Hello,

Hopefully this topic hasn't been beat upon too much, but I'd like to learn to build jumps to learn to hit jumps [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img].

What is the best method to building one with access to the following tools and supplies:

Small-Mid sized Kubota tractor with front loader and rake
Shovels and hand tools
rocks and dirt
open field with small uphill slant (very small)
decently steep hill, abrupt ending into a field, about 15-20 feet long.
Already built 4 foot jump, leads slightly downhill onto a flat surface, has a sloped end that I overjump by 10 feet at least with complete ease. Can be built upon/lengthened.

With these resources I think I have what I need, but I would like to start with maybe a tabletop to practice jumping. I ride a 250ex atm but soon I will hopefully have a z400. Thanks in advance for the help.

 

I don't know the feeling of your local government but in the township that we live in, in Wisconsin I have a real good repore with our maintnance person. When they take out old culverts that are scheduled to be replaced they give them to me. It makes making jumps and table tops so much easier and takes so much less dirt to haul in when you have a 5 foot culvert pipe laying there. That is my secrete, I just hope it doesn't dry up. We also use the culverts as storage for the lawnmowers for the track when we aren't using them. I think that we even have a gas grill and such in one of them.

 

Haha, that's pretty cheap storage and filler, sounds like you have a good setup. I don't think my town would do anything like that, but I'll look into it anyway, thanks for the tip. Btw, how long is one of you mid sized tabletops, and how steep is the takeoff vs. the offramp and how far apart are they.

 

You probably don't want a very steep takeoff unless you (and your friends) plan to clear the tabletop everytime. Different quads have different suspensions and if you don't clear the landing your back can take a real hit. You want the takeoff at least as long as the wheelbase of your quad, and preferably longer. The landing downslope should be twice as long as the takeoff face.

Mid-sized is a subjective term. Make it big enough where you won't get bored of it. 50 feet might be a good size for your quad. Again, if your takeoff isn't very steep, you don't need to feel obligated to clear it right away. The biggest table I've seen on a MX track is 90 feet. I wouldn't touch something like that with a stock 250ex.

Any other questions, ask away.

 

Ok, btw, is it hard to upgrade the suspension on a 250ex, like is it difficult to install, say, 400ex or 450r shocks? Which of these or what suspension from any machine would you recommend, bc I'm 105 lbs and I bottom it out EASILY.

 

Mmmm, I'll have to leave that question to somebody else that knows more about Hondas than I do. You might want to try posting that question in the Honda forum and see what happens. I've ridden a 250ex before, but I just don't know the particulars on that quad..

 

Ok will do.

 

Just one tip:

I always find the best way to start a jump is with old tires........ you can stack them up interlocked to act as a base for the jumps. They help keep the dirt in place and prevent that old "wash" where the dirt slowly leaks out over time, and you will need less dirt to fill in the jump too. Plus they are usually easy to get.

 

If it's a more sandy surface that you can't get as hard packed, old outdoor carpeting laid over the face of the jump works really well too. We actually have several jumps out at our track set up like this. Lots of freestyle motocrossers use carpet right before the ramp to keep their takeoff area from being rutted when they start getting in the throttle right before they cross onto the ramp.

 

as far as upgrading your shocks go, 400ex and 450r units will probably be too long.

but works makes EXCELLENT units that you can buy which will bolt right up and will make the thing handle like a dream.

however, theyre expensive, so you might want to look into a company called HYGEAR, i think theyre up in new york somewhere by ithica. they will re-valve and re-spring your stock units to your specification (weight, riding style, etc.) i had them do the rear on my lt250r and it rides like its got elkas! this would probably be your best choice

hth