Forums > Motorcycle Discussion > Kick stand or Center stand

..or 10 minutes, the centerstand.  It's easy, more reliable, not as prone to hot blacktop failure, allows for frequent oil level checks;  in short, there's no good reason to use the sidestand in most circumstances.

+1 ...I see you own a F650. I noticed that on my Dakar the angle the bike is leaning on the side stand is quite low (way to low for my comfort) I don't know how bad it is with the G/S. I ended up bolting a hokey Puk under the side stand. It increased the surface area (prevents sinking on soft ground) and it brings the bike in a more vertical position.

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Thomas - I like to keep it simple... IBA# 28109 '07 R1200GS Adventure

That's why I asked, when sitting on the kick stand it looks like its ready to tip over, its angled way to low.

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Meatman

>> When you put your bike away for the day or week, Do you keep it on the kick or center stand.<<

 

Three scoots in my garage and not a center stand to be found.

Sometimes it's sweet when the  decisions are made for us.

 

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Fast.... oh yeah... I remember fast.

Meatman, it troubles me to put my GT on the side stand because it leans so far over on the stand.  I PLAN my darned parking because of this.  That said, I've never put it on the center stand.  This bike is my first BMW and I haven't become confident enough to try putting it up on the center stand myself.  I always kill it in gear - you can kill it by putting the side stand down.  The BMW magazine has advertisements in it for bolt on foot enlargers for the side stand, but I haven't tried them.  Good Luck and Ride Safe

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jean

Jean,

A foot enlarger is always a good idea on any bike.

My GT has a tiny stock side stand footprint.

That said, use the center stand when appropriate. Have someone show you the proper technique, it is NOT about size, rather it is about finesse.

Pete

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Pete... What?... Me Worry?

When I put my sweet baby to bed for the night in the garage, I will put it on the center stand every other ride in order to check the oil level. Otherwise I just use the kick stand. My kick stand seems to have a reasonable angle so I'm not unduly worried about it tipping over.

Pete, the dealer showed me how to put the bike on the center stand.  However, I was new to BMWs and there was so much to learn.  It's a great dealership although at 120 miles away, its not someplace I can drop by for pointers.  I'm sure that I'll get the hang of it.  Hope to get a few tips in Leakey soon!  As an aside, the bikes take up less garage space on the center stand.  Mine's never been there, but my husband's LT takes up less space than anything else.  Of course, he has a hydraulic center stand.  Thanks for the vote of confidence, tho.  Ride Safe and Often:)

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jean

Jean,

It truly is just a matter of technique.  I've been able to put mine on the centerstand in stocking feet without undo pain.  It isn't about force.  You can also do it while still on the bike, though it isn't real easy to get enough purchase on the foot-tab with your heel.  Once you've gotten the process down, you'll probably prefer it.

When you're n the centerstand, you can start the bike, fiddle around with your gloves, etc and then just drive off the stand. 

 Terry on the otherhand, may have issues fitting a c-stand on his Sporty and if he suceeds, it's sure to look goofy

I typically use the center stand. However, I carry a plastic plate that the dealer gives out for free to use in soft footings including new tar. Years ago, I was on my break in ride for my 96 rt and pulled into a motel for the nite. It was a brand new place with a newly paved lot.

I put the bike on the center stand and went in to get a room. When I came out the bike was on its side with the mirror broke off. At 1st I thought someone hit it as it was on the center stand. After checking the details of what happened it was clear that the center stand had two small feet, and the bar that you put your foot on to lower it actually made one side a much bigger foot print.

So, one side sunk in and the other with the bigger footprint did not. If your center stand has this issue, use the side stand with a bigger foot and also in 1st gear with the bike pushed forward with the engine off and clutch out. This will take out the driveline lash.

... keep it on the kick or center stand?

 

The best solution is simply to stay on the bike and keep riding.

When I must stop, I find the center stand to be more secure, but in a world where not all is flat and pavement is often hot and soft, a side-stand plate offers an added measure of safety.

I bought this one on-line from Sierra BMW for less than $10.

  

---Steve

I have a 1200 GS and the dealer told me it is better for the bike to be on the center stand if you are parked for a day or more.  If it is on its side stand, the oil drains into the lower head, and you have one side with more oil than the other.  I usually keep it on the center stand.  It is actually easier to get on the bike, and you can just drive off it.  But different conditions mean different decisions for keeping the bike safe.  When there is no snow around, it is rare for the bike to sit more than a day anyway.  There are a lot of bikes out there that would not be affected by the oil draining anyways. 

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SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES .. . . THEY ARE NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING, BUT THEY STILL BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN YOU PUSH THEM DOWN A FLIGHT OF STAIRS.

I don't know about the GS, but with my R, I park it in the garage on the sidestand, then get all my gear off.  By the time I get my gear off and hang it up, I figure the oil has settled a bit and ready to be checked.  With the bike still on the side stand, I put the cented stand down as far as it goes, then I rock the bike upright keeping pressure on the center stand.  This way when the bike is upright, the center stand is already deployed and the bike is ready to put on it.  I dont have to worry about standing the bike too far up and having it go over on me.  I then grab the frame with my right hand, step down fully and the bike easily goes onto the stand.  Works the same on my wife's Guzzi, but it is not balanced as well as it goes back, so you have to brace it more with your leg.  Do it a couple of times in the garage so you're not nervous about people watching, After that you'll be an old pro at it.

That is basically the same procedure I use for the GS.  My dealer said it is one of the harder bikes to get on the center stand, because the weight balance is too far forward or something.  But with the open frame there are plenty of convenient places to grab without straining your back.  So I find it pretty easy.  The only time I had trouble was when I parked it in sandy soil for overnight.  Had to put a board under the stand and dig it in the ground a little bit to make the height easier to deal with.  But I find the center stand extremely stable, and when in a parking lot or similar, I feel more confident that the bike is safer.  When it is leaning over on the side stand, my Vario side cases seem to stick out more.  The aluminum on those do not take much abuse and they seem to attract dings.  My dad has an R850R with all plastic cases and they take the abuse much better.  He went down in Japan (delivery van ran into him) and the case that the bike landed on was a bit scuffed but it went away with some elbow grease.  But I digress.  Not much else to do with the bike in this snow.  I've already looked at it a few times in the garage and so I might ad well write about it...

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SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES .. . . THEY ARE NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING, BUT THEY STILL BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN YOU PUSH THEM DOWN A FLIGHT OF STAIRS.