Funny Dirt Bike Jumps What It Takes to Be a Dirt Bike Rider
Dirt bike is one of the vehicles which is made for offroading terrains. And jumping off a dirt bike is a mesmerizing stunt to perform. It is also one of the scariest things to perform on the dirt bike. Most of the dirt bike injuries are being recorded due to jumping. This article will explain the tips and tricks on how to jump a dirt bike in detail. Before jumping into the topic, make sure the bikers wear protective gear for their safety.
Contents
- 1 Before the first dirt bike jump
- 2 How to Jump a Dirt Bike
- 2.1 Step 1 [ Knowing all the factors ]
- 2.2 Step 2 [ Checking landing zone ]
- 2.3 Step 3 [ Proceeding towards making the jump ]
- 2.4 Step 4 [ Controlling bike in the air ]
- 2.5 Step 5 [ Getting ready for the landing ]
- 3 Risks involved while making a jump from the dirt bike
- 3.1 Going backward while in the air
- 3.2 Bad Landing
- 3.3 Collision
- 3.4 Practise
- 4 How to perform big jumps on the dirt bike?
Before the first dirt bike jump
Once the jump is finalized, it must pitch up for the consecutive jump for the observation. Observe the experienced biker performing the jump, how they approach the ramp for making the initial move for the jump, etc. The most important detail is the bike's position when the jump is about to perform.
List of protective gears that should be used while performing dirt bike jump
The protective gears that the biker should wear are:-
- Goggles to protect eyes from the dust.
- Helmet (with chin guard) helps protect the brain from the jerk.
- Neck brace helps protect you from the sprain caused by the jerk.
- Gloves to protect hands from severe injuries.
- The chest pad helps to protect the chest of the biker.
- Knee pads protect the knee joints from the jerk while landing.
- Crotch protection helps to protect the pelvic region of the biker.
- Heavy-duty boots to protect legs from fracture and other injuries.
To know more about the list of safety gears you need, check out our other article.
How to Jump a Dirt Bike
Step 1 [ Knowing all the factors ]
Before making the actual jump, there are some factors that bikers must know. A biker should know how steep is the slope, and to get the perfect idea of the slope, the rider must perform a small jump from the slope at a controllable speed.
By doing this, the rider gives himself space about the jump and how the bike will react. Jumping at low speed helps the bike prepare for the jump basically, it is the warmup for the vehicle. While performing small jumps, riders are requested to stand on their legs, which provides confidence to the rider over the bike.
Jumps are being performed better in a standing position, and by performing small jumps, the rider gets to know how the jump feels and reacts.
Step 2 [ Checking landing zone ]
One of the most important aspects of making the jump is to check the landing position. The landing position should be safe, reducing the risk of jump failure while landing. If some materials are being found out, please try to move apart or change the jumping position, reducing the risk of injury.
While making the landing zone clear, please do increase the length of the runway at the landing zone because for the beginner rider to perform the jump, it is recommended for the longer runway.
Step 3 [ Proceeding towards making the jump ]
While reaching the ramp, the rider must have enough speed to make a clean jump. Full throttle for the first time is not recommended, as when you are in the air, you will feel the backward pull, and to minimize that effect, the throttle should be even. Most riders tend to reduce the speed while approaching the jump is not recommended.
Changing gears while jumping or near the ramp is not recommended as it can cause failure in the jump. An experienced dirt bike jumper suggests going on the gear of 3rd, which and keeping the throttle at an even position is the best position to take off from the ramp.
While taking off, it is recommended to lean forward so that the backward force does not let off the balance from the jump. Leaning towards the handlebars is best for making balance, and while taking off from the ramp, standing up will provide confidence to the rider, and keeping the weight on the front legs is the best position for making a cleaning jump.
Standing up while taking off the jump is the idle position for making the jump.
While standing up, the legs act as an extra suspension so that the whole body is ready for the jerk provided while landing if the rider is sitting while landing, all the jerk is being felt by the spine, which is risky and will cause severe injury. Sitting down is not an issue when the rider is in the air until and unless the rider stands before landing.
Step 4 [ Controlling bike in the air ]
When the bike is in the air, it is recommended to lean towards the handlebars to get the balance on the vehicle. When the bike's rear wheel leaves the ground, pushing back the throttle is best to move towards the front wheel landing.
The front wheel tends to move up by pushing back the throttle, and the rider lands on the rear wheel, making the landing safe. When the rider is near the landing, it is required to lean away from the bike as when the bike touches the ground, the bike's momentum will push you in the front.
Leaning too far forward while landing can cause severe injury in the crotch area and, hence, more pain for the rider.
Step 5 [ Getting ready for the landing ]
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When the rider is coming towards landing, there are a few points where the jump can cause a failure. The points to remember while landing are:-
- Keep the wrist straight to avoid injury.
- Open up your knees for the impact.
- Keep the arms straight at full length but not lock them.
- Keeping the chest away from the handlebars.
- At last, brace for the impact.
These few points will help to make the landing safe. The aim while landing is to land the rear tire first then the front tire quickly. While performing the jump for the first time, take special care of your body, and it is not a shame to fail at your first jump. Protective gears are being recommended for all these cases to save the rider from a major injury.
Risks involved while making a jump from the dirt bike
Going backward while in the air
Most of the accidents are being caused due to this reason. When the rider does not lean forward due to the bike's momentum, the body of the rider tends to move back, hence creating a scene of falling or leaving the contact of the biker while in the air. The falling of the rider can cause severe injuries.
Bad Landing
Landing is one of the important aspects of jumping. Mastering the landing is the toughest part of jumping. If the landing is not clear, then the rider can cause hurt to himself. Even a change in the angle of the front wheel can cause a bad landing.
Collision
The collision can happen if more than one rider is performing the jump. A jump is a place where the rider's injury is at the highest stake. The collision can be blind as both the riders can not see each other while performing their masterpiece jump.
If the collision takes place on the track, the best way is to get away from the track as soon as possible so that the other rider will be able to make the race quickly, and you might not get a severe injury while crashing. When moving out of the track, try to make sure that the bike does not create any more trouble for the rest of the riders who are available on the track.
Practise
It is the most important point which will make you better at everything. Practice will make you perfect in the jumping of a dirt bike. Once the rider knows every trick to perform the best jump, the rider will get better, which will help him gain experience jumping from a dirt bike. Finally, the rider will guess the right speed and distance for the runway accurately every time.
How to perform big jumps on the dirt bike?
After making small jumps possible and accurately, every time, the rider gets the perfect idea of the launching speed and distance by looking at the jump. It is recommended to warm up the vehicle before the big jump by performing small jumps. Overall check of the bike should be done to reduce the failure.
Tightening up the bolts and checking the sprockets because then the rider lands on the rear wheel the sprocket is the one which gets loose quickly and hence the removal of the rear wheel can happen while landing if it is not tightened up. We have provided steps to make the perfect jump, and it is similar to all the jumps, whether it is big or small.
And if the rider has enough confidence in himself and the bike, the rider should take baby steps while performing the final big jump. Big jumps need only two things from the rider first is confidence, and the other one is commitment. If the rider does not doubt himself, the jump can be performed.
Once the commitment is made, the rider should make the jump. The fear is real for every rider who performs every jump. But the experience suppresses the fear, and the rider makes the ultimate big jumps.
To know further, to perfect that jump, click here.
Source: https://racetown395.com/how-to-jump-a-dirt-bike-101/