I like to jump in a lower gear....I speed up to the ramp quickly and in a low gear then I shift to a higher gear before jumping. I too goose it before I ramp, but I feel that doing that in a lower gear can cause problems. I guess you just do it how it feels right. I like to launch in a lower gear though. A major part of jumping is staying loose, by this I mean being able to react to the motion of your quad(if the front end comes up..sit on the tank, if you nose dive....try to throw you butt back).

 

Take your time when learning to jump. Start small and work your way up. I'm not a pro at jumping myself, I'm probably at a beginner to intermediate level myself. My best jump was probably 4-5ft off the ground for 50-60 ft (landing in the sand). Not huge, but scary enough for me. Here are a few tips that I've learned from members on this forum and people I've talked to. Hope they help. Be patient, it's better to build up to a jump in most cases (except for a double) and jump again than be hauled off in an ambulance.

1. Start jumping in the low gears. (To much forward momentum can be a bad thing if you aren't ready for it)
2. Make sure you give your quad some throttle as you land. (this will make the landing smoother)
3. Save a little power in your gear for the top of the jump. If you don't bring the front end up, you stand a higher chance of landing on the front. This is a very bad thing. I would prefer to come off the back of the quad 9 times before landing on the front.
4. Hit the jump 4-5 times before going for bigger air. Correct body position and throttle according to how your quad is landing.
5. Stay calm and keep your head on straight when in the air. If you lock up, you might kill the bike and not be able to react as quick.
6. In the air you can make minor adjustments - more throttle will bring the front end up and the back brake will bring the front end down.
7. It is much better to favor landing on the back tires as opposed to the front for most jumps.
8. Commit to the jump. A last minute change could cause a serious crash. Use your own judgment if it is too late to back out of.
9. Have someone spotting you. Nothing like coming over a hill and hitting someone.
10. Choose your jumps. What I mean is that some jumps will have very nice lips for catching air and some will not. If the jump isn't right, a little speed can help-but it can also mess you up bigtime. I guess what I'm saying is don't trying to compensate for a poor jump with excess power. I personally like jumps that I can stay in the first three gears.



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To get the maximum height off a jump you must "pump" off it. This is what's also known as preloading the suspension. Approach the jump with enough speed to clear whatever you plan to jump (ie: table, double, or tripple), yet in a gear you have power on reserve. Apply more throttle as you approach the jump, bend your legs and push down on the pegs keeping you bodyweight center over the machine. Stand up at precisely the same time you leave the jump and start move your bodyweight forward, since the extra gas will rasie the front end of the quad. Let the machine come up underneath you by bending your knees as you come the peak of the jump. Timing is everthing (It's very similar to doing a bunny hop on a bike.) This is the key to going bigger because you actually lift the quad rather than having your bodyweight on it. When decsending extend your legs so you can absrob the impact of the landing. I would try to stay away from using the back brake because the front end will fall like a rock, and you also loose momentum causing a harder landing. Instead get used to shifting your bodyweight and smooth throttle control off the jump. Start small on jumps with a gradual (not flat) landing. Keep practicing on the same jump(s) to get used to moving around on the machine when in the air.

Good luck and remember always wear your helmet.