I got to use the oft practiced, seldom applied

[BS Gal]

Exception to the rule, kudos to MD at the 301 bridge. Our tax $$$s at work?
Seriously, watch where you plant your foot when stopping to pay the King's Ransom.
Jeeze, y'all can be a contrary lot. Must be why I like it here!
Ed

I learned about oil at the drive thru ATM at Cedar Point. I learned about parking the bike in a place that is lower than the rest of the parking spaces at ABC. Pull in there and park your bike in front of there in one of those parking spaces and hit the right place and it is about two inches lower than the rest of the pavement. I couldn't get the bike up and DR refused to do it for me and I got the lesson in "how to drag your bike back with the kickstand down."

Oh, and for Pete, I learned about putting my foot down on acorns in my driveway in the fall. They slide and so does your foot.

 

[edinsomd]

I learned about oil at the drive thru ATM at Cedar Point. I learned about parking the bike in a place that is lower than the rest of the parking spaces at ABC. Pull in there and park your bike in front of there in one of those parking spaces and hit the right place and it is about two inches lower than the rest of the pavement. I couldn't get the bike up and DR refused to do it for me and I got the lesson in "how to drag your bike back with the kickstand down."

Oh, and for Pete, I learned about putting my foot down on acorns in my driveway in the fall. They slide and so does your foot.

Sorry you had to learn the hard way, hope you didn't get hurt! Riding is like flying, many things out there can bite you. While I'm pontificating, summer is coming, watch where and how you park the bike- asphalt softens in the heat, leading to tip overs. Put something between your stand and the ground to spread the weight- a simple metal household electric outlet cover works fine.
Ed

 

[BS Gal]

Sorry you had to learn the hard way, hope you didn't get hurt! Riding is like flying, many things out there can bite you. While I'm pontificating, summer is coming, watch where and how you park the bike- asphalt softens in the heat, leading to tip overs. Put something between your stand and the ground to spread the weight- a simple metal household electric outlet cover works fine.
Ed

I found out about that at the Blessing of the Bikes a few weeks ago.

 

[Foxhound]

Sorry you had to learn the hard way, hope you didn't get hurt! Riding is like flying, many things out there can bite you. While I'm pontificating, summer is coming, watch where and how you park the bike- asphalt softens in the heat, leading to tip overs. Put something between your stand and the ground to spread the weight- a simple metal household electric outlet cover works fine.
Ed

And that's why I love my centerstand!!

 

[bcp]

And that's why I love my centerstand!!

When I tried to ride your bike with the center stand down, it didnt work so well.
by the way, looked at the Harleys today.. liked them, but I thought they were way over priced.
then I looked at the Kawasaki's.
the Vulcan 900 with the sheild, bags, backrest and Toe/Heel shifter is nice.. real nice. Smooth ride to it also. Seemed to just cruise easy at 70mph. (on rt 50)
but then, I sat on the 650 Vulcan with all the same stuff,, I actually think that the 650 would be more comfy on a longer ride.. didnt take that one out for a ride but I imagine that it would rev a little higher at highway speed than the 900

decisions, decisions.

the 900 is only about 1300 more than the 650 so thats not really an issue.

I dont like the fact that none of the bikes I looked at (except for one of the Harleys) had tachometers.. I like my tachometer, but I dont know if I like it 350.00 more worth.

 

[aps45819]

I dont like the fact that none of the bikes I looked at (except for one of the Harleys) had tachometers.. I like my tachometer, but I dont know if I like it 350.00 more worth.

That's another reason I got away from cruisers

 

[desertrat]

When I tried to ride your bike with the center stand down, it didnt work so well.
by the way, looked at the Harleys today.. liked them, but I thought they were way over priced.
then I looked at the Kawasaki's.
the Vulcan 900 with the sheild, bags, backrest and Toe/Heel shifter is nice.. real nice. Smooth ride to it also. Seemed to just cruise easy at 70mph. (on rt 50)
but then, I sat on the 650 Vulcan with all the same stuff,, I actually think that the 650 would be more comfy on a longer ride.. didnt take that one out for a ride but I imagine that it would rev a little higher at highway speed than the 900

decisions, decisions.

the 900 is only about 1300 more than the 650 so thats not really an issue.

I dont like the fact that none of the bikes I looked at (except for one of the Harleys) had tachometers.. I like my tachometer, but I dont know if I like it 350.00 more worth.

I missed not having one at first, but quickly found that it isn't necessary.

 

[aps45819]

And that's why I love my centerstand!!

When those sink in the asphalt, you'll need a couple of volunteers to pull it out

 

[desertrat]

When those sink in the asphalt, you'll need a couple of volunteers to pull it out

I just had a flash of Foxhound cruising down the road with a large chunk of parking lot under the bike.

 

[Bay_Kat]

I just had a flash of Foxhound cruising down the road with a large chunk of parking lot under the bike.

 

[Roughidle]

When those sink in the asphalt, you'll need a couple of volunteers to pull it out

Aren't most of those "ride off" center stands by now? My father's was...ofcourse that was 1976 German tech and probably hasn't been adopted by other manufacturers yet...heheh.

 

[desertrat]

Aren't most of those "ride off" center stands by now? My father's was...ofcourse that was 1976 German tech and probably hasn't been adopted by other manufacturers yet...heheh.

I wish mine had one. Checking the oil is almost a two man job.

 

[aps45819]

Guy here at work had his bike on the center stand. Hot day, the parking lot had recently been repaved. The 2 legs sunk straight down about 2-3 inches. Down far enough so the bike couldn't move forward. Only option was to get some folks and lift the bike straight up to clear the holes.

 

[Roughidle]

A lid from a qrt paint can works great for side stands. Fairly stout, the lip helps keep the stand foot from slipping off and the round shape is saddlebag friendly(no cuts, scratches, etc).

 

[aps45819]

A lid from a qrt paint can works great for side stands.

Ijust get some 5"x5" pieces of scrap AL sheet from the machine shop.

 

[julz20684]

I try to as well. I had just changed into the center and was settling in in heavy traffic. I keep good distance but it is a trade off on 235 sometimes. If you leave a good 2-3 second gap some jackass will jam into it and presto you have a 1 second gap again. Back off to get space and whamo they do it again.

I hit that effin piece of lumber

 

[aps45819]

I hit that effin piece of lumber

Remember to allow sufficent space when you're stalking Pete.

 

[ItsGene]

Side stand plate.

I took a 3.5x3.5 metal junction box cover, painted it red and tied flourescent orange nylon line to it. When I use it, I wrap the line around the handgrip so I can reel it in without having to get off the bike to retrieve it. Fits nicely in the ole tankbag.

 

[desertrat]

I took a 3.5x3.5 metal junction box cover, painted it red and tied flourescent orange nylon line to it. When I use it, I wrap the line around the handgrip so I can reel it in without having to get off the bike to retrieve it. Fits nicely in the ole tankbag.

Have you ever considered starting a column? Perhaps in the Sunday supplement?
Good tip.

 

[onebdzee]

Have you ever considered starting a column? Perhaps in the Sunday supplement?
Good tip.

My teacher at the motorcycle safety course told us about that....she thought it was the coolest thing

I use an Altoids can....works great