| Are you sick of not being able to clear the jumps at | | | | you have sand but don't want to rebuild the jump |
| your local tracks? Do other riders not like you because | | | | every time you use it then you can always bring in |
| you're always in their way? A simple way to fix this is | | | | some clay. Clay itself is fairly cheap, but if you have to |
| to build your own jumps in your yard. Although building | | | | get it hauled in by someone else then it's going to take |
| a jump might not be easy without good equipment, it | | | | a chunk out of your wallet. This is not to say that you |
| will be worth it once you make a jump or two | | | | shouldn't make sand jumps for dirt biking, because it's a |
| because you will learn how to clear these obstacles in | | | | easy and will last longer if you pack it down and water |
| no time. | | | | it often. |
| Where? | | | | Build It! |
| The first thing you want to do is find an area where to | | | | Now to the actual building of the dirt bike jump... If you |
| put the jump. You probably don't want to build it next | | | | have heavy duty equipment, such as a skid-loader, |
| to trees or big pits until you are more experienced. The | | | | then great! But for those that are using a tractor, |
| ground does not have to be flat though. In fact, a little | | | | four-wheeler with attachments, or even just shovels, |
| slant or elevation change will make it a easier to build a | | | | don't lose your confidence. It's still possible to make a |
| jump because you can dig into ground for the take-off. | | | | good jump, it will just take more effort. Plus, you will |
| Once you found a good spot for your dirt bike jump | | | | build some muscle if you do the work yourself! To cut |
| you should have some other thoughts in mind, such as: | | | | the building time down to almost half, at the start you |
| what type of jump you want, how big the jump will be, | | | | can put logs, bricks, or any objects to make the base, |
| and what kind of dirt you will use. | | | | then just pile dirt on top. If you're making a jump on a hill |
| What? | | | | or if the ground is slanted (having the jump go uphill is |
| If you want a motocross style jump that gives you | | | | easiest) simply dig dirt out below the jump and pile it up |
| more distance, a good estimation to go by is the 3-to-1 | | | | on the base of the jump. Remember to keep it |
| ratio. It basically means that if you have a jump 3 feet | | | | smooth and fill in any holes or drops, even if they are |
| long then the height of the jump should be 1 foot. So if | | | | small. The wider the jump is the better, especially when |
| your jump is 9 feet long then a good height will be | | | | it's packed down. For one, it's wider so you can have |
| about 3 feet. So far you should have figured out | | | | more than one line, and it will last longer. If you're |
| where you are going to put a dirt bike jump and how | | | | bringing in enough dirt then there's no need to dig prior |
| big it is going to be. | | | | to the jump, unless you want more air. |
| On the other hand, if you want a supercross style | | | | Remember... |
| jump it will be a little bit different. Motocross jumps are | | | | Just keep putting more and more dirt on the jump until |
| more gradual, while supercross jumps generally have a | | | | you think there's plenty, then add a little more. It may |
| greater angle and give you more height. The main | | | | seem like a lot, but it's better than fixing it or repeatedly |
| difference in building a supercross jump is that you | | | | adding more dirt. As soon as you're done building the |
| want a steeper angle, so instead of a 3:1 ratio it might | | | | jump you scan it over a couple more times and get rid |
| be 2 1/2: or even 2:1. | | | | of any bumps or divots that might affect riding. |
| How Big? | | | | Another key to having a good jump is making a good |
| A couple more things to think about while building the | | | | lip. The lip of the jump is the edge where the bike |
| actual jumps is to make sure it's gradual take-off and | | | | takes off. If this is not made right then you will not stay |
| not abrupt, or else you will be getting bucked around | | | | as stable in the air. To make a good lip just smooth of |
| and have a high chance of flipping the bike in the air. | | | | the top and make sure it flows with the rest of the |
| Also, you want to make sure the take-off/base of the | | | | jump. You can look at from the side to see if the angle |
| jump is longer than the length of the dirt bikes | | | | is gradual or not. |
| wheelbase. If the take-off is not long enough then it's | | | | I'm not done! |
| not going to be a smooth jump. | | | | To put the finishing touches you should water the jump |
| Got Dirt? | | | | and let it sit for a day or two so it hardens.... I think that |
| Once you figure out what kind of jump you want and | | | | pretty much covers the basics of how to make dirt |
| how big it's going to be then you have to decide what | | | | bike jumps. Just be sure to build the jumps safe, and |
| to do about dirt. A well made jump should have a | | | | that you are making them on your own property. |
| good amount of clay in it, so if you're lucky enough to | | | | Good luck, and have fun! |
| have clay or a mixture of clay for soil then use it. If | | | | |