Jumping form.

Depends on the jump and lots of variables but I don't think your position looks bad, just not super aggressive.

That old form you see is the result of a bike with little to no suspension and one hell of a rapid rebound kick. Ass is way back to keep that front end from radically dipping and to counter-balance that rebound.

Your form looks OK but it is usually optimal to keep your body centered and balanced on the bike but that Is always going to depend on the jump face, speed up to it, the distance and a whole variety of other factors.

One thing I would definitely recommend to anybody is watching pros and how they do certain techniques on video. Watch it in slow motion over and over again and try to imagine doing that in your mind. It's a trick I learned playing college sports and it's very very valuable

Pay close attention to how they lead up to a jump and especially their body position on the bike going up the face of the jump (watch in slow motion). You'll often find that the body is positioned up and over the handlebars (unless seat bouncing) and then as the bike transitions so does the body to maintain a centered and balanced position.

Position doesn't look bad at all. Just try and stay neutral and know that sometimes your positioning will change depending on the jump. Keep riding and things will come more naturally over time

Your weight might feel centralized in the second pic, but put your bike on the stand and sit like that- the back wheel will likely push to the ground.
It's classic novice style to be too far back on jumps. (I know from experience). My thought is you have more control if your head is forward and you can almost read your own front numberplate. But that is a bit scarier because nobody likes an endo.
Sitting with your bike on the stand and playing with balance point is a good thing to try.

In no way is this derogatory but your form is very common for a female. I have many female friends who are great riders (some top 5-10 in WMX) and for the most part, they have their butt back/out in general. As for on jumps, I'd guess it's a strength/confidence thing. As the bike goes up the lip, your weight gets pushed to the back of the bike so you'd have to counter that, especially if your butt is already back and you are hinged at the hips like many females.

Try getting on the balls of your feet. It allows you to use your legs to keep your upper body forward on the bike instead of your arms or core. Helps a ton in corners as well. Once you get on the gas, your weight gets thrown back and it's harder to counter that force with your upper body.

Picture a line extending from your forks up through your helmet. In both pics that line would be either just touching your visor or in the middle of it. Optimally you'd like that line to extend through the chin guard on your helmet at least. This will give you more control over the bike in mid flight by you being able to move either forward or back easier. It will feel odd at first and you should have someone knowledgeable about shock/fork adjustments to help sort out the bike. Good luck and have fun.

Won't be long now ,you all know what picture is coming.

This is the form that you should aim for:

My form started out like that. As became more comfortable jumping and adjusting in the air it naturally got better. My advice is it wil just take time.

I agree with the line from the forks guy. I'm no pro, but I pride myself on proper form.

Start bending your knees and thrusting your chest forward on takeoff. Ease into it, but the more you can do both the lower you'll stay without having to "scrub". It's the scrub of the 90's, but it works for me!!

Technique is going to vary based on the rider, conditions of the track, etc. But it is common among beginning riders to have weight back on takeoff, I'm sure most (if not all) of us have been there. Just try to stay loose on the bike & keep your elbows up and over time you'll notice your riding technique start to change. Just remember there's no "right" or "wrong" way to anything, just the way that works best for you.

This has pretty much been my form forever. I wish I could get a little more over the bars. I think it would help with my occasional air wheelies. I'm the bike that's closer to the camera.

KMC440 wrote:

Picture a line extending from your forks up through your helmet. In both pics that line would be either just touching your visor or in the middle of it. Optimally you'd like that line to extend through the chin guard on your helmet at least. This will give you more control over the bike in mid flight by you being able to move either forward or back easier. It will feel odd at first and you should have someone knowledgeable about shock/fork adjustments to help sort out the bike. Good luck and have fun.

Thank you that makes a lot of sense. I'll keep that in mind tomorrow night on the track.

Thank you everyone for the replies. Really appreciate it!

I wouldn't move your bars/levers for this. Most likely just a confidence & strength thing as above which will change over time.

MxKing809 wrote:

I agree with the line from the forks guy. I'm no pro, but I pride myself on proper form.

Start bending your knees and thrusting your chest forward on takeoff. Ease into it, but the more you can do both the lower you'll stay without having to "scrub". It's the scrub of the 90's, but it works for me!!

gotta hit that back brake in the air to even out the weight of the over-torqued sprocket bolts

So uhhh. . . who's gonna ask the real questions here?

Im more of a sky wheelie jumper, maybe because im used to being over my bars from riding bmx.


I wonder which habbit is harder to break

IWreckALot wrote:

So uhhh. . . who's gonna ask the real questions here?

I'm a little surprised that it hasn't been asked yet. Maybe everyone is growing up a little haha

IWreckALot wrote:

So uhhh. . . who's gonna ask the real questions here?

mattyhamz2 wrote:

I'm a little surprised that it hasn't been asked yet. Maybe everyone is growing up a little haha

We all got taken to the compliance department.....

My form of jumping has changed alot over the years if not just this season haha!

2015


Earlier this season 2017


And the last one is from a month ago or something



All depends how comfortable you are hitting certain jumps, the more comfortable the looser you get i guess.. comes naturally!

IWreckALot wrote:

So uhhh. . . who's gonna ask the real questions here?

mattyhamz2 wrote:

I'm a little surprised that it hasn't been asked yet. Maybe everyone is growing up a little haha

MxKing809 wrote:

We all got taken to the compliance department.....

Somebody needs to step up! I'm a dad with a daughter now, it just feels creepy to ask. However one of you young guns without daughters need to step up!

mattyhamz2 wrote:

I'm a little surprised that it hasn't been asked yet. Maybe everyone is growing up a little haha

MxKing809 wrote:

We all got taken to the compliance department.....

Camp332 wrote:

Somebody needs to step up! I'm a dad with a daughter now, it just feels creepy to ask. However one of you young guns without daughters need to step up!

I'm 25. From Canada. Happily taken (I race with my significant other). Does that cover it? haha

DannyST107 wrote:

My form of jumping has changed alot over the years if not just this season haha!

2015


Earlier this season 2017


And the last one is from a month ago or something



All depends how comfortable you are hitting certain jumps, the more comfortable the looser you get i guess.. comes naturally!

Wow, defiantly a huge difference from 2015 - 2017. I feel like I'm comfortable hitting most jumps, but I guess my form doesn't show that lol.
Thanks for showing those images!

MxKing809 wrote:

We all got taken to the compliance department.....

Camp332 wrote:

Somebody needs to step up! I'm a dad with a daughter now, it just feels creepy to ask. However one of you young guns without daughters need to step up!

chelsmx wrote:

I'm 25. From Canada. Happily taken (I race with my significant other). Does that cover it? haha

No.

Camp332 wrote:

Somebody needs to step up! I'm a dad with a daughter now, it just feels creepy to ask. However one of you young guns without daughters need to step up!

chelsmx wrote:

I'm 25. From Canada. Happily taken (I race with my significant other). Does that cover it? haha

IWreckALot wrote:

No.

Ok nevermind then lol