Center Stand Question

I finally got the center stand back on and working - it was missing the springs and zip tied up - and the bike up on it for the first time. What is the safest placement of the handlebars? Straight ahead or to the left? If straight, can the bars be locked? Thanks.

 

On a centerstand the angle of the front wheel doesn't really matter. But the front fork will only lock at a full turn to either the right or left side.

 

Thanks for the info. Should/do you lock the bars when on the stand? The bike "seems" more stable with the bars straight, or am I just imagining things?

 

just park it and walk away dude!

 

I think it is more stable on the center stand when the bars are straight, but it seems to me you want to park it with the wheel turned toward the kickstand when using the side stand. And I would think you want to park it facing up hill and in gear or with the rear towards the curb, etc., so that it does not roll.

 

I keep my front wheel straight ahead while on the center stand.

 

99% of the time, your bike is the most stable on the side stand. Center stand is really just for maintenance or winter storage to get some weight off the wheels.

 

Thanks for all the replies. After reading posts about bikes falling off stands, mostly from the side stand, I just wanted to make sure I was doing everything in my power to keep the bike safe. Yeah, I got a little bit of that paranoia thing going on...

 

You're not the only one being careful when using the sidestand. I've never had a problem. But after reading about everyone else's troubles, I'm watching it everytime. I like to use my centerstand in the garage. It takes up less room standing straight up insted of leaning over on the sidestand.

 

I don't know about that. First weekend I had my bike it was really windy out. Had it on the side stand in a parking lot(level) and the wind blew it over. First weekend at my second job that I started to pay for the bike and that's what happens. Ever since then it's on the center stand and bike does not budge a bit. But that's just my experience plus it's an 6th gen if that makes a difference I don't know.

 

It must have been insanely windy to blow over a 450lbs bike! If you had it leaned away from the wind, it would never blow over. Did you have a cover on it? A cover can act like a parachute on windy days.

Another parking tip: if put it in first gear when you park, the back tire locks and gives more stability as well. (no chance of rolling)

 

I always double check my bike when placing kick stand down, I want the bike to lean at least 10 degrees over and always in first gear. I look at the terrain and place kick stand down hill of the terrain, unless it's just to steep then I find another place to park. The center stand is for storage and service. Be careful of parking in grass or dirt, the kick stand can sink into the ground over a small period of time and wammo the bike is down.