How to Conquer The Whoops on a Dirt Bike

Berts Mega Mall | Powersports Hub 

Whoops on a dirt bike track can be one of the most exhilarating and adrenaline packed parts of the whole track and during a race one of the most exciting sections to watch!

Whoops, are a long set if evenly spaced “bumps”, usually about a couple feet tall. If a rider hits the whoop just right then with the right amount of technique they will glide across the peak of each hill. But any wrong move and the rider dips the front wheel too low or get the back end kicked out will result in a riding catastrophe.

No need to be hesitant though as here are a few helpful tips to help get you on a path of success on conquering those whoops.
 

Confidence and Commitment:

A very important key on how to conquer whoops is confidence and commitment! We get it, whoops can be scary but to ever be able to get over a whoops section will require you to be able to have the confidence and to commit to what you are doing. Being nervous is ok because that will keep you focused and being hesitant can have a very bad outcome.

Shifting Up:

A good idea when coming into a whoop section is to shift a gear up. The rear wheel will be gliding in the ground and your front wheel will be midair-never having contact with the ground. So shifting up to the next gear will keep you in power, increasing your traction, and keep the rear end squatted, front end up and help you keep you straight.

Entry Speed:

When entering a whoop it’s very important to have speed! Speed is your friend because that will help you stay on top of the whoop and will keep you straight. Slowing down before coming into it will only make you lose traction and make it more difficult to create a good rhythm and then you are just riding up and down the whoops which is almost harder to do and much slower.

Weight Distribution:

It is very important to know where and how to properly distribute your weight on a bike, especially on the whoops section. Putting too much weight on either end of the bike could result in your bike skipping a whoop or diving into the middle of the whoop. Your body should resemble a similar position to a dead-lift stance. Knees, toes, and butt should all be back with your head above and over the handlebars.

Wheel Placement:

 Finding a good rhythm in the whoops section will make your life so much easier and it all starts with where you place your front tire on the first whoop. It’s pretty much all about finding the sweet spot on the track. If your front tire is too high you’ll have a likely chance that you’ll skip a whoop. And if your front tire is too low the front tire will be lost in the trenches. It’s important to remember that the sweet spot on the track will vary on your entry speed and weight distribution.

Bonus Rider Tip:

Whoops in the desert can be more forgiving and usually less-dangerous than a whoop at the track, with that being said we recommend trying to hit some whoops in the desert before the MX track!

Again, riding the whoops section can be intimidating but following these tips will hopefully help you conquer them! Like anything and everything practice makes perfect so think about your movements once you’re in action or record yourself to pinpoint what needs improvement. Ride safe and see you on the dirt!

Related:

-5 Best Local Deserts for Off-Roading
-Tips to Help Master a Rut
-Mastering the Dunes on a Dirt Bike

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