6 More Safety Tips for Making Jumps On Your Motorcycle
There’s nothing like the thrill of gripping the throttle, launching yourself off a jump, and feeling that sense of weightlessness as you catch air. The only thing better is knowing what to expect from the jump, getting yourself safely back down, sticking the landing, and being able to ride away unscathed from the experience. Previously we’ve covered these safety tips for making jumps on your dirt bike, and now Cycle Trader is sharing six more safety tips for making jumps on your motorcycle so you can perfect this skill.
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Learning to Jump with Your Motorcycle
Bike jumping takes practice and should follow the “learn to crawl before you walk” principle of starting off slowly and building up to higher and farther jumps as you progress. If your intent is to learn jumping skills to prepare yourself for motocross racing, learn the basics first before you move on to double or triple jumps that will serve you well.
Cycle Trader wants you to be successful in your quest to launch skyward, whether it’s for racing or just the pure adrenaline rush jumping inherently provides. This is not meant to be a tutorial on how to become an expert at jumping, but rather some things you can keep in mind to keep you safe while you learn the craft.
1. Safety with Motorcycle Jumping
Safety is first and foremost when it comes to any activity where you can potentially be harmed or seriously injured if something goes wrong. Make sure you have an approved, full-face helmet, chest protector, knee braces, and sturdy riding boots. You may also want to wear protective clothing such as long pants, a riding jacket, and gloves, especially if you take a spill when landing. The right gear can save your life, and the right clothing can better protect you from road rash.
2. Get Warmed Up
Before even attempting a jump, make sure you warm up your bike’s engine first by idling for a minute or so and take a couple of slow laps to ensure the fluids are pumping and the engine is settled. Attempting a jump from a cold start could result in a stall before, during, or after the jump, which could prove to be unfortunate, if not painful.
3. Learn from Riders
Before your first jump, watch how others are approaching jumps, what they do in the air, and how they handle the landing. If you have an opportunity before making your first jump, talk with other riders to get some pointers. The advice doesn’t need to be about the particular target you have in mind, but just basic pointers about jumping in general.
4. Practice the Jump
Once you have your gear, your bike, your feedback, and you’re ready to roll, pick a target and go over it at slow speed without any intent on leaving the ground. Pay attention to the approach, any characteristics of the hill that might influence your jump (like a rut that might grab your wheel), and the line of sight where you will land. Make sure you have a direct route to the hill and that the landing on the other side is clear of obstacles or impediments that could cause you harm if something goes awry.
Again, when you’re ready to make a jump, start slowly and work your way up. Your first attempt may only take you a few inches off the ground, but what you learn as you are progressing will help you build up to spectacular fun in the very near future.
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5. Riding Posture for the Jump
As for the mechanics of the jump itself, get yourself into the right riding posture with a central standing position before you hit the crest of the hill. Make sure that the foot pegs are securely in the middle of your foot position. Raise yourself to a standing position with your knees bent enough to absorb the shock of the takeoff and the landing, and bend the upper portion of your body about 45 degrees forward relative to the ground to keep the bike in a flat position when you catch air.
Keep a tight grip on the handlebars with your elbows slightly bent and sticking slightly out to the side. You don’t want them facing you if you have a rough landing and your body lurches forward into them, basically forcing your hands off the grips. Try to squeeze your knees and calves into the bike to keep your feet firmly planted on the pegs during the entire execution.
Accelerate smoothly until you hit your desired speed and be sure to hold the throttle until you leave the ground. Easing off the gas too early can throw you into a nosedive and accelerating too fast off the jump can bring your nose up, which means you’ll take a hard rear-wheel landing. Also try to hit the jump as straight on as possible, not from an angle.
6. Develop Your Jump Techniques and Biking Skills
There are a variety of techniques you can learn to correct your position in the air as you progress into higher and longer jumps, but you’ll learn about those as you watch, learn, and practice. Play it safe, and ride with an expert so you can learn the best method for your bike. Further your education and refresh your motorcycle skills and knowledge with a safety course, online resources for the community, the best gear, and motorcycle maintenance.
In the meantime, when you need the perfect bike to get you started on your exciting journey with jumps, we’ve got you covered. Check out thousands of listings of new and used bikes available from dealers and private sellers on our marketplace. Find the perfect bike for you with a nationwide selection on CycleTrader.com.
Disclaimer: Motorcycle jumping and related activities involve numerous and significant risks to you and your property, including personal injury, property damage, and potentially death. Cycle Trader is not a professional expert with regard to any motorcycle jumping, and these materials contain only suggested steps and activities associated with jumping and not expert advice of any kind whatsoever. You should only undertake jumping with or after you have received proper instruction from certified professionals who are trained in preserving the safety of your property and person and who have obtained all licenses, permits, and other certifications required by applicable business and/or government authorities or agencies to undertake any such activities.
Barrett Baker
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