Thanks, I'd never seen it done before. On those videos it sure looks easy. I'd wondered about maybe putting something under the side stand, to hold the bike up, almost straight, then put the paddock under it. I would never try to hold the bike up straight with one hand, while using the paddock lift with the other, nope, I ain't doing it. Just give me the old simple centerstand, never know it's there till you need it, you always have it with you, you never need to find a place to store it, it's easy & simple to use by yourself with confidence, & it only adds maybe 6 or 7 lb. at the very bottom of the center of gravity. I'm fix'in to go look, a couple of yrs. ago, I read there was someone, I think in Europe, that was designing a clamp-on centerstand for the ZRX's. I want one.
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No Oil in Sight Glass
- Thread starter Jim R
- Start date
Gets easy with practice.
With my Triumph, (no center stand), I stand it up, balance it with my hip, and my left hand on the tail, while using my right hand to slip the stand under the swing arm, and push down.
With the kick stand down, if I do start to lose balance, I just use my left hand and hip to lower it on the side stand, which is exactly how I get it off the paddock stand.
Steve
GS Whisperer
I know I am old, slow and occasionally dense, but I just can't understand the appeal of removing a useful part of the bike, just to have to go through all these gymnastics when the need arises.
I guess it comes down to answering a few questions.
Q1. What is the function of the paddock stand?
A1. To raise the rear wheel and level the bike, likely for chain maintenance or checking oil level.
Q2. How is the paddock stand better than the original centerstand?
A2. It removes a few pounds of weight from the bike, giving better performance.
Q3. If you are out on a trip, where do you carry the paddock stand so you can do any maintenance?
A3. OK, you leave it at home, right? Now you don't have a centerstand OR a paddock stand.
I have been to a few GSR rallies and observed at least one (former) member going through all the moves, trying to check oil level, clean the chain and yes, even adjust the chain to get it "just so". Every night. Others pitched in to help him, I just can't imagine him trying to do it by himself.
I understand that some bikes don't even come with a centerstand, so a paddock stand makes sense, but why remove a functional centerstand just so you can then have the "pleasure" of all that inconvenience.
And, yeah, this is coming from a guy who had ridden shaft-driven bikes for the last 40 years (but that's a whole 'nother discussion). I'm just trying to comprehend the whole situation, but I do appreciate the entertainment at the rallies. :encouragement:
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I guess it comes down to answering a few questions.
Q1. What is the function of the paddock stand?
A1. To raise the rear wheel and level the bike, likely for chain maintenance or checking oil level.
Q2. How is the paddock stand better than the original centerstand?
A2. It removes a few pounds of weight from the bike, giving better performance.
Q3. If you are out on a trip, where do you carry the paddock stand so you can do any maintenance?
A3. OK, you leave it at home, right? Now you don't have a centerstand OR a paddock stand.
I have been to a few GSR rallies and observed at least one (former) member going through all the moves, trying to check oil level, clean the chain and yes, even adjust the chain to get it "just so". Every night. Others pitched in to help him, I just can't imagine him trying to do it by himself.
I understand that some bikes don't even come with a centerstand, so a paddock stand makes sense, but why remove a functional centerstand just so you can then have the "pleasure" of all that inconvenience.
And, yeah, this is coming from a guy who had ridden shaft-driven bikes for the last 40 years (but that's a whole 'nother discussion). I'm just trying to comprehend the whole situation, but I do appreciate the entertainment at the rallies. :encouragement:
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Yeah, I know it can't be a very big deal, or there wouldn't be so many folks using them. I've just got older enough I need to pay more attention in day to day operation, not to get off balance & I don't need to press my luck. The reasons I took the Yosh. off my "83" 1100E, was because of aggravation changing the oil & I couldn't use it with a centerstand. I miss the sound of the Yosh but the extra aggravation, to me, wasn't worth it. The V&H sounds good, but nothing else has the sound of an old Yoshi. Hey, how did we get here from oil in a sight glass???
Ditto that. I'm sure I wouldn't have removed it if it came with one.
I'm as old as anyone, and I wouldn't try balancing the bike. I just get in the back and get to work with the paddock stand. It's a little better, I guess, being that the side stand is already on a brick, but one side contacts and lifts before the other. I guess that's why it seems to sit crookedly on the stand.
And Steve, we like you in spite of the shaft drive thing.
What about Goldwings? They can't have center stands anymore, unless they're motorized. Not so ridiculous when you realize it has a reverse gear.
Did they ever have them? I rode a friend's original in 1975, but can't recall if it had a centerstand.
I made a crude stand for my KLR. It lifted it from the side stand quite easily, without feeling unstable. Being on a block of wood helped, but was not necessary. Could definitely raise and lower it without help. Sure made cleaning the chain a breeze.
I made a crude stand for my KLR.
Wow! Got enough leverage there?
Wow! Got enough leverage there?
Ha, yeah could've shortened that a bit. I wasn't concerned about leverage as much as having the thing flip up while I worked on the bike since the riser arms are at 90 degrees from the axle.
Steve
GS Whisperer
Goldwings have always had a centerstand. Very easy to deploy, even easier than my GS. :-\\\
And, ... reverse gear won't help you get on the stand. The stand lifts the rear wheel off the ground, and it's the rear wheel that provides the motion. The stand itself has never been motorized, it doesn't need to be.
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Steve
GS Whisperer
It actually takes two buttons, but the concept is spot on. :encouragement:
However, it’s easy enough without raising the suspension.
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G
Guest
Guest
There's a tool for every job.
Sportbikes are made for setting fast lap times on the track and short trips (preferably on twisty roads) due to small fuel tanks and racy ergonomics. Weight savings is everything on this style of motorcycle. As you mentioned, this style of bike doesn't normally come equipped with a centerstand anyways. So for this application, using a paddock stand makes sense because you are always near your pit area at the track or likely to be back in your own home garage by the end of the day. Not to say nobody ever tours on a sportbike, but it's not common.
Sport touring and touring bikes can justify the weight of the centerstand because you are likely going to be riding them on long overnight trips and need to be able to perform maintenance while on the road.
With practice, using a paddock or center stand becomes second nature, same as anything else.
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