[yzeater]

When ever I mess up, I stop and remeber what I've learned on DRN in the past. The best one I ever got was to preload the suspension before jumping. This really helps me to keep from endoing when I land. How do you make your jumps?