We've all had issues with our bikes falling off the center stand or sinking into hot pavement while on the sidestand. Here's the question: When parking on a flat, even, and hard surface, do you use your center stand or side stand? At a recent ride I was ganged up on for using the side stand instead of the center stand. I thought and still think the side stand is far more stable. Your thoughts?
It's harder to knock over on its side stand...hitting from the left you have more lean to overcome to knock it over, from the other side the sidestand will prevent it from falling. The centerstand can be knock over either way, has a higher center of gravity and a smaller supporting area (I've heard some think because its resting on 3 points its stronger, but with the sidestand its resting on 3 points too).... I myself usually use the sidestand becasue its easier.
I always park mine on the side stand. It creates a bigger triangle, which would be more stable. An exception would be if you raised or lowered your suspension which would make your side stand too long or too short. You would have to adust it accordingly.
Living in a college town may be a different scenario but here I find it safer to put my bike on the center stand and this is why. I have come out of dorms, classes, restraunts, ect. to find people sitting on my bike, taking pictures of their friends on my bike, and just molesting my baby in ways that I don't want to think about, one of these people caused a tip over of the right side the day after I got my bike, I didn't see it happen but I had scratches where they wern't the day before. Now I keep it on the centerstand when I can't see it or I'm not at home because it seems that the high seat height deters people from getting on it, I haven't seen anybody messing with it since I've started doing this.
FYI, if you pick up a nail that causes a leak in your rear tire, and you then leave the bike on the sidestand, there is a very good chance you'll return to find your bike on the ground the next morning. Happens to ZRX guys all the time apparently (no centerstand on that bike).
[quote name='RED RUNNER' date='Sep 6 2006, 11:21 AM' post='292295'] We've all had issues with our bikes falling off the center stand or sinking into hot pavement while on the sidestand. Here's the question: When parking on a flat, even, and hard surface, do you use your center stand or side stand? At a recent ride I was ganged up on for using the side stand instead of the center stand. I thought and still think the side stand is far more stable. Your thoughts? [/quote
I always use the sidestand for parking. You just have to be aware of the surface you are parking on. I carry one of those freebee "pucks" in my jacket pocket. If the substrate seems soft, I use it. Better safe than sorry. The centerstand is used for service, chain lube and cleaning.
BTW.........leave the bike in gear on the side stand, that way it won't roll of on a incline or if it is bumped.
I agree with Scott W. Center stand is great for oil changes and chain maintenance, or when I park it in my garage. When I am out riding I use the sidestand and make sure it is in gear so there is little chance of it rolling forward and folding the sidestand.
I just do whatever, no preference really. The centerstand at home and at work. If I'm stopping in somewhere the sidestand. (always a good idea to keep a crushed can or something like that to use between the foot of the sidestand and hot asphalt) Don't ask me why I know this...LOL
I'm a bit of a cstand@homeman.com.au with sidestand most other places. The whole flat tyre scenario scares me enough to leave it on the cstand whenever away from the bike for some time however.
centerstand at home or work, side any other time... i hate parking my bike in public! i'm a freak about somebody coming along and being an @$$ knocking it over or sitting on it or looking at it funny... worst is when i go to our farm there are barn cats that always come hop on my bike... nice and warm i guess.. always leave hair on my seat... NASTY
wingsvfr781, Sep 6 2006, 11:37 AM I always park mine on the side stand. It creates a bigger triangle, which would be more stable. An exception would be if you raised or lowered your suspension which would make your side stand too long or too short. You would have to adust it accordingly.
I try to park my bike where I can keep an eye on it. I choose the stand with the situation.
I think that the bike gets more attention on the center stand. I'll also use center stand when it is warm outside or if the ground has a slight lean.
I'm sure it is quite debatable which offers more tip over protection. Assuming no flat, I would think that the side stand is more stable due to the triangle that was previously mentioned.
I tell you. I couldn't even imagine my reaction to seeing someone I did not know sitting on my bike. I would be furious. Perhaps furious enough to claim that I saw the person attempting to steal my bike and calling the police. I just don't know where anyone gets the balls to do that.
If the weather is hot and the surface rubbery you can always put something under a side stand - not true of a centre stand.
If you're on the road, sure.
But not at home. My center stand was leaving small divots in my asphalt driveway. The local sheet metal fabricator sold me an adequately sized piece of leftover 3/8" thick (9.5mm) aluminum diamond plate for $15US .... so at home I put the centerstand on this piece of metal. After a month its scratched but hasn't bent -- perfect for the price. fing02.gif
Well now After a long ride up to Windy Ridge and back yesterday. got home place my side stand down got off walked to the other side and out of the corner of my eye saw my bike tiping over I quickly grabed it as fast as my acheing body would allow me to and saved it. or did i? was it really tipping over? hmm at first thought it was but looking over the seat the stand was firmly planted on the pavement hmm what the hell gave it a few gental shakes didnt move hmm now looking back at it from aways it seemed to be leaning way over then usuall. a closer look would reveal my side stand was not in the right place. and an even closer on hands and knees look would reveal a lower bolt missing from my kickstand bracket which in the case as i leaned my bike over on the stand the whole bracket and stand shifted forward making the appearance it was faling over. yuck must have rattled out some where on my 200 mile trip
Stop Bike Passenger gets of the bike, goes inside You remain on the bike Passenger brings can of COLD beer You drink can of COLD beer Passenger flattens can under bike boot Place side stand on top of flat can Get of the bike
RED RUNNER, Sep 6 2006, 03:21 PM We've all had issues with our bikes falling off the center stand or sinking into hot pavement while on the sidestand. Here's the question: When parking on a flat, even, and hard surface, do you use your center stand or side stand? At a recent ride I was ganged up on for using the side stand instead of the center stand. I thought and still think the side stand is far more stable. Your thoughts?
I had never really thought much about whether I parked on the side or centerstand until I found the bike laying on its side in my garage. It fell from a flat rear tire and took out the $80 mirror and put a small scratch on my OE bag.
I now always leave it on the centerstand. I only wish the centerstand had a lock that would not allow it to fold up unless a pin was pulled - or something like that. idea3.gif
When in my garage, and in the parking garage at work, center stand. When out and about and in public, side stand, bars all the way to the left and in gear.
jgroom, Sep 8 2006, 11:52 PM I now always leave it on the centerstand. I only wish the centerstand had a lock that would not allow it to fold up unless a pin was pulled - or something like that. idea3.gif
It would be nice to put a lock there as opposed to in a brake disc, so I don't get pressure marks on the rotor bit anymore, on the downside what would happen if I forgot my centrestand lock ? would I god forbid tip it on the rebound backwards on a slope landing on me? might check this idea out tomorrow!
End of thread · 30 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 18 Oct 2006