Is there a point to the center stand?

[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?

[cowboyup3371]

I'm not quite sure I understand the question but yes, it does support the bike by letting it sit upright.

[mmattockx]

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

[Big T]

Wait until you have to replace a tire or chain or change the oil and ask yourself this question again

[Rob S.]

The center stand doesn't support the motorcycle, so it's mostly for show...

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.

[rwnielsen]

They're the first thing to go with an aftermarket exhaust system.

[trevor]

They're the first thing to go with an aftermarket exhaust system.

That staetment is false.

[rwnielsen]

That staetment is false.

~~~~ok~~~~

[ryanrod]

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.

[mrbill5491]

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.

[mrbill5491]

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.

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?

[Rob S.]

Crotch rockets, you can get the swing arm stands, probably should if you ever what to work on it safely.

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.

[hillsy]

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.

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.

[850 Combat]

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.]

If your center stand seems too long...

My CB350 with 6" over Forks by Frank had the opposite problem. Four bricks solved that, though.