Sophomore Rider
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Commuting is the best part of my day!
Posts: 213
Likes: 14
Joined: Feb 26, 2013 7:56:23 GMT -5
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Post by trailheadmike on Dec 4, 2013 15:38:41 GMT -5
I was in the city yesterday and saw this guy on a Ninja style motorcycle pull up parallel to the curb, lean the bike over on the side stand and then pivot his bike on the side stand ![90](//storage.proboards.com/3624943/images/_UFFnbbwIf5C7FNAuL6Z.gif) degrees and let it back down on the wheels such that he was now parked perpendicular to the curb. I thought that was a smooth move, but then I also thought that given the "chineesium" that my scoot is made of I could almost guarantee that the side stand would snap as soon as I tried it. Has anyone experimented with such a technique??
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Post by scootnwinn on Dec 4, 2013 16:04:38 GMT -5
I can do that but no I would not do it on a Chinese scooter.
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Post by millsc on Dec 4, 2013 16:12:51 GMT -5
The side stand broke off my t3 I hit it with my foot trying to put it on the center stand I never use the side stand on china scooters.
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Post by oldchopperguy on Dec 5, 2013 11:36:12 GMT -5
I agree...
I love to use the side-stand, or "jiffy-stand" as the old Harleys called it. But... My experience with both the side and center-stands on my old Xingyue 150 showed them to be "marginal" in quality, at best. I think you could easily break the side-stand doing that turning maneuver on it. I think you might eventually break even the best Asian or European stands if you did that often.
The worst problem I see with side-stands is that most Asian and Euro-scooter and motorcycle makers don't grasp the concept of them. Even on big crotch-rockets, they are short, and only extend a few inches past "center" so that strong wind, or a little nipper climbing on can tip the bike over to the right. Scooters with CVT trannies without parking brakes also can roll forward off the stand. A big rubber-band around the handlebar and brake lever, locking a brake on, can stop that though... The "poor-boys parking-brake"... My Wife's doctor found that out the hard way with his brand-new (and EXPENSIVE) Vespa when a feral cat "launched" off it to the rear, rolling it forward off the stand!
Back in the stone-age of my youth, a "proper" side-stand was a "given"... All we rode back then were Harleys and Cushman scooters. Their "bullet-proof" side-stands stuck WAY out to the left, leaning the bike WAY over, to where it was NOT ever going to fall over to the right. AND, the stands LOCKED with a humongous steel tab when the bike was leaned over.
The STAND and the vehicle's TWO WHEELS formed a "tripod" that was totally secure. That also was an American feature not accepted in other countries. Elsewhere in the world, riders used the center-stand universally. Only Americans valued the instant, convenient use of the side-stand. And loved the cool look of a bike leaning over 20 degrees with the front wheel cocked over to the right. We Americans LOVE convenience, AND image... LOL!
The side-stand on my "new" old Kymco 250 is light-years ahead of the old Chinese one, and the 250 is heavy enough to stay put for short-term use, like when gassing up. However, I still won't leave it unattended on the side-stand. I have on occasion, moved the scoot a little by lifting the handlebars (which effortlessly raises the front wheel off the ground) then nudging the rear wheel a few inches to facilitate backing out of a tight place. However, I do it VERY gently, and only if necessary. It puts a LOT of strain on the stand, and the place it's welded on.
Just my opinion...
Leo in Texas
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Post by jeepsteve92xj on Dec 8, 2013 9:05:20 GMT -5
I never use the side stand. But I do pivot my scooters 180° on the center stand. The space I park isn't real big, so instead of a 21 point turn, I pivot on the center. Usually leaning it towards myself to pivot on the closer point. I have also done the pivot if I was parked in a place where I'd have to back out into traffic - pivot and pull out forward. Neither of mine have rubber on the feet. I've just got a Honda Shadow, and I don't think I'll be pivoting that on the side stand either! (no center stand.)
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Post by nulldevice on Dec 8, 2013 14:01:26 GMT -5
I did it with the lighter stuff, but at nearly 500 pounds I'm not about to try it with my Yamaha scooter.
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