Author Topic: Where to park the Bandit (Read 3516 times)

Swamp Rat · « **on:** June 14, 2006, 03:09:56 PM »

When you go to a big store such as Walmart or a big supermarket...where do you park? I was thinking up on the side walk but I don't want a ticket. In the general parking lot and you take a chance on someone running it over or bump it over. So, where do you park?

Sven · « **Reply #1 on:** June 14, 2006, 03:25:06 PM »

I park on the sidewalk if I have seen a precident for it. For example, Best Buy always has bikes parked in front of it.

I park in the striped part of the handicapped parking area when available. With the size of these areas and the size of the bike, I am not keeping anyone from getting a wheelchair (or motorized scoot) in and out of a van.

Otherwise, I park in a regular space as close to the building as possible. I don't leave my helmet very often, since I had one cut off the bike last year. (They ruined the straps, which was dumb.)

When I park in a regular space, I don't pull in as far as I could, so that people don't whip into what *appears* to be an empty space, only to end up hitting the bike. If my tail is even with other cars, the bike is more visible from further down the row.

Desolation Angel · « **Reply #2 on:** June 14, 2006, 03:58:25 PM »

I generally find a space at some end by a curb that I can hug, well away from swinging doors. I don't mind walking and don't have to be close.

PitterB4 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 14, 2006, 04:08:40 PM »

Here at work, I park on the sidewalk. No one has complained yet. At stores, I usually park in a regular spot. I also park near the end of it so it's easily seen that the spot is taken.

jfudo · « **Reply #4 on:** June 14, 2006, 05:45:22 PM »

I wouldn't park my bike at a walmart. The way people drive around that parking lot is insane. I don't go to walmart at all to be honest.

Anyway, when in a big parking lot, I alway find and end to park on, where I won't have a car on both sides. Whether it is far away from the building or close.

I'm not one for parking where vehicles shouldn't be parked.

Seanybiker · « **Reply #5 on:** June 15, 2006, 02:25:29 AM »

I throw mine up on the footpath (sidewalk I think ye call it) in any part of town. no one ever gives out and no one has ever got a ticket from parking on the footpath.

actually, ha ha. went into a print shop the other day and they have a big porch there so I left the bike in the porch ha ha ha. the lads only laughed at me.

texasbandit · « **Reply #6 on:** June 15, 2006, 01:09:49 PM »

In Texas I try to park on concrete during the summer (March till October) whenever possible - more than once I have left deep divots in the asphalt when the bike nearly dumped over. Target, WallyWorld, Bestbuy etc - it doesn't make any difference what store - I will park wherever there is room on a safe looking piece of concrete. I've never been hastled, usually there are other bikes parked on the walkways as well.

Sven · « **Reply #7 on:** June 15, 2006, 01:19:27 PM »

Quote from: texasbandit

In Texas I try to park on concrete during the summer (March till October) whenever possible - more than once I have left deep divots in the asphalt when the bike nearly dumped over.

I have this problem in the Memphis area even on moderately warm days...I think the sidestand must get heat from the engine or sun. Either way, I have messed up more than a few parking spaces here at work my making holes in the blacktop that give water a place to collect (and freeze in the winter.) I think this has something to do with the quality of the blacktop...some parking lots are never a problem.

It sure is a bad feeling to see the bike sunk two inches into the blacktop, leaning over at an ugly angel, and then you hear the sucking sound when you full the sidestand out of the blacktop. And NO, I am not going to put a mudbud down everyday when I park...I carry enough crap without a greasy dirty plastic disc.

2WheelinDaily · « **Reply #8 on:** June 15, 2006, 04:32:51 PM »

Work has provided Motorcycle Only parking (only 2 cage spots, but they are close to the building with curbs on 3 sides!). At parking lots, usually at the beginning of a spot so people looking for a spot see the bike right away. And I always carry a blank metal outlet cover in the tank bag to throw under the stand.

Desolation Angel · « **Reply #9 on:** June 15, 2006, 04:34:56 PM »

Quote from: 2WheelinDaily

... And I always carry a blank metal outlet cover in the tank bag to throw under the stand.

That is brilliant! I'm getting one! Thanks!

PaulVS · « **Reply #10 on:** June 15, 2006, 09:15:11 PM »

Quote from: Sven

I park in the striped part of the handicapped parking area when available. With the size of these areas and the size of the bike, I am not keeping anyone from getting a wheelchair (or motorized scoot) in and out of a van.

When I park in a regular space, I don't pull in as far as I could, so that people don't whip into what *appears* to be an empty space, only to end up hitting the bike. If my tail is even with other cars, the bike is more visible from further down the row.

Same formula here.

Seanybiker · « **Reply #11 on:** June 17, 2006, 05:30:51 AM »

I went into town a few nights ago and decided that I was gonna get pissed (drunk) so I went around the side of the cop station and noticed the security gates where open so I flew in through them, parked the bike right at the back door(sounded like a good idear at the time) now its two days later and I dont know what to say to them if they catch me running in the back of the station to pick up me bike haha

Desolation Angel · « **Reply #12 on:** June 17, 2006, 11:40:47 AM »

Quote from: Seanybiker

I went into town a few nights ago and decided that I was gonna get pissed (drunk) so I went around the side of the cop station and noticed the security gates where open so I flew in through them, parked the bike right at the back door(sounded like a good idear at the time) now its two days later and I dont know what to say to them if they catch me running in the back of the station to pick up me bike haha

You left your bike at the police station? Will the gates come up automatically when you leave? Tell them someone thought they were funny and put your bike there...