Track stands -- a better way

[adouglas]

I just bought a new rear stand at the motorcycle show. A Pit Bull unlike what you've seen before. Pics attached. What's different? The fact that the handle is on the right side of the bike, not the left.

The whole track stand thing has always bugged me. Here's why:

You have a 400+ lb machine, worth thousands of dollars. If you drop it and want to replace what breaks, it will cost you hundreds.

So let's design a stand that requires you to stand the bike up and balance it with one arm while you maneuver the stand into place, then move away from that position of minimal control as you lift. Is it just me, or does that seem STUPID?

Can it be done? Sure. I got pretty good at it. Is it the best way? I don't think so.

Pit Bull makes a forward-handle stand that in my view makes a lot more sense. You stand beside the bike so you can control it better. The handle of this stand is on the left side of the bike. You lift the bike upright, balance it securely while holding the handlebar and maybe bracing it with your hip, move the stand under, line up the spools and push the handle to the floor. Much better.

But still somewhat nuts IMHO. Because you're standing on the left side of the bike, this one requires you to line up the right hand spool more or less by feel, since the exhaust prevents you from seeing it as you lean across the bike. You also have to balance on one foot while you flip up the kickstand, which gets in the way of the stand's handle. Reverse that when you let the bike down.

Why not put the handle on the right instead? I contacted them to ask this very question.

Turns out they make a stand that isn't in their catalog, for the European market. It's got a handle that comes off, so it can be flat-packed for shipping. It's basically the same deal as their single-sided swingarm stand, but for bikes with conventional swingarms.

So hey presto, I can put the handle on the right if I want to. Here's what that does:

- I can easily line up the right hand spool.
- Both feet stay firmly planted at all times.
- I can leave the kickstand down, so if for whatever reason I lose control of the bike, it will either tip into me (again, firmly planted on both feet), or drop onto the extended kickstand. The bike will not fall over.
- I can take the handle off when going to the track, which makes for much easier packing.

$25 upcharge over the standard rear stand. I love it.

[csmith12]

Like this?



Some riders love them, others hate them. I am in the "i don't care" category. Either way, glad you're happy with the purchase.

[Hero Danny]

Great idea, and i'm glad it's working for you!

My only thing is that If I am bending over the bike to pull the handle (on the right hand side) up then the weight of my body pushing against the bike could cause it to tip even easier!
I've gotten really good at getting my bike on the rear stand by myself, I can do it in 5 seconds.

PRO TIP #1: Turn your handle bars to the left to prevent it from falling to the right.

PRO TIP #2: If you are skiddish about using a rear stand then placing a brick or small 2x4 underneath the kickstand will help considerably.

[Rifleman]

I've always wondered why they don't offer a "short handle with foot loop" on the forward facing handle models.

just weld a wire loop big enough to slip your foot into about half way down the handle and if you want to get real fancy, make the other half of the handle removable so it can be hand or foot.

It is a moment of "go for it" when you are holding the tail with one hand and aligning the stand to the bobbins with the other... you have to commit and go all in at some point.

[alex.s]

with the kick stand down, stand on the opposite side of the kick stand right next to the rear axle. now with your left hand holding the stand, use your right hand to guide the stand and put the stand onto the spools while the bike is still leaning on the kick stand. keeping the stand against the spools, pull the bike up toward you and let the stand go down onto two wheels. now if the bike falls away from you, it goes to kickstand. alternatively it falls on top of you and your squishy meat cushions the fall. with the bike upright, and the stand on the spools with both wheels on the ground, you simply have to put pressure on the handle and now it is holding your bike up. you can then move your foot and push down fully on the stand to lift the bike

[csmith12]

Stands are just that... stands. They come in different forms, pick the one you like. Or, you can hate them all and just roll up into a wheel chock as pictured below.



No matter which route you go, it's gunna take some getting used to the first number of times. For example; I don't run warmers a lot, so I am contemplating a chock for next season. Other times, I might get the stands out to put the warmers on, it don't matter what kinda stands, as long as I get the bike up quickly and easily. They all have their pro's and cons. This is why I walk around helping riders get their bike on stands.

There is nothing better than another set of hands and eyes.

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by csmith12

Stands are just that... stands. They come in different forms, pick the one you like. Or, you can hate them all and just roll up into a wheel chock as pictured below.



No matter which route you go, it's gunna take some getting used to the first number of times. For example; I don't run warmers a lot, so I am contemplating a chock for next season. Other times, I might get the stands out to put the warmers on, it don't matter what kinda stands, as long as I get the bike up quickly and easily. They all have their pro's and cons. This is why I walk around helping riders get their bike on stands.

There is nothing better than another set of hands and eyes.

these are so nice at the track when you are by yourself. after a long session or a race or something and you are exhausted you just pull up into the chock and forget about it. 10/10

[kdogg2077]

I agree that track stands or whatever are a pain to use. I only used mine once and I nearly had a heart attack.

[jkv45]

I have just the standard rear stand that you lift from the back, and I recently bought a roll-on front wheel chock (http://www.cyclegear.com/TRACKSIDE-Roll-On-Wheel-Chock - $79 on sale). I really like the front chock for general maintenance as it hold it much steadier than my rear stand.

When it's in the chock it's super easy to lift the rear wheel with the rear stand, so there's no more balancing-act going on.

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by csmith12

Like this?



Some riders love them, others hate them. I am in the "i don't care" category. Either way, glad you're happy with the purchase.

Yes, combine that with the removable handle of the single-sided swingarm stand. That way you can have the lever poking out in the other direction, allowing use from the right side of the bike.

Or have it like this if you prefer.

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by Hero Danny

Great idea, and i'm glad it's working for you!

My only thing is that If I am bending over the bike to pull the handle (on the right hand side) up then the weight of my body pushing against the bike could cause it to tip even easier!

Not sure I follow. If the bike is on the stand, you're pulling the stand lever up to lower the bike. You're not pushing on the bike at all. I'm holding the handlebar as the weight settles on the back tire, and I lower it gently onto the side stand.

Yeah, I've done the block of wood and turned handlebar. Pro tip #3: Put a velcro wrap around the brake lever to keep the bike from rolling as you lift.

[chrly]

Surprised no one has mentioned teh side lift stands .



They seemed to be priced from $200 ( out of stock) to $600 or so.

[cbinker]

http://www.harborfreight.com/automot...ock-61670.html

I picked up one of these for the track, it works perfect for track use and transport use.

[Gurk]

Good on you for innovation.. However me personally, I see this as a non-issue.

[Gurk]

Originally Posted by chrly

Surprised no one has mentioned teh side lift stands .



They seemed to be priced from $200 ( out of stock) to $600 or so.

Just make sure your frame is perfectly straight. Mine is bent a TINY amount. I don't even think they bother straightening it if you take it to a shop kind of tiny amount.

I bought one of those lifts and it didn't fit because of this. I'm talking millimeters here. I'd stick to pitbulls and save headache.

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by Gurk

I don't even think they bother straightening it if you take it to a shop kind of tiny amount.

wat

[Gurk]

Originally Posted by alex.s

wat

I would explain if it was anyone else asking.

[snot]

The side stand is what I was looking at, but the one I was looking at needed the frame sliders installed. Link?

[Sirref]

Originally Posted by alex.s

these are so nice at the track when you are by yourself. after a long session or a race or something and you are exhausted you just pull up into the chock and forget about it. 10/10

you two are selling me on a chock

[alex.s]

the good ones work well. the bad ones just slide when you try to roll onto them and you have to put them against something stationary

[Gurk]

Yeah if you're not using tirewarmers, chocks are no brainer. Definitely most convenient.

[Gurk]

http://www.discountramps.com/baxley-...FQdafgodgZQAvw

expensive but rocksolid.

[chrly]

Originally Posted by Gurk

Just make sure your frame is perfectly straight. Mine is bent a TINY amount. I don't even think they bother straightening it if you take it to a shop kind of tiny amount.

I bought one of those lifts and it didn't fit because of this. I'm talking millimeters here. I'd stick to pitbulls and save headache.

Did you purchase teh Black Widow one..None of their stuff has been even "average" from what I have used.. Because this is so different and new [?] I wanted to wait till teh first of teh year and get one from the originator which runs around $650 ..I do believe this is a case of get what you pay for ...

Here is teh link to teh Bursig.. http://www.bursigusa.com/?gclid=CjwK...ErrxoCsGDw_wcB.

[Gurk]

Originally Posted by chrly

Did you purchase teh Black Widow one..None of their stuff has been even "average" from what I have used.. Because this is so different and new [?] I wanted to wait till teh first of teh year and get one from the originator which runs around $650 ..I do believe this is a case of get what you pay for ...
I lost the link to the German/English ( ? ) one but that is what I will go with...

I'm really not sure. It's been a long while. I know it's not the German one though. Good chance it's the BW one as I remember the brand name/logo.

I don't blame them completely as my bike has the problem.. But just looking at the product it looked suuuper janky. Not something I'd spend more than $50 on. No experience with other brands but they all look similar in photos..

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by Gurk

http://www.discountramps.com/baxley-...FQdafgodgZQAvw

expensive but rocksolid.

the baxley is like the universal standard for standalone chocks it seems

[chrly]

Originally Posted by snot

The side stand is what I was looking at, but the one I was looking at needed the frame sliders installed. Link?

Are you sure it was frame sliders and not a special adapter in teh frame center ? Here is the Bursig http://www.bursigusa.com/?gclid=CjwK...ErrxoCsGDw_wcB

[chrly]

Originally Posted by alex.s

the baxley is like the universal standard for standalone chocks it seems

Agreed..Very well built . and the Pit Bull front and rear stands are my top choice for front and rears..The others really look like junk ( and I have owned a half dozen until I finnally broke down and bought the Pit Bull stands}.

[Motofool]

Link to original page on YouTube.

[chrly]

Nice...I think for home garage purposes tho, the rollaround of teh Burg would best suit me..

[snot]

Originally Posted by chrly

Are you sure it was frame sliders and not a special adapter in teh frame center ? Here is the Bursig http://www.bursigusa.com/?gclid=CjwK...ErrxoCsGDw_wcB

I like those but this is what I was looking at:
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/p...ar-jack-stands

[chrly]

Originally Posted by snot

I like those but this is what I was looking at:
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/p...ar-jack-stands

I have not seen those before.. I could not find a video either..I would be interested in seeing how they load...

[Somchai]

Originally Posted by Motofool

Link to original page on YouTube.

Wow Hernan, what a great find, didn't see this before - thank you for posting it

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by Somchai

Wow Hernan, what a great find, didn't see this before - thank you for posting it

You are welcome, Roland

[algs26]

I just got the bursig stand. I can now easily park my bike and car in the garage.


You can see the lifting points here. There's no modification needed to the bike. On top is a long plastic? pin (tip is coned) and the bottom is a shorter cylindrical pin.



I can take more pics if anyone is interested. I still need to make some slight adjustments to it. It was off out of the box as you can see in the pic.

[chrly]

Originally Posted by algs26

I just got the bursig stand. I can now easily park my bike and car in the garage.


You can see the lifting points here. There's no modification needed to the bike. On top is a long plastic? pin (tip is coned) and the bottom is a shorter cylindrical pin.



I can take more pics if anyone is interested. I still need to make some slight adjustments to it. It was off out of the box as you can see in the pic.

Thanks Al.. I think that is the best of the lot being offered..I guess I better save up my lunch money

[cookiebug79]

Originally Posted by snot

I like those but this is what I was looking at:
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/p...ar-jack-stands

Originally Posted by chrly

I have not seen those before.. I could not find a video either..I would be interested in seeing how they load...

They're used when you need to pull suspension parts or unload your suspension for measurements. They're not meant to be track-side. In fact, I think you actually need to put the bike on the front and rear stands to get it into these stands. Then you pull the front and rear stands and you can mess with the suspension.

[adouglas]

The Bursig is sweet but at well over $500 too rich for my blood.