Trusting a side stand...

[TimNorwich]

Well, I have purchased a Hornet and I go pick it up friday. Just rang them up to check that it would be okay to get it then, they had planned to fit a centre stand to it for me however they cannot find one for my model (2002 F2).

Im not very trusting on side stands and i never have been on my bikes, i've always much prefered a centre stand.

Can anybody try put trust in me on a side stand or am I doomed?

I ride my bike all year round and I think my main worry is parking it up and risking it being blown over by wind or just simply pushed over by a chav (Centre stands are alot sturdier).

Thanks
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Speedshite 50cc > Honda XR125L > Kawasaki GPZ 500 S > 02 Honda Hornet > 05 Honda CG125 winter hack > 04 Kawasaki ER-5 > 99 Honda Hornet 600 > Kawasaki GPZ 500 S > 99 Honda Hornet 600 > 05 Honda CBR600F > 01 Honda Hornet

[0ddball]

If it's going to get pushed over it's going to get pushed over, whether it's on a sidestand or a centre stand.

Try a sidestand, 9 out of 10 cats prefer them.

[chris-red]

I think side stands I better, the bike then has 3 points of contact on the floor. As long as you don't park it facing downhill it is fine. When ever I put my bike on the stand I grab the bars and boot the side stand forward while it is resting on it just to make sure it is solid.
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[NSR Mick]

Sidestands are fine. If you are worried about it rolling off leave it in gear.
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[Bat]

I have a Hornet and much prefer side stands. On my Divvy the centre stand scraped the ground once or twice on corners which I really hated!

[TimNorwich]

So on a hill face upwards? I know at college where I park its on a slight hill shall I face it upwards in gear? Thanks for your quick replies
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Speedshite 50cc > Honda XR125L > Kawasaki GPZ 500 S > 02 Honda Hornet > 05 Honda CG125 winter hack > 04 Kawasaki ER-5 > 99 Honda Hornet 600 > Kawasaki GPZ 500 S > 99 Honda Hornet 600 > 05 Honda CBR600F > 01 Honda Hornet

[Flip]

I took my centre stand off. Use it like a paddock stand now. Lots of XJR owners do it. Side stand is loads easier to use. I never did get the hang of the centre stand, such a bloody struggle.

[Flip]

[krebsy]

Always used the centrestand on the ZZR for preference but it did keep scraping on the floor when two-up and coming off roundabouts.

With the VFR I've got both but I just use the sidestand as my right leg is still mullered from my crash and I've only managed to get the thing onto the centrestand once or twice (when servicing & fitting the luggage racks). The sidestand is fine though, nice and sturdy and I always park pointing up hill in the carpark.

Glad I've got the scottoiler though, saves me having to use the Centrestand and greasing the chain weekly.

K.
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[TimNorwich]

So, why is it a must that you don't park facing down hill? Call me stupid, but I dont understand the difference.
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Speedshite 50cc > Honda XR125L > Kawasaki GPZ 500 S > 02 Honda Hornet > 05 Honda CG125 winter hack > 04 Kawasaki ER-5 > 99 Honda Hornet 600 > Kawasaki GPZ 500 S > 99 Honda Hornet 600 > 05 Honda CBR600F > 01 Honda Hornet

[Kal]

I have left the bike on its sidestand facing downhill - however it was in gear and locked up so it wasn't going anywhere. What can also help is putting your steering lock on if yours still works.

Dukan made me feel a lot better about the sturdyness of sidestands by demonstrating how you can balance the bike on it and spin it to face any direction you need it in.
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Kal...
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1984 GB250 Clubman,1983 CB250N Superdream, 1999 GPZ500S

[Kal]

[krebsy]

Pointing the bike uphill on the sidestand (oh, and with the steering locked to the left) means that if the bike rolls it goes backwards and into the kerb, stopping it trundling into the road and more importantly (as the sidestand is deployed forwards) it engages it further. If you face the other way then the bike can roll forwards and fold up the sidestand, dropping the bike.

K.
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[4Stroke]

[TimNorwich]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm sure i'll get used to it... Eventually
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Speedshite 50cc > Honda XR125L > Kawasaki GPZ 500 S > 02 Honda Hornet > 05 Honda CG125 winter hack > 04 Kawasaki ER-5 > 99 Honda Hornet 600 > Kawasaki GPZ 500 S > 99 Honda Hornet 600 > 05 Honda CBR600F > 01 Honda Hornet

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

The hornet has a good sidestand anyway, so it's not really an issue.
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[TimNorwich]

I'll put the money into an alarm then I guess
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Speedshite 50cc > Honda XR125L > Kawasaki GPZ 500 S > 02 Honda Hornet > 05 Honda CG125 winter hack > 04 Kawasaki ER-5 > 99 Honda Hornet 600 > Kawasaki GPZ 500 S > 99 Honda Hornet 600 > 05 Honda CBR600F > 01 Honda Hornet

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[chris-red]

[deanoet]

[mr jamez]

Never had my bikes falling off the stand, even leave them facing downhill on my drive.

Centre stands are good for servicing or when you bend the sidestand and have no choice.
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NSR 125F > BROS 400 > NC30 > BROS 400 > Trumpet S4 > '97 VFR 750

[ajb]

As has been said really.

Also consider that a centre stand puts the bikes centre of gravity higher up, easier to knock over. Only use my centre stand on flat/on driveway.

When using the side stand, also have the stand on the downward side of the bike, as in, on a slope, face uphill and lean the bike further over into the stand, if you do it the otherway to bike will be too upright and easier to knock over. (eg. if uphill is 12oclock, face the headlight around 10/11oclock)

I generally leave the bike in gear, switch the engine off, clutch out and roll it back until it stops to take up the slack in the chain then put the stand down.


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CBR125R '05 > CB500 '00 > CBR600F '99

[LeeR]

Out and about, and for parking at work side-stand every time, as Chris says, it's three points of contact.

Centre stand for use in the garage, washing, filling up, and maintenance (esp chain), I never leave it unattended on the centre stand.

In fact I dropped my last bike putting it on the centre-stand, but I've yet to drop a bike putting it on the side-stand.
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[ajb]

little off-topic...

I've got a mate who keeps putting the stand up before he gets on and getting off before putting it down. I know it's not such a big deal but I do tell him to have the stand down whilst mounting/dismounting because he has hips like an old man and struggles.
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CBR125R '05 > CB500 '00 > CBR600F '99

[Louise]

I prefer the sidestand.
1) I never got the hang of putting it on the side stand - always need help
2) I would lay, jump and generally rest my whole weight on that poor leg.