Side stand or center stand on ferryboat?

[Kiki]

The result: when we arrived in Port Hardy, Bernard's BMW was lying on it's side, parts of it resting against my bike -- luckily, no damage to my bike (and my bike, on the sidestand, etc. weathered the trip just fine). Bernard's bike:, I don't know (and, really, don't care). :huh: :angry:

True-- simple physics-- the center of gravity drops a few inches on the side stand, and goes up a couple inches on the centerstand. Plus, if you measure the width of the centerstand pads, compare that to the distance between the sidestand landing and the wheel centerline -- a few inches more on the sidestand.

Those 2 factors combined should, in theory, make a better triangle, and the sidestand a better choice. Not to say that I havent wondered about the stress on the sidestand. And finally, if the bike is in gear, it should be more resistant to front/back motion on the sidestand because the back wheel is on the ground. On the centerstand, there is no rear wheel resistance to front/back motion, because it is off the ground.

Either way, I have been in some rough water, on the sidestand with buckledowns (transport canada coastal regs) on both bars and the tail, No probs. And we are prohibitted from remaining on the vehicle deck during sailing.

6' swells are the norm around here, along with what we refer to as ground water swells, which are erratic waves caused by the currents and waves being affected by the topography of the ocean floor. I have persoanlly never seen a bike go down on our ferry system -- not saying it doesnt happen, but I sail that ferry three times a week in the summer, 1.5 hours each way.

 

[Dan23]

To say for sure whether the side stand or center stand is more stable, you would have to do a test. How about using a rope attached to a bike one one end and a pull scale on the other. First on the side stand... just to see how much force is required to pull it up off the stand, then do the same on the center stand.

Of course, blocking the bike from the right and on the sde stand would be a big improvement... OTOH, you could put it on the center stand and block both sides...

 

[HaulinAshe]

I would think that fashioning a hitch-pin type lock for the sidestand, so that the stand cannot flip up if the bike moves forward, combined with a wheel chock if available, might make the best of Ferry rides.

 

[Kiki]

I would think that fashioning a hitch-pin type lock for the sidestand, so that the stand cannot flip up if the bike moves forward, combined with a wheel chock if available, might make the best of Ferry rides.

I agree

 

[Bull]

I commute via ferry daily with the FJR - and I park in gear, on the side stand, fork locked full to LHS, with the chock block under the RHS, just behind the front fairing part.

But here's a piece of advice that hasn't been discussed yet - the importance of parking the bike at 45 degrees to the long axis of the boat. Then any front/back judders are easier to dissipate than if the bike was parked in line with the long axis / direction of travel. I always park on the LHS of the ferry with the bike pointing over 45 to the right. The most likely bump will be one that the boat encounters whilst travelling forwards (because most ferries go forwards ) so if the bike is pointing to the right, the force will push the bike down onto its sidestand. If it were pointing to the left hand side of the ferry, it might get pushed 'up' and over its sidestand (if the boat had to punch through a big wave, or ran a little too eagerly into the dock on arrival)

......... if you ever have to prepare the tie-downs for rough weather or longer crossings, your gloves can make a handy protector for your saddle (if you pass the rope over the saddle to help secure things).

I woudn't do the sidestand thing. Then you don't have the advantage of the back wheel being locked out because it's left in gear.

...... as for sitting on it all the way across..... Bugger that! I'd freeze my ass off

 

[boogahboogah]

Overnight (8:00PM-6:00AM) ferry from Portsmouth Maine to Yarmouth Nova Scotia.

A crew of Mexico's finest makes sure that:

Bike is solidly on sidestand, in gear.

One strap on each end of the handlebars goes to the deck at about a 45 degree angle, pulled TIGHT.

Triangular block of hard rubber is jammed in back of the sidestand, to keep sidestand extended & also take some of the weight off of the sidestand.

Weather that night wasn't bad, but I've heard it can get so bad that they have to turn back...

 

[Dan23]

I commute via ferry daily with the FJR - and I park in gear, on the side stand, fork locked full to LHS, with the chock block under the RHS, just behind the front fairing part.
But here's a piece of advice that hasn't been discussed yet - the importance of parking the bike at 45 degrees to the long axis of the boat. Then any front/back judders are easier to dissipate than if the bike was parked in line with the long axis / direction of travel. I always park on the LHS of the ferry with the bike pointing over 45 to the right. The most likely bump will be one that the boat encounters whilst travelling forwards (because most ferries go forwards ) so if the bike is pointing to the right, the force will push the bike down onto its sidestand. If it were pointing to the left hand side of the ferry, it might get pushed 'up' and over its sidestand (if the boat had to punch through a big wave, or ran a little too eagerly into the dock on arrival)

......... if you ever have to prepare the tie-downs for rough weather or longer crossings, your gloves can make a handy protector for your saddle (if you pass the rope over the saddle to help secure things).

I woudn't do the sidestand thing. Then you don't have the advantage of the back wheel being locked out because it's left in gear.

...... as for sitting on it all the way across..... Bugger that! I'd freeze my ass off

You make some really good points, Bull.

The only ferries I've been on they told me where to park.

 

[chornbe]

Hi,
I ride a Washington State Ferry across Puget Sound every day. When I ride I hear a debate between people as to which is more stable on a rocking boat... the side stand (kick stand) or center stand?

The ferry is quite large and it's not a concern 98% of the time. Occasionally though the wind whips up 4' swells, or a tanker comes racing down the Sound and makes 8' waves. I've never seen or heard a verified story of a bike tipping over, but there are rumours.

I'm going so far with the side stand. It insures that it won't go over to the right, and it seems pretty solid on the left side. I've not done any sort of stability tests though as you might with a boat.

So... on a rocking ferry, which do you suggest? Side stand or center stand?

Thanks!

Steve

I tell ya... I was scared *$&@)less that my coveted Feej was going to fall over on the Lewis-Cape May ferry this past Autumn. However, it stayed in place just fine on the side stand. I was a nervous wreck the entire time, but another biker there who said he makes this trip every weekend (on his Ducati) said it's never been a problem. I was parked in the back. I forced myself to go sit calmly (really, calmly. Honest.) up front and wait patiently. Very, very patiently. Honest.

 

[Bull]

You make some really good points, Bull.
The only ferries I've been on they told me where to park.

The ones who suggest to me where to park haven't invested 20k in a bike - half of the guys who marshall the vehicles on my route are good folks (only one or two of them ride) - but the other half couldn't find their own arse holes with their index fingers if they didn't have a mirror in their other hand. If the bike fell after parking it where they told you to, you can imagine how keen they'd be to cover your deductible from their own wallets. .... and the union doesn't let you keel haul the dumb ones any more.

 

[KitsapFJR]

Wow... thanks everyone! Some great stories.

However, clearly none of you has any experience with Puget Sound or the newer ferries. Puget Sound, where I cross, is protected waters and I'm on a ferry that's over 460' long and 90' on the beam. I've been commuting on the ferries for eleven years, every day, and the largest water I've ever seen is about 8' swells. The weather that it takes to create an 8' swell on protected water is incredible and I would never be riding in it! I am what the courts refer to as "a reasonable person" (albeit ones who rides a 1300 cc bike!) and will not ride in that kind of weather.

The best advice I think comes from Bull. We were discussing it this morning and I'm glad that Bull also mentioned it. Parking at 45 degrees on the sidestand in gear seems to be the ideal situation.

If I were crossing the Straits of Juan de Fuca, or maybe even between Bowen Island (in Bull's case), I might tie down the bike. Otherwise, on the boat I take, I'm fine.

Some of you apparently take your bike on some crazy water! Gawd... remind me not to ride with you either! ;-)

Steve

 

[DucatiSSsp]

Kitsap,

Don't ride the ferries too much, but when I do, sidestand, locked in gear, and tie kickstand to front wheel with taut bungie or tie-down. Was always paranoid when I had the spring-loaded stand on my 900SS.

Cheers,

Bryce

 

[Nice Rumble]

Center stand/side stand, tied down. Most large ferries won't let you remain below deck.

 

[Bull]

The best advice I think comes from Bull. We were discussing it this morning and I'm glad that Bull also mentioned it. Parking at 45 degrees on the sidestand in gear seems to be the ideal situation.
Steve

the next time we meet (which will also be the first time) I'll buy you a beer! kind words are always welcome words.

I agree too - those big ferries are often running in sheltered waters. I've only ever tied the bike down back in Britain. Mind you - if there's a good chop going and the ferry pulls a hard right angle turn as she's approaching dock, and then catches a little windage broadsides, ..... well then it is a good idea to be back down on deck a few minutes before reaching port. Usually though, on a long straight stretch, it's all pretty stable with little to no shock loading to the beast on the side stand.

 

[mcatrophy]

QUOTE(orestes @ Dec 6 2006, 05:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for the link to your Shetland Tour. I've often looked at Highland Riders website

...

Dave

I've been on 3 of Highland Rider's tours, I'm doing a 4th next year. I can highly recommend them. Peter who runs them is a natural leader. Police trained, his riding is on the safer side of sport-touring (though I once did see 140, but that was very exceptional). He currently rides an '04 FJR, but you get all sorts of bikes (but he won't take unsuitable bikes, and won't take a rider he feels isn't competent).

He takes you to places you'd never find, knows everbody we meet. Adapts the tour and route to suite conditions (it does sometimes rain in Scotland).

Something like 75% of his customers are repeats, which must say something.

So far, all the tours I've been on have had ferry crossings (to keep within the thread), varying from tiny

(click on images for more tour pictures)

to quite large, the seas varying from flat calm



to "we don't advise taking bikes today" (see my previous post).

My write-ups (for those thoroughly bored):

Skye 2004, The Hebrides 2005, The Shetlands 2006.

I have no affiliation with Highland Rider other than as a very satisfied customer (even if he does use some of my photos on his web site and in his brochures, for which he paid me nothing

).

 

[Bull]

(even if he does use some of my photos on his web site and in his brochures, for which he paid me nothing ).

If he's Scottish (and ex-polis), just be glad he didn't find a way to charge you a fee!

Bull

PS - Only kiddin, Highland Laddie ... only kiddin......

 

[mcatrophy]

(even if he does use some of my photos on his web site and in his brochures, for which he paid me nothing ).

If he's Scottish (and ex-polis), just be glad he didn't find a way to charge you a fee!

Bull

PS - Only kiddin, Highland Laddie ... only kiddin......

Wouldn't have put that past him. I did ask for a discount, but he went into a state somewhere between apoplexy and a Highland Fling. Had to get him a double Scotch to calm him down. (BTW I'm English in spite of my handle.)

 

[Bull]

(BTW I'm English in spite of my handle.)

Sassanach

you should know better that to use the 'D' word in front of a Scottsman - I hope he wasn't holding anything sharp or hot at the time. Could've been nasty.

 

[mcatrophy]

you should know better that to use the 'D' word in front of a Scottsman - I hope he wasn't holding anything sharp or hot at the time. Could've been nasty.

It was OK, he already knew I would spend more money with him next year. He knows which side his haggis is buttered on.

 

[Kiki]

Center stand/side stand, tied down. Most large ferries won't let you remain below deck.

Hey Nice Rumble!!

those pics look familiar-- by were those taken here in Atlantic Canada?

 

[Nice Rumble]

Center stand/side stand, tied down. Most large ferries won't let you remain below deck.

Hey Nice Rumble!!

those pics look familiar-- by were those taken here in Atlantic Canada?

Yes Kiki, good eye. That's the ferry out of Pictou, NS to Woods Island PEI last July. The third pic is the ferry somewhere on the east coast of Nova Scotia in the Owls Head Harbor/ Spry Harbor area heading toward Dartmouth/Halifax. Very short crossing.