The whip is a signature motocross maneuver where the rider intentionally lays the dirt bike sideways while airborne. This technique transforms the bike’s trajectory, moving it off the straight line of travel before bringing it back for a two-wheel landing. The move serves a dual function, acting as both a stylistic flourish and a practical tool for trajectory correction. Riders use the whip to realign the bike mid-air, which can be necessary if they take a jump with an incorrect line or need to set up for a tight turn immediately after landing. Attempting this maneuver requires a controlled environment, comfort with jumping, and the use of full protective gear, including a certified helmet, boots, and body armor.
The Essential Setup and Approach
Before attempting a whip, a rider must be comfortable with basic jumping mechanics, consistently clearing jumps without difficulty. The ideal jump for learning has a smooth, predictable face that allows for a consistent approach and takeoff. The rider’s body position requires a loose, athletic stance with weight centered over the footpegs. The balls of the feet should be firmly planted, and the knees should lightly grip the bike’s shroud to maintain connection.
The initiation begins with the “whip-line,” a slight, angled approach toward the jump face. Instead of hitting the jump straight on, the rider approaches at a shallow angle, perhaps 5 to 10 degrees off-center. This angle pre-loads the suspension for sideways motion and determines the direction the bike will be thrown. Maintaining a steady throttle through the jump face ensures the suspension compresses and unloads predictably, providing the necessary upward momentum.
Execution: The Carve, Kick, and Peak
The execution of the whip begins precisely as the front wheel leaves the lip of the jump, utilizing the stored energy released by the suspension unloading. To initiate sideways rotation, the rider simultaneously turns the handlebars in the direction of the whip and drops the inside shoulder. For a whip to the right, the bars are turned right, and the right shoulder is lowered, which applies rotational force around the bike’s center of mass.
This steering input is immediately followed by a “kick” and “pull” motion. The rider pulls back on the handlebars to lift the front end while pushing down on the inside footpeg. This leverage causes the rear wheel to swing out to the side, aided by the deflection from the angled takeoff. The combination of steering, body lean, and the footpeg push gets the bike “flat,” or fully sideways, in the air.
The rider can use the throttle in the air to influence the bike’s attitude. Applying a small burst of throttle increases the rear wheel’s rotational speed, which can make the bike feel lighter and easier to manipulate sideways. At the peak of the whip, the bike is fully sideways. This is the point of maximum rotation, where the rider must begin the correction process to prepare for the landing.
The Landing: Bringing the Bike Back
Bringing the bike back from a fully sideways position requires precise timing and a controlled reversal of the initial inputs. The primary action is to spot the landing zone and straighten the handlebars, aligning the front wheel with the intended direction of travel. The rider must initiate this correction while still airborne, guiding the bike back toward a straight orientation. The bike’s momentum and aerodynamic drag naturally assist in rotating the bike back to a straight line.
The gyroscopic effect of the spinning wheels also helps stabilize the bike as it is brought back to center. The rider should use a smooth, guiding motion, allowing the bike’s physics to assist the process, rather than violently forcing it. The goal is to ensure the bike is completely straight and perpendicular to the ground before the wheels make contact.
Landing technique is important for safety and maintaining speed. The rider must aim for the downslope of the landing ramp to minimize the vertical impact force and absorb the remaining shock with bent knees and elbows. Landing sideways or with misaligned wheels can result in a loss of control and a crash. A successful whip concludes with a smooth, two-wheel touchdown, carrying momentum into the next section of the track.