TrailxRider
Expert
I know this maybe be a stupid question but is their a technique to land a sled smoothly when you hit a jump even a small one? I've seen people plane out the sled in the air so it doesn't nose or tail dive. Do they do something with the throttle and brake?
Just wondering b/c I don't intentionally hit jumps but there were times when we were cruising and I see the guy in front of me launch and I have no choice but to hit it.
Just wondering b/c I don't intentionally hit jumps but there were times when we were cruising and I see the guy in front of me launch and I have no choice but to hit it.
I know the centripital force of the track spinning effects how the sled floats. If you want the nose to come up, gas it and get the track spinning faster....if you want the nose to go down, hit the brakes and stop the track, the nose will go down....however, make sure you release the brakes before you land!!! I'm definetly no expert, but this has been my experience!!! Good luck!!!
When I could jump far ..many many years ago – it’s when you let off – on the exit.
Too late the nose would go down – to early – nose high. If you watch snocross – you will see the lower classes all flying nose high as they are letting off too early. Its a feel thing.
With the new sled configurations – you can correct in the air as mentioned. However – for max performance - you should only be using the brake to get the nose aimed down for a downhill landing.
Just practice – practice.
Too late the nose would go down – to early – nose high. If you watch snocross – you will see the lower classes all flying nose high as they are letting off too early. Its a feel thing.
With the new sled configurations – you can correct in the air as mentioned. However – for max performance - you should only be using the brake to get the nose aimed down for a downhill landing.
Just practice – practice.
FxsX24
Pro
remember to carry speed into the jump. dont gas it at the end of the jump, it messes with your trajectory and also kills the face of the jump
kinger
VIP Member
Just before your sled leaves the ground at the top of the jump tap the brakes, she'll fly nice and level.
NB-NYTRO
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
I see your point.. I've always found if you want something done right you have to do it yourself. 
yam177
TY 4 Stroke Master
LOL Hold the throttle wide open and spot your landing LOL. Carry speed from the corner into the jump and stay steady on the throttle if you are nose high a quick tap of the brake is all thats needed. Only time giving extra gas is need is if the face has a double lip than you need to gas it or risk hitting the second lip and woodpeckering the jump Nose down end over end... Resulting in a broken leg(don't ask).
Don't let off as you come to the lip on the suspension may compress and send you to nose heavy and even a panic rev won't bring it back. To control the sled in the air I float my feet and use body english to nose up or down.
Have fun start out small and wear proper safty gear
Don't let off as you come to the lip on the suspension may compress and send you to nose heavy and even a panic rev won't bring it back. To control the sled in the air I float my feet and use body english to nose up or down.
Have fun start out small and wear proper safty gear
RSVECTORFREAK
Lifetime Member
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2004
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- 54
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- Chassell Michigan
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- 2005 RS Vector ER
With these 4 strokes there is not much worry about getting the nose too high in the air...The weight of the motor brings it downs in quite a hurry....
TurboJamie
TY 4 Stroke God
If you gotta ask you probably shouldn't be doing it.
For starters, its easier to learn by going forward and not in reverse! 
TrailxRider
Expert
TurboJamie said:
as I first mentioned I don't look for jumps but was in situations from normal riding where I would hit one unexpectedly and then land hard or not feel comfortable. It would be nice to know some techniques if I'm in that situation again where I don't have time to slow down or go around the jump that's all. It would be nice to know so I don't hurt myself or the sled if I can learn. Everyone starts off somewhere. I'm the type of guy to ask others for advice and who already know, then break a body part or sled trying to figure it out on my own.
Some good advice above, but the best thing is to kearn to FEEL the jump. The way to learn this is to go over very small jumps, paying great attention to the launch ramp and feel what the sled does as it hits it. Soon you will actually be able to predict what the sled is going to do as you approach a jump by simply looking at the launch area as you approach. You know you have it down when you feel like an extension of the sled as it launches and as it lands. If you feel like a ragdoll on the end of a rope, keep working at it.
Letting off the throttle right as you launch helps give the sled stability in the air (at least to start). Braking a spinning track pitches forward, and spinning a stopped track (throttle) pitches back just not as much. Practice this by purposely launching tail heavy and then grabbing the brake in the air. You should notice a definite pitch forward. As you get higher and higher you have to time these adjustments very carefully as it will continue to carry whatever momentum you create while still in the air, an can easily be too much.
One thing is for certain, if you jump much you will land off kilter from time to time. A very Important thing to learn is that whichever way the sled tips in the air, it will likely pitch back the other way violently upon landing in proportion to the height of the jump and the amount the sled is tipped. It is very good to learn this early and avoid numerous sore body parts from helmet hitting the bars, shins smacking the running boards, backs getting compressed, and other silly impacts. I don't know why it took me so long to get this through my thick skull.
Never be afraid to part ways with the sled as long as the spot you choose to land is soft and clear. Do it early rather than later if the jump goes wrong.
Letting off the throttle right as you launch helps give the sled stability in the air (at least to start). Braking a spinning track pitches forward, and spinning a stopped track (throttle) pitches back just not as much. Practice this by purposely launching tail heavy and then grabbing the brake in the air. You should notice a definite pitch forward. As you get higher and higher you have to time these adjustments very carefully as it will continue to carry whatever momentum you create while still in the air, an can easily be too much.
One thing is for certain, if you jump much you will land off kilter from time to time. A very Important thing to learn is that whichever way the sled tips in the air, it will likely pitch back the other way violently upon landing in proportion to the height of the jump and the amount the sled is tipped. It is very good to learn this early and avoid numerous sore body parts from helmet hitting the bars, shins smacking the running boards, backs getting compressed, and other silly impacts. I don't know why it took me so long to get this through my thick skull.
Never be afraid to part ways with the sled as long as the spot you choose to land is soft and clear. Do it early rather than later if the jump goes wrong.
Now how does a 45+ year old learn to do a twist off jump?
twomorestrokes
TY 4 Stroke God
I find the double back flip as the most challenging on the Michigan trails. I always mess it up when people are watching...
twomorestrokes said:
On that jump I don't think hitting the brakes is a good idea
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