Neat trick

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m4lu6 · #1 Unread post by **m4lu6** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 9:52 am

stopped at dealership to pick up some stuff, and my salesguy showed me a cool trick.

I have a small garage so I have to back the bike out. Not any more. He told me to stand on the kickstand, turn the bars all the way to the right, give a good Umph to kick the bike up on to the point of the kickstand just enough to pivot the bike on it.

... now, I don't know if this is a terribly bad idea, but it works in my tight garage.

(and if I seem giddy about this neat trick, it's because I'm a new motorcyclist, hence, the "newbikers forum"

Gadjet · #2 Unread post by **Gadjet** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 10:12 am

it is a good trick to use when space is limited. you just have to be careful that you don't wind up overbalancing the bike or putting too much stress on the sidestand. too much torque could weaken the mounting point and cause it to break.

as long as you are careful though, you shouldn't have any problems

#3 Unread post by **Sev** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 10:43 am

My bike gets parked ahead of, and between my parents cars. We have a long garage, so it fits well, and there's enough room to get into everyhing.

I just hop on the bike and roll it backwards till I'm clear. Sometimes there's some nasty figuring as rearview mirrors line up. But a little creative leaning gets me by.

I'd be scared to try that myself. Visions of tipped bikes everywhere.

Shiv · #4 Unread post by **Shiv** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 12:18 pm

I'd be hesitant to try it as well. You're spinning the full weight of the bike on the kickstand it sounds like. I'm not sure it was built to support that...

That and if the garage is tight already for a bike, I'd be a little hesitant to try that as well. Visions of tipped bikes pinning me against the walls and the mailman finding a skeleton come to mind.

m4lu6 · #5 Unread post by **m4lu6** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 12:36 pm

Sevulturus wrote:My bike gets parked ahead of, and between my parents cars. We have a long garage, so it fits well, and there's enough room to get into everyhing.

I just hop on the bike and roll it backwards till I'm clear. Sometimes there's some nasty figuring as rearview mirrors line up. But a little creative leaning gets me by.

I'd be scared to try that myself. Visions of tipped bikes everywhere.

My Jeep has been relegated to the driveway, and my gf's car is typicall parked behind it. I have to do some "creative turning" required to get the bike clear of the jeep and a hedge that's immediately to it's left. There's an angled piece of concrete I must also back over, which has already caused me grief (see my blog) making the creative turning even more hazardous.

Shiv wrote:I'd be hesitant to try it as well. You're spinning the full weight of the bike on the kickstand it sounds like. I'm not sure it was built to support that...

I agree about the "support" argument, I'm not sure how much that stand & the joint are rated to hold, but by eyeballing it, it seems that the mass is distributed evenly, and perhaps even moreso given that the weight of the bike is now pressing straight down the shaft of the stand. My only concern about load issues would be that the very tip of the kickstand might not be strong enough to accomodate the load.

Regardless, the guy did the "neat trick" on asphalt parking lot, and it left a nasty gouge in it which he was quick to point out. My garage floor, however, is ceramic tile. While a more slippery surface, providing even more dangers, it seems that it's not prone to such gouges (it might crack, however, if 360+lbs is applied to such a small area).

Perhaps I'll have my gf video me doing the spin trick, and you can get a better picture.

#6 Unread post by **ZooTech** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 8:45 pm

If your bike is small enough to toss onto the kickstand and spin around in place it's probably not a big deal to just back it out normally. My bike weighs over 700lbs and I have to back it over a water-blocking speedbump in front of my garage opening, but I've never thought of it as a problem that needed to be overcome.

Meanie · #7 Unread post by **Meanie** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 5:16 am

There are too many variables to consider such as balance and control with this trick. I support what the others say. Once or twice with that maneuver may work well, unfortunately, continuous use applying the total weight of that bike will eventually result in fatique on the stress point and damage the stand or the frame. Consideration needs to be applied based on the weight of the bike also. Example: Spinning a dirtbike will vary greatly compared to spinning a cruiser. I wouldn't do it.

#8 Unread post by **dr_bar** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 9:32 am

Time to build a great big lazy susan for the garage... lol

Or maybe...

http://www.driveawaymat.co.uk/7.html

http://www.cycleslider.com/pictures.htm

m4lu6 · #9 Unread post by **m4lu6** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 12:20 pm

dr_bar wrote:Time to build a great big lazy susan for the garage... lol

Or maybe...

http://www.driveawaymat.co.uk/7.html

http://www.cycleslider.com/pictures.htm

GAH. Those two products look extremely useful! But, damnit! I have tiled garage floor (don't ask, previous owner), meaning grout lines, so those casters would get stuck.

The second product, equally cool as the first, but! ARHG. my R6 doesn't have a center stand! ayeieie.

But that does give me a good idea. I think a trip to home depot for some supplies is in order. I might just build a full-sized version of that turntable.

Thanks, Dr Bar.

#10 Unread post by **Sev** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 1:03 pm

Or just live with it. Forcing yourself to handle it like that backwards will improve your ability to handle it while going forwards.