How to ride whoops on a dirt bike
Riding whoops is a fundamental skill for enduro and off-road riding that lets you maintain speed and control through closely spaced bumps. Good whoop technique keeps momentum, reduces rider fatigue, and prevents being bounced off the bike or washed out sideways; you use it on technical trails, race tracks, and any section with a series of evenly spaced, rhythmical bumps. Learning to read rhythm, choose line, and manage suspension with your body will make whoops safer and faster. This guide covers progressive technique: body position, timing and execution, and common errors to avoid. Practicing these steps in increasing speed will build confidence and help you flow through whoops rather than getting trapped by them.
Step by Step
1. Assume an active standing position
Stand slightly off the seat with knees bent, elbows up and head over the bars; keep weight centered and heels down so the bike can move independently beneath you.
2. Soften with legs and arms
Use your legs and arms as additional suspension—allow them to compress and extend to absorb each bump rather than locking up; stay loose but controlled.
3. Maintain steady throttle and clutch control
Drive through the whoops with a steady, slightly open throttle and modulate power with the clutch when needed to keep the rear wheel planted and consistent.
4. Pump through the troughs
Time a small push-down (pump) with your legs and the bike in the troughs to maintain rhythm and keep both wheels tracking rather than trying to launch off every bump.
5. Choose line and look ahead
Pick a line with consistent spacing and avoid sudden corrections; keep your eyes down the whoops to anticipate tempo and adjust body movement accordingly.
Common Mistakes & Fixes
- Tensing up and gripping the bars — Relax your arms and let your body absorb impacts while keeping a light contact on the bars.
- Chopping throttle or overbraking — Keep a smooth, steady throttle and use the rear brake sparingly to preserve momentum and rhythm.
- Standing too far back — Shift weight slightly forward so the front wheel tracks and you can steer through small corrections.
- Trying to jump every bump — Use pumping rhythm to flow through whoops instead of attempting to get airborne over each one.
Pro Tip
Start slowly to find the rhythm, then increase speed incrementally only after you can clear several whoops consistently.