[nau_lax21]

So the quest has finally come to an end. Yesterday I picked up my first motorcycle. 2007 black Suzuki gs500f. Got about 60 miles on the odometer and so far it’s awesome!

Embarrassing thing though as I was leaving the grocery store, I was using the centerstand instead of the kickstand and dropped the bike my to the right. Dropping the bike and the quite high-volume obscenity following the drop drew a bit of a crowd as I picked up the bike, started it up and rode away… at least the bike wasn’t moving with me on it when it was dropped, so it could have been worse.

Anyways, right side turn signal looks a little lazy-eyed and there’s a approx. 1in crack in the fairing right by the turn signal.

So the question coming out of this story is, for those of you who have both a kickstand and a centerstand, which do you use?

[megaspaz]

Not related to your question, but get frame sliders. would’ve saved you plastic in this case.

—
If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…

[nau_lax21]

yea i was looking into that, but it seems pricey. and i didnt really see anything for the gs500f, havent put much research towards it tho

[megaspaz]

http://www.demonbikebits.com/index1.html

naked/unfaired part number: CP0157BL
faired part number: CP0158BL

and ~80 bucks is pretty cheap… jmo…

—
If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…

[TheAbomb12]

+1 to frame sliders.

but… use your sidestand– you just need to make sure that the handlebars are turned ALL the way to the left— otherwise, it will be very easy to tip over to the right.

[Andrew]

Read a faq the other day that said to use the side stand as it creates a bigger triangle and is more stable than the center stand.

[Budd]

I use the side stand and lock the bars when I go someplace. At home or when getting gas I use the center stand. Usually when I use the center stand the side stand is down too. I put it down when getting off the bike and just never put it back up. I would use the center stand on gravel or in the grass as well. even on a newly paved parking lot on a hot day.

“I am the best there is at what I do, and what I do ain’t nice.”-Wolverine

[BoOZe P-ti Motard]

and yea don’t get too hasty while getting off your bike… switch off, let it in 1st gear,put sidestand down, lock handlebars to the left,lean bike to left and see if its stable, then get off it and after that, re check… i’d had enuf of bent clipons and broken fairing and screwed up footpegs…

BoOZe
Solomolo Rider

[rt]

Good stuff.

Don’t be in a hurry.
A buddy of mine (18 years experience) dropped his’ brand new RS1200 in his garage because he hopped off it without putting down his’ kick stand. He said he just wasn’t thinking.
I dropped one pulling a u-turn on a steep downward grade and stopping.
No damage, except my ego. I knew better, I wasn’t thinking. Lol.

This is what I try to do.
Always use the side stand in public(No choice on a cruiser).
Turn the bars,lock the steering. Put it in 1st.
Check it for stability while I’m sitting on it. Check it again off.
I look around to see who’s near by.
You wouldn’t believe how many times you’ll catch idiots around your’ bike while your’ in the store.
I’ve even caught kids touching the throttle and bars before. More than once.
I’ll chase them off if I get that “feeling”.

Be careful about parking on grades.
Watch the black top or soft asphalt… especially if it’s new and it’s hot out.
Saw a ZR smack-down because of that. Stand sunk right into the asphalt.
Carry a kick-stand plate if you can. It’s no bigger than a drink coaster. Works in the dirt/grass too.

Let me know if you get tired of my two cents guys, I’m not sensitive, I’m stuck in the house this weekend. )

[Rab]

Side stand is preferable, as Andrew said. The bike is more stable leaning on it that than on a center stand. This is especially important in the S.F. Bay area which is prone to earth tremors/quakes.

The center stand is, however, really useful for doing chain and other bike maintenance. An alternative if you have a sport-bike is to use a paddock stand (a.k.a. race stand, a.k.a. swing-arm stand) for bike maintenance.

If using a center stand, once you’ve put the bike on the center stand, make sure you lift the side-stand up as it could cause complications when taking the bike off the center stand.

In taking the bike off the center stand, you should first be straddling the bike, then push off the stand with your feet and legs and arms (push on the bars). Don’t take it off the stand if you’re not straddling the bike to steady it.

[nau_lax21]

thanks all,
ive kinda come to the conclusion that the centerstand is really too much of a hassle and the sidestand works just fine. im sure it will be useful some day tho

[Budd]

I would use it when getting gas. It also helps in oiling your chain.

“I am the best there is at what I do, and what I do ain’t nice.”-Wolverine

[Andrew]

+1 one the getting gas. The center stand will level the fuel tank and you can put more gas in.

[Anonymous]

Centerstand always…….

[Author]

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