How do you park a bike with no kickstand?

[adouglas]

I like to ask one really stupid question every day, just to keep me honest.

Go ahead and laugh at the noobishness of this if you like... but I'd like to know.

Say you've got a race/track prepped bike with no kickstand.

How do you deal with parking it in the pits, assuming you don't have someone handy to hold it up for you while you go get the track stand?

Before anyone says "there's ALWAYS someone to lend you a hand" that wouldn't be true at home, where I rarely have another person available.

I mean, these things aren't bicycles. Hard to hold it upright while getting off, y'know?

What do you do, lean it against a tree? Is one of those roll-in front wheel chocks simply mandatory?

[csmith12]

EDIT: See post below

I am contemplating a roll on wheel chock for the solo days but if you run warmers stands are required to get your wheels in the air.

[subxero]

Originally Posted by akima

[lgk]

lean it on a street sign

[csmith12]

Ah crap my bad yo, reading FAIL.

Here is what you do, it starts with prep.

When you take your bike off the stand, put it in a handy place. Within reach of where your gunna park the bike.
When you get off your bike, hold it up with one hand and place the stand on the spools
Put slight pressure on the stand's handle to support the bike
Push down on the handle to lift it up.

All can be done solo and it will become old hat after a few times.

You can do the exact same to remove it,
Lower the bike off the stand until the wheel touches
Hold the bike with one hand to stabilize it
Fully remove stand and place in handy spot for when you come back
Get on

In time, you will learn tricks to even load the bike on the trailer/in the truck solo. Again, the secret is in where you put the stand before you even start. I put my stand on the end of the trailer, push bike up on the trailer, put on rearstand and strap it down, then remove rearstand. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy!

[Kevin2109]

Ohh Ive had to help @alex.s with his bike like this




Or a Dirtbike Kickstand: (on the 250)

[alex.s]

getcher gangsta lean on bro.

lean it on a car or wall or something. (or in my case, another bike, a pole, a tree, some bricks. sometimes i just lean the peg onto a cinder block or something... you get the idea... just make sure it wont run away.)

[akima]

ha ha - love Alex's bike!

@subxero: I almost spat my tea out when I saw that I guess you've solved the mystery of the upside down bike

Originally Posted by Kevin2109

For some reason Alex's bike made me think of a baboon bum:

[Motofool]

[adouglas]

kayso… looks like it's "lean it on something handy." Assuming you can find something handy, which is likely.

I am in NO way comfortable with holding the bike up while dismounting. I dropped my Ninjette once trying to do the one-hand thing with the track stand.

I was thinking about this today before posting and thought up something very simple… a piece of plywood with two pieces of 2x4 or padded pipe sticking up out of it, of a length just enough for the handlebars to clear and set just wider than the bike. Ride over the board between the poles and hey presto… the bike is temporarily supported and you can then put it up on the track stand easily.

But I guess the front chock does the same thing….

…. or this:

[lgk]

never thought of using a 2x4

if the bike is naked its definitely a good choice.

[choneofakind]

Bring the missus, hand her a camera and a rear stand.


Two birds with one stone.

[Aufitt]

Your stands are right where you left them in your pit bay.
as csmith12 says.

But if you can train bitchez to do it, and put the tyre warmers on without stuffing it up= all the power to you.

[iZapp]

what we use at the track, in the truck, and in the garage. about 200 bucks.
http://www.baxleycompanies.com/Sportchock.html

[akima]

@iZapp: I'm guessing you can't use tyre warmers with that thing.

[iZapp]

who needs tire warmers.
if you feel compelled, you're choices are either bring along a pit-bitch, or manage a rear stand single-handedly like everyone else. just saying.

[Knolly]

I recently got an SV Racing wheel chock for $80 and am pretty impressed with how well it works. I figure the SV Racing is a nice middle ground between cheap Harbor Freight chocks and expensive Baxley/Condor chocks.

[tooblekain]

Originally Posted by Knolly

I recently got an SV Racing wheel chock for $80 and am pretty impressed with how well it works. I figure the SV Racing is a nice middle ground between cheap Harbor Freight chocks and expensive Baxley/Condor chocks.

I had a Condor Chock before...the Baxley is much better. The Harbor Freight is in the same par as the Condor. The Condor is just lighter because its made of aluminum

[Knolly]

Originally Posted by tooblekain

I had a Condor Chock before...the Baxley is much better. The Harbor Freight is in the same par as the Condor. The Condor is just lighter because its made of aluminum

I tried out a Baxley chock at a track day that a guy was selling for $120, and honestly I wasn't that impressed. It was able to REALLY easily rock side to side when the bike was loaded in it. Yeah, the clamping motion is sweet and it's really adjustable but the stability concerned me.

[tooblekain]

If you're using the Bridgeston GP125 slicks (the 90/70/17) then it will definately be unstable.

Right now I am using the Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SC2s (110/90/17) and my Baxley is pretty solid.

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by iZapp

or manage a rear stand single-handedly like everyone else. just saying.

I have no illusions whatsoever about my inability to keep the effin' thing from falling over. Been there, done that, ain't pretty.

For example, I managed to drop a bike while trying to hold it upright and visually check the oil through that stupid sight glass at the same time. Why they don't position it so that it reads correctly while the bike is on its kickstand I'll never know. Now I use a mirror.

Dropping bikes does give me the opportunity to come up with colorful new additions to my vocabulary, though, so there's that.

I ain't proud and do not see it as a mark of incompetence even if others might. I just don't want to chuck the bloody bike on the ground. It's potentially expensive for one thing, and a PITA to pick up in any event.

[Knolly]

Originally Posted by tooblekain

If you're using the Bridgeston GP125 slicks (the 90/70/17) then it will definately be unstable.

Right now I am using the Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SC2s (110/90/17) and my Baxley is pretty solid.

I have a SC2 in the front. Which Baxley do you have? This was with the LA chock and it held the tire really solidly, it was the chock itself that I could easily rock back and forth. Then again maybe there was a loose bolt or something so everything wasn't flush. The chock was still definitely usable as a chock and everything, it was just something that surprised me which is why I mentioned it.

[csmith12]

Perhaps a stand like this will be easier to manage?

Link to original page on YouTube.

[Motofool]

Cheap, light and effective.
Bigger diameter pipes for motorcycle.

[tfkrocks]

There's no way I'd ever manage using a rear stand on my own. I don't even get on and off the bike without the kickstand down as it is. Looks like I'll have to get a front wheel chock in the future then.

[Knolly]

Originally Posted by csmith12

Perhaps a stand like this will be easier to manage?

This is what I use, it's definitely easy to use on your own. I just use a front wheel chock for convenience.

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by csmith12

Perhaps a stand like this will be easier to manage?

Yeah, but you still have to get off the bike without tipping it.. which for a short person like me is not exactly a slam dunk.

I'm with Rebecca on this one.

Will look into the wheel chock thing. Even that might require some finagling... I'm too short to get the front wheel over anything but the smallest bump when backing up... tippy toes. Putting thick boards down to stand on would work, I think.

[Foxrider64]

Originally Posted by csmith12

Ah crap my bad yo, reading FAIL.

Here is what you do, it starts with prep.

When you take your bike off the stand, put it in a handy place. Within reach of where your gunna park the bike.
When you get off your bike, hold it up with one hand and place the stand on the spools
Put slight pressure on the stand's handle to support the bike
Push down on the handle to lift it up.

All can be done solo and it will become old hat after a few times.

You can do the exact same to remove it,
Lower the bike off the stand until the wheel touches
Hold the bike with one hand to stabilize it
Fully remove stand and place in handy spot for when you come back
Get on

In time, you will learn tricks to even load the bike on the trailer/in the truck solo. Again, the secret is in where you put the stand before you even start. I put my stand on the end of the trailer, push bike up on the trailer, put on rearstand and strap it down, then remove rearstand. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy!

I've been doing this for years- you do definitely get used to it. When I can I have a trained monkey help me (brother in law) as my wife doesn't usually come with me to the track anymore.

[Alex]

Loving the various references to the stand helpers in this thread. I imagine that few of them would agree to continue to be stand helpers if they knew exactly how they were referred to....

[Foxrider64]

Originally Posted by Alex

Loving the various references to the stand helpers in this thread. I imagine that few of them would agree to continue to be stand helpers if they knew exactly how they were referred to....

My wife used to sign in at track registration as "Pit B***h"

A buddy who goes with me as "Pit Wench" or "Pit Steward"

My brother in law is referred to as "Track Minion"

[Knolly]

Originally Posted by adouglas

Yeah, but you still have to get off the bike without tipping it.. which for a short person like me is not exactly a slam dunk.

I don't know how short you are, but if you can swing a leg over the bike while it's on the ground, here's my technique with the forward handle stand, perfected after years of studying alongside masters in the mountains:

Reach over the bike with your left hand and hold the front brake while pulling the bike towards you. Reach down with your right hand and just jerk up the rear stand, if your reach is really short you could probably do this with your foot too, just try not to smack yourself with the handle. The rear will plop on the ground and, because you're holding the brake and gently pulling the bike towards you, the bike won't go anywhere and will just lean against you. Mount your steed and go set a record lap time. Return to the paddock then do the reverse.

[RedPepper64]

Loving (and giggling at) these ideas. I've got a week before my next track day and would love to hack off my kickstand and mount before then.

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by adouglas

Why they don't position it so that it reads correctly while the bike is on its kickstand I'll never know.

its because on the kickstand you are at the mercy of changing road level, changing tire sizes, etc etc. you would never be able to get it right and it would never be accurate.

hope that helps with your problem.

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by alex.s

its because on the kickstand you are at the mercy of changing road level, changing tire sizes, etc etc. you would never be able to get it right and it would never be accurate.

hope that helps with your problem.

Same thing would apply to cars, no?

The sight glass only reads correctly if the bike is vertical (left to right) AND the front and rear wheels are at the same level.

So... the sight glass is at the mercy of those factors too....

[adouglas]

Anyhoo... I was at Cycle Gear on Saturday buying a winter balaclava (on sale for $10... great deal) and darned if they didn't have a roll-in chock on sale for $70.

I bought it.

I'm returning it.

Getting the bike in was no problem at all. Getting the bike out was ridiculous.

I could NOT get the front wheel over the pivot point without the stand wanting to slide. I dragged the sucker eight feet across the garage floor, trying like crazy to pop the bike up and over.

I tried it while straddling the bike. I stood on boxes while straddling to get more leverage. I tried it while off the bike. I tried for an hour, every which way I could. No go.

Eventually I put the bike up on the rear stand and manhandled the chock out from underneath the front wheel.

I could bolt the stupid thing to the garage floor, but that kind of defeats the purpose...

[csmith12]

Hold front brake, push down on forks as it pops back up, let go of front brake and pull it out. Maybe your being to timid? Handle your bike with authority.

[SMman]

I was worried when I first started riding bikes without kickstands but you do get used to it. I was able to put my 04 ZX-6RR on the stands by myself so just practic with someone nearby. My CRF450R is easy to put on the triangle dirtbike stand. Many guys use them for sportbikes as well and they just slide in the rear axle. You don't have to get off the bike to put them in place.

[Alex]

I thought the chocks had non-slip material on the bottom to prevent exactly what you were experiencing? Though that might be one of the differences between the cheapo cycle gear ones and the more pricey Baxley / Condor type.

[leed]

Originally Posted by adouglas

Anyhoo... I was at Cycle Gear on Saturday buying a winter balaclava (on sale for $10... great deal) and darned if they didn't have a roll-in chock on sale for $70.

I bought it.

I'm returning it.

Getting the bike in was no problem at all. Getting the bike out was ridiculous.

I could NOT get the front wheel over the pivot point without the stand wanting to slide. I dragged the sucker eight feet across the garage floor, trying like crazy to pop the bike up and over.

I tried it while straddling the bike. I stood on boxes while straddling to get more leverage. I tried it while off the bike. I tried for an hour, every which way I could. No go.

Eventually I put the bike up on the rear stand and manhandled the chock out from underneath the front wheel.

I could bolt the stupid thing to the garage floor, but that kind of defeats the purpose...

That wheel chock is a piece of JUNK. Seriously. My friend bought one and we tried to use it at the track the other day and what tends to happen is the tire gets stuck in both the pivot cup and the end cup. Seriously, a piece of junk. I could pick up the front end of the bike and the thing would not drop out without a hefty kick, so don't feel bad.

But to help with the solo rearstand action...

1. Stop with the bike in gear
2. When you get off the bike [this is honestly the hardest part], let the bike lean on you.
3. Scoot your way back to the tail while maintaining the weight of the bike on you.
4. With your left arm hugging the tail [you have the most leverage here] grab your rearstand and get it in place. I've never felt sketchy doing this, and have never dropped the bike at this point. I've dropped a bike while walking the bike from the bars [I turned too sharp and lost balance].
5. If all is well you can take your hand off the bike and if the stand is under the spools you can stabilize with that. I usually stabilize with that and double check the spools are OK and then lift.

If you don't believe me that the tail is the most stable part of the bike. Put your bike on the kickstand and walk to the back. Try to move the bike around from the tail alone, compare this to the tank and even the bars. Part of this is obviously from the fact that your range of motion is not limited, you can go to either left or right without running into the bike and then falling on it.

Other options:
1. Lean against a tree
2. Buy a sheet of plywood to lean up against your car/truck/van/etc and lean the bike against that.
3. Never get off the bike.

[bruce71198]

Originally Posted by leed

That wheel chock is a piece of JUNK. Seriously. My friend bought one and we tried to use it at the track the other day and what tends to happen is the tire gets stuck in both the pivot cup and the end cup. Seriously, a piece of junk. I could pick up the front end of the bike and the thing would not drop out without a hefty kick, so don't feel bad.

Thats a pretty narrow minded view of this product. I have 2 of them mounted in the back of my van. They make one person loading and tieing down a breaze. Also I dont have to crush the suspension down to hold the bike in place when transporting them. Another thing, they do have some amount of adjustability as far as pivot points depending on tire size. I do understand your frustration with them when not fastend to the floor.