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Is there a point to the center stand?

  • Thread starter Thread starter ryanrod
  • Start date Start date
R

ryanrod

Guest
My kick stand just snapped off one day. So I ordered a new one from ebay, except it was a center stand. The center stand doesn't support the motorcycle, so it's mostly for show I've concluded right? A kickstand is what actually keeps the bike from tipping over right?
 
I'm not quite sure I understand the question but yes, it does support the bike by letting it sit upright.
 
The centerstand will hold the bike straight upright as noted and also lets you keep the front or back wheel in the air to do maintenance work. While I am not a big centerstand fan they are a very practical accessory for a street ridden bike.


Mark
 
Wait until you have to replace a tire or chain or change the oil and ask yourself this question again
 
ryanrod said:
The center stand doesn't support the motorcycle, so it's mostly for show...
Click to expand...

That's why I'm so anxious to get one for my bike - the extra few pounds are nothing compared to how great it looks.

Sorry for the sarcasm, Ryan. A centerstand makes checking your oil level, lubing the chain and other tasks easier. It also provides what many feel is a more secure way to park your motorcycle.

The downside is the weight, loss of cornering clearance, interference with exhaust, etc. Nearly all modern sportbikes come without them. My not-so-modern sportbike didn't have one when I bought it a year ago, and I prefer it that way.
 
They're the first thing to go with an aftermarket exhaust system.
 
Thanks for the reply to this confusing question everyone. Allow me to attempt to clarify. I'm certain I've installed this center stand correctly, but the stand is too long, which prevents me from kicking it down all the way. The center stand was pulled off a 1981 and my bike is an '82 so that might also have something to do with it..?


Everything has has to be replaced on these old bikes is what I'm learning.
 
I thought it would be cool to take off my center stand like everyone else was doing a few months after I bought my bike. It was off for about a year then I reinstalled. It made working on the bike a *itch with out it. I would have to install it to do an oil change, chain maintenance, tire changing, and for a whole bunch of other things. It stays on now.

Weight is only a few pounds. loss of cornering clearance? Never had that problem, interferes with the exhaust, no real problem there either. I find more positives with it on then negatives. Your sport touring bikes most of them have center stands as well as the adventure bikes. Cruisers you can get aftermarket ones that work pretty good. Crotch rockets, you can get the swing arm stands, probably should if you ever what to work on it safely.
 
ryanrod said:
Thanks for the reply to this confusing question everyone. Allow me to attempt to clarify. I'm certain I've installed this center stand correctly, but the stand is too long, which prevents me from kicking it down all the way. The center stand was pulled off a 1981 and my bike is an '82 so that might also have something to do with it..?


Everything has has to be replaced on these old bikes is what I'm learning.
Click to expand...

There is a art to getting the bike on the center stand, very simple to learn. There shouldn't be much of any difference between the two bikes for the center stand. Define too long? If it is too long, have it cut down an inch or so. A pic would be helpful. I don't understand how a center stand was confused as a side/kick stand. And your bike is an 82 what?
 
Last edited:
mrbill5491 said:
Crotch rockets, you can get the swing arm stands, probably should if you ever what to work on it safely.
Click to expand...

I think they're called "paddock stands." I have a rear one, cost $30 on sale. I use it for chain maintenance and checking the oil.

Even on the street, a pound is a pound, but I guess it's largely a psychological difference. At first I planned on installing one, then I planned on looking into whether it could be easily removed and re-installed.

I've dropped those plans. For me, less is more.
 
ryanrod said:
Thanks for the reply to this confusing question everyone. Allow me to attempt to clarify. I'm certain I've installed this center stand correctly, but the stand is too long, which prevents me from kicking it down all the way. The center stand was pulled off a 1981 and my bike is an '82 so that might also have something to do with it..?


Everything has has to be replaced on these old bikes is what I'm learning.
Click to expand...

You are aware you have to lift the rear of the bike up while you stand on the centrestand arm, right? It doesn't just flick down like the sidestand.
 
According to the manual, you should have it on the center stand to check the oil. And like Todd mentioned, a host of maintenance tasks are much easier with a center stand, from changing a tire, to changing a fork seal. If your center stand seems too long, there are some things that can cause that:
Lowered suspension at either end.
Low tires, or smaller wheels/tires
Wrong center stand.
Wrong technique.
 
Rob S. said:
It also provides what many feel is a more secure way to park your motorcycle.
Click to expand...
Bad advice, or just BS.....What many feel?
Never met any rational person that thinks the center stand is more stable (or secure?)
well not anyone who rides a motorcycle.
 
Last edited:
JEEPRUSTY said:
The centre stand is more stable and secure than the kickstand.
Click to expand...

The laws of physics will tend to disagree with that statement.
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The three points of contact when using the side stand cover a larger area and are much more stable than the triangle formed by the center stand and the front tire.

.
 
JEEPRUSTY said:
The centre stand is more stable and secure than the kickstand.
Click to expand...
We take ferries all the time living where we live. Some of the ferries can experience quite rough water and those vessels require you to rope up your bike. They never allow you to use your centre stand as the bike on the side stand is more stable, if the centre stand was more stable then after many many decades of crossings with millions of motorcycles aboard they would let you use them. Just my opinion of course. We'll and BC ferries lol.
 
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