Side or centre stand ?

[Deleted account 230818001]

Ok, I know it's not a new topic but I'd like to hear the pro's and con's of which stand to use while tying down a GSA on a ferry crossing.

Previous threads seem to cover the subject matter either way, but I can't find any info on who uses what, and, more importantly,why they do.

 

[Fanum]

What new information do you expect?

Those who use side will still say that way, the ones who prefer the centre stand will still claim their way is best

 

[Schtum]

I'd suggest that three points of contact with the deck are better than two. So, if you can tie it down on the side stand with the bike in gear, do it that way.

 

[Pablo1]

Ok, I know it's not a new topic but I'd like to hear the pro's and con's of which stand to use while tying down a GSA on a ferry crossing.

Previous threads seem to cover the subject matter either way, but I can't find any info on who uses what, and, more importantly,why they do.

I'd always use the centre stand personally but i think the most important aspect is how you lash the bike down IMHO, always a few experts around to advise in my experience.

 

[JayC]

I'd suggest that three points of contact with the deck are better than two. So, if you can tie it down on the side stand with the bike in gear, do it that way.

The c/stand completes the 3 points of contact and puts no strain on the stand , whereas the sidestand is not the best of areas to put all the loading as it already has the weight of the bike to cope with, let alone the extra forces of a strap ratcheted down.

A sidestand will collapse long before a c/stand.

 

[Schtum]

The c/stand completes the 3 points of contact and puts no strain on the stand ,

Yes but it doesn't make a particularly secure tripod on which to secure the bike.
If you use a couple of ratchet straps to tie the bike down, it needn't place undue strain on the sidestand.

 

[Farmer Palmer]

I'd suggest that three points of contact with the deck are better than two. So, if you can tie it down on the side stand with the bike in gear, do it that way.

I use the mainstand most of the time, a couple of straps and sometimes a wedge under the front wheel does it for me.

Except when I had my HP2E which only had a sidestand so Schtums method worked just as well.

On the Shetland inter island crossing the crew often recommend jamming my bike into the doorway when it's blawin' a wee bit

Do whatever you're most comfortable with........!

On a side note whenever i'm towing my bike on a flatbed trailer I always use the sidestand and jam the front wheel up against the headboard using straps to pull the bike 'forward'

FP.

 

[Schtum]

On the Shetland inter island crossing the crew often recommend jamming my bike into the doorway when it's blawin' a wee bit

On the boat from Orkney to Shetland, they wanted to lash mine upright to a barrier using my offside pannier as a buffer......

 

[Oldrat]

Like Mike I've always used the sidestand, an never had a problem. It only gets stained if too tightly lashed down, you only need enough to prevent movement.

Agree though, each to their own.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

I've used both methods

Andres

 

[Schtum]

I've used both methods

Andres

You're just so catholic.....

 

[glennis]

Totally agree JayC. Once had my bike in the back of a truck tied down and on the side stand. On a mountain road in India, ridiculously rough and about halfway down I turned around in the back of the cab to check the bike and it had fallen over. Upon closer inspection the side stand had snapped off. The centre stand is definitely much stronger.

Have said that though, on a boat probably won't make difference unless they drive it into some rocks

 

[Fanum]

I've used both methods

Andres

Same here

The key is to use common sense and do what is right under the circumstances/conditions.


Hold on, what section is this in..........

 

[Farmer Palmer]

On the boat from Orkney to Shetland, they wanted to lash mine upright to a barrier using my offside pannier as a buffer......

They do that on the Northlink ferry from Aberdeen to Lerwick aswell(the same boat) and they have a big padded buffer.......No problem for my GSA alloy pannier but maybe not so handy with that lovely new Ducati etc.....!

FP.

 

[Schtum]

They do that on the Northlink ferry from Aberdeen to Lerwick aswell(the same boat) and they have a big padded buffer.......No problem for my GSA alloy pannier but maybe not so handy with that lovely new Ducati etc.....!

FP.

Same boat, it just calls into Kirkwall one night a week. Not so handy with my Varios even....

 

[Deleted account 230818001]

What new information do you expect?

Those who use side will still say that way, the ones who prefer the centre stand will still claim their way is best

The new information I expected has arrived thanks to the OTHER replies to this thread

I wanted to hear WHY everyone made the decisions they did.

I've ferried to Europe for many years and ridden a bike for many years, but not both together. So my experience in his matter is very limited and I thought I'd ask for everyone else's opinions before I made a tit of myself!

Thanks all

 

[EggChaser]

On the side stand the bike can be in gear with the rear tyre on the floor stopping the bike itself from rolling off the stand

On the centre stand the rear tyre will be in the air, so you have to tie the stand to stop it folding, lock the front brake on and/or chock the wheels (which admittedly you might also choose to do on the side stand)

 

[fizzer]

whatever stand you use, side or center,use a ratchet strap between the stand and front wheel ,then use two other ratchet straps either side.

 

[AberdeenAngus]

Both ways work fine.
Go with whatever the deck hands tell you.

 

[John Armstrong]

whatever stand you use, side or center,use a ratchet strap between the stand and front wheel ,then use two other ratchet straps either side.

A bungee is enough to stop the side stand self retracting in my experience.