Truck driver

A truck driver is a BMX trick where the rider does a 360 spin in the air while also spinning the handlebars through a full barspin. It is one of the most common big rotation combinations in park and dirt riding.

Overview

The truck driver is a 360 and a barspin done at the same time. The bike and rider turn through a full circle while the bars spin once underneath. The rider catches the bars as the bike finishes its turn and lands facing forward.

The name is often linked to the look of the bars spinning like a steering wheel. It is best learned after the 360 and the barspin are both comfortable on their own, because the combined trick needs time in the air and calm hands.

How to do it

Practise on a jump or ramp that gives you plenty of air time. A mid sized dirt jump, a box or a quarter pipe works well.

1. Land each part on its own. You should have a steady 360 and a clean barspin. Do not try to learn both at the same moment.
2. Combine at lower speed first. Try a 180 barspin on a smaller jump. This builds the timing before you go to a full spin.
3. Choose a direction. Spin the bike and the bars in the direction that feels natural. Most riders turn one way more easily.
4. Take off with height. Roll in at steady speed and pop off the lip. You need enough air to finish both rotations.
5. Start the 360. Turn your head and shoulders in your spin direction, and start the bike turning.
6. Release the bars. Once the bike is turning, let go and flick the bars around with one hand. Keep both hands close so you can catch the bars as they come back.
7. Catch the bars. Reach for the bars as they come back around. Do not stare at them. Trust your hands to find them.
8. Spot the landing. Turn your head to look for the ground as the bike finishes its 360.
9. Land straight. Place both hands on the grips, point the front wheel forward and land on both wheels. Ride out.

Variations

• Truck driver to opposite direction: spinning the bike and bars against each other. It is harder and less common.
• Truck driver x-up: the bars turn to the side after the spin.
• Truck driver tailwhip: a tailwhip added to the spin. It is very advanced.
• 540 truck driver: one and a half turns with a barspin. See 540.
• Flat or ramp: the same trick on a quarter pipe, a spine or a jump.

Common mistakes

• Not enough height. Both rotations need air time. A small jump does not give you enough.
• Spinning the bars too early. If you start the barspin before the bike is turning, you lose control.
• Missing the bars. Staring at the bars makes you reach late. Look for the landing as soon as you can.
• Under-rotating the 360. The bike lands crooked. Turn your head and shoulders harder.
• Over-rotating. You end up landing sideways or backwards.
• Cables and brakes. A twisted brake cable can stop the bars mid spin. Use a gyro or a short cable.

History

The 360 and the barspin were both established BMX tricks well before the 1990s ended. Riders began combining them as ramps and jumps got bigger. The combination became a staple of contests and videos and is now one of the most common big rotation combos.

Naming varies from rider to rider, and the exact first landing is not clear, so this page does not name a single rider. Many riders treat it as a standard trick for park and dirt sessions.

Related tricks

• 360
• Barspin
• 540
• Tailwhip
• X-up
• Tabletop