It's a weird thing for sure.
For me, I could never grasp the idea off kickers too well either. Obviously every kicker is different, but I think it has to do a lot with getting a feel for how different speeds affect the feel when you take off the kicker. Of course, doing a little bunny hop off the lip affects the jump too, but I think it's more important to adjust to the ramp.
Back when I was learning one-handers and one-footers, I first began on my little kicker. I rode it so often that I adjusted to the shape of that ramp, so when I took to the skatepark with completely different ramps, it took forever to actually land them even though I could do them endlessly on my kicker.
I'd say keep riding it, but maybe go at it a little faster each time and experiment with those little hops off the lip until you find that you have a decent amount of airtime to actually try tricks.
GL!
Scooter kid trying to ride a bike.
@scootereyn