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im having trouble going through softsand whoops and other soft sand areas what do i do to keep from crashing?? where i ride in ocotilla wells it is becoming mostly soft sand with oddly spaced whoops and plants.

thanx


jeff 14

sand riding is a beast in its own. For riding on sand you have to keep the power on as sand will slow you down real fast, You have to keep the weight over the back tire as you front tire will knife into the sand and send you over the bars. For me I like to use the stand/croutching position. I am standing on the pegs with my weight over the rear of the bike, Standing so your legs can soak up the bumps and over the rear to keep the front of the bike lite.

thanx

Whoops? oh yeah I love whoops. Stand bent knees, elbows up, Butt over the rear fender, Let the bike rock under you. Don't fight the bike just let it rock . Keep the power on. And last the faster you go the smoother it gets.

Dale

Iused to hate riding thru whoops. Now I kind of look for them. I ride mostly in Ocotillo wells. I know they are out there. Like everyone else has said. Just keep your weight back, give it gas and the most important thing to remember is be committed. Never go thru the whoops half hearted. If you are going to hit them. Give it all, or you are going to regret it in ther end....crashing. Good luck.

The committed part comes from many articles I have read from RC to K-dub. They always say. Be committed in the whoops. It has worked for me.

Get good at high speed woops of any kind, this is my favorite place to make multiple passes after getting yet another crappy start.

My favorite sand ones are at Millville, MN but when the pros come they make me look like a moron - but I try to watch and learn. Watch the A riders at your local tracks- note body positions and listen to there bikes.

Some whoop you can actually double or triple through faster but usually just racken em all is the best for really close ones.

If there is a groove cut in all the jumps like you see in the Supercross races use it - it is just faster.

i just have to say if they arent really big wavey whoops, the faster i go the better it feels.

In my offroad experience with whoops I was taught years back to have the power in its upper midrange,
not pegged with your weight back and drag the rear brake,this will keep the rear end from swapping and the bike strait,but if the rear decides to kick out then pegg it(thats why you always want to keep spare power on tap).It took alot of practice but the brakes can actaully help you go faster in certain situations.


SLICK...

Hi dude i agree with the boy,s .I,ll put my 5cent,s worth
in check your suspension set up as well for sand i tend to stiffen up on compression(harder)slow rebound down
(harder) it work,s for me give it a try it may make a difference.Good luck.

All of the above and make sure your sag is set correctly. A dampener will also help out in the sand.

Joe

Everyone gave really good points, but don't forget to squeeze the bike with your boots and your knees for control.

i learned the easy way, the entrance road from the parking lot to the dunes is a mile(or longer) strip of uphill sand whoops. you learn really fast that going slow in sand is really hard and takes a ton of energy.after the first trip through, i knew i had to do something different. after a stop for gas and water, we headed back to the entrance and the was not line at the DNR(dept of natural resources) check station. i ,being the "slower" rider, was at the the back of the pack and i knew they would take off and leave me if i didn't keep up. engines rev, clutches are dumped....second....third... just lean back and hold on i tell my self(ready for a crash). seconds later i realize how smooth it is going i'm flying through the road and all but passing my friends who all speed up since i am staying with them. wha took 15-20 min the first time took 4 -5 and i was a ton less wore out, although my legs were shaking and my hart was racing, i tore the whoops up.my riding hasnt been the same since, but i think it changed for the better.

I am still learning.
http://img531.imageshack.us/my.php?imag ... 207gd8.flv

rocky sand whoops at the dunes
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fusea ... D=18313036