Freestyle ATV Tricks
These freestyle ATV riding tricks can be found in the book Guide to ATV Riding
Single Jumps
Serious motocross and supercross racers master jumps to win. Once you dial in your jumps you can think about atv freestyle tricks.
Always scope out the landing zone before you jump your four wheeler. If it's a blind jump, ask someone to stay on the landing side. They should signal to you when it's safe to jump your ATV.
Always start small and look for a small ramp. You do not need a big lip or a sloped landing zone. Crouch into an attack position, bend your knees and keep your elbows out. Stay steady on the atv's gas up the ramp. In the air, you might need to "blip" the atv's throttle to help keep the front-end up. You want to land on your rear wheels.
Double Jumps
Quad ATV racers use front-wheel landings off jumps to stay on the gas for the next jump. Double jumps require nose-first landings. To lower your front wheels in the air, tap the rear brake or push down on the handlebars. If the nose dips too far, rev the throttle all the way as you shift your weight back slightly.
A double jump usually uses a launch ramp and a landing ramp followed by another set of ramps. Practice on a tabletop jump first as it has a level surface in between the jumps and is easier to manuever. Add more speed as you practice. Move from the tabletop to your first double jump only when you feel ready.
Wheelie
On a manual-clutch quad ATV, you pull in the clutch and shift into 1st or 2nd. Rev the throttle past halfway then shift your weight back and pop the clutch. You want to hang in the air at your balance point. Blip the throttle to raise the nose. Tap the rear brake to bring the atv's nose down. Sometimes just pushing or pulling the handlebar with your arms can keep the ATV balanced.
Donuts
Level open terrain works best for a smooth donut on an ATV. Dunes work great and so does soft dirt. Come into the turn at just past half throttle. Crank your handlebars and lean inward. Jazz the throttle and watch that you don't lean too far inside.
Heel Clicker
Look for a ramp that gives you decent airtime. Once you're off the lip, kick your feet up and outside your arms. Hold the handlebars as you click your feet together. Drop your feet back down and take a crouched position for the landing.
Cliffhanger
Huge air is a must for this one. Just as you leave the lip, use the energy to push yourself off the seat. Reach up high with your arms and stretch out your toes to catch the underside of the atv's handlebars. Keep your head up, then reach down for the handlebars as you kick your feet back into position. Bend your knees for the landing.
