Always the side stand :wink:

(must get a centre stand one day)

 

Side, the CENTER stand is less stable. btw: does your riding gear include a red speedo , and a revolver?

Jim

 

Dont have a center stand so its side. I can see the center sinking in soft tar & over she goes? My center stand is a Sears jack!

 

On 2007-04-16 15:55, bodpbucho wrote:
Side, the CENTER stand is less stable. btw: does your riding gear include a red speedo , and a revolver?

Jim

Why, yes. Yes, it does. Although you didn't mention the bandoliers, it's the same outfit and helmet I wear on horseback, too.

[ This message was edited by: xardoz on 2007-04-16 16:36 ]

 

I tend to disagree with the previous posts. In my experience the center stand is much more stable than the side stand. If you are going to worry about one sinking in soft tar and the bike going over, it will do it much quicker on the side stand, IMHO. The center stand can sink a lot and still support the bike upright. For long-term parking, I always use the center stand, even in the garage...for an hour or less, I use the side stand.

Larry

 

Side stand and always, always leave it in gear.

 

I've come out of a restaurant in my earlier riding days to find my bike about to go over, whether it was on center or side stand. On the R100GS, as with most BMWs, the sidestand foot is very small, which causes much of the problem.

A guy in Montana who runs a company called Schneiders came up with a straightforward solution called the FatFoot. To install it, you drill a small hole thru the existing sidestand foot, then bolt the FatFoot ( a bigger foot) to it. Not beautiful, but the GS is such an odd duck to begin with, one more strange piece of metal does nothing to harm its esthetics.

Or you can carry a small metal plate with you and place it under the sidestand when parking on asphalt. Just remember to pick it up when you leave.

Bob

 

A guy in Montana who runs a company called Schneiders came up with a straightforward solution called the FatFoot. Bob

Hi,
I am new to forum. Just purchase an 07 Black Bonneville. I use to own an '02but that's a separate story.
I bought a FatFoot for my k1200rs and it makes a huge difference, especially when pulling over on the side of the road. I would like to buy a similar product for the bonnie, but can't find one. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

I use my side stand 99% of the time (it's chrome after all....gotta show the bling). But when the bike is the garage for long stretches of time, or I'm working on it, then I use the center stand.

 

My heavy old Kaw 750 sank its centerstand when the parking lot surface became too hot. The only time it toppeled. I choose the center stand unless in extremely hot conditions or on soft footing. The Bonnies sue look good on a centerstand, showing off their fine lines and all.

 

CenterStand

I agree with Red Bird - first of all Xardoz stated flat surface, Anytime it is a flat surface I'm putting it up on the center-stand because it is balanced evenly. If the surface is not flat I will try the center-stand anyway and check it out for balance, if it is unbalanced I will go to the side stand. I stay away from the side stand as much as possible because of all the heartbreak stories I have heard about the stand going into the hot ground and then going over. If I have to use the side-stand I have fear every minute I'm away from the bike so i make my stop real quick or go find some shade and walk further. This is just my opinion

 

I've had both center & side sink in hot asphalt on other bikes in the past. I used to carry around a smashed beer can I found on the side of the road to put under the side stand, never had a problem when i did that. I need to get another one...

 

I'm Melting!

The side stand plus 2 wheels forms a tripod - a generally more stable configuration. Obviously there are circumstances that may dictate one over the other (if you have the luxury of both). I agree that regardless of which is used, the ground can give way. Even many seasoned riders have fallen prey to the quicksand that lurks under every motorcyle.

 

The side stand plus 2 wheels forms a tripod - a generally more stable configuration. Obviously there are circumstances that may dictate one over the other (if you have the luxury of both). I agree that regardless of which is used, the ground can give way. Even many seasoned riders have fallen prey to the quicksand that lurks under every motorcyle.

I agree from a physics point of view that a triangle is more stable. The load is spread out over a much wider area. If in doubt about the parking surface then place a metal plate or a crushed beer can under it. I've been doing that for 30 years and it hasn't failed me yet.

dc

 

Big foot
When my former ride got stolen this was all that was left; a cutting board ( click pic to enlarge ) I used to slide under the side stand whilst parked on soft ground. The rope served as a reminder hung up on the clutch lever and came in handy to hoist the thing up when I took off during that holiday ( before they got my bike ).
I have no centre stand now and on my ex bikes it was used only in an emergency ( roadside repairs ). When working on a bike I prefer a jack or a hoist and I secure the bike as good as possible. I hate centre stands since the day a BMW I was working on fell over-on top of me. Ouch!
Thieu.

 

sidestand

I use the sidestand unless in my garage, mainly not because of sinking but rather other cars. The center is stable, but the side will stay up more with the random car door hitting it. I would rather see a dink on the side then come out and see my bike on the side...
Mondo

 

Hmmm..... This is somewhat of a religious issue, I think.

In my experience, leaving the bike in gear, on the sidestand is the most stable, and reliable method of parking the bike, regardless of ground slope (disregarding the sinking problem). Leaving it in gear protects the bike from those who bump it or lean on it while unattended. You can't get this compression braking when on the center stand.

I do think a center stand is a good idea, though, for garaging and maintenance - must get one soon.

Dave.

 

To centre stand or not?

Question folks,

I'm a little old guy and I haven't forked out the dough for a centre stand (should be part of the standard kit?) but I'm hesitant as will I be able to pull the brute up onto the stand? For chain oiling I use a car jack and a piece of wood to get the back wheel up but will need to think about winter storage soon as there are no studded tyres for the Bonnie to cope with snow and ice.

Ernie

 

Question folks,

I'm a little old guy and I haven't forked out the dough for a centre stand (should be part of the standard kit?) but I'm hesitant as will I be able to pull the brute up onto the stand?

Ernie

Ernie, you'll find with center stands, they are designed to utilise the fulcrum lever of the stand, so that the amount of lifting required is minimal. My old BMW K1200GT (300 kg) would roll onto the center stand via foot pressure on the stand lever, and almost no lifting at all. I can't comment on the Triumph Bonnie version, but I suspect it will be the same. And compared to a Beemer's weight, it's a baby

Dave.

 

You've got it, KingBear. It's all in the technique.

 

I use a "cycle foot" which is a piece of orange plastic, about 1/4" thick shaped like, of all things, a foot. I got the one in ORANGE so I would not be likely to lose it. Have used it for years and it distributes the weight very well, on hot asphalt, gravel and mud.
I got mine at Vintage Days at Mid-Ohio several years ago. IronPony.com still sells them.

BTW: I used to carry a large 4" diameter steel washer: Until, in a big rush, I picked it up one hot sunny day with my glove and shoved it into the back pocket of my jeans and took off. Got about 100' down the road and it had branded my rear end really well. After I got well, I was cured of that particular stupidity.

Monte

 

Monte

:laughhard:

Now That's funny. Thanks for the story

RR

 

Center stand in the garage, side stand when out! Plus I have a plastic side stand plate from GT Moto to add that little extra support!

and at £1.99 ($4) a bargain.

 

I use the centre stand when I'm working on or cleaning the bike, or when parking her in tight spots and I want to keep her as far away from scratch danger as possible. Up on the centre stand is the most vertical and skinny profile for the bike, and in the parking area at our office there's no way all the bikes would fit if they were all on sidestands.

I also like it when filling up with fuel. I don't know how much extra you can squeeze in when she's level rather than tilted over, but it's at least a few miles' worth and anything that extends the range is a good thing.

I know that the triangle with the sidestand is physically the most stable configuration, but only really when you turn the bars all the way to the side that the stand is on and leave her in gear.

 

even after reading and watching rolling techniques for putting a bike on the centerstand, I still wrestle with my T100 almost every time. If I wear heavy boots it's a bit easier.

 

Just bought a center stand a couple months ago. Really comes in handy for that 200 mile chain lube. I use the technique described earlier, but It still makes me very uneasy thinking it might fall away from me over onto it's right side while I'm putting it up. And heavy boots - not tennis shoes - really do help a lot.

 

I use the side stand now because Triumph didn't have a center stand for the mag wheel bikes until just recently. (I'll be ordering one).
I'll still use the side stand when I'm out and will eventually use the center stand for chain oiling etc.

TIP:

I have a leather coaster (to put your glass on to avoid rings on a table). The coaster works great under the side stand to prevent sinking and when I'm ready to ride it slides into my back pocket and is flexible enough that I don't even notice it.