Paddock stands - using them on your own

[Mudskipper]

Could I put my GSXR4 on my rear paddock stand on my own, do you think?

It seems lighter to manouevre than my CBR125, and I managed to put that on front and rear stands alone.

But saying that, I am a girl. And have never ridden an R1.

What do you think? Especially colin1 (I hear he's a paddock stand expert).

Mudskipper
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CBR125|||GSXR400|||CBR400|||CBR400|||CB250RS|||GSXR750|||CB250RS
"You're clumsy, you eat too much and you behave like a 12 year old boy. But you know what? Every once in a while, you find a thumb."

[SoulRider]

I have the hooks that go under the swing arm on my paddock stand and i do put it up and take it of on my own. However be carefull and make sure they line up properly. once i did it and the arms wernt alined properly, tried to quickly adjust them but the bike went over onto some grass.

All i do i get the stand ready on the bike, hold the bike straight upand then push the stand down (i do this with my foot), would recomend have the handlebars pointing towards you, would have properly saved my bike falling. Removing the stand is easy, just pull the stand up and pull the bike over onto the side stand (make sure its down first).

Pulling the bike over can be bit deceptive as you only really need to pull once the back wheel hits the ground, just use bit of force and you should'nt have a problem.

Never hurts having someone to help, if theres someone near by grab them for a second.
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[ncrn]

I do it with my nsr quite frequently, I only have a side stand so it does make it interesting at times.

First off I make sure my front wheel is pointing straight, this stops the bike turning as you lift it.

Then I make sure the hooks are lined up with the swing arm, I then using the grab rail move my bike to level, and start to push the paddock stand down to lift the bike up.

If it goes wrong, and I have cocked it up a couple of times, I always push the bike left with the hand holding the grab rail, that way it just falls to the side stand and not over onto its right side.

It takes a bit of practice but its not impossible.
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[Demonic69]

It's easy enough, just get the hooks unde and get it reasonably straight. It's a lot more robust than you think. Do be careful when balancing the bike though, make sure you have pressure on the paddock stand to keep the bike upright
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Back on a Blade. Just feels so right.

[G]

I often have to do it, but being a not-too-small bloke, I haven't had many problems - just hold the back of the bike with one hand while using paddock stand with another.

Apparently some people find it easier to raise their bike on the side stand so it's almost vertical by placing a piece of wood under the side stand.

Then you can put it on the paddock stand without taking it off the side stand.

[athelstan]

I'm glad this was raised as I have got to use a paddock stand now that I have no centre stand. I'm told that I have to jam on the front brake before attempting to use the rear paddock stand - is this correct?

[G]

If you're on a slope, it may stop it rolling down the hill. I rarely bother myself.

[.....]

I've mentioned them in various threads but I'm a convert to Abba Stands. They are so easy to use on your own and hold the bike very securely - my old paddock stands weren't anywhere near as stable. Admittedly an Abba stand costs close to £100 but so does 2 paddock stands. I got mine for £50 second hand so they are out there cheap. I use an old car jack on my sump in conjuction with the Abba stand to get the front up.

[kawakid]

[.....]

I don't like harping on about them but it's one of those things that once you've used one you will never go back

[Trixie]

Agree with the Abba stand kudos...as soon as finances permit I'll be getting one. Used to have one (the ex got custody!), wouldn't want to use a "normal" stand any more!
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[Serendipity]

[mistergixer]

Get bobbins, those plastic cup things are crap.
Like G said, i stick a block of wood under the sidestand so the bike almost vertical, i find this makes it easier to get the stand lined up etc.
To get it off the stand, i put the block of wood in front of one of the stand's wheels, sit on the bike, push my heel against the block of wood and push the bike forward(using the front brake to stop it dropping too quickly).
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[EuropeanNC30R...]

I have an abba stand but most of the time it sits unused - a paddock stand is far more convenient when chain oiling, the abba is useful for actually working on the bike.

[Syx]

I definitely agree with the abba stand - absolutely amazing bit of kit. Unfortunately I don't have one, I just make use of a friend's!

I only have a rear paddock stand, and tbh once you've got the "knack" it's pretty straightforward. Just be careful and take it slow.
I have the "plastic cup" type - I've got the bobbins fitted on my bike, but the stand was given to me by an ex-biker (who had no need for it), so until this one breaks I see no point in buying another.

With the bike on the side stand I align the left side, then from the rear lift the bike up to the vertical. Check that the right side is correct (if not then put the bike back down and re-adjust), and lift it up.
To get it off, grip the rear of the bike and raise the stand, and as it comes down just ensure it falls to the left - lower it gently onto the sidestand.
Piece of cake!

[lurker]

piece of cake
but i wouldnt recommend tying the front brake on.
the bike will move back a couple of inches when you push down on the stand.
can't imagine why youd want the brake on????
and when lowering the back wheel back onto the ground make sure the front wheel is pointing left and hang onto the tailpiece pulling it to the left.
used this method countless times and never had a bike fall over.

[colin1]

initially i used axle stands under the swingarm as i got em cheap from netto

then i got a paddock stand and used that for a bit

but for my dirt bike ive gone back to using axle stands as its easier

i dont have bobbins or hooks on my paddock stand, so it can be a bit fiddly initially lining it up with the swingarm resting in the bits of the paddock stand

im no expert but would expect somoeone who has been riding a year or so to be able to use a paddock stand by themselves. as such its a bit of an indicator of someones familiarity with bikes

but i guess some people dont need to use a paddock stand, or always have someone on hand to help
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[bazza]

[Suzuki]

[colin1]

[lurker]

what r u oan about
r u oan eccys or summit?

[Skudd]

[colin1]

[Suzuki]

It means fuck all Colin.

Having no paddock stand skills doesn't mean you have no bike skills. Maybe you're just not into bike maintenance and get the garage to do everything.
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<Simple> it is a big enough hole.. I'll leave it now
Ride: 1999 Suzuki GSXR600 (yellow/black) IRC: Stats - Relationship Map

[G]

I know some very fast and skilled racers that have trouble putting a bike onto a paddock stand on their own.
Sadly, it doesn't mean that I'm fasterer than them because I can .