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Old 04-03-2010, 01:03 AM   #1
Mercutio57
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Kickstand...

Put it down BEFORE you get off the bike. It sounds lame, but a moment of absent-mindeness can hurt, even when the bike isn't rolling.

I thought I had put the kickstand down, but hadn't, and when I stood up and swung my right leg over the seat I quickly discovered the mistake. As light as the GZ is, there's no stopping it when you're on one leg and she's already over quite a few degrees. A leather jacket and a crash bar ensured that the biggest hurt was to my pride, but it was a lesson well learned.
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Old 04-03-2010, 01:17 AM   #2
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Re: Kickstand...

Bein there,done that.Of course in front of a crowd at local coffee shop.I was butt of jokes for weeks,until someone else done the same.Never made that mastake again!!!
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Old 04-03-2010, 04:49 AM   #3
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Re: Kickstand...

I use the kickstand as my kill switch. As absent minded as I tend to be, perhaps this has saved me from this particular "Whoop-shit." Now, if only the kickstand killed the headlamp, too!
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Old 04-03-2010, 08:06 AM   #4
Mercutio57
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Re: Kickstand...

This latest dummy maneuver was also done in front of a crowd, adding to the pain of my injured pride. The first time I did it was in my driveway, a day or two after I got it. I was alone that time, but hoping that my wife hadn't seen it from the house. I figured that she'd use it it as evidence that I shouldn't be riding.

Good idea about using it as the kill switch; last night (as I felt the pain in my elbow) it occured to me that this might be a way to watch myself more carefully!
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Old 04-03-2010, 01:29 PM   #5
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Re: Kickstand...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mercutio57
I thought I had put the kickstand down, but hadn't, and when I stood up and swung my right leg over the seat I quickly discovered the mistake.
Two things:

It's just a matter of time. Almost every person who rides a bike has done that at least once. If you haven't yet, your time is coming !!! :shocked:

I dismount on the right side; don't know why exactly, it's just a habit. One advantage is that the bike falls AWAY from you instead of ON you when you neglect to put the stand down. :biggrin:

Which leg do YOU swing over the seat ???
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Old 04-03-2010, 02:16 PM   #6
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Re: Kickstand...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Easy Rider
I dismount on the right side; don't know why exactly, it's just a habit. One advantage is that the bike falls AWAY from you instead of ON you when you neglect to put the stand down. :biggrin:
The big disadvantage to doing that is the possibility of a nasty burn on your leg from the hot exhaust. I can show you scar pics if you'd like...

Also, on smaller bikes it can be fine. I do it on the GZ and the Ninja all the time, but on bigger/taller bikes, it takes more work and stretching to get on. Maybe on big bikes, it'd be like mounting a horse - one foot on the peg first, then hoist yourself up and swing the leg over.
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Old 04-03-2010, 07:14 PM   #7
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Re: Kickstand...

Quote:
Originally Posted by alanmcorcoran
Now, if only the kickstand killed the headlamp, too!
There is a thread in the "How To" part, about just that. It involves hooking up a relay. Very simple (theoretically):

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2304

PS Re: the subject, never done that, but I once put it on the stand, on a slope, so it started rolling forward off the stand and fell over. Disgrace.
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Old 04-03-2010, 07:44 PM   #8
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Re: Kickstand...

Quote:
Originally Posted by 5th_bike
but I once put it on the stand, on a slope, so it started rolling forward off the stand and fell over.
Theoretically, leaving it in gear stops it rolling forward. Practically, that's bullshit. (I too learned the hard way) That's why I have a piece of velcro wrapped round the mirror stem. That way,when I park on a slope (and I live in the mountains ) I can grab the velcro, & wrap it round the rubber grip/brake lever & make an efficient parking brake. :2tup:
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Old 04-03-2010, 07:54 PM   #9
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Re: Kickstand...

Simpler solution - park facing uphill.
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Old 04-04-2010, 06:07 AM   #10
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Re: Kickstand...

Quote:
Originally Posted by patrick_777
Simpler solution - park facing uphill.
Not quite so simple when a lot of our narrow mountain roads are "one way" only.
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