Why do MX racers throw their bikes sideways while in the air?

Question

I just saw this seasons Supercross series on TV

I never really thought about it until now.

Are they show-boating?

Are their bikes coming off a jump at an angle?

Are they setting up for a turn when the land?

If they're show-boating, wouldn't the wind resistance slow them down a little in the air?

Answer 1

Its called scrubing speed.. or whipping

Its where you turn on the face of the jump so that the suspension doesn't preload springing you up higher into the air but preloads to the side so it doesn't push you higher. And staying lower means going faster.

Can also set up for next corner if its close.

and its a little bit of show-boating sometimes

but thats when they can afford to show-boat, like over the final jump.

Answer 2

They do this because they either didn't think they were going to make it  or it is because they were going too fast.The wind resistance is controllable depending on how  flat they make themselfs in the air.

Answer 3

i am a girl riding and there are so many reasons way u can scrub it(wipp it).It's when u go in the air and turn it side ways it's to pick chicks up like me

Answer 4

The first answer is correct, sorta, throwing the bike sideways just prior to getting launched off a jump gets the wheels down on the track faster, (You can't go faster if your bike is in the air) it was perfected by James Stewart (Hence the name Bubba Scrub). It was soon copied by all the other riders. Throwing the bike sideways when you are already in the air is a whip, it is something all together diferent... it's showboating.

Answer 5

Most of the time it is show-boating, however it can be used to get set up for the next turn also. If there was a table top going into a corner, I would always hit the face on the left and cross over to the right on the landing, unless there was a big jump after the turn.

This technique has been in supercross/motorcross for well over 25 years. Guys like Johnny O'Mara, David Bailey, and even Ron Lechien were very talent riders who used to throw the bike around and made it look easy.

Yes, it does slow you down in the air, similar to the effects of applying the brakes while in mid-air, which are minimal at best.

Answer 6

To show off..and to get the ladies impressed. Sure does get me everytime. All (typically most) motorcorss guys are hot. I am a rider as well so when they see me on the track I get a lot of heads turning.