Anyone think their sidestand is too long, leaving the bike perilously upright? I lowered a dirt bike years ago by mounting 17-inch rims (before you could buy a supermoto), and that made the sidestand way too tall and the bike way too tippy. This bike kinda reminds me of that (before I cut down the stand). Anyone else feel a little nervous in all but the perfect parking spot? I do have a center stand, but would still like to trust the sidestand a bit more. Thanks.
goatfarmer1970
I make sure that my handlebars are turned to the left when I dismount... haven't had a problem. And if the parking spot is sloped, I park so that the sidestand is on the downhill side so more weight is on the sidestand.
I also bought a sidestand foot enlarger (for lack of a better term).
I also bought a sidestand foot enlarger (for lack of a better term).
Thanks DJ. I also try to position it on the downhill side and with the bars turned left...but it is still a lot more upright than I would like...and that is not always a convenient option (i.e., twice today for example). I may see if my dealer could cut it down 1/2 an inch "under warranty" as it feels just a little bit like an accident waiting to happen. Thanks again.
SideStand
I have never had a issue with the position of the bike on the side stand.
DJ's foot enlarger will stand the bike even more upright.
Good luck having a BMW dealer cut & weld a sidestand "Under Warranty."
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho.../enUS/showparts?id=0A14-USA-06-2015-K53-BMW-R_1200_R_0A04,_0A14_&diagId=46_1670
Some bikes are factory lowered. The center stand is shorter.
Would not the side stand also be shorter?
This would be worth your time doing a parts number check. Ain't cheap.
Cheapest solution is carry two 3X3" plywood squares to position under the tires.
Or make an adjustable side stand.
I have never had a issue with the position of the bike on the side stand.
DJ's foot enlarger will stand the bike even more upright.
Good luck having a BMW dealer cut & weld a sidestand "Under Warranty."
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho.../enUS/showparts?id=0A14-USA-06-2015-K53-BMW-R_1200_R_0A04,_0A14_&diagId=46_1670
Some bikes are factory lowered. The center stand is shorter.
Would not the side stand also be shorter?
This would be worth your time doing a parts number check. Ain't cheap.
Cheapest solution is carry two 3X3" plywood squares to position under the tires.
Or make an adjustable side stand.
I agree, side stand feels too long. Can't imagine BMW shortening it though.. I guess just have to be mindful of it or put it on the centre stand where possible.
For now, I'll probably do nothing but ride it because I am way too lazy to carry plywood blocks. However, using thinner pieces of wood would be a good way to figure out how much to take off the stand if I really decide I have a problem. If so, I will try to find the energy to show my dealer a photo of it parked parallel by my other bike (and that which will show that it is very much standing upright at least comparatively. Although, come to think of it, I did put a 55 instead of a 50 tire on that bike to get more rear ride height. Anyway, thanks Clem...now I gotta figure out if I am just seeing things or really have an issue.
My Guzzi gets propped up with a 1" hunk of wood, under the side stand, so its not leaning over into the BMW 1200st territory
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It does save the mirrors from being bumped out of position, which I get a little irritated over.
But…like you goatfarmer1970 I get nervous about it being too upright.
We get earthquakes here, would not take to much rock n roll to tip it over.
It does save the mirrors from being bumped out of position, which I get a little irritated over.
But…like you goatfarmer1970 I get nervous about it being too upright.
We get earthquakes here, would not take to much rock n roll to tip it over.
Maybe those with ESA could adjust the preload front and rear to max before parking to give a bit more lean.
I find the angle of my non ESA bike pretty much spot on with the rear shock set at standard pre-load. No such adjustment on the front.
I find the angle of my non ESA bike pretty much spot on with the rear shock set at standard pre-load. No such adjustment on the front.
I've ridden other bikes where it feels like it will topple if the wind blows. I feels absolutely comfortable with the side stand, and my 9 year old hops on and off without issues.
If I do find myself in a position (slope, ground material, etc) where I question the stability I roll her onto the center stand.
If I do find myself in a position (slope, ground material, etc) where I question the stability I roll her onto the center stand.
Like jrudin, mine is very stable. I wouldn't want it leaning too much further. I also agree with Clem, that it will take lots of luck, and an act of God for a dealer to cut/weld your stand.
Conversely, a good fabricator shop ought to be able to cut and re-weld your stand for little cost. In my neck of the woods, I would expect to pay about $50 for that job...while I waited. That cost would not include repainting though. If you're handy, you could likely save a few bucks by cutting your own foot plate off, cutting whatever length of tubing you wish removed off, and grinding all weld surfaces so that your welder can get right to work. Be sure to disconnect your negative battery lead before he starts welding. The actual welding work should be a 10 minute job. Good luck.
Conversely, a good fabricator shop ought to be able to cut and re-weld your stand for little cost. In my neck of the woods, I would expect to pay about $50 for that job...while I waited. That cost would not include repainting though. If you're handy, you could likely save a few bucks by cutting your own foot plate off, cutting whatever length of tubing you wish removed off, and grinding all weld surfaces so that your welder can get right to work. Be sure to disconnect your negative battery lead before he starts welding. The actual welding work should be a 10 minute job. Good luck.
Did you ever get this sorted? My wife has had a her bike about a month now and on a long weekend away this weekend we had far too many instances where even on reasonably flat ground the bike was worryingly vertical. It looked like even a slight breeze would have blown it over, so we ended up using the centre stand. This isn't a long term solution though as she struggles to get it on the centre stand so it would be no good if there was nobody around to help her.
The bike is standard height by the way, with d-ESA.
The bike is standard height by the way, with d-ESA.
I got the stand modified for her. They made the foot thinner rather than taking any length out of the main leg of the stand as doing so would have put the tang that you use to deploy the stand too close to the gear lever. Total cost, including powder coating, was £50 and I got it back in less than 24 hours.
It's made a big difference for her and she's now far more comfortable. We noticed with the original length stand that the bike did lean over, but only after dismounting and unloading the suspension. The problem was catch-22 - she couldn't get off because the bike was too upright and being short she was concerned about it falling. The new length stand has solved all this for her, so money well spent.
It's made a big difference for her and she's now far more comfortable. We noticed with the original length stand that the bike did lean over, but only after dismounting and unloading the suspension. The problem was catch-22 - she couldn't get off because the bike was too upright and being short she was concerned about it falling. The new length stand has solved all this for her, so money well spent.
I think that the more upright angle of my 2015 R1200R sits is a big improvement over the how low the sidestand on my 2009 Dyna Super Glide leans. I have had times when I parked the Super Glide on a downward left slope and just about couldn't get it upright when I was ready to leave.
In my case I try to park the R1200R so that the sidestand is on the low side of the parking space and I always turn the bars to the left and lock them.
Pete
In my case I try to park the R1200R so that the sidestand is on the low side of the parking space and I always turn the bars to the left and lock them.
Pete
I know that this is an older thread, but this is one of the first things I noticed. It seems like every other time I stop I feel the need to reposition the bike once I put the sidestand down. It's fine if it is level, but with any uphill slope at all it feels like the smallest bump or even a strong gust of wind at an overlook would take it over. I looked and found the center stand for lowered bikes, but I couldn't find an alternate side stand. I may end up trying to do what you did, daesimps, but more likely I'll just get used to it and start being more selective about the side slope automatically, although it doesn't seem like something you should have to do. Considering that this is the worst gripe that I can come up with, though, I can't complain too much.
For those concerned, perhaps leave it in gear too if not already doing so? But, fwiw; I've even had my bike on a ferry and it stayed upright on a 40minute crossing of a bay.. The only time I am concerned is if parking on an incline/decline, I then leave it in gear too.
Only had mine a couple of weeks and so far its been okay, I always park up in gear.
I've had other bikes that ave been a bit more upright than the BM, a Fazer 1000 and a Tuono.
I've had other bikes that ave been a bit more upright than the BM, a Fazer 1000 and a Tuono.
It is fairly upright, but the advantage is that with more weight on the wheels rather than on the side stand foot, the stand is less likely to sink into softer ground or hot bitumen. It also means I'm always very conscious about how I park the bike, which may well even reduce risk of a topple.
For stability, and pretty much as noted in earlier posts, I find it best to:
For stability, and pretty much as noted in earlier posts, I find it best to:
- keep the bike pointing slightly uphill (never downhill) with the left side sloping away
- turn the bars fully to the left (as noted in the owners manual)
- leave in gear
- unload the suspension after alighting - then turn off the key (the forks will stay in this position)
Bumping an old thread as I am still not happy with the almost vertical side stand especially when pulling over on the side of a back road with significant camber.
This is an issue especially in countries where we drive on the right side of the road.
A friend of mine had his side stand shortened by 15mm and looks like it is a good solution as the bike does not look like it is leaned over significantly more than my bike, but he now has no issues with parking now.
Will most likely do same and report after.
This is an issue especially in countries where we drive on the right side of the road.
A friend of mine had his side stand shortened by 15mm and looks like it is a good solution as the bike does not look like it is leaned over significantly more than my bike, but he now has no issues with parking now.
Will most likely do same and report after.
If you follow the Panzer’s suggestion, you'll be sorted. However, I found the side stand on my ‘17 LC too long and tried for over a year going through the dismount/side stand rigmarole to the point total annoyance. In the end, I gave up and shortened the side by 15mm two years ago; it’s no longer an issue. If you are prepared to have it trimmed cost-wise, I think you'll be far more comfortable. That's said, BMW has a 15mm shorter side stand in their parts catalogue, but I suspect with freight and currency exchange it's probably cheaper to have it shortened by a welder/bike shop.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Agree, it is not an issue except for parking on the right side of a road with lots of camber where you cannot park at an angle.
Would not be an issue for me if I lived in GB or Australia. 🙁
Would not be an issue for me if I lived in GB or Australia. 🙁
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