Wind

[Monty]

We get pretty high winds in thunderstorms this time of year. I don't have a garage, just a double carport. Wondering if the bike would be less likely to blow over on the sidestand or the centerstand.

 

[rushes]

We get pretty high winds in thunderstorms this time of year. I don't have a garage, just a double carport. Wondering if the bike would be less likely to blow over on the sidestand or the centerstand.

Figger in a flat tire too....

Centerstand...

But if you get enough wind to knock it off either one, yer prolly screwed anyways....

Your wind may vary....

 

[TomInPA]

Would you be allowed to install tie-downs using Tap-con bolts? Or maybe Ground anchors

Another option Torc anchors

 

[wfooshee]

The centerstand would be less stable in a crosswind. Look how far its feet are from the centerline of the bike, and look how far out the sidestand is from the same centerline. Center of gravity has to move a much shorter distance to get over the centerstand feet than either leftward over the sidestand or rightward to get up and over the centerline off of the sidestand.

Tie it to a tree.

 

[Monty]

Would you be allowed to install tie-downs using Tap-con bolts? Or maybe Ground anchors

Another option Torc anchors

I thought of that, Tom, but the floor of my carport is asphalt, not cement. Don't know if it would hold. I have a shed but it isn't very stable either.

Guess I just need to move out of Tornado Alley. LOL

 

[TomInPA]

Would you be allowed to install tie-downs using Tap-con bolts? Or maybe Ground anchors

Another option Torc anchors

I thought of that, Tom, but the floor of my carport is asphalt, not cement. Don't know if it would hold. I have a shed but it isn't very stable either.

Guess I just need to move out of Tornado Alley. LOL

I think you could use either anchor system and get a pretty good stability and theft deterrence even in asphalt. Concrete is superior, and you could use a pavement saw to cut out a chunk of asphalt and embed concrete in an excavated hole. Add some rebar and it it would go nowhere. I used to live in Ohio and have been around some pretty good sheer out in front of a storm. Since the question here was what's better, the side or center stand, I still think hold-downs into an anchor would work better. Remember, the anchor's job is to keep the bike from initially tipping and moving, not stopping an already falling bike. All you need is a bit more stability. If you are dealing with a tornado, not much is going to prevent damage.

 

[fjrbrad]

Just a thought. Could you drive it in the carport and put it on the sidestand leaning towards the house as close as you can get it, then tie it to the house with something that has been anchored to the house. Hopefully the carport is on the right side of the house so it doesnt have to be backed in. Just a thought, never had to deal with real high winds up here.

 

[madmike2]

Another random thought, since you're on an asphalt carport, you might look into some auger-type tie downs. They make some substantial models for carports and large tents. They also have some for livestock, for large dogs might help hold the bike steady in a strong gust.

That being said, I cover my bike at work and it has been on the ceneter stand in the parking lot with winds up to 45 mph plus gusts to 60 and I've never had a problem. YMMV.

 

[BikerGeek99]

Bah.

Just go kick that whore over yourself and save the wind the trouble.

Problem solved.

:jester:

 

[SwollenRaccoon]

The centerstand would be less stable in a crosswind. Look how far its feet are from the centerline of the bike, and look how far out the sidestand is from the same centerline. Center of gravity has to move a much shorter distance to get over the centerstand feet than either leftward over the sidestand or rightward to get up and over the centerline off of the sidestand.

Sorry, but I have to disagree. I've had wind blow my bike (not the FJR) over on the sidestand, more than once, but never off the center stand. Plus, if the wind is from the back or back-quarter side, it can blow hard enough to push the bike forward, which can lead to sidestand retraction. The center of gravity point is good, but I think the extra contact of the 2 centerstand pads and their added friction overcomes the small increase in the height of the center of gravity. In any case, she's a heavy whore, and it would take quite a gale to tip her over. Center stand is better, in my experience.

I should add this....if you're putting it on the sidestand, leave it in gear, so it can't roll. (Which my old bike was, when the wind tipped it over off the sidestand).

 

[wheatonFJR]

Another random thought, since you're on an asphalt carport, you might look into some auger-type tie downs. They make some substantial models for carports and large tents. They also have some for livestock, for large dogs might help hold the bike steady in a strong gust.....

Good answer...

That combined with the sidestand...for high winds...not tornados.

Tornados, just stay alive...that's the only criteria.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

The centerstand would be less stable in a crosswind. Look how far its feet are from the centerline of the bike, and look how far out the sidestand is from the same centerline. Center of gravity has to move a much shorter distance to get over the centerstand feet than either leftward over the sidestand or rightward to get up and over the centerline off of the sidestand.

Sorry, but I have to disagree. I've had wind blow my bike (not the FJR) over on the sidestand, more than once, but never off the center stand. Plus, if the wind is from the back or back-quarter side, it can blow hard enough to push the bike forward, which can lead to sidestand retraction. ...she's a heavy whore, and it would take quite a gale to tip her over...

Center stand is better, in my experience.

Does increased weight enter into the (physics) equation...? :blink:

(can an aluminum boat anchor work...?)

Sidestand ("Jiffy-stand") v/s Centerstand ("Main-stand):

A story -- departing on an ocean-going ferry, the crew advised all the motorcyclists to park their bikes 'in-gear' and on the sidestand. World-traveller, Verner, said: "Harrumph, ve Chermans alvays use der main-stand" -- and proceeded to ignore the crews advice. When we all came back to our bikes at the end of the ferry-trip, only Verner's Bay Em Vay was laying on its side -- all the sidestand bikes were fine.

Of course, H-D has (and, has had for decades) the World's-Best self-locking sidestand...!

(they must have a helluva patent...? :huh: )

 

[wfooshee]

Rocking motion emphasizes my point about center of gravity. The centerstand feet are just too narrow to keep the bike up if it rocks any at all, whether by wave action on a boat, or by wind action against its flanks.

But as SwollenRaccoon points out, if the bike can move forward, it will fold the sidestand pretty easily. The centerstand is held better by the bike's own weight (which physics-wise doesn't really have anything to do with friction of two feet instead of one.)

 

[SwollenRaccoon]

These are all great arguments, and I can definitely see both sides.

Hey, what a great idea for the next tech day! First, wait for all the attendees to arrive, and have something to eat, as well as a few cocktails. Then, put an FJR up on the centerstand, surrounded by your guests. Hook a strain gage up to the FJR, at some point higher than the center of gravity.....maybe remove the seat and use one of the bolts there to attach it. Pull until she goes over, (remembering to tell the guest to stop the bike from hitting the ground), and see what the strain gage reads. Have a couple more cocktails, and repeat the procedure with the FJR on the sidestand. Voila! We have the answer!

Instead of people grabbing the bike before it hits the ground, you could pile a bunch of sheep on the ground to act as a cushion. Make sure Bust isn't among them first, of course. Then, as stated before, have some cocktails.

NOW we're getting somewhere!

 

[rushes]

These are all great arguments, and I can definitely see both sides.

Hey, what a great idea for the next tech day! First, wait for all the attendees to arrive, and have something to eat, as well as a few cocktails. Then, put an FJR up on the centerstand, surrounded by your guests. Hook a strain gage up to the FJR, at some point higher than the center of gravity.....maybe remove the seat and use one of the bolts there to attach it. Pull until she goes over, (remembering to tell the guest to stop the bike from hitting the ground), and see what the strain gage reads. Have a couple more cocktails, and repeat the procedure with the FJR on the sidestand. Voila! We have the answer!

Instead of people grabbing the bike before it hits the ground, you could pile a bunch of sheep on the ground to act as a cushion. Make sure Bust isn't among them first, of course. Then, as stated before, have some cocktails.

NOW we're getting somewhere!

:lol:

 

[wheatonFJR]

These are all great arguments, and I can definitely see both sides.

Hey, what a great idea for the next tech day! First, wait for all the attendees to arrive, and have something to eat, as well as a few cocktails. Then, put an FJR up on the centerstand, surrounded by your guests. Hook a strain gage up to the FJR, at some point higher than the center of gravity.....maybe remove the seat and use one of the bolts there to attach it. Pull until she goes over, (remembering to tell the guest to stop the bike from hitting the ground), and see what the strain gage reads. Have a couple more cocktails, and repeat the procedure with the FJR on the sidestand. Voila! We have the answer!

Instead of people grabbing the bike before it hits the ground, you could pile a bunch of sheep on the ground to act as a cushion. Make sure Bust isn't among them first, of course. Then, as stated before, have some cocktails.

NOW we're getting somewhere!

Brilliant!

 

[Bungie]

Why not leave the sheep alone and just put Bust under. No need to catch the bike then either. He told me he prefers to catch anyway.

 

[BikerGeek99]

Why not leave the sheep alone and just put Bust under. No need to catch the bike then either. He told me he prefers to catch anyway.

That's the dumbest thing I've heard in years.

I mean, c'mon, Bungie... Do you have any idea what the pus outta those open sores would do to the paint on an FJR?

Wouldn't be pretty.

Nosirreebob - wouldn't be pretty at all.

 

[HotRodZilla]

Bah.

Just go kick that whore over yourself and save the wind the trouble.

Problem solved.

:jester:

I vote this for best answer in the thread so far!