It went down....

[h2o]

+1,000 They are worth every penny.

[t conroy]

I always get ready then get the bike out and fire it up while sitting on it.If the kickstand is down it is always in first gear with the wheel turned to the left so no way she can go down!Always watch were you park too.I carry a nice kickstand boot with me for the soft summer pavement or grass.

[mittens01]

Don't feel bad, I put mine down with 1 mile on the odo. Fortunately it was on grass, and the only thing that got damaged was my pride.

[Sin City Stan]

[quote=h2o;1817536]A couple of weeks ago, I finally decided to forget to put my kick stand down. This is after I said I would never do anything stupid like that after reading post of others on here doing thatquote]

I always use the kickstand to kill the engine. With my memory I'd be on my side all the time if I didn't.

[ersterhernd]

If your parking area isn't flat, always park the bike facing uphill. Oh, and +1 on the engine guard and killing the engine with the sidestand.

[nvbirdman]

Coulda been worse, a lot of guys live in an area where if they started the bike and went inside to get the helmet they would go back outside and find no bike.

[sunschild57]

Bought engine guard yesterday after work!

[captain Rando]

Originally Posted by Bikinit

I guess the engine vibed the bike off the kickstand

I've almost pushed mine off the kickstand accidently. Would be nice if the Kawi's had a locking kickstand like Harley. Those are quite nice spring loaded ones. Once it's down and the weight of the bike is on the stand, it's locked and will not move until you lift the bike up again.

[keith_stepp]

Originally Posted by ersterhernd

If your parking area isn't flat, always park the bike facing uphill. Oh, and +1 on the engine guard...

+1

I always park pointing uphill. Aside from being safer on the stand, it is also easier to get in and out of the parking spot that way. Engine guards and frame sliders are a very inexpensive and easy bolt on that will pay for themselves at some point. Should be the first thing that is bolted on to a new bike.

... and killing the engine with the sidestand.

I leave my bike unattended while idling all the time and have never had a problem (see above), especially my 900 since it needs a bit of time for it to warm up to the point where I can ride it.

[N3FOLN3FOL]

I also highly recommend engine guards as soon as you can get it. Installation is very simple.

I hope I do not forget to put down my kickstand. It will be very hard to catch the bike.

[Slpr_61]

this is the one reason I cant figure out why every motorcycle manufacturer doesnt have a sidestand similar to the HD's.

[the recluse]

I lowered my 800 3" in the rear, so low I had to put a 1500 kick stand on it to give it the right angle. If you turned the front ANY way other than to the left, a flying gnat could topple the thing. Once forgot to put the stand down at the gas pump, now THAT was embarrassing...

And the matter of engine guards, they saved my leg when I got into my accident. "Glanced" off of a pickup at 45 mph and slid some 40 or 50 feet.

Leathers, engine guard and rear peg being down all did their best to keep me on two legs...

[FL Vulcan Rider]

Originally Posted by VIVADUDE

2 Words. Engine guards.

+1

[Grumbler]

nvbirdman -- A bit off topic, noticed that you're in Fallon, NV which is
where the best stretch of US-50 runs east towards UT. Haven't been
on US-50 east of Silver Springs nor Alt-50 east of Fernley.

[Grumbler]

Thought about engine guards on my ride, but they just seem to
flow better with baggers, so to speak, than stripped down sleds.

Check the ground clearance with engine guards just in case it
becomes the first part to drag on the road when leaned over.

[Idaho]

[quote=Sin City Stan;1819432]

Originally Posted by h2o

A couple of weeks ago, I finally decided to forget to put my kick stand down. This is after I said I would never do anything stupid like that after reading post of others on here doing thatquote]

I always use the kickstand to kill the engine. With my memory I'd be on my side all the time if I didn't.

Exactly, I don't understand why more folks don't do that, plus then it is in first gear and how a bike should be parked. It is by far the easiest way to prevent a drop by forgetting to put the kickstand down. But if you like the looks of crash bars and a big pair of saddle bags then I guess it is no big deal.

[Highwayman]

[quote=Idaho;1820987]

Originally Posted by Sin City Stan

Exactly, I don't understand why more folks don't do that, plus then it is in first gear and how a bike should be parked. It is by far the easiest way to prevent a drop by forgetting to put the kickstand down. But if you like the looks of crash bars and a big pair of saddle bags then I guess it is no big deal.

The reason I hesitate to do it is the battery. The headlights on with the engine dead. I know it's only a couple seconds at most but...

[keith_stepp]

Originally Posted by Slpr_61

this is the one reason I cant figure out why every motorcycle manufacturer doesnt have a sidestand similar to the HD's.

Why? I am not a big fan of the stand for my Electra Glide Classic.

[9511234]

Originally Posted by keith_stepp

Why? I am not a big fan of the stand for my Electra Glide Classic.

Would you do this with your Vulcan?
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/q...IMG_0408-1.jpg

Keep in mind the hill is leaning to the left side of the bike, away from the kick stand, the bikes are darn near vertical.



Also... I swear I've heard of threads where people complain about having to put the spring back in their sidestand because it wears out. Also heard of other things against Vulcan sidestands. Oh well, to each their own.

I always back into spots and park where the bike is facing uphill. Learned the hard way the first time, not by dropping the bike, but by allowing trying to push it back.

[keith_stepp]

Originally Posted by 9511234

Would you do this with your Vulcan?

Sure. I get your point though. My EGC does seem to lean over a bit more (and is heavier to pick up too). But, it is not that big a deal. What I do not like about the Harley stand is that it seems to roll forward easy. The Vulcan seems to go fast perpendicular quite a bit and rolling forward and push the stand back is less likely. I really notice this when turning the bars to the right and on the Harley, if you are not paying attention, you can pull the bike forward and off the stand.

Also... I swear I've heard of threads where people complain about having to put the spring back in their sidestand because it wears out.

The only bike I have ever seen with its kickstand dragging was a Harley.

I always back into spots and park where the bike is facing uphill. Learned the hard way the first time, not by dropping the bike, but by allowing trying to push it back.

Same here. I like having something behind the rear wheel too, like the curb in your picture.