GS dodgy sidestand?

[MJM]

Hi All,

First off I'd like to say hello and that I've only just bought a new 2015 GS, having previously owned a number of other bikes (last one a 2010 Multistrada 1200S).

Enjoying reading the forums here, but I have an issue I don't see mentioned (although I have seen a few posts while searching the net in general), so I'm hoping to get some views/opinions etc. Hope I'm posting in the correct section, by the way - apologies if not.

I love the bike so far, apart from one thing - the side-stand! When I first got the bike it nearly fell over while on the side-stand, which I put down to 'new-user-error'. But ever since I've been a bit paranoid about it and checked/double-checked/triple checked how I park and use the stand etc. Then yesterday I parked it on my drive which is very slightly downhill (and only very slightly), then walked away to close the garage door only to hear a 'thunk' and turned to see the bike on it's side. So now I have a very expensive brand new bike with a scuffed and scratched valve cover, through no fault of my own. BMW don't accept my word on that and I doubt will treat under warranty (which I can understand, why should they I guess) though I'm still waiting final word on that.

BMW are telling me they have no other reported similar cases and the stand is absolutely fine, but I've parked numerous other bikes on my drive and places far worse without issue, so why should I have to be sooo much more careful with this one?! To me, I think the stand needs to point slightly further forward, but I'm no expert.

Has anyone else had any problems/issues with the side-stand? Is it generally perceived to be absolutely fine etc? If anyone can offer any advice it would be much appreciated. As it stands (no pun intended!) it's a silly little issue that's putting me off the bike, which is a shame.

Cheers,

Mick.

 

[David Ryan]

No problems with my 2015 model. If you are parking on an incline, put the bike in gear.

 

[dave hendy]

I am sure I remember other posts about this on the LC, but some time ago?

I did the same thing with my CB1300 on my drive which slopes, it fell on the wifes car which didn't go down too well

 

[Paul S]

Did you leave it in gear?

Never leave any bike on the side stand pointing down hill (even a little bit!) without it being left in gear

Sounds like user error to me - I know from experience

 

[LBL]

Hi All,

First off I'd like to say hello and that I've only just bought a new 2015 GS, having previously owned a number of other bikes (last one a 2010 Multistrada 1200S).

Enjoying reading the forums here, but I have an issue I don't see mentioned (although I have seen a few posts while searching the net in general), so I'm hoping to get some views/opinions etc. Hope I'm posting in the correct section, by the way - apologies if not.

I love the bike so far, apart from one thing - the side-stand! When I first got the bike it nearly fell over while on the side-stand, which I put down to 'new-user-error'. But ever since I've been a bit paranoid about it and checked/double-checked/triple checked how I park and use the stand etc. Then yesterday I parked it on my drive which is very slightly downhill (and only very slightly), then walked away to close the garage door only to hear a 'thunk' and turned to see the bike on it's side. So now I have a very expensive brand new bike with a scuffed and scratched valve cover, through no fault of my own. BMW don't accept my word on that and I doubt will treat under warranty (which I can understand, why should they I guess) though I'm still waiting final word on that.

BMW are telling me they have no other reported similar cases and the stand is absolutely fine, but I've parked numerous other bikes on my drive and places far worse without issue, so why should I have to be sooo much more careful with this one?! To me, I think the stand needs to point slightly further forward, but I'm no expert.

Has anyone else had any problems/issues with the side-stand? Is it generally perceived to be absolutely fine etc? If anyone can offer any advice it would be much appreciated. As it stands (no pun intended!) it's a silly little issue that's putting me off the bike, which is a shame.

Cheers,

Mick.

I have to agree the sidestand is too long IMHO, on the older models some say it was too short, if you put the suspension right up it helps, but thats not good if you struggle with the seat height. When on the Eurotunnel i have to stay with the bike cus its nearly fallen a few time.

 

[mrtee43]

Can't say I have ever had a problem with mine but then again I always park it in 1st gear anywhere and everywhere.

I also always leave my car in gear with handbrake on, it's just something I do without thinking.

 

[pistole]

park it in gear.

 

[MondoRich]

It happened to me 3 weeks ago, very embarrassing so I didn't want to mention it anywhere !

The bike was fully loaded, two aluminium panniers and a big tailpack on the luggage rack behind the pillion seat.

I stood on the left foot peg and swung my right leg over the top of the tail pack and the bike tipped over onto its side.

It was facing up hill on a slight incline and in first gear.

New hand guard needed. Panniers and engine crash bars saved the rest.

Very embarrassing - the neighbours were watching as I'd just removed the baffles from my end can

 

[Norfolk Tiger]

I am sure I remember other posts about this on the LC, but some time ago?

I would agree that I'm sure there has been talk of this before on here.

 

[RedRick Esq.]

No issues with mine rolling forward off the stand as i always always leave in gear if at all down hill but ...
The stand is too long and if you put a "cameltoe" or the like on it it becomes even longer. If using the sidestand on anything other than level or sloping away ground the bike is almost upright and can easily be toppled over. It helps turning the bars but not ideal. I believe the stand length is to allow for parking with the suspension at its highest which i assume will be Enduro mode so an option, albeit a stupid one, is to alter ride modes just before parking !

It is too long

the end

 

[Norfolk Tiger]

Hi All,

First off I'd like to say hello and that I've only just bought a new 2015 GS, having previously owned a number of other bikes (last one a 2010 Multistrada 1200S).

Enjoying reading the forums here, but I have an issue I don't see mentioned (although I have seen a few posts while searching the net in general), so I'm hoping to get some views/opinions etc. Hope I'm posting in the correct section, by the way - apologies if not.

I love the bike so far, apart from one thing - the side-stand! When I first got the bike it nearly fell over while on the side-stand, which I put down to 'new-user-error'. But ever since I've been a bit paranoid about it and checked/double-checked/triple checked how I park and use the stand etc. Then yesterday I parked it on my drive which is very slightly downhill (and only very slightly), then walked away to close the garage door only to hear a 'thunk' and turned to see the bike on it's side. So now I have a very expensive brand new bike with a scuffed and scratched valve cover, through no fault of my own. BMW don't accept my word on that and I doubt will treat under warranty (which I can understand, why should they I guess) though I'm still waiting final word on that.

BMW are telling me they have no other reported similar cases and the stand is absolutely fine, but I've parked numerous other bikes on my drive and places far worse without issue, so why should I have to be sooo much more careful with this one?! To me, I think the stand needs to point slightly further forward, but I'm no expert.

Has anyone else had any problems/issues with the side-stand? Is it generally perceived to be absolutely fine etc? If anyone can offer any advice it would be much appreciated. As it stands (no pun intended!) it's a silly little issue that's putting me off the bike, which is a shame.

Cheers,

Mick.

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/371927-BIKE-ROLLED-OFF-SIDE-STAND

Found it the search facility on here is sometimes not the easiest The best way I've found is to put the keywords into google and put ukgser at the end

 

[Beemerman59]

Nearly happened to me when I first got my Hexhead - it doesn't take a lot to push them forward and over. Luckily I caught mine just in time. I now leave in gear most of the time and even on the level turn the bars all the way to the right which seems to make it a lot more stable.

 

[MJM]

Thanks for the replies so far everyone.

I certainly take on board the comments re parking in gear, and I will make sure I do so every time from now on, believe me! I am pretty careful about leaving a bike on the side-stand generally, but I have to say that this is the first bike I've ever had (in 35 years of biking) that's so unstable on the side-stand that even a tiny slope can cause this. It's especially poor (in my opinion) for a bike that is (sort of) intended to be able to park in far rougher places!

 

[Engineer]

New one to me - didn't notice anything odd about the side stand on my 2013 LC and my 2015 TE LC isn't any different as far as I can tell. Ever since my Ducati Monster fell off its side stand 13 years ago I always make a point of deliberately 'kicking' it forward as I rest the bike onto it.

 

[Valley Boy]

Put it in gear !----- always have done on every bike, make it a habit

 

[Nutty]

It happened to me a couple of years ago, so I always leave it in 1st when parked.

If you want a new cylinder cover, I have an unmarked spare one I could sell you.

 

[Giles]

I always stop in gear ..... anywhere. In fact I normally kill the bike by putting my side stand down.

 

[Matty589]

Me too. I've seen bikes fall off the side stand before. With a lowered GSA and a side stand foot I also have to be aware of where I'm parking as it is close to completely upright. Just remember that if you removed and replaced the back wheel and you've put it in first on the centre stand, put it back in neutral before you take it off the stand

 

[batman1]

If I have the situation where the stand is too long due to ground variation, I press the load button to show x2 helmets which jacks the bike up quite a bit higher producing a better lean over angle. If this makes the bike a bit too tall for you getting on and off, get off the bike before you jack it up and same for lowering it down again....simples!

Oh..and as already advised, leave it in 1st gear just in case.

 

[SMcGirr]

You know I thought it was just me! I have had a hex head and then an RT but this WC is the wobbliest on the side stand. If I remember correctly the hex head had a bend or a kink about 6 inches from the bottom of the stand and therefore stuck out further. Last week I had a wobbly moment when I parked on a big of uneven ground and I swung my leg over, it nearly toppled the other way! If Cymarc or someone did a side stand just a bit shorter I would have one! Mr Hooton ? Where are you?