Sophomore Rider
Currently Offline
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  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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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??
