Motorcycle Training Forum

by **Lady P** on Sun Jan 20, 2008 7:23 pm

Lesson learned the hard way today - pick your stopping place with care. Pulled up in a country layby. Dismounted and checked the ground - whilst wet from the rain, no obvious sinking or pooling of water around the feet. Put the bike on it's centre stand and checked again that all looked okay. Walked away from the bike for a few minutes only to turn round and see it list sideways and gradually fall to the ground :cry:

(Rob, I was not on board this time!!). It appears the stand had sunken slightly on one side with the bike fall being aided by a strong gust of wind in the same direction. Absolutely gutted but luckily no serious damage done. I know you can get 'pucks' (a round piece of plastic) for under side stands, but haven't seen anything similar for centre stands - if anyone knows of such an item perhaps they could post the details here for me and other newbies. Suffice to say I've now put a small plank of wood in my backbox and will be jumping up and down on the ground like a nutter before leaving the bike again!!!

by **rjh_786Bn** on Sun Jan 20, 2008 10:09 pm

It has happened to us all at one time or another (If we are honest) Care should always be taken, on using side/centre stand, as to gradient/camber/stability of surface :wink:

Glad you and your bike are ok, if nothing else just frustration and being annoyed with yourself are probable symtoms!
Not heard of anything for the centre stand, piece of wood sounds like a plan! A new invention springs to mind

Mr T ?

by **Lady P** on Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:59 am

Thanks Rob for your kind words / support.

Being 'vertically challenged' :roll:

I'd checked the camber before dismounting as even if I'd managed to get off on a gradient it could have been very iffy getting back on again! (had read the tips, think on one of the other sections, about how to park on gradients etc). We were in quite an exposed area (hills) and so I think the wind 'rocking' the bike is what caused it to sink on one side and then finally fall over. Yes, I was very annoyed to say the least

and there were quite a few expletives (chose not to publish these!). The most gutting thing (well nearly...!!!!) is Mike's bike is twice the weight and has only a sidestand - this was parked only a few feet away (without a puck) and did not suffer the same fate.........

I'm not sure I've been introduced to Mr T yet - is he a bit of an inventor whizz? It would be good if you could get a 'bone shaped' puck for centre stands, but this would need to be sufficiently rigid so as to distribute the weight evenly and not to bow in the centre - what do you guys think? Perhaps I should get my jigsaw out and re-shape my plank of wood :idea: