How do you scrub a jump on a dirt bike?

Answer 1

Let me give you some of my credentials first. Early in life I earned my pro license (the one you need to race supercross/outdoor nationals), and am now pursuing a degree in chemical engineering with a minor in physics. Thus, I now have ample experience in moto and a physical understanding of it, which I now delegate to share with you.

The idea of scrubbing is energy redirection. When your bike begins up the face of the jump, some of the energy it had from its velocity is stored in the suspension by loading it. The trick behind scrubbing is to redirect this stored energy from exploding upward, which will launch you upward, and waste precious seconds that could be used railing on the track. First step is to think of a diving board. This process much resembles the load/unload principle you experience in moto. you can either load up and extend your body, thus maximizing your launch, or bend your knees when you come down on the board, absorb the energy into your body, and minimize your height. Transforming this concept into being useful on your bike is the first step. When you reach the crest of the jump, allow your knees and elbows to buckle and absorb the energy in them. If properly executed, your butt should hit the seat, and you will "feel" the energy redirected into your body. No matter your skill level, this technique can be used, especially when exhausted at the end of a long moto, to save some time.

In a more advanced exercise, and after dialing the first step down, you can begin practicing all out scrubbing. This technique is more of an art, and always finishes with a touch of personalized pizzaz. Before attempting a scrub, identify which side you are comfortable whipping with. This preference will establish which way you will scrub. But fist, I cannot emphasize enough, YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO WHIP THE BIKE WELL FIRST!!!!!! Once comfortable with wipping, you can carry this concept into scrubbing. Approach the face of the jump on the same side as the way you will whip (if you whip the back of the bike to the left, approach the left side of the jump, and do the same for the right.) As you approach, stand tall and aggressive (pitched towards the front of the bike.) As you approach the crest of the jump, use your legs and arms to roll the bike downward and the back of the bike to the side of your whipping preference. The technique of absorbing the energy of the bike with your body, outlined above, should be simultaneously employed (scrubbing is a convoluted subject!!!) Turning the bars in towards the face is an advanced exercise that should only be practiced when holding them straight is perfected, as it only helps to absorb a little more energy. When perfected, at the top of the jump, it should feel like your bike is washing out, as it would if you were trying to rail through a flat corner with too much aggression. This is where the advantage comes from, if your bike is laid flat, the suspension will unload horizontally, and none of the energy will be transformed into a vertical explosion upward into the sky. Turning the bars into the face only helps you lay the bike more flat, and while helping to minimize energy transformation, is much more difficult to save. Once you leave the face of the jump, your attention will re-focus into saving it. Use your legs to straighten the bike out, and focus on your landing point in an attempt to return to vertical riding position to save your landing and a possible ride in an ambulance (I've been there when trying to show off for a camera, one such instance can be found on my old myspace account www.myspace.com/reynolds188).

On a final note, scrubbing is an incremental procedure, and small steps, on small jumps, should be perfected before becoming more and more aggressive in your approach. Practice it over and over on small hits before going all out and trying to look like bubba, or you will earn a date in the operating room and 6 months in a wheelchair!!!!

Answer 2

on the face of the jump you want to throw your bars the way you want your bike to lay over toward. doing this right before the front tire leaves the jump is key. its all one flow, your bike will come around on its own and just stay up front.. start small and work to bigger scrubs!