Side stand

[dicktheleg]

WTF is this about, who designed it, did they ever actually try to use it?

It’s an absolute monstrosity, an accident waiting to happen and the only thing I actually dislike about my new (to me) R100GS

 

[monoi]

It is not the best thing that has been invented.

I (finally) removed it and installed the migsel version. I'm very happy with it but I understand others have had issues.

 

[barny]

WTF is this about, who designed it, did they ever actually try to use it?

It’s an absolute monstrosity, an accident waiting to happen and the only thing I actually dislike about my new (to me) R100GS

It is a bit of an acquired skill to use it "safely". I usually get off the bike and then deploy the side stand or if you happen to have 36" ISL measurement push it out as far as possible and then push the bike back to set it. I think it was "engineered" to prevent inadvertently leaving it down because of the US market and possible litigation but they seem to have forgotten why its there in the first place.

Welcome to airheads.

 

[timeandtide]

It is not the best thing that has been invented.

I (finally) removed it and installed the migsel version. I'm very happy with it but I understand others have had issues.

Likewise!

 

[Mad Hatter]

I use the motoren-israel side stands on mine. They work well, don’t foul the gear lever either

 

[dicktheleg]

I use the motoren-israel side stands on mine. They work well, don’t foul the gear lever either

Where are they available from?
Thanks.

 

[SBD]

The classic Moto Guzzi lemans is equipped with an utterly useless side stand - well mine isn’t, I took it off as it’s neither use nor ornament.

 

[Gelandestrasse]

There's a lot of bad press about Airhead stands and I don't think BMW should be proud of the standard one that fits to the LH crashbar; however, whilst I had one like that, I just got used to it and practiced deploying it like Barny mentions above. It is possible to use successfully if you practice. Did I mention most of the bad press comes from new owners? It seems to but I haven't got the stats to back that up. I swapped mine out because I got hold of one from Motorwork https://www.motorworks.co.uk/side-stand-fra10600-1.html which still flips up but is easier to find and feels much more sturdy than the original fit.

 

[ChasF]

I’m lucky enough to own both a LeMans 850 with a very poorly designed side stand and a R100GS with similar abortion of a stand - both spring up when the bike is upright, both are virtually impossible to deploy when seated on the bike. I also have a KTM 690 and a BMW K1100LT both of which have well deisgned side stands that are easily operated when sitting on the bike and it’s not possible to drive off with the side stand down because they have electrical interlocks.

As I am blessed with long legs, until recently getting on and off the bike has not been an issue, but having had both knees replaced in the last year getting off the bike is no longer a doddle. The GS is particularly bad because even when I’m off the bike standing on one foot to try and hook the stand down with the other foot is precarious and then leaning the bike towards you is made worse because of the ridiculous angle needed to get the stand on the ground. Needless to say, I’ve probably only used the side stand half a dozen times in the 33 years I’ve had the bike.

I’m probably going for the Migsel unless this thread comes up with a better answer.

 

[Bubb]

another convert to Migsel stands ….not cheap, but FAR better than the BMW one imho.

 

[Gelandestrasse]

I’ve no axe to grind but I won’t go Migsel on mine because an acquaintance had his collapse on him leaving the bike on its side with consequent damage. Migsel replaced the stand, fair do, but not the scrapes and paint.

 

[Steptoe]

I welded a long prong onto my R100GS side stand, it means i can out on the side stand very very easily while sitting on the bike

 

[SBD]

Happy to have any sugggestions for a good replacement for the LM!

 

[dicktheleg]

I welded a long prong onto my R100GS side stand, it means i can out on the side stand very very easily while sitting on the bike

A pic would be great if possible, at your convenience.

Ta.

 

[SBD]

A pic would be great if possible, at your convenience.

Ta.

Or, better yet, in the car park of your convenience.

 

[Gelandestrasse]

I took some pictures prior to the Migsel collapse, nice bike. Anyone know what gear lever that is?

 

[Steptoe]

I’ve got a Bob Porrecha side stand fitted to my old R65, the stand is 28 years old, it’ll last forever, and it’s what Migsel copied but it seems better made … I think I’ve another one in a box somewhere in one of my lock-ups

 

[ChasF]

I took some pictures prior to the Migsel collapse, nice bike. Anyone know what gear lever that is?

Do you know if the owner used the side stand when mounting/dismounting?

The gear lever looks homemade - I made something similar on my R80G/S.

 

[Grantiii]

It's a Siebenrock gear lever....
Got same on mine.....

 

[Gelandestrasse]

Do you know if the owner used the side stand when mounting/dismounting?

The gear lever looks homemade - I made something similar on my R80G/S.

Er, I think most people use a side stand as they get on a bike and deploy it before getting off? Do you mean did he climb on the footrest and mount/dismount like a horse? No. I was standing next to him when it happened - he got on the bike and got ready to leave (stand retracted) and then dropped his glove. I didn't notice (I was on his RHS) as I would have picked it up for him. The next thing I knew he was on his side under the bike after deploying the stand again ready to get off to pick up his glove. I thought he'd forgotten to put the stand down! But it broke.