FIRST TIME ON A FREESTYLE MOTOCROSS RAMP??

  - By Johnny Jones - pro fmx rider.

Some of the most common questions in freestyle motocross are -

How big do I set my ramp up for the first time?

How fast do I go?

What gear do I hit the jump in?

When hitting your freestyle motocross ramp for the first time (assuming its a professional grade ramp, about 8 feet tall and around 16-20 feet long) you'll want to have a professional landing built.

 Set your ramp up right next to the landing. Your first gap shouldn't be more than 5 feet. If you are on a 250, you can roll the ramp and hop onto the landing in either first or second gear. First gear should be just below the powerband, and second should not be much more than idle speed. Be sure to hold your throttle steady as you approach and ride off the ramp. If you are on a 125, you should be in second gear, about the same rpm's as the 250. Stay in the "Attack" position the whole way off the ramp. (the attach position means your body is centered over the bike, your elbows are bent slightly, and your head is over the handlebars) At this small distance, there's no need to accelerate off the ramp at all. Once you are comfortable with the way your bike reacts to jumping this distance, bump the ramp back five feet. Use a hair more throttle on the face of the ramp. If you are uncomfortable with this technique you should gain more speed before the ramp and hold the throttle steady as you hit the ramp and leave the ramps surface. The impact of the bike hitting the ramp won't be that exteme at this distance, but once you get to around the 40 foot mark, you'll want to stiffen your arm and leg muscles to avoid hitting your chest on the bars when you take off!
 

If you are a little more experienced rider (have ridden arenacross or supercross before) you can start the ramp at around 40 feet. Approach the jump several times to get your runway-speed down, and even ride halfway up the ramp and 'hop' off the side to estimate how it will throw you. If you are on a 125 or 250, get in the power band about 10 feet before the ramp and accelerate smoothly off of the ramp. 125's can hit most ramps in second gear up to 70 feet, but third gear is reccommended for ramps over 60 feet. Many 125 riders prefer third gear over second for ramps over 40 feet because the power delivery is smoother. 250's should hit ramps in second gear up to 75 or 80 feet, depending on gearing. There are a few fmx'ers on 250s who like third gear for general-purpose ramp jumping and freeriding, but contests or demos that are indoors will require second gear do to short runways.