Blacktops & Kickstands

gage75 · 05-24-2009

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 · 05-25-2009

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 · 05-25-2009

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 · 05-25-2009

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 · 05-25-2009

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

PimpalaSS · 05-25-2009

carved out hockey puck

Bummer1 · 05-25-2009

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 · 05-25-2009

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 · 05-26-2009

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

idmtchris · 05-26-2009

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 · 05-26-2009

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!:

Quote:

Originally Posted by PimpalaSS

carved out hockey puck

keyda81 · 05-27-2009

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 · 05-27-2009

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

FL Vulcan Rider · 05-27-2009

Quote:

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 · 05-28-2009

Quote:

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 · 05-28-2009

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 · 05-28-2009

idmtchris · 05-28-2009

Quote:

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 · 05-28-2009

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 · 05-29-2009

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

05-24-2009	#1 (permalink)
gage75 Schmidty Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 28	Blacktops & Kickstands 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.

05-25-2009	#2 (permalink)
Chad_Clearwater Uncle Bob's Love Child BTK Intermediate Join Date: May 2009 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 253	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. __________________ Dave Clearwater, FL

05-25-2009	#3 (permalink)
2fast4u Foil Inspector BTK Beginner Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Central Virginia Posts: 107	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! __________________ "No man is above the law and no man below it; nor do we ask any man's permission when we ask him to obey it." ...Theodore Roosevelt

05-25-2009	#4 (permalink)
Lawn Masters hates stupidity BTK Expert Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: New Port Richey FL Posts: 2,108	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. __________________ ZedX 1k owner. henceforth The bike shall be Zed.

05-25-2009	#5 (permalink)
cmptrmn.1 MaNaMaNa DoDoDoDoDo Forum Supporter Join Date: May 2007 Location: Longview, Wa Posts: 4,221	Just a plastic coaster for glasses. Everyone has some (well, if you were married to someone like my wife anyway) __________________ John 2007 Vulcan 900 66 Fairlane GTA Conv.

05-25-2009	#6 (permalink)
PimpalaSS Still On The Kickstand Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 34	carved out hockey puck

05-25-2009	#7 (permalink)
Bummer1 Finally Got Into First Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SE Coast of NC Posts: 69	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.

05-25-2009	#8 (permalink)
CTRider TV Guru Forum Supporter Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 10,593	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. __________________ 1983 Honda CB550 About Me Answers to your Gadget Questions Gadget Forum

05-26-2009	#9 (permalink)
mwmalotte ************* BTK Expert Join Date: May 2007 Location: Leavenworth, Kansas Posts: 12,734	I've had a bike go over due to sinking in the asphalt. It'll only happen to you once __________________ Mike '07 Vulcan 900LT "This is the legacy of the Donkey. In this room, we're family."

05-26-2009	#10 (permalink)
idmtchris 2007 900 Classic Forum Supporter Join Date: May 2007 Location: Graham, WA Posts: 1,499	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. __________________ Degenerate Gambler Last edited by idmtchris : 05-26-2009 at 12:36 PM. Reason: Added more

05-27-2009	#12 (permalink)
keyda81 2005 Ninja 250 "Sapphire" BTK Expert Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Niagara Falls, NY Posts: 897	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! __________________ You only live once, get out there, enjoy it, and have no regrets!

05-27-2009	#13 (permalink)
FL Vulcan Rider Forum Supporter Forum Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: Fort Myers, FL Posts: 4,710	It happens to me all the time... i park on the cement sidewalk at work.

05-28-2009	#16 (permalink)
BEANER see ya Thursday BTK Intermediate Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Spring Grove Il Posts: 268	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

05-28-2009	#17 (permalink)
herk bustedfeet BTK Expert Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,774

05-28-2009	#19 (permalink)
herk bustedfeet BTK Expert Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,774	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.

05-29-2009	#20 (permalink)
PSNinja Chicks Rule! Forum Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 1,963	I find it's also handy for those unpaved parking lots of small-town restaurants or hotels. __________________ Pat There's a real need for a sarcasm font. '07 Ninja 650R (mine) '06 Suzuki DL 650 V-Strom (his)

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