Side stand

10635 Views 21 Replies 15 Participants Last post by imapathfinder, Aug 1, 2016

xsilvergs

Discussion Starter · Mar 23, 2016

Waiting for the 1st of April to get mine but wonder what others think of the side stand?

It seems very springy. My concern is when traveling on Brittany Ferries they use a ratchet strap over the seat and pull the bike down. Has any body taken theirs on a ferry yet where they use this method? Is the stand strong enough?

I didn't intend to fit a centre stand and the ferries prefer it on the side stand.

Thanks for any thoughts

1 - 20 of 22 Posts

Elvisto

· #2 · Mar 23, 2016

Well I've used it on the side stand to launch myself on board and off every time , I tweaked my back so its much easier for me to get on and off that way,
I did worry at first it wouldn't be strong enough after seeing it flex, but its been ok over 850 miles of on and off, so I'm feeling more confident now and don't really think about it,

Reactions: 3

wytco0

· #3 · Mar 23, 2016

Elvisto said:
Well I've used it on the side stand to launch myself on board and off every time , I tweaked my back so its much easier for me to get on and off that way,
I did worry at first it wouldn't be strong enough after seeing it flex, but its been ok over 850 miles of on and off, so I'm feeling more confident now and don't really think about it,

I always stand on mine because I am short (162cm) , I am also fat but the stand seems well able to cope.

Reactions: 5

Dibbs

· #4 · Mar 23, 2016

out of interest if you had to repair a flat by the roadside, how would you get the wheel off the bike without it falling over? (without a centre stand) ive ordered the centre stand really for this reason, plus the bike will sit in the garage for longish periods of time and I think the centre stand just allows the weight to stay off the tyres thus not creating flat spots etc (I'm so old and this probably doesn't happen with modern tyres anyway!) but humor me.....

Reactions: 1

graeme4130

· #5 · Mar 23, 2016

Centre stand obviously makes chain oiling and general maintenance significantly easier, so was a no brainer for me

Lowcruzr

· #6 · Mar 23, 2016

wytco0 said:
I always stand on mine because I am short (162cm) , I am also fat but the stand seems well able to cope.

Any chance you're getting one foot on the ground at 162cm tall?? And can you quantify "fat"? This isn't a fashion show, no judging here, we need these details. Haha! :grin2:

wytco0

· #7 · Mar 24, 2016

Lowcruzr said:
Any chance you're getting one foot on the ground at 162cm tall?? And can you quantify "fat"? This isn't a fashion show, no judging here, we need these details. Haha! :grin2:

I also have the Honda low seat on the bike and with that I can get both feet on the ground but only on tip toes. I tend to slide slightly off the seat and put one foot down flat when i stop.

Fat is 100kg about 35kg more than I should be.

xsilvergs

Discussion Starter · #8 · Mar 24, 2016

Dibbs said:
out of interest if you had to repair a flat by the roadside, how would you get the wheel off the bike without it falling over? (without a centre stand) ive ordered the centre stand really for this reason

Puncture at the side of the road would be a pain, I'd squirt some foam in as I don't see myself fixing it with a patch.

Dibbs said:
plus the bike will sit in the garage for longish periods of time and I think the centre stand just allows the weight to stay off the tyres

I use paddock stands front and rear if needs or I have a wheel free lift.

I may still order a stand but it's more weight, money and something to scrape on the ground (possibly). Thanks for your opinions it's much appreciated.

BenB

· #9 · Mar 24, 2016

xsilvergs said:
something to scrape on the ground

Not much chance of that unless you've already fallen off!

Reactions: 2

Lowcruzr

· #10 · Mar 24, 2016

wytco0 said:
I also have the Honda low seat on the bike and with that I can get both feet on the ground but only on tip toes. I tend to slide slightly off the seat and put one foot down flat when i stop.

Fat is 100kg about 35kg more than I should be.

Thanks for the info! I still wonder if I'll be able to flat foot the bike. I'm only 67kg and 1.7m tall. I'm not sure I'll have enough weight to compress the suspension down enough. That and I have a short inseam. Can't wait to see one in person!

S4MST3R

· #11 · Mar 24, 2016

xsilvergs said:
Waiting for the 1st of April to get mine but wonder what others think of the side stand?

It seems very springy. My concern is when traveling on Brittany Ferries they use a ratchet strap over the seat and pull the bike down. Has any body taken theirs on a ferry yet where they use this method? Is the stand strong enough?

I didn't intend to fit a centre stand and the ferries prefer it on the side stand.

Thanks for any thoughts

All of the old Africa's have pretty springy side stands - I think it's by design. I have taken my XRV on loads of ferry's, and it's not the side stand that's the problem - rather the huge suspension travel

wytco0

· #12 · May 2, 2016

I want to get a replacement sidestand for my DCT AT as I am going to lower it.

I have been trying to find the part number and cost of a sidestand but without any luck. The Honda Parts list shows the sidestand bar as Unavailable see https://www.lingshondaparts.com/honda_motorcycle_parts_selection_pfk.php?block_01=73816&block_02=block_73816.png&block_03=989&block_04=lp&block_05=hmc

Anyone know how to get one or an alternative, an adjustable sidestand that fits would be perfect.

stormy1954

· #13 · May 2, 2016

Could try

http://www.bike-parts-honda.com/honda-moto-model-AFRICATWIN-1000-2016.html

Good luck.

SkipD

· #14 · May 3, 2016

xsilvergs said:
Waiting for the 1st of April to get mine but wonder what others think of the side stand?

It seems very springy. My concern is when traveling on Brittany Ferries they use a ratchet strap over the seat and pull the bike down. Has any body taken theirs on a ferry yet where they use this method? Is the stand strong enough?

I didn't intend to fit a centre stand and the ferries prefer it on the side stand.

Thanks for any thoughts

Side stand is fine its in the hinge that there is movement and thats by design you aint going to break it I stand on the pegs to get on and off the bike with the side stand down and I weigh more than the tooth fairy.

Ozav8r

· #15 · May 3, 2016

xsilvergs said:
Waiting for the 1st of April to get mine but wonder what others think of the side stand?

It seems very springy. My concern is when traveling on Brittany Ferries they use a ratchet strap over the seat and pull the bike down. Has any body taken theirs on a ferry yet where they use this method? Is the stand strong enough?

I didn't intend to fit a centre stand and the ferries prefer it on the side stand.

Thanks for any thoughts

Don't worry about it - it's springy by design and that's a good thing! Enjoy the AT - have not (yet) heard of anyone bending or braking the sidestand.It absorbs the forces through flexion, so while it may LOOK flimsy, I believe it is actually very strong. I fly aircraft for a living and observe first hand how a wing design is purposefully made strong, by flexing rather than rigidity. B787 (with a carbon wing) has its wingtip move upwards 28 feet when rotating at MTOW, compared to the position of the wingtip referenced to the fuselage when sitting still at the ramp with the wing full of fuel!.

PathRider

· #16 · May 6, 2016

Ozav8r said:
Don't worry about it - it's springy by design and that's a good thing! Enjoy the AT - have not (yet) heard of anyone bending or braking the sidestand.It absorbs the forces through flexion, so while it may LOOK flimsy, I believe it is actually very strong. I fly aircraft for a living and observe first hand how a wing design is purposefully made strong, by flexing rather than rigidity. B787 (with a carbon wing) has its wingtip move upwards 28 feet when rotating at MTOW, compared to the position of the wingtip referenced to the fuselage when sitting still at the ramp with the wing full of fuel!.

I tend to think this may be true because I had an occasion where I got stuck down a rocky alley and decided to turn back, but the only way I could do it was by doing a trail U-turn (lifting the back wheel and spinning the bike around on the side stand). Boy, oh boy, did that side stand flex and twist, but it didn't break and I got the bike turned around.

:wink2:

Wadeo

· #17 · May 6, 2016 (Edited)

Actually, I've bent one and within two weeks! Ouch!!!

Bike was parked at work on the side stand and some clown backed into my bike and thankfully I had it in neutral so instead of the bike falling over it slid backwards on the side stand. There was a lot of dirt over the bitumen so it helped the bike slide. The side stand did bend though. Afterwards, it would not go back into shape as it had a memory and it cost $125 AU to replace. It needed to be replaced because with the bend in the stand, the bike was leaning dangerously when used- I persisted with a small block of timber under it until the new one arrived. Further, the centre stand was not yet available for my bike either.

My thoughts after this experience is I feel they are a bit weak. I seriously believe had the stand been metal, I doubt it would have bent like the plastic. Further, being metal, even if it had you could have bent it back with a little heat and a piece of pipe. As far as weight saving is concerned, I can see many other areas where Honda probably should have used plastic instead. To me the tank is the most obvious without compromising strength.

Perhaps I got a dud stand, but I hope the next one won't be tested like the first.

Cheers

Wadeo

Keep the shiny side up!

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stephenat

· #18 · May 6, 2016

Had it on the ferry recently and no problems. Does look a little flimsy but works.
Fitted the center stand the other night and use that quite a bit.
Must try to remember to use the parking brake more though

xsilvergs

Discussion Starter · #19 · May 6, 2016

Just done the Plymouth - Santander, Santander - Portsmouth ferry crossing. Stand survived but I couldn't watch them strap it down, lucky it was flat calm both ways.

Reactions: 1

wytco0

· #20 · May 24, 2016

Does anyone know if any other sidestands fit the AT?

I want one to shorten as I have lowered my bike and with the normal stand its a bit too upright. I looked at getting a replacement AT stand but they seem rather expensive so I am looking for cheaper alternatives.

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