Philosophy of Side Stands

[SmithSwede]

It’s been a while since we had a good, hardcore discussion of side stands.

I’m wondering.   Has there ever been a bike with a side stand on the right side?

For that matter, has there ever been a bike with side stands on the left and the right, so you could park however you want? 

I’ve read that for centuries the tradition has been to mount a horse on the left side.  I wonder if that custom transferred over to motorcycles.   Something to do with most people being right handed, so swords were sheathed on the left, which meant you had to mount the horse on the right to avoid fouling your leg with the sword. 

Dusty, if this thread creates needless acrimony and name calling, please feel free to delete it.   

[Ncdan]

I’ll bite first on this one.
The only issue I have with side stands is that on the EV models (my Stone included), why in the world couldn’t that have placed it where a person with a 30” inseam could reach it without having to slide all the way up on the tank😡😡😡
There is no way a short person can reach this darn thing and there can’t be any arguments to this😂😂😂

[Tom]

Yes on following the custom of right hand and horse riding. 

[flower_king001]

I’ll bit first on this one.
The only issue I have with side stands is that on the EV models (my Stone included), why in the world couldn’t that have placed it where a person with a 30” inseam could reach it without having to slide all the way up on the tank😡😡😡
There is no way a short person can reach this darn thing and there can’t be any arguments to this😂😂😂

We differ as I think the side stand on the EV is one of the best i have come across. Perhaps cut off the deployment stud and move it back closer to your foot?

Perhaps one of these by Boxer Works?

https://boxerworks.org/products/custom-brown-side-stand-for-tonti-frame-moto-guzzi-custom-moto-guzzi-kickstand

Been thinking of getting one for my 86' IV Lemans

[ohiorider]

After struggling off my 1991 R100GS for the first 20+ years of ownership, I installed a stand that mounted in the traditional position where it could be deployed without me first going thru a balancing act of holding up the bike, doing a pivot on the sole of left boot, then holding the stand down (spring loaded) until I could lay the weight of the bike on it.  In 2014, I found an aftermarket side stand that bolted to the rear motor mount bolt, and permitted me to deploy it while sitting in the saddle.   OEM stand was impossible for someone my height (5'8") to deploy while sitting on the saddle, unless you had legs like a giraffe!

[malik]

A year or so before he died, "Mad" Mick picked up an SP with sidestands on both left and right. He found it convenient. Mick theorised that the bike came from hilly country - so it didn't matter whether you rode around the hills clockwise or anti-clockwise, you could still park the bike.

[Perazzimx14]

A year or so before he died, "Mad" Mick picked up an SP with sidestands on both left and right. He found it convenient. Mick theorised that the bike came from hilly country - so it didn't matter whether you rode around the hills clockwise or anti-clockwise, you could still park the bike.

Maybe they were outriggers  for riding in the snow so the bike couldn't fall over when slip/sliding away?

[jwinwi]

HD Aermacchi Sprints had their sidestands on the right. Why? Something got lost in translation? 

[Kiwi Dave]

Honda postie bikes come with side stands on both sides.  Made specially for ambidextrous riders?

[Tom]

If you have a Daytona 1000, you learned to lean over and pull the kick stand up with your left hand. 

[JJ]

IMHO, there is nothing on this planet WORSE...than a short, flimsy, ineffective, "easy-to-tip-over" side stand...

THIS is a good one!!

[Guzzistajohn]

Best parts $$ i ever spent on a Guzzi was putting a BROWN side stand on the LMIII. And yes, I have 2 bikes with a right hand stand BULTACO

[sign216]

Most smaller vintage bikes and mopeds just have centerstands, no sidestand.  For example my Sears/Gilera 106, and my Wards/Benelli 350.

[Ncdan]

Just to clarify, there are aftermarket side stands that will bolt right on my stone without modifications or having to fabricate something?

[tazio]

HD Aermacchi Sprints had their sidestands on the right. Why? Something got lost in translation? 

Yep, my H-D Sprint is weird that way..
But my H-D Street Glide has the best side-stand I've ever encountered.
The worst was my '97 Guzzi Sporti..
I think big old Zundapps had floorboards that swiveled out for a side-stand..

[oldbike54]

Just to clarify, there are aftermarket side stands that will bolt right on my stone without modifications or having to fabricate something?

 The Brown sidestand just bolts on .

 Dusty

[Dirk_S]

Re: mounting custom— the best thing about customs is the excitement that’s procured when you discover you can break the custom. I like to mount from ALL sides, although from the front seems to be the trickiest.

[Tom]

Just inhale then mount. 

[Ncdan]

The Brown sidestand just bolts on .

 Dusty

Thanks, I guess that would be better than tying a rope to the thing and pulling it up🤔😂

[DaveJT]

Nope nope. Dual side stands would mean two side stand interlocks in series.  I’ve tried the raise the kickstand with your left hand thing. It’s kinda cool, but a bit awkward, I’d hate to fall over.

[Huzo]

It’s been a while since we had a good, hardcore discussion of side stands.
For that matter, has there ever been a bike with side stands on the left and the right, so you could park however you want? 

Yep.
Honda built a few of these...


Has one on both sides.

[Kiwi_Roy]

I’m wondering.   Has there ever been a bike with a side stand on the right side?
 

Yes, my Vincent Comet has a side-stand on both sides.
I don't think it had a centre-stand as we normally expect but the fender stays would swing down to hold either wheel off the ground.

[Guzzistajohn]

 Hardcore BROWN sidestand!

[Tom H]

For the EV stand being had to retract. Yes it is!!!!!!

First thing to try is using your heel on the rubber nub instead of your toe. Makes a big difference. Second....Caution.. ..this can cause the stand to fall on it's own if a spring breaks......... is to remove one of the springs. Also drill a new hole in the center of the triangle spring holder that attaches to the stand and put the spring in the new hole. This keeps decent tension, almost too tight, but the original spring holes make it TOO loose.

Also thanks for reminding me what brand bikes had the RH stand. I knew some brads of dirt/enduro bikes had it.

Tom

[ozarquebus]

Its not a side stand, but  what is that aftermarket center stand named that you can ride off of and will it mount on a Guzzi? (Hope this doesn't derail the thread)

[mobiker]

Its been a couple of decades since I was on a Harley, but back then their "Jiffy" stand was the best I'd ever used. Still haven't found a better one.

[oldbike54]

Yes, my Vincent Comet has a side-stand on both sides.
I don't think it had a centre-stand as we normally expect but the fender stays would swing down to hold either wheel off the ground.

 Vincent was dancing around in my head , couldn't quite get it sorted . Weren't the twins also equipped with dual stands ?

 Dusty

[Solorider73]

For that matter, has there ever been a bike with side stands on the left and the right, so you could park however you want? 

Having a stand on each side would be useful.  It would have been nice today as my stand sunk a couple inches into the turf.  I thought I was going to drop the bike.  If I would have had a stand on the other side, I would have used it instead with no issues.  So I'm all for it.

[Kiwi_Roy]

Vincent was dancing around in my head , couldn't quite get it sorted . Weren't the twins also equipped with dual stands ?

 Dusty

I imagine so, the frame parts seemed to be the same between twin and single.

BTW, no-one thought about stand switches back then, I guess they figured we were more responsible.
They didn't even have an ignition switch let alone a key.

[wrbix]

BoxerWorks website has for some time now reported Brown’s side stand for Tontis are “sold out”. I’m currently planning a plate to bolt a Brown’s to my LM. Will require some tapping and cutting of 3/8 steel +/- welding.
The Boxer works images show apparent cutting and rewelding of the Brown’s- something I’m a bit loath to do....they’re very nicely constructed as is