Blacktops & Kickstands

[gage75]

So the wife and I went for a ride today. Rode for about an hour and a half to a small restaurant for a nice lunch. Got there, parked the bike, and went into the restaurant. Had about a 30 minute wait to sit down and eat. We finish eating and head back to the bike to leave.
I hop on the bike and I noticed it seemed like I really had to pull it up far. I look down and see my kickstand has sunk into the blacktop quite a ways. I had never given this a thought before. Glad we weren't there longer.
We get back to town and stop at my in-laws and are telling them about the kickstand...my father-in-law rides and says "I got something for you" and gets a black plastic piece and hands it to me..."It's a kickstand support, keeps your bike from doing what it did." I had never seen these before.
This is probably a well known fact to a lot of people, but wasn't to me...is now though. Ride Safe.

[Chad_Clearwater]

I've never had a bike fall due to hot asphalt, but I've been close a couple of times. When I had the Gold Wing I carried a small quare of plywood. I also used the center stand a lot during the summer (center stand and Gold Wing are an interesting combination!). Often I look for a parking space on the "end" so I can use the cement apron from teh curbs.

[2fast4u]

Reach into a trash can for an old soda or beer can. Stomp it flat, and *poof* you now have a free side stand plate! Used 'em for years!

[Lawn Masters]

I'm known to carry a small square of wood when I go places where I'll be parking on soft or iffy surfaces that the stand may sink into. its kept my cycle from falling over several times already.

[cmptrmn.1]

Just a plastic coaster for glasses. Everyone has some (well, if you were married to someone like my wife anyway)

[PimpalaSS]

carved out hockey puck

[Bummer1]

I use an electrical junction box cover plate … cost less than 50 cents and I keep it on the bike. Works well on blacktop, grass, dirt and even sand ~ Patrick.

[CTRider]

I got a kickstand puck in a goody bag that was given to each of us at the end our MSF course.

I really want to get one of the ones that is in the shape of a foot. Those are cool.

[mwmalotte]

I've had a bike go over due to sinking in the asphalt. It'll only happen to you once

[idmtchris]

Had a bike or two fall over like that when I lived in Texas and California. I used to carry a flatened alluminum can under my seat for just such occasions. I don't seem to have that problem in the PacNorWest at least on the cool side of the Cascades. Anyway if I think it is too hot I just look for a can to slip underneath the kickstand.

Worst one was. I had parked on what was compacted dirt and gravel, went inside becuase of a downpour. When you mix hard dirt with water, guess what you get? A sunken kickstand and tipped bike.

[jeffs99vulcan]

I carry a piece of wood (I think I'll switch to the electrical box cover, thinner and easier to store)... normally so that I don't damage friend's driveways as a courtesy, but also for when it's really hot or the pavement is new.

But I'm Canadian, I SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT OF THIS!:

Originally Posted by PimpalaSS

carved out hockey puck

[keyda81]

Haven't had it happen yet, but I keep my eye on it when it's been parked for a long time. I would worry about it while I was at work, and made sure I checked to see if it sunk any during breaks, so far I haven't had a problem, but I will keep in mind the soda can thing!

[FL Vulcan Rider]

It happens to me all the time... i park on the cement sidewalk at work.

[FL Vulcan Rider]

Originally Posted by CTRider

I got a kickstand puck in a goody bag that was given to each of us at the end our MSF course.

I really want to get one of the ones that is in the shape of a foot. Those are cool.

Show Chrome Accessories (Big Bike Parts) Rubber Kickstand Foot for Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom RTI01

[CTRider]

Originally Posted by FL Vulcan Rider

Show Chrome Accessories (Big Bike Parts) Rubber Kickstand Foot for Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom RTI01

Yeah, I see them around a lot of places for about the same price. The only problem is shipping. I saw one place that wanted to charge $9.50 in shipping for an $8 product.

I'm waiting until I have other stuff I need from some place before I order one (to make the shipping costs worth it) - or I find one locally.

[BEANER]

i use the beer / soda can if needed a lot of places that get alot of motorcycle traffic have metal plates mounted in the ashphalt They have a spot for the bikes to park usually in the front of the building to show they welcome bikers

[herk]

[idmtchris]

Originally Posted by herk

Crushed soda and beer cans are free in most trash cans, plus I can get a brand new one at each stop.

[herk]

The kickstand pad is cheap & is always w the bike - no need to buy a soda every time it's needed or hunt for a nasty old can on the side of the road.

[PSNinja]

I find it's also handy for those unpaved parking lots of small-town restaurants or hotels.