Side Stand strenght.

I do the same. And my friends, seeing me getting on the bike like this, have always remarked that one day I will go down with a broken side stand. Their comments referr to all bikes that I have had in the recent years. Fortunately, nothing bad ever happened, so I guess, it is like you said - manufacturers have made their calculations right. :wink2:

On the other hand, the F800GS Rider's Manual says: "The side stand is designed to support only the weight of the motorcycle. Do not lean or sit on the motorcycle with the side stande extended." :surprise:

Another thing is,
When strapped down on a ferry a lot more weight is put through the sidestand.

I have never had a problem either with all my other bikes when i mount,
must be my nibble figure.

I think someone else complained about the side stand. Be an interesting ferry trip this summer when all of us Honda owners come back down to the bike deck and find their bike trashed - and the one next to it...

First recall candidate?

Has anyone replaced the side stand for something that can withstand more weight?

Where does the actual flexing appear to be happening. The arm itself bends along its shaft? There is a lot of play at the pivot point/bolt? Or does the mount where it's welded to the frame show some bending at or near the weld?

Wondering what kind of solution would be in the works. Extra bracing at the frame or a new stronger kickstand arm.

The side stand is sprung. Is it just moving on the spring - that does feel a bit unnerving when getting on for the first time. It will allow the bike to sway a bit when you put it under load. I've noticed this when throwing a leg over taller bikes like a Varadero or KLR where you actually may stand on the pegs to mount the bike.

Or is the actual metal of the side stand bending? That would be bad.

My NCs sidestand was really nice, but my friends VFRs is flexible. I haven't noticed the same on AT...

To me the sidestand appears to be a composite material and not metal, it may have a metal spine but not sure.

Tee Dee Mmm said:

To me the sidestand appears to be a composite material and not metal, it may have a metal spine but not sure.

Click to expand...

I thought the same >

This is definately an issue. While doing the Continental Divide Ride, I stepped onto the foot peg to swing my leg over all my gear and the sidestand folded... not good. Had to splint it with a pipe nipple and U bolts to get through the trip.

It is definitely very flexible and I have noticed this getting on and off. I don't think it would survive a strapping down on a ferry the way they do it. They almost broke the stand on my Triumph recently and it is much more robust.

Sloth said:

I thought the same >

Click to expand...

I am 99% sure its cast aluminium. I am going to cut mine ang get it welded soon so I will let you know 100% then.

There is nothing wrong with the sidestand on this bike , jeez .
Also i am using the center stand on the ferry , much more secure than sidestand IMO .

I am sure that the bracket is made from steel and it is slightly flexible , one would think that the honda engineers and designers might did this for a reason ?
:wink2:

Does anyone know of any aftermarket options for replacing the side-stand?

I now have 48k miles on my 2016 AT , MY WEIGHT with riding gear 250lbs ,when dismounting the kickstand goes down I stand on the foot peg swing my leg over & all my weight is on the kick stand then off the bike. My kickstand works perfect with no sign of bending or cracks.

Wayward said:

Does anyone know of any aftermarket options for replacing the side-stand?

Click to expand...

We have a replacement on the way but it's not quite ready yet.

Cory

My riding weigh is 280 lbs and I always use the pegs to go on/off the bike when I have another 50 lbs of gear on it.

I also frequently sit on the bike with the kick stand out.

Never seen or felt anything undue. Now I feel like I'm playing roulette?

@ imapathfinder: Do you have pics or can you elaborate where it "folded"? Did it fold from static weight or did you have forces in other directions?

I've watched so many fat Foookers climb onto GS 12oo's over the last number of years by standing on the foot peg with the bike on the side stand. I always thought JEEEZ that's no way to treat your side stand, but I've never seen one fail. I can't comment on the AT side stand as yet, but I have just discovered that it's easier for my pillion to get on the back of my AT with panniers on by getting on before me with the bike on the side stand. If it fails, i'll come and cry about it on here. One guy said that's how they strap bikes down on the ferry and he's quite right, most of them will be fully loaded and again (with a few ferry trips under my belt) I've never seen a fail.