Kickstand Down - Poll

[Crazcnuk]

Same as others, I do occasionaly, but counting times per year at 2 or 3, not per week.

I had fun on my CB360T once. I weas cruising down a town street when I heard a 'metalic spring type noise' which I couldn't immediately identify. the next left turn I found out the kickstand spring had let go and the stand had fallen down.

By this time I was in the corner, on the stand going over the curb, across the sidewalk and into a short rock wall!

I once knocked my Shadow 1100 off it's stand, cracking the windshield and a signal light lens, trying to load a Dryer on the trailer, which was hooked onto the bike, by myself.

[Dragon Tamer]

For the most part it is not a problem, however several times a week when stopping at a friends place I will forget it. I do not know why I only do it there but his driveway is at a pretty good slope and as I stand the bike up it tends to start to roll and that may take my attention (which distracts easily) off the fact that the stand is still down.
On the plus side the Fire Dragon sits up pretty high and so far it only takes a light kiss on the ground and the stand snaps right up into place without causing any other problem.
I am getting better lately probably only because the guys wife has gotten into the habit of yelling "KICKSTAND" at me as soon as I start the engine! At least someone finds it humorous.
Still in all it has to be better than the rider we saw last week. He came out of a parking lot on his HD and drove over a curb he did not see. The impact wiped his stand right off the bike and left it laying on the edge of the road, he rode off without looking back. I will bet he was real surprised the next time he stopped and tried to put the stand down!!!!

[TADracer]

I voted 'Never' though I admit I have done it before. My theory is that if you NEVER ride off and leave the stand down, you arent riding enough.

[SG-Olli]

I voted never, as on the german XSses it comes up automatically as soon as you get the bike off of the sidestand.

[fredintoon]

Stupid Sidestand tricks

Hi Olli,
and ain't that an effin' nuisance? Try to move a bike in the garage and snap! the stand comes up. Then you have to work your way around from the right side where you are pushing to the left side where the stand is without letting the bike fall over in the process. Betcha a few minutes work with an angle-grinder would fix the problem though.

[Kurt]

Honestly...

Anyone who has ever ridden a motorcycle has done it at some point. You don't gotta lie to kick it.

[lucidian forge]

Havent done it on the xs1100 yet (let me go find some wood before i finish typing), but have both driven off with it down and gotten off the bike with it up on my old cb550. I agree with whoever said you don't ride enough if you havent done it!

[SG-Olli]

Re: Stupid Sidestand tricks

Originally posted by fredintoon
Hi Olli,
and ain't that an effin' nuisance? Try to move a bike in the garage and snap! the stand comes up.

In the garage I usually got her on the centerstand and luckily the garage is just big enough to walk around the bike when I'm working on it.

Originally posted by fredintoon
Betcha a few minutes work with an angle-grinder would fix the problem though.

True, but the german TUEV says "no". It's a safety thing for the reasons mentioned above.
Besides, after more than 20 years you really get used to it.

[Pain]

I voted one a week, but it is more like once a month maybe. It does happen occasionally, but not real often.

[Hired_Goon]

Never, ever!!!!

Sidestand is just as habitual as turning the key on or putting on the sunnies.

As soon as the weight is on the bike and it's standing upright, the stand goes up. Even if I still have helmet and gloves to put on.

This way if I ever want to get off I know I need to put it back down again.

When stopping, sidestand goes down before the key gets turned off.

It's all about repetitive habit.

[Crazcnuk]

Riiiiiight.


your either pathalogical, or anal??

[Hired_Goon]

Originally posted by Crazcnuk
Riiiiiight.


your either pathalogical, or anal??

Or careful??? Or not stupid enough to do it???

Riding a bike is all about being careful. If you can make a stupid mistake when you are stopped then you are quite capable of doing it while riding.


If the question was how many times have you cut your hand off at work using machinery then I hope the answer would be zero because you should be more careful around machinery. If you say once, then you made a mistake because you took your machine for granted and became complacent.

If you say twice then your stupid and learning to pick your nose with your toes.

Your bike is no different. It's a piece of machinery that requires concentration and care.

I've been riding for over thirty years and to this day have never dropped, dumped or crashed a road bike.

Show some respect and your bike will respect you.

[fredintoon]

as we are boasting - - -

"I've been riding for over thirty years and to this day have never dropped, dumped or crashed a road bike."

Hi 'Goon,
I'll see your 30 years and raise you 20.
I've lost count of the road bikes I've ridden, dropped, dumped or crashed over the years. (on a safety note, I have always worn a helmet and I have always landed on my arse) Admittedly, these days I ride like a timid old man because I am one.
Well, congratulations on your skill and care, but especially on your good luck in never being where another road user could make you the victim of their incompetence.

[Dsxs11]

Well there are two kinds of bikers those that have dropped one those about to drop one. Seems someone is running out of time.

[mason79]

brain fart

i'm running outa time, my boot's vibrem cleats got caught on the side stand while i was on the bike and i couln't get my foot off for the longest time, wihile feeling the bike tipping to the left , i was bracing for a fall, and then lo and behold, it got loose and my foot instead of the bike landed, my heart was pounding, who needs that kinda road rash, the zero mph incidences, matter of fact who needs and rash at any speed...