jumping pointers

[ullose272]

little history.... i raced motocross for about 5 years and jumping a dirtbike didnt and doesnt scare me. whips, brake/throttle control for in air control are easy. now i hop on a sled, i bought a 2010 m8 HCR and i cant seem to get it down, abput 30% of the time its smooth, most of the time front end is up and it slams down pretty hard. i know this is because im launching with throttle on just like it would on a bike. so any of you guys have pointers on jumpin sleds?

 

[907to406]

come into the jump at the proper speed to prevent the front end from coming up (its not so much that your front end is coming up, as its more your track/backend is dropping out from under you). Build your speed coming into the jump then instead of taping it off the lip just blip the throttle as you leave the ground (make adjustments with brake like on a bike). Then if you find yourself going over the front/*** over tea kettle then hit the gas, as this will level you out. Start small and work your way up, sleds don't fly exactly like bikes, especially long tracks. A bike is a lot easier to control in the air too.

 

[backcountryislife]

A couple things I work with people on...

Don't hammer the throttle off the lip, hold a consistent speed which will keep you more level off takeoff (also hammering through the takeoff pisses off the guy behind you that still wants to hit that jump!) get used to NOT hitting the gas on takeoff, you'll learn quickly how to judge speed better, and you'll learn to carry proper speed instead of compensating at the last minute.

find a ramp that leads to a flat (a small plateau), practice speed control on the run-in, and after you get into the air, tap the brake to level the sled, then hit the gas right before you land.
This type of "simplified stepup" allows you to start small, land with little speed, and learn brake control with little to no consequence.

After that, you can find more of a traditional jump (takeoff & downward landing) and feel comfortable with using your brakes.

Probably didn't explain that stuff worth a crap...

edit, a pic I always liked because it shows the brake/ throttle cycle pretty obviously:

 

[coyoteman]

What they said, don't hammer the throttle on the lip. I think the brake, throttle levers tend to control my flight through the air even more than a bike, but haven't been on a bike in years. lol

 

[ullose272]

i think its throttle control that i need to work on, on my approach.

 

[beard]

hey,

come in full throttle and rite when the tip of your ski's are about to leave the jump get rite off the throttle and feather it in the air and full throttle on the landing, also get as far forward in the cockpit as u can, u don't want to land tail heavy on a sled,

if u start nose diving lots of gas
if nose is pointed towards the sky let off gas or brake if drastic measures r needed,

lots of practice, feels lots different then a bike ,

good luck,

jason

ps,

this method will take u well in excess of a 100ft!!!!

have fun!