There’s a moment every Polaris General owner dreams of. You see a perfect rise on the trail, a smooth dune crest, or a man-made tabletop. Your heart thumps, your grip tightens, and you think, “I can clear that.”
Getting all four wheels off the ground is one of the biggest thrills in off-roading. But that thrill can turn into a massive repair bill—or worse—in the blink of an eye. A botched landing can mean bent A-arms, blown shocks, or a cracked frame.
You want the adrenaline rush, not the garage heartache. You want to feel confident that both you and your machine can handle the flight and, more importantly, the landing.
That’s why we’re here. This isn’t just about sending it; it’s about sending it smart. Keep reading this complete polaris general jumping guide to learn how to prep your rig, nail your technique, and walk away ready for the next adventure.
Before You Fly: The Essential Pre-Jump Inspection
Tempting as it is to just floor it, a successful jump starts in the garage, not on the trail. A five-minute “pre-flight” check can save you thousands in repairs. Treat your General like an aircraft—because for a few seconds, it will be.
Suspension Check: Shocks, Springs, and A-Arms
Your suspension is the single most important system for jumping. It’s what launches you and what saves you on landing. Give it the respect it deserves.
Start by visually inspecting your shocks. Look for any signs of leaking oil, which looks like a dark, grimy film on the shock body. A leaking shock has lost its damping ability and is a recipe for a hard, uncontrolled landing.
Next, check your springs for cracks or sagging. Push down on the front and rear of your General. It should compress smoothly and return to its original height without excessive bouncing. If it feels mushy or bouncy, your shocks or springs need attention.
Finally, grab a flashlight and look at all your A-arms and their mounting points on the frame. Look for any cracks in the welds, bends in the tubes, or signs of stress. Don’t forget to check your ball joints and bushings for excessive play.
Tire and Wheel Integrity
Your tires are the first point of contact on landing. An underinflated tire can de-bead, and an overinflated tire can bounce unpredictably. Make sure your tire pressures are set correctly for the terrain and are equal side-to-side.
Give each wheel a good shake. Grab it at the top and bottom, then the sides. Any clunking or wobbling could indicate a bad wheel bearing or ball joint. Also, quickly check that all your lug nuts are tight. It sounds basic, but you’d be surprised.
Frame and Chassis Scan
Take a moment to look underneath your rig. Get a good view of the main frame rails, especially around the suspension mounting points. You’re looking for stress fractures, which often appear as thin, spiderweb-like cracks in the paint or powder coat.
Pay close attention to any aftermarket parts like skid plates or rock sliders. Ensure all bolts are tight and that nothing is hanging loose that could snag on takeoff or landing.
How to Polaris General Jumping: Technique and Best Practices
Once your machine is cleared for takeoff, the rest is up to you. Proper technique separates a smooth flight from a catastrophic failure. This section covers the polaris general jumping best practices we teach at the shop.
Choosing Your Launch Point
Not all jumps are created equal. The ideal launch is smooth, predictable, and has a long, clear landing zone. Avoid jumps with ruts, rocks, or an uneven “kicker” at the lip, as this can send your UTV flying sideways.
Critically, always inspect the landing zone first. Walk it if you have to. Is it flat? Is it sloped downhill (ideal)? Or does it have a nasty G-out, ditch, or obstacle waiting for you? Never jump blind.
The Approach: Speed and Throttle Control
Consistency is key. Approach the jump at a steady, controlled speed. Abruptly accelerating right at the face of the jump can cause the rear suspension to squat and the nose to pitch up dangerously high—this is called “bucking.”
Instead, get to your desired speed well before the ramp. Maintain a steady throttle as you go up the face. This keeps the suspension level and gives you a predictable, stable launch. Your goal is to leave the ground with the vehicle flying parallel to the angle of the landing.
In the Air: Maintaining Balance
Once you’re airborne, your ability to control the General is limited, but not zero. If the nose is too high, a quick tap of the brakes can help bring it down. If the nose is diving, a blip of the throttle can help level it out. These are advanced techniques—for beginners, the goal is to have a level launch so you don’t need to make corrections.
The most important thing is to stay off the brakes unless you absolutely need to correct the pitch. Slamming the brakes in the air will cause the nose to dive hard.
The Landing: Power On for a Softer Touchdown
This is the most counter-intuitive of all the polaris general jumping tips, but it’s the most critical. You need to land with the wheels spinning. Landing with the power on helps the suspension absorb the impact and keeps the vehicle moving forward smoothly.
Aim to land with the front tires touching down just a split second before the rears. As you come down, be back on the throttle—not full power, but enough to match your wheel speed to your ground speed. Chopping the throttle right before impact causes the clutches to disengage and the suspension to compress harshly, which can lead to damage.
Common Problems with Polaris General Jumping and How to Avoid Them
Even with perfect technique, sending a 1,500+ pound machine through the air puts immense stress on its components. Knowing the weak points is the first step to preventing breaks.
- Blown Shocks: The number one failure. Landing too hard or “bottoming out” repeatedly will destroy stock shock seals. Avoidance: Invest in quality aftermarket shocks with better valving and larger oil capacity if you plan to jump often.
- Bent A-Arms and Tie Rods: Landing sideways or with one wheel first puts massive lateral stress on these parts. Avoidance: Focus on a straight approach and a level landing. Upgrading to high-clearance or boxed A-arms can add significant strength.
- Cracked Frames: This is the worst-case scenario, usually caused by repeated hard bottom-outs. Avoidance: Install a good frame gusset kit, which reinforces known weak points, especially around the suspension mounts.
- Damaged Axles or CV Joints: Landing hard on the throttle can snap a CV joint. Avoidance: Be smooth with your throttle application on landing. Don’t go from zero to full throttle right at impact. Aftermarket axles like those from RCV or Turner are much stronger than stock.
The Post-Jump Polaris General Jumping Care Guide
You landed it! The adrenaline is pumping. Before you go hunting for the next jump, take 60 seconds to give your machine a quick once-over. This simple habit is a core part of a good polaris general jumping care guide.
Immediate Walk-Around
Pull over where it’s safe. Walk around the vehicle and look at the same things you did on your pre-jump check. Are the tires still inflated? Are the A-arms straight? Do you see any new fluid leaks?
Listen for New Noises
As you drive away, turn down the music and listen. Do you hear any new squeaks, clunks, or grinding sounds? A new noise is your General’s way of telling you something is hurt. Pay attention to it.
The Detailed Garage Check-Up
When you get home and wash your rig, do a more thorough inspection. With the mud gone, you can more easily spot bent parts or fresh cracks. Re-check the torque on your lug nuts and suspension bolts. This is how you catch small problems before they become big, expensive ones on the next ride.
Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Jumping: Ride with Respect
Part of being a good off-roader is respecting the trails and the environment. This absolutely applies to how and where you jump. Practicing sustainable polaris general jumping ensures our riding areas stay open for everyone.
The concept of eco-friendly polaris general jumping is about minimizing your impact. Don’t create new jumps by carving up natural terrain. This causes erosion and damages the trail system. Stick to established, man-made jumps at off-road parks or natural rises on durable surfaces like sand dunes.
A “sustainable” mindset also applies to your machine. Building your General to withstand the abuse of jumping means fewer broken parts left on the trail and a longer life for your UTV. It’s about riding hard, but also riding smart.
Frequently Asked Questions About Polaris General Jumping
Can a stock Polaris General handle jumps?
For small, gentle jumps where you’re only getting a foot or two of air, a stock General is generally fine. However, its stock suspension is tuned more for trail comfort than for absorbing big hits. For anything more serious, suspension upgrades are highly recommended.
What are the first upgrades I should make for jumping?
Start with the suspension. A quality set of aftermarket shocks from brands like Walker Evans, FOX, or Shock Therapy will make the single biggest difference. After that, consider a frame gusset kit and stronger A-arms to build a solid foundation.
How high can you safely jump a Polaris General?
This depends entirely on the vehicle’s setup and the rider’s skill. A fully built machine with a professional driver can handle massive air. For the average trail rider with a near-stock machine, the goal should be smoothness, not height. Focus on clearing obstacles cleanly rather than aiming for the sky.
What’s the most common part to break when jumping?
By far, the most common failures are related to the suspension. Shock seals are the first to go, followed by tie rods and ball joints. Axles are also a common weak point, especially if you land hard on the throttle.
Getting your Polaris General airborne is an incredible feeling, but it demands respect for your equipment and the terrain. By performing thorough checks, mastering your technique, and building your machine thoughtfully, you can enjoy the thrill of flight without the pain of a broken rig.
So go ahead, send it. Just do it with your head, not just your right foot. Stay safe, ride smart, and we’ll see you on the trails!
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