Fact or fiction??

[jimbogs1200]

Is it true that you should not leave boxer engine bikes on the side stand(when switched off) as the oil drains away from the off side head?? Then when you start the bike you could cause damage?

Similar topic; I met a cop who said they never leave their bikes running on the side stand as it damages the engine!? True or not?

 

[spock]

I would have thought that oil gets pumed round the engine as it's running,maybe if you left the bike running for a week it might not be to good...

 

[Sgt Bilco]

If you use the search button, you`ll find a few threads on here. All are inconclusive but I can`t see it being a problem personally. I don`t leave mine ticking over for long anyway but it doesn`t worry me.

Remember teh boxer engine has been built for about 80 odd years so I`m guesing BuMW don`t have a problem

However, there will be some on here who will undoubtedly scare the shite out of you with some old wives tale of an engine which allegedly exploded into a million pieces because someone left it on it`s side stand overnight

Don`t worry and ride......

 

[D6]

arnt oil pumps used to circulate the oil?

 

[wully]

In any engine the sump is at the bottom- right?

Oil is going to drain away from the uphill head no matter what way it's leaning- right?

The oil pump will shove it back to where it's supposed to be as soon as you start it- right?

Oil might collect on the down hill side if it's parked on the side stand? Might burn when the engine starts if it gets through and open valve?

I'm an electrician to trade and know feck all about engines so tend not to worry about them as I wouldn't know what to do if they stop when they're not supposed to

This isn't something I'd worry about.

























































much

 

[Engineer]

Is it true that you should not leave boxer engine bikes on the side stand(when switched off) as the oil drains away from the off side head?? Then when you start the bike you could cause damage?

Similar topic; I met a cop who said they never leave their bikes running on the side stand as it damages the engine!? True or not?

scaremongering fiction

 

[jimbogs1200]

Thanks, I will sleep well now....

 

[MickF]

I know I was advised that leaving an LT ( inline 4 ) on the side stand would allow oil to seep by oil rings. I noticed the LT would push out some blue smoke if left on side stand. No problems if left on main stand. The bike only had 20k miles on it.

 

[alimey4u2]

Residual oil on the lower part of the cylinder would wick & end up in the combustion chamber/area yes but it would be minimal....

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

The first time I ever parked my GSA on the sidestand it filled the pub car park up with blue smoke on start-up

 

[Zundapp]

In the days when Strathclyde Police used R80RT's, the sidestand was removed.

I thought this was to avoid embarassment if the springback stand wasn't put down securely before walking away from the bike.

Maybe it was for oily reasons though....

 

[wildbeeste]

My RHS cylinder/valves are noisier than the LHS.
Previous owner used to leave it idling on the side stand while he "taught" the learners.
If I start it on the side stand the RHS gets quieter only after I blip the throttle.
There may be something in it - however it makes no difference to the performance - it just is more rattley

 

[MattW]

however it makes no difference to the performance

How do you know if its always done it?

 

[GSmonkey]

If there was a problem with oil pickup, you'd have problems when cranked over in a bend as well. The bikes shouldn't be left idling on either main or side stand anyway, with them not having any forced air cooling.

 

[MattW]

If there was a problem with oil pickup, you'd have problems when cranked over in a bend as well.

Not really - centripetal forces will tend to force oil to the base of the sump.

My pet theory is that it has something to do with overheating of the right head due to compromised flow when on the sidestand at idle. But then again, I don't have a 1200, so I'm just idly guessing

 

[Gipsy]

I don't think the sports bike versions of the boxer engine have centre stands. Do BMW issue owners with special instruction, or do they carry a paddock stand with them wherever they go?

 

[MattW]

I don't think the sports bike versions of the boxer engine have centre stands. Do BMW issue owners with special instruction, or do they carry a paddock stand with them wherever they go?

Well they do issue an instruction not to let it idle on its sidestand (or at all come to that)

 

[jimbogs1200]

The 1200GSs that the police use have had an extra battery fitted, so they can use their blue lights etc, without leaving the engines running with the bikes on the side stand...

 

[Mav]

I don't think the sports bike versions of the boxer engine have centre stands. Do BMW issue owners with special instruction, or do they carry a paddock stand with them wherever they go?

There's no sidestand on my HP2 and I certainly don't carry a paddock stand around