How to use centerstand

[mjs5761]

Let's not forget that taking the weight off the rear tire during winter months or during long periods between rides keeps the tire nice and round. It also significantly reduces the weight on the front tire at the same time. I always park the bike on the center stand in my garage.

 

[RJAMT]

Let's not forget that taking the weight off the rear tire during winter months or during long periods between rides keeps the tire nice and round. It also significantly reduces the weight on the front tire at the same time. I always park the bike on the center stand in my garage.

You have a center stand in your garage? Too cool!

 

[Fred W]

The center stand is always less stable than having the bike parked on the side stand. I would never park my bike out in the open with it up on the center stand. If someone bumps into it it will take a nap surprisingly easily. When you ride on a ferry, when they expect a rough crossing they will instruct you to put the bike in gear, on the side stand, and run a tie down from the left side to hold the bike over on the stand.

If the ground is not level you should always try to point your front wheel up hill, whether that means riding into a space or backing into it. That way gravity assists in holding the side stand against the stop. It also means you are not having to push the bike uphill to get out of the space, and backing downhill is much easier than backing uphill.

The center stand is great for long term parking in a protected area like a garage with perfectly level footing. It also makes it a little easier to pack your left side saddlebag, but even that can be done with the bike on the side stand.

Center stands are a must for doing chain maintenance when out on tour, so be sure to use yours whenever you do that.

 

[wheatonFJR]

This thread is funny.

Thanks!

 

[lele]

when I pick up my bike on a ferry (going to Elba island) they ask me to put it on the center stand.But in my opinion is more stable on the side with the gear engaged..

 

[mcatrophy]

when I pick up my bike on a ferry (going to Elba island) they ask me to put it on the center stand.But in my opinion is more stable on the side with the gear engaged..

I agree with you, but it's best not to argue. If anything bad happens, they won't have the excuse that you didn't leave it as they wanted.

 

[N4HHE]

when I pick up my bike on a ferry (going to Elba island) they ask me to put it on the center stand.But in my opinion is more stable on the side with the gear engaged..

I agree with you, but it's best not to argue. If anything bad happens, they won't have the excuse that you didn't leave it as they wanted.

It doesn't matter what "they" say because the ferry will not accept any responsibility short of sinking.

Center stands are not designed to carry impact loads seen in transport, side stands even less so. The Right Thing To Do is to push the front wheel up to an immovable object and tie from around the forks at lower triple clamp.

Impacts on ferry are softer than truck or trailer so one usually gets away with side stand. No matter, it's still wrong.

 

[Fred W]

The ferries I've been on did not have walls (bulkheads in nautical terms) that you could butt the front wheel up against. They always want to wedge the bikes into the otherwise wasted spaces left by the cages and trucks. I agree that a wheel chock (of some kind) is the way to go. But, absent that, the side stand, bike in 1st gear and pushed forward, tie down pulling to the left and forward, are about the best you can do.

 

[mcatrophy]

I've been on many ferries of essentially two kinds.

The larger ones always tie the bikes down, usually bike on the side-stand, a ratchet strap over the saddle with hooks into proper deck tie downs. They also put padding on the saddle to protect the saddle. With these, no driver/rider is allowed to stay on the car deck whilst the ferry is out of port.
(Click on image for larger view)


The smaller ones, usually for just a few tens of minutes voyage, no tie-downs, if there's likely to be movement you stay by your bike, it's up to you to stop it falling over.

 

[bigjohnsd]

Only Ferrie I've been on, SS Badger from Manitowoc WI to Ludington MI, required two tie downs and didn't care if you were on Center Stand or Side Stand. As most of the bikes were cruisers without Center Stands it was easiest to follow suit and use the Side Stand. They did have what appeared to be a designated bike area with a steel bar you ran the front wheel up to and a grate on the deck to hook the tie downs into. Weather was calm no problems. System looked like it would have worked in heavier weather too.

Long Island Ferry from Long Island to New London CT didn't provide tie down option at all.

 

[Fred W]

Long Island Ferry from Long Island to New London CT didn't provide tie down option at all.

That's the Orient Point ferry. They do (and did for us) when the seas were rougher one day.

The decks on those ferries are crowned for good drainage. Especially when it's calm and there are no straps, you really want your bike on the left side of the vessel so that the slope of the deck holds the bike onto the side stand. They generally put you all the way to the outboard sides where they can't fit cars, and that's where the slope is the greatest. On the right side of the ferry any good roll of the boat and the bike can flop over to its right side.

And with that slope I wouldn't even consider using a center stand.

They generally want the passengers off the auto decks while under way (in case they shift), but we have been able to convince them to let us trend to the bikes in the past.