Is the sidestand really that bad?

Message

Alkydale · #1 Post by **Alkydale** » Fri May 09, 2008 4:14 pm

Hi gang, I know I am a newbie with only a month or so experience of the beast but I haven't had a trauma with the sidestand........as yet. Is it really so bad? because you're all making me a bit nervous, almost enough to buy the one on eBay? The bike is 4 years old and hasn't been over (not sure I should have said that cos' I know what's probably round the corner now) What are your experiences?

fastasfcuk · #2 Post by **fastasfcuk** » Fri May 09, 2008 5:03 pm

im the same as you mate i was nervous when i started on hear but in three yrs i hav'nt had a problem it seems solid but because of whats been said on the site i do make 150% sure its stable.

Fausto · #3 Post by **Fausto** » Fri May 09, 2008 6:23 pm

To answer your question.......

YES

Perhaps if yours is a previously enjoyed bike the mod has already been done ??

bigun · #4 Post by **bigun** » Fri May 09, 2008 7:06 pm

Its shite. I was dubious then my fears were confirmed when it got blown over to the left hand side. The side stand was still down when I picked it up. I changed to a gixxer 1000 (k1 model) and modified it to use the original switch too. Works a treat.

Alkydale · #5 Post by **Alkydale** » Fri May 09, 2008 10:02 pm

Don't think a mod has been done because it does look rather short and hardly sticks out from the bike at all.

What are your thoughts on the eBay version and has anybody got one?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Aprilia-Sidestand ... dZViewItem

FalcoHeadbanger · #6 Post by **FalcoHeadbanger** » Fri May 09, 2008 10:38 pm

My bike has been blown over (yes wind) twice now. (Both times on LHS) Last time cost me a radiator and indicator, and a few more scratches

I am definitely getting a replacement got an eye on ebay one

You MUST replace it WILL go over

HowardQ · #7 Post by **HowardQ** » Tue May 13, 2008 12:13 am

I used the old stand for more than two years, always sort of pulled it out a bit further with my foot (It does help a bit), and never had it fall over, but never looked safe and always worried about where I parked. Never left it outside in a strong wind.
The arguments about which was the best replacement had gone both ways (Firestorm or Gixxer) and I did not have welding kit or easy access to workshop kit, (got old and lazy recently), so never got around to sorting. Saw one of the eBay ones when they first came up and bought number 2.
Put it in the garage and said I'll get that sorted in the next couple of weeks, (fast forward a few months, its been a busy year at work and home!).
Anyway I finally got around to fitting it.
First of all I forgot to take the before and after piccies, (sorry DR not up to your standard!), but here's the best picture I can find with the old stand -
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r164 ... cf7039.jpg

Not a great picture, but as you can see the stand is very upright and does not spread out very far.
Somebody will probably post a better one.

Fitted the new stand off eBay, quite easilly, with only very minor mods to the belly pan and this is what it looks like now -

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r164 ... 080280.jpg

As you can see there is a major difference, the stand is at a much better angle and has a much better spread.
I only have one minor problem with it and that is that it does not fold away as neatly, not as tight to the bike.
It does not bother me as the bike is now MUCH more stable.
It may just be that this is what you have to put up with for peace of mind.
I think it may be possible to grind off part of the stop on either the stand or the bike side so it folds away further, but have not got around to it yet.
Have not got a picture of it folded up, will try and sort one and post up later this weekend if I can, but been on holiday for last three weekends and at Estoril MotoGP before that, so just want to get out and ride the bloody thing.
As I said, I am happy to live with this minor inconvenience, (even if it cannot be tiddied up), just for a more secure stand. It may bother some people more than me.
Unit seems well made, is stove enamelled, (another reason for not grinding it away just yet), and also has a bigger, round foot.
It just fits as a straight swap.
If anybody wants a Renegade tilter, (not the Perky's unit), I also have one of them somewhere, that I bought off eBay and never fitted, (surprise!), but I reckon this stand is better.