Center Stand Danger??

Hey folks,
The Service Manager at one of the local Honda dealerships warned me about 'dragging', or 'scraping' the center stand in a hard left-hand lean. He said he had heard about people crashing when the center stand arm makes contact with the pavement. It seems to me you would have to hit fairly hard to have it make the rear of the bike jump enough to lose traction. He suggested taking the stand off, but looking at most of the photo shots in the forums, most bikes still have the center stand intact.

I've scraped the 'feelers' on the VFR, but that's about it. My Shadow Spirit has both sides of the footpegs worn down to 'nubs', scraped the frame on the left side, and pipes on the right! That's one of the reasons that I wanted to get another VFR. Now I'll just keep the Spirit as a 2-up cruiser for around the area, and use the VFR as my 'fun bike'.

What's everyones opinion about the center stand?? Remove or leave alone?
Any horror stories?

GeorgiaRider

 

Hmm haven't had that happen yet, but I can see what they're referring too. I find the VFR stand pretty much tucked up and outa the way. I've touched down the pegs less feelers and don't see anything else getting in the way, besides if I'm that far over, I need to cool my jets.. Not!! but even if it was to touch unless your going backwards, the law of physics says it shouldn't matter. Good point maybe I better take it off?

 

It does matter. If the centerstand touches - and you lean on it hard enough, it will lever the rear tire off the pavement.

I agree if you're leaning that much, time to take the centerstand off, tape the glass, safety wire the appropriate bolts and caps and take it to the track.

 

I've seen some pretty aggressive driving from people not only on VFR's but BMW's (w/center stads), and never heard of anyone having any issues.

 

Anyone here ever lean their bike over by hand to see what if?

 

the center stand is never going to touch the ground first if the bike's suspension is not loaded.

I imagine that a "Perfect Storm" would have to happen here in order for the centerstand to contact the pavement. You would have to be at full lean angle, and hit a low spot in the road simultaneously bottoming out the suspension and contacting the centerstand.

But I imagine that is a stretch. I still have intact feelers on my pegs.

 

hmmm. if I had a rear stand I would ditch the center stand just to save some lbs. but it would take away a lot of convenience. I cant imagine dragging it though. It is pretty far up there. I think if you are in danger of that, a ducati 1098R is in your future cause man, you are LEANED over.

I think you are safe with it on there...

 

You got it!

Damn, my peg feelers got removed during the first track day I did because they'd touch, but you have to be doing some seriously wicked riding to touch you center stand or have your suspension adjustments out of whack as VT said.

At least from what I can tell.

Another Viffer rider (6th gen) was scrapping the bottom back part of his muffler pipe under the bike and he wasn't close to his stand if memory serves.

 

Did it on a '71 750 probably 24 years ago. If the center stand hits the ground you will likely go down. I did. The center stand peg on that 750 stuck out much further the centerstand peg on my VFR though.

 

Yep, what they said too.

 

LIES ALL LIES .... It wont scape

 

If you're worried about it, shorten the peg on the stand. No need to take it off.


Lane

 

Thanks for all of the different views!
If you look at the 'laws of physics', don't think that you can discount the stand. It's not that it will open when it hits, that won't happen unless you're going backwards, it's if it will 'pogo' the rear wheel off the ground! That is possible. The stand is tucked under fairly far, but it may still be possible to hit the peg and 'high side'. That would suck!

Glad I got all the different point of views, (now we know who corners hard, and who's a wimp!......kidding!), and at least I didn't start a motor oil thread!
GeorgiaRider

 

Um, lean off your bike? Knee down....
No way on the street should you be THAT far over.....

I've seen people ride and throw the bike over under them, instead of getting off their seat. I even watched one gumbo lean a BMW RS over far enough to touch down the head sticking out, and yes, lever his rear wheel off the ground. He got a good concussion from that one.

But kids, don't play like this on the street!

 

keep it on.
It's too convenient to discard. :smile:

 

Trust me when I tell you, if ridden correctly, a VFR will not drag it's center stand.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

Not quite true but you have to really work at it, have seen a VFR deck it a few times admittedly by one of the fastest OzVFR's I've ridden with, below Vid is through my third favourite set of continuous twisties shows him following a fast Superblackbird rider, check him decking something at 7:25, 7:34, 14:26, 17:50 what I like about this vid is that you only hear motorcycles and wind noise is low.

VFR following SuperBlackbird Vid: ( Long 19 Minutes )
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2561975730967929442

 

I don't know about the center stand, but I've scraped the weights on my handle bars a few times, talk about scary!

 

Gotta' agree on that one.

Just did my 2nd Advanced track day 3 weeks ago on the VFR and I haven't touched anything whatsoever. I always remove those stupid feelers right away though. If you're getting off the bike, all should be fine. Look at some photos online of the proper technique, you'll have no trouble.