careless tipover

[OB_Neomastiff]

The stands on these bikes are suspect in my opinion. Mine fell over in my drive way with no one around it. Be extremely careful where you park these bikes. Hope no one else has to feel the sudden horrior or hear the crunch as it hits the ground.

 

[OB_Zleeper]

No offense, but I think the OWNERS might be suspect. I once came back from a long tiring ride and was anxious to get off. I wasn't paying attention and just flipped the kickstand STRAIGHT DOWN, not down and forward. I got off, the bike balanced for about 3 seconds and then the kickstand gradually folded back and I had a garage drop on my hands also.

 

[viol8r]

i've owned 12 harleys (still own 3) and numerous jap bikes,and dropped quite a few. but i never had one fall off the stand like this one (on a slight incline) did after i went in a store. i almost puked when i came out. 3950 miles and can't get enough.

 

[OB_Dirty Pete]

I agree the side stand's not very secure.

Here's the solution.

Everytime you park, put the bike in first gear, roll it forward until it stops rolling, then lay it on its side stand.

The bike is now secure.

 

[viol8r]

i usually get to learn the hard way, but i learn.

 

[OB_VegasDude]

er, geeze, uh........i like mine, at least its better than my zx11's and i bet it has a faster engaging kickstand than the zx12..................

 

[OB_ducmanic]

At least the stand is not spring loaded. How many duc's have you had your friends drop?

ducmanic
Los Angeles

 

[OB_Mr Bear]

Dirty Pete has got it right. One more hint...don't be in a hurry putting your bike on the sidestand, ever. Spend the extra second to do it right.

 

[OB_defectron]

I go right away to check if mine stands fine out there, hooh.

 

[sherm]

I took a good look at where the bike fell. Its at a point where the driveway has a slight hump (almost un-noticeable) and when I let go of the bike it was on the downhill side of the hump. My theory is that it rolled forward enough to cause the kickstand to swing back.
I had a Harley for a while and I think the one good motorcycle design thing Harley has to offer is the kickstand. Once its down, and weight is put on it, it locks up and will not swing back until the weight is taken off the stand. Its a great feature that all motor cycle makers should use.

 

[OB_Dirty Pete]

I agree, Sherm; the sidestand is the best thing about a Harley.

They've got the best designed, most effective, most durable, most reliable side stand.

Now if they could just do something about the rest of the machine.

But then, they haven't really moved forward on any significant way since...what....1955?

Don't get me going on Harley-Fergusons.

 

[OB_Dirty Pete]

I agree, Sherm; the sidestand is the best thing about a Harley.

They've got the best designed, most effective, most durable, most reliable side stand.

Now if they could just do something about the rest of the machine.

But then, they haven't really moved forward on any significant way since...what....1955?

Don't get me going on Harley-Fergusons.

 

[OB_soja1]

My friend got off his without putting it in neutral. He put his helmet on the mirror. He went to grab his helmet off the mirror, and ,.%$Crunch*&^^$%&^^ It came tumbling down. He buffed it up a little and will have it painted over the winter. I am very careful with mines.

soja1

 

[OB_Mr Bear]

Hey Sherm, how's the '37 Lumina doing? Are your teeth soft and minty-fresh? Being 98, you better make sure to put YOUR kickstand down so you don't fall over. Hehehe.

[This message has been edited by Mr Bear (edited 21 August 1999).]

 

[sherm]

I was setting my busa on its sidestand when it tipped over and fell to the left (sidestand side). It fell against the garage wall and through me for a loop. When I looked at it laying there I thought my pretty bike had gone from "mint" to "needs work". The left mirror was folded completely back against the windshield. But when I righted the bike I could pop the mirror back into the normal position and the only damage was a scratch on the mirror housing.
The sidestand was down but I think the bike was still moving forward a bit when I set it on the stand. No busa design problem but I'll be a lot more cautious next time. It may be a little more sidestand sensitive than other bikes.

 

[OB_gixerfreak]

Screw the 12 then, after reading this post I have decided to get a Harley. Are they going to do a sidestand comparison in some magazine? Ill be able to tell all my friends that I have the best sidestand of any bike on the planet. I'll have all the women after me.

Seriously though, does anyone know if they make sliders for this bike like they do for the 750? I cant remember if my busa had bolt patterns for these or not. I never thought sliders would work for a full crash, but for situations like this where it just tips over it would be cheap insurance against a grand worth of new fairings. They are ugly but would probably work. Anyone using these on a busa?

 

[OB_Cisco San Jose]

Dirty Pete is right before parking your bike and putting your kick stand down have the bike in first gear pop out the clutch and make sure it won't roll anymore,learned that in earthquake country Hawaii/California.
Second comment about Harley's yes they make a good kick stand and you should check out the 2000 models,might have to off load my wife's 94 Heritage bike faster than I thought to get a new softtail 2000.

 

[OB_KawAbuser]

I have noticed the kickstand wierdness from the beginning of ownership. I have watched it
roll forward all on its own and it almost bit the pavement a couple times. Since the first time I always watch the bike after getting off it to see if it still wants to keep rolling. And for parking on a down slope, I just don't do it. This is something Suzuki should correct, but they do not give credit to the posts here anyway. I feel sorry for anybody not aware of this whose bike takes a fall(expensive).

 

[OB_Dirty Pete]

Gixerfreak: This is a good question you raise.

I'm going to put frame sliders on my bike this winter no matter what. The bike probably should come equipped with them from the factory.

I've dropped the thing several times off the side stand (until I adopted the put-it-in-gear policy) and also have dropped the bike static WHILE I'M ON IT twice.

Why? The first time I was rolling into the pits after my 5th 20 minute session on a track day ( I ascribe that one to extreme tiredness and a distracted mind) and the other time I was standing at an intersection and when the light turned green I just put in gear and dropped it right in front of all my friends. I wasn't even trying be a hooligan or anything.

In conclusion, it is clear to me that the Busa has a strange effect on gravity, and we must take all the precautions we can.

 

[Guest]

Mine has only fallen off the stand once. I put this down to rider error from not taking the extra time to ensure it was secure while looking for the source of a noise from the engine. Luckily it fell on something soft (me !) and no damage was done. My thanks to all who watched and laughed.