How does the Side Kicker work?

I've go a pic of mine to post up later today. But ther bike is leaning way more than my Yamaha ever did.
The other issue is a bike with ESA will lean even more if set on 2 helmets. Nobody going to reset every time they park. The Sidekicker looks like another cost of ESA ownership.

As for all the insults about the bike being too big for some riders. How is it that small people can drive HGVs? The fault is with bike manufacturers who assume everyone is 5'10" with 34" inseam.

BMW could also have used the ESA to drop the ride height for parking. It could be done on the electronics with maybe a longer preload range.
 
Bendy toy said:
As for all the insults about the bike being too big for some riders. How is it that small people can drive HGVs? The fault is with bike manufacturers who assume everyone is 5'10" with 34" inseam.
Click to expand...

So not people buying bikes that are too big for them then?? Surely that's what test rides are for? (and the reason I have a GS and not a GSA)
 
my how this thread has grown legs,apart from someones feet being able to touch the ground everything else is technique,you don't need to go to the gym unless your doing serious amounts of off road & you will need some basic level of fitness/strength. as far as everyday riding no.doesn't matter how many weights you lift once that bike leans to far you ain't stopping it not even if your built like a brick shit house.you can ride any size of bike as long as you can get a toe on the deck.granted you will feel more comfortable with some bikes more than others,maybe the problem is your confidence and lack of use with the bike?? persevere with it and enjoy,practice,practice,practice if you've got a dodgy knee change the stand and have it more upright.:D
 
Thank you - you have hit the nail on the head when you say it's all about confidence. I can't wait for the salt to clear a bit then I want some serious miles on her.

I'm not feeling insulted, this thread is VERY encouraging for me and I thank people for their input ( even though I'm not the op)

The problem for me is not weight it's HEIGHT - when my right leg is stretching for all it's worth and then the weight of the GSA kicks in - then I risk a pull that takes months to clear up. I understand that the standard GS seat gains an extra inch of reach and that is a cheaper option than a Sidekick.

I'm not giving up yet :cool:
 
It seems to be a very expensive solution to a problem and people have come up with much cheaper solutions.

However, most of us spend a lot more than that on farkles and bling for the bike. If it helps you to enjoy the bike, then go for it.

Keep the old stand. If you change to a newer model GS/GSA then you can put the sidekicker on the new bike.
 
Mad_Accountant said:
The problem for me is not weight it's HEIGHT - when my right leg is stretching for all it's worth and then the weight of the GSA kicks in - then I risk a pull that takes months to clear up. I understand that the standard GS seat gains an extra inch of reach and that is a cheaper option than a Sidekick.

I'm not giving up yet :cool:
Click to expand...

But it is all about balance and confidence - you can hold a bike upright with one finger stood along side it - the trick is to shift your body to keep the weight of the bike central. A good drill for confidence is roll the bike off the centre stand from behind pushing the grab rail - then walk right around the bike keeping it upright with you hands. It's easier than it sounds.
 
I don't believe I've ever used the side stand when the bike is upright, it must be a confidence trick I've not come across :cool:

I have however occasionally had difficulty lifting the bike off the side stand when fully laden, and particularly so if the floor is uneven, wet or greasy, I simply can't get enough grip with my left foot. I've had my foot slip away causing the bike to go down so I know from experience what can happen.

Adding a side stand "hoof" has really helped and to be honest it could use a little more length still. Why make the job hard when it can be made easy with a simple fix :blast
 
I never use the side stand with bike upright. Why would you? I do put the stand down when pushing the bike about the driveway and I aim to never push it forwards. Its less risky that way, so same with any large bike.

morty said:
my how this thread has grown legs,apart from someones feet being able to touch the ground everything else is technique,you don't need to go to the gym unless your doing serious amounts of off road & you will need some basic level of fitness/strength. as far as everyday riding no.doesn't matter how many weights you lift once that bike leans to far you ain't stopping it not even if your built like a brick shit house.you can ride any size of bike as long as you can get a toe on the deck.granted you will feel more comfortable with some bikes more than others,maybe the problem is your confidence and lack of use with the bike?? persevere with it and enjoy,practice,practice,practice if you've got a dodgy knee change the stand and have it more upright.:D
Click to expand...

+1 Absolutely.

Once a bike has gone that bit too far over - its going down. End of. BTW my first proper bike was a Triton with Wideline Featherbed frame. That was a SERIOUS stretch to the ground with its wide apart and high top tubes with hard springs. So I know what it all means.

My gripe with the standard GSA side stand is that its much too short so every time you pull the bike up its always a risk of going the wrong way.
20 degrees is one heck of a lean angle. Its defo not bent. I'm not in the same class as the American in the vid.

I bought a pair of hockey pucks which arrived today. :) They are hollow :mad:
So that was a waste of £4. :comfort

After all the discussion I may well spend the wedge on a Side Kicker. At least it covers all the options luggage/no luggage uneven ground, preloaded for pillion, etc.
 
Bendy toy said:
I bought a pair of hockey pucks which arrived today. :) They are hollow :mad:
So that was a waste of £4. :comfort
Click to expand...

Hollow?, I played hockey from around 12-16yrs old and even kitted up getting hit anywhere between the pads was feckin sore:blast
I'm really surprised , are you sure you bought an ICE hockey puck as opposed to something used for street hockey??:nenau
 
Bendy toy said:
Paying top dollar to have something made that probably wont work is just daft. A no-brainer surely?
Click to expand...

If it doesnt work you send it back Bendy - sale of goods, fitness for purpose etc etc.

I'm as "careful" as the next man but there are times when its more sensible to put your hand in your pocket rather than to re-invent the wheel. This is one.

JohnnyBoxer said:
Straight onto the centre stand asap
Click to expand...

Huh! Did that outside Bath Road Motorcycles, rear wheel into the kerb, and found I needed help to get it off the centre stand up the crown of the road.
 
Right now I'm sucking in the potential cost of a side kicker but it does make sense.

I cant work out why the stand is such as issue on the GSA. The Diversion 900 is at least as heavy but never a problem even when I fitted a longer rear shock to improve the handling. Both bikes had similar leg reach to the floor (balls of feet only) yet the Divvie was never a struggle to pull off it's stand.

Yes I goofed and bough street hockey pucks. D'Oh
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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