my buddy & I went riding yesterday...........been on the trail about 15 minuted when we happen across these 2 guys who are relaxing near 3 piles of dirt. they have a 250r & brand new 400ex........al & I are riding our 400ex's. they explain that they just built these "jumps" & have been getting big air. I fire up my bike & take a couple of test runs at the largest pile. I right away see that it is short, steep, and has no landing other than a slight uphill with a potential for a hard hit.
Having launched the 400 many times in the past, I recognize this jump as being the "limit" for the stock 400 suspension. I hit it cautiously a few times getting some small air, but enough time to pull off a one hander.
my new riding buddies aren't impressed so they crank up their bikes & start roosting around..........I sense that someone is about to get hurt. I was right.
they start nailing this pile with WAY too much speed. both of them going high & far & landing VERY hard. finally the guy on the 400ex makes the mistake..........too much speed. the back end drops out in the air, and he is screwed. he tried to recover but was outta shape when he landed. the bike kicked him off & he hit the gravel hard. he never buckeled his helmet, and it flew off just after his head beat the ground. he bent his bars & one back rim. He tried to play it off like he wasn't hurt, but I felt his pain. Luckily he wasn't hurt bad. It just knocked him silly for a few minutes. Moral to the story.......I am not sure there is one. if something feels dangerous, it probably is. use your head out there.............