side stand or center

[Banditboy600]

Just brought the B6 out of the basement for Spring, and now it is in the garage.  I had it on the centerstand all winter, putting it on the sidestand seemed weird.  Which stand, center or side, provides the most stabliity when the bike is parked?  Let me know your opinion.......

[PeteSC]

It depends on the surface you're parking on,  (How level, how firm, etc.) but usually the centerstand is more stable.
   SOme people will argue that the contact area of the bike on the sidestand is wider, and is more stable, but I take into effect factors like kids climbing on the bike, and people attempting to move the bike for some reason.
   I don't think most people who don't ride bikes will attempt to move a bike on a centerstand, but might try if it's on a sidestand.

[Landry]

Center for me, 99% of the time.

I prefer the stability, and I think it looks cooler.

Also, many times I've had folks say, "It looks like your back tire's not even touching the ground!"

My response: "That's an optical illusion.  It's a Suzuki . . . they're like that."

[Banditboy600]

Mark
So you use the centerstand even if you just park for a few minutes?  Like a lunch break or something?  I think I like that idea..........

['?']

I use my sidestand but with the bike in gear so the sidestand can't fold under the bike. If it's parked where I don't think it can be moved I use the centre stand.

[Tundrahog]

I use the side stand most of the time. The exception would be if I'm parking on pavement in the sun.  The center stand will sometimes bury itself in the asphalt.

[Landry]

BB600:  Yes, I pretty much use it all of the time.  Every once in a while, I'll drop the sidestand if I'm going to, say, walk into the weeds to take a leak or something.  Mostly, I use the centerstand.  It doesn't take any longer than the sidestand does, IMO, and the bike's gotta' be about a hundred times more secure.

Question:  Can anyone here do the squidly "hop on the bike while it's on the centerstand and rock it off the centerstand while sitting on the seat"?

What about the ultra-squidly (and undoubtedly the ultra-damaging) turn the bike 180 degrees on the sidestand?

I do neither.

['?']

No but I can turn the bike 90 degrees when it's on the centre stand. I can turn it left or I can turn it right. All I have to do is lean........... a lot.

[mike]

Question:  Can anyone here do the squidly "hop on the bike while it's on the centerstand and rock it off the centerstand while sitting on the seat"?

I'm guilty, but to me it's the way I've always done it...  On and Off, never had a problem...  The biggest if... is level ground.  I tried using the stand-next-to method, and it felt un-natural to me.  Going up; center your balance, drop your left foot to the center stand lever, grab the front brake and rock back.  Going down, just push forward with your legs and hands.  I guess it helps being 6'1" and 220lbs...  but I don't see why some have an issue with using the centerstand...  Then again, I load the B12 in the back of my GMC alone up a 12" wide ramp and have had closer calls doing that (loaded in the rain and my foot slipped on the metal bed when I stepped up, just a scare though) than using the centerstand.

To each his own...  Whatever's comfortable and works...

Mike :)

[Red01]

I use the side stand most of the time. The exception would be if I'm parking on pavement in the sun.  The center stand will sometimes bury itself in the asphalt.

If the asphalt is soft enough for the centerstand to sink in, it's certainly hot enough for the sidestand to sink in. Without something to broaden the sidestand's footing (like a flattened can or a store-bought, purpose built, device), the bike will fall over. BTDT. For it to fall over on the centerstand it'll have to sink so deep that the footlever on the centerstand's left leg makes it sink slower on the left than the right, long enough to make the bike fall over. I've never experienced that, nor seen it, but I suppose it is possible.

[Runerx]

Question:  Can anyone here do the squidly "hop on the bike while it's on the centerstand and rock it off the centerstand while sitting on the seat"?

Feet up or down?
I always sit on the seat and rock/push the bike off the centerstand. I'd be afraid I'd drop it if I wasn't sitting on it.
Still can't figure out how to get it on the stand without standing next to it. But i've always done it like this so no big deal.

[Red01]

Question:  Can anyone here do the squidly "hop on the bike while it's on the centerstand and rock it off the centerstand while sitting on the seat"?

What about the ultra-squidly (and undoubtedly the ultra-damaging) turn the bike 180 degrees on the sidestand?

I do neither.

Haven't tried the sidestand bit - mostly for fear of doing damage to the sidestand.

I haven't ever just hopped on and rock it off the centerstand in on move, but I have rocked it off the centerstand, feet up, and rode away... lots of times. I'm always ready to put a foot down if my balance is off though.

[smooth operator]

When I still had my center stand mounted,I used it most often. But still you have to check and make sure the surface below is solid enough that one side or the other wo'nt sink in.
   I never jumped on from behind, but I do the 180 on the side stand from time to time. Last yr. I stoped to have a beer with a budy,he has a Harley,and me on my B12. Some other Harley riders pulled in, surounding my Bandit,so I could'   nt pull foward. No problem,just balance it on the side stand and pivot her around. Lets see them do that on their hogs!

[Terbang Roy]

On a good surface the side stand, with the bike in gear, is the most stable position as there are three widely spaced contacts (like a tripod) with good old mother earth. The centre stand is convenient for maintenance ETC but it is easier to knock down. I often travel on the NZ cook strait ferries and you personally (they supply the tie downs) have to strap your machine down to the deck (inside) for a potential rough crossing and it can get rough. Talking to the deck hands there who are allways keen to help and chat,  they confirm that a few do fall and it is those that use the sidestand that have the best chance of staying upright. On those trips you have to leave the garage once the vessel is underway and I find it 3 1/2 hours of sheer terror as the ship hits every bump imagining the possible carnage and potential row of dominoes in the motorcycle area of the garage.
 

[g-man]

I always use the Centerstand when it's in my garage.  I usually use the Sidestand the rest of the time.