Kicker

Price: $120

Kickers can be made in countless different shapes and sizes. The one I'll be talking about is 3 feet tall, 3 feet wide and is fairly steep. Since building a kicker is fairly straight forward, it is easy to build it with different dimensions.

What You'll Need

  • One 4'x8' sheet of 3/4" plywood
  • Two 4'x8' sheets of 3/8" plywood
  • Seven 8' 2x4's
  • A bunch of screws and a drill
  • A pencil
  • A tape measure
  • Something to cut the pieces with
  • The required safety gear

Cut List

MATERIALS CUT LIST
--- Description --- --- Dimensions --- --- Quantity ---
3/4" treated PLYWOOD 3' 10" x 8' (to cut up later) 1
3/8" treated PLYWOOD 3' 10" x 8' (to cut up later) 1
treated 2x4 2' 10 1/2" 7
screws 3" deck screws 60-70
screws 1 1/2" deck screws (for plywood) 50-60

Make the sides

First off, you will need to design the sides of your kicker. These are the pieces that will be supporting the main structure of the ramp. You will use your 3/4 inch sheet for this. You should always try to use as little ply wood as possible so you can save some for your next project and save your $$$. For dimensions, see diagram above. To draw a perfect curve you should use the string-and-pencil method as it is better than trying your luck at freehand.
Make the sides

Attach top and bottom

Next, you will need to cut out the curves and also cut your 2x4's to length. They should be 2'101/2" in length and you will be needing 12-14 of them for this design. Each 2x4 will need at least 2 screws in each side to ensure that it will be strong. You will also need to cut off the points on the bottom of the curve because they are not being used and will probably break off anyway's.
Attach top and bottom

Start framing the curve

Now it is time to finish the frame. Start with the top and finish the lip first, because that is where you will need to be the most careful. (follow the design on the pictures above for the layout of 2x4's) After you've finished the lip, you can frame the rest of the curve, spacing each 2x4 6" apart (the closer the stronger).
Start framing the curve

Finish framing the curve

The frame is done, so now you can put the 3/8" plywood on. cut 3' widths (make sure grain is going left to right as in picture or else it will be impossible to bend to this tight curve). MAKE SURE that the pieces meet on a 2x4 so that the join will be strong (as shown in the pictures above). When applying the second layer just make sure sure that the join isn't in the same place as the first.
Finish framing the curve

Leave a Comment

thumbnail bob wrote:
Yea, I made one like this a long time ago and still use it lots! Its awesome I think mine isnt as steep as this tho
thumbnail rubsy18 wrote:
I made one to but much wider,also do you think you could make some plans for a 5' Kicker
thumbnail wtp_boy wrote:
hey i was thinking about making a steel kicker and was looking for a idea to how steep to make like what degree to make it oh and its for a bmx
thanks :D
thumbnail gSchier wrote:
@wtp_boy Well since you have not provided any details I would suggest you make it similar to this one :P

Or if you're looking for something a bit taller you can check out our Box Jump tutorial for more ideas.

~Gregory
thumbnail matthew wrote:
do any of u think i should by a kicker
thumbnail gSchier wrote:
@matthew You should totally make your own! :)
thumbnail matthew wrote:
it costs like 300 dollers to by the wood were i live
thumbnail matthew wrote:
do any of u no were i can get a cheap 4' kicker
thumbnail Chueko wrote:
If u go somewhere where there is houses being built, they usually will give u 2x4's and 4x4's if you ask
thumbnail gSchier wrote:
Good tip Chueko!
thumbnail matthew wrote:
r u a bmxer gschier
thumbnail gSchier wrote:
@matthew: Yes I am. I've been riding most of my life. Although there was a period where I picked up skateboarding for 3 or 4 years.

~Gregory
thumbnail jaimepinon wrote:
hey G! i'm thinking about a 4' kicker, but for a 26" mtb DirtJump bike. What radius should i use?
thumbnail gSchier wrote:
@jaimepinon: I recommend around 12' for a radius. But remember to draw down some examples on paper to get a feel of what it will look like when you're finished. :)
thumbnail dirtbiker wrote:
how far do you think a 4ft kicker with 8ft radius would launch you? i wanna go about 10-15 feet but yet stay high as well...any suggestions?
thumbnail hardinludvig wrote:
How tall is it?
thumbnail gSchier wrote:
3 feet
thumbnail luckyscooter wrote:
scooters are awosome
thumbnail robbie wrote:
I would like to build a 6' kicker and be able to get about 15' high and clear 8' to 10' in distance, what would my radius be?
thumbnail Belg wrote:
the measurement for the 2x4's in the first pic is 3'10 1/2" which is incorrect if the width is only 3' wide.

I was wondering if my height is going to be 30" high and its length is 60" what would be the best radius to get a smooth but reasonably radical jump?

I'm building this for my son who will be 20 as soon as I give him this ramp (Jan 30). He's an experienced street BMX'r so if you could keep that in mind when you choose the radius. Thanks for any help
thumbnail Martin wrote:
HELLO FRIENDS THIS HOW DO I BUY RAMP? THANKS
thumbnail chris wrote:
What is the radius for the kicker
thumbnail Mojo wrote:
I'd like to know how to built a 7 kicker ...
The same just multiply everything with 1.75 ?
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