Perpendicular Parking

[happykawasaki]

Any good tips for parking perpendicular to the curb? Can't seem to get the hang of it without looking like a moron.

Thanks!

[sweptwingnut]

what technique are you trying???

I typically pull just past the point I want to park and then back the bike into that spot. This can be a challenge if your bike is tall and reaching the ground is a problem. Beyond that, all I can suggest is practice, practice, practice.

Anyone else??

[kawasakipokey]

+1 on that. I pull a bit more forward than where i need to park, put it in neutral, then slowly walk it back while turning the wheel in the direction I need, then shut it down.

[ridingAK]

If you have more room, you can pull in as if you're going to park parallel to the curb, then turn sharply back out toward the street. It gets your bike lined up more easily, then you let it roll back until you are far enough out of the lane of traffic. (Since only my toes touch the ground this is easier than turning while I'm backing up, especially on gravel)

[KCDakar]

Any good tips for parking perpendicular to the curb? Can't seem to get the hang of it without looking like a moron.

Thanks!

By the way people have laughed at me I must still be a moron!:blush:
That said what everyone has said sounds good. Are you having to park on flat ground or does it have a slant?
Try going to a parking lot and use cut in half tennis balls as your points and practice on your own...jm2c.:thumbup:

[happykawasaki]

Thank you everyone I appreciate the advice!

Dakar you are not a moron =P

[KCDakar]

Dakar you are not a moron =P

Now if I can just fool a few more people!:happy

[Luna Tique]

Practice is the key and be sure to be wearing your riding boots. A foot slipping on oil in is very embarrassing
I know this because back in the dark ages of the early 70's I used to ride with Frye boots & had an oops :blush: in front of a group of onlookers on my 750 Honda and had to get help to pick the thing up :mad

[KCDakar]

Dropping your bike is bad enough but in front of others is soooo much more painful! :lol

Let me count the times....:blush:

[ridingAK]

If we want to talk about painful bike drops, how about my genious move this summer when I thought I had put the kickstand was down but it wasn't... Now THAT is an embarrassing fall!

[KCDakar]

If we want to talk about painful bike drops, how about my genious move this summer when I thought I had put the kickstand was down but it wasn't... Now THAT is an embarrassing fall!


:lol:lol :lol :confused: :blush: me to!:blush:
I had forgot about it tell you brought it up!

My 305 Dream, pulled up the the gas pump at work (High school job) my first day of ownership (proud as all get out) and BAM! caught between the pump and bike...:(

Thank doG they didn't have digital cameras back then!:lol

[ridingAK]

At least I'm in good company. :)

[KCDakar]

At least I'm in good company. :)

That goes both ways!:thumbup:

[jfike]

count me in on the kickstand oops.

i actually almost parked on a sheet of ice this winter until i put my feet down to get off.....nope lets just coast on out of this spot and try again shall we!!

[ridingAK]

As a kid I had a little dirt bike that I could throw around easily. It never occurred to me I could get in trouble with it. I had ridden out to get our mail, we lived in the country and had about a half mile ride from the house to the mailbox. I noticed it was a little slippery, but not a big deal until I tried to park just outside our garage. It was so slick that when I stopped and went to put my foot down, the bike slid one way and my foot slid the other until I was doing the splits on the ground. I ripped out my blue jeans, but fortunately I was in gymnastics at the time and didn't rip me!:confused:

[Queen]

Thank doG they didn't have digital cameras back then!:lol
Ya know...I find myself saying that very thing a lot these days. ;)

[KCDakar]

I had ridden so long on dirt bikes that turning on a gravel road was a no brainer for me. Stop put my foot down gun the bike and spin around pick up my foot and rooster tail it back down the road. Piece of cake.:thumbup:

Enter street bike with street tires.

Put my foot down gave it the gas and the bike went down so fast I was doing the splits and fell on top of the bike. I jumped up got the bike up and it wouldn't start. I messed with it for some time before it would start. By then my body was telling me that unlike rAK I was no gymnast.:( It hurt to get off the bike when I got home...:blush: :lol

[sweptwingnut]

:lol :lol

[KCDakar]

:lol :lol

Thanks...I can laugh about it now, Then I was so mad I could have pulled a tooth. Must be the age thing...that and it is easy to laugh at myself now!:lol

[sweptwingnut]

Narcoleptic bikes taking sudden and unexpected naps reminds me of an adage from pilot training about the odds of landing gear up,,,,"there are those that have and there are those that WILL." :confused: :confused:

If it will keep me away from Murphy's hold on sudden sleep syndrome in the airplane, I am tempted to go out in the garage and watch my bike take a nap right now!!:tongue :lol :lol

[KCDakar]

I would go out right now and push it over! :lol

That makes me think about Barons...

[sweptwingnut]

I would go out right now and push it over! :lol

:lol :lol

[KansasKawboy]

I think I've seen enough sleeping bikes for one week.:lol

[KCDakar]

I think I've seen enough sleeping bikes for one week.:lol
:lol :lol :thumbup:

[freefall23]

oooh that sucks too cause I feel like people are going "Ohhhh its a girl" and looking down at me when really theyre probably jealous cause they dont have a bike OR the skillz anyways lol. I back into my spots cause I think the front of my bike is too sexy too hide in a curb :P It does depend on if the spot is in any way sloped or not tho.. One embarassing situation trying to get out of a downhill spot is one too many for me lol

[happykawasaki]

I am back on the bike after a too-long hiatus and going to try the cut-in-half tennis ball thing. Plus I got my dad to show me. :)

[KCDakar]

I am back on the bike after a too-long hiatus and going to try the cut-in-half tennis ball thing. Plus I got my dad to show me. :)

Welcome back to riding!
Let us know how it goes.:thumbup:

[ArkhamEscapee]

I think everyone else's advice about doing it like you're going to parallel park and turning hard in works, and then once your tire hits the curb, dont worry if you have to then go straight out (perpendicular to the curb) and adjust a bit.

[hijinxxx]

i'm a little too short ...so i'll swing out from the curb ..shut her down, get off..put the kick stand down and walk her back in.

[Merzidotes]

I ride up on the sidewalk and then bounce over the curb so my front end is facing out! :lol:

(the benefits of a dual sport! :rofl:)

[Kitsune]

This is one of those reasons why I so want 11" shorty shocks on my bike. I can flat foot it easily just sitting down/standing up, but I have *no* traction trying to walk the bike anywhere while I'm straddling it. that "skff, skff *GRUNT* skff, skff" back looks just sad...

any suggestions? (cuz this is how I'll have to park at school...)

[Queen]

This is one of those reasons why I so want 11" shorty shocks on my bike. I can flat foot it easily just sitting down/standing up, but I have *no* traction trying to walk the bike anywhere while I'm straddling it. that "skff, skff *GRUNT* skff, skff" back looks just sad...

any suggestions? (cuz this is how I'll have to park at school...)
If I have to park someplace with loose gravel and don't want to worry about slipping, I just get off and roll the bike around like I would in the shop. :thumbsup:

[Kitsune]

Queen-I'll have to try that. You know I may come back here saying "Well, I thought the side stand was down, but then I slipped on the gravel, and my 20# of school books fell on me, then the bike was one me, and..."


...and like Chuck Norris, I didn't do a pushup to get myself and the bike situated, no, I pushed the EARTH down with one hand and righted the bike with the other. :lol: :wootrock:That's how I roll.

[Queen]

Rock ON sista!! :lol:

[Luna Tique]

If you have a center stand park it and spin it around. Works great.

[Astir]

If you have a center stand park it and spin it around. Works great.

:roflmao:

:thumbup:

[Luna C]

If you have a center stand park it and spin it around. Works great.

I gotta' try this some day! Saw some guy do it in the middle of a field at Laguna Seca with his Ducati! I was more nervous than he was!

[Queen]

I gotta' try this some day! Saw some guy do it in the middle of a field at Laguna Seca with his Ducati! I was more nervous than he was!
I've done it before but it's hard on the center stand (over time it tends to torque it a bit).

[jfike]

If I have to park someplace with loose gravel and don't want to worry about slipping, I just get off and roll the bike around like I would in the shop. :thumbsup:


:redface1: ya, but that's how i move the bike in the garage. i have to sit on it and duckwalk it wherever it's going to go. don't feel secure otherwise......

[GinaMcD]

I got used to duckwalking my last two bikes around , but can't in most situations with the current one. It took a lot of getting used to, and sometimes I still feel unsecure doing it, but walking it around while standing next to it is often my only option. If I'm feeling really iffy about it, I will often push it around with the side stand down as sort of a safety net!

[Astir]

I will often push it around with the side stand down as sort of a safety net!

That is exactly what I do. Especially backing into my garage.

[Luna C]

I've done it before but it's hard on the center stand (over time it tends to torque it a bit).

Yes, I always wondered whether the stand was really made with this in mind.

I've never been flat-footed on a bike, so I can only sit & push the bike backwards when the road slopes down. I've learned to not care much about how I look or if the bike go overs. It's just part of riding.

I've never had the nerve to put my bike on it's side and practice picking it up the "Skert" way (backwards). http://www.pinkribbonrides.com/dropped.html But I've heard it works really well, and my husband has used it a bit.

For me, starting slowly and working up was the ticket. I would have gotten really discouraged otherwise, and riding is meant to be first-and-foremost FUN! When it stops being fun after giving it some effort, then it's time to take a step back.

[Queen]

Yes, I always wondered whether the stand was really made with this in mind.
For those who like to spin their bikes around in the garage, there is a mat made that is a circle with a ball bearing plate on the bottom (think "lazysusan on steroids"). :thumbsup:

[Luna Tique]

For those who like to spin their bikes around in the garage, there is a mat made that is a circle with a ball bearing plate on the bottom (think "lazysusan on steroids"). :thumbsup:


Cool :thumbup: got a link? :D:

[Queen]

Cool :thumbup: got a link? :D:
Here ya go. :thumbsup:

[Kitsune]

Maybe that works with newer bikes... I know for fairly certain that these old mechanical slide carbs (among other things... heh...) sorta start leaking once the bike is over on it's side. It'd be neat, sometime, to help right someone else's newer, heavy bike. Righting my SO's bike was uneventful, I (probably incorrectly, but it was only #350) just took the handlebars, straddled it, and pulled it up. It wasn't the "back it up" technique, but it'd been hit in our parking space and was already laying over the curb, so it was 1/8 of the way up as it was.

[Luna Tique]

Here ya go. :thumbsup:


No link Queen :shrug:

[Queen]

Well crap, lets try it again. The Mat (http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/The-MAT-p-16815.html)

[Luna Tique]

Thank you

:rofl: It looks like an old 45 record :lol:

[Queen]

Thank you

:rofl: It looks like an old 45 record :lol:

It does doesn't it? :lol:

I have a friend who has one that she uses on her SV650, she loves it. Her driveway has a pretty steep slope so she likes being able to pull out head first.

[Kitsune]

This raises the question:
how does one *comfortably* (I mean 'safely' and 'without dropping the bike') put a bike up on the center stand? Mine's generally required 2 people to do so, and I know the trick is to press the foot lever with the arch of your boot and more rock the bike back instead of 'pull' it, but that's a lot of weight leaned way out from my center of gravity and it gives me creepy feelings...

[Luna C]

This raises the question:
how does one *comfortably* (I mean 'safely' and 'without dropping the bike') put a bike up on the center stand? Mine's generally required 2 people to do so, and I know the trick is to press the foot lever with the arch of your boot and more rock the bike back instead of 'pull' it, but that's a lot of weight leaned way out from my center of gravity and it gives me creepy feelings...

When I bought my only bike with a center stand, the dealer showed me how to get the stand down. I was shocked by how easy it was when done correctly. No effort at all involved; all technique. So you might try going to a dealer for your bike and see if someone who's good at it can give you a lesson.

Where are you in Oregon?

[Queen]

This raises the question:
how does one *comfortably* (I mean 'safely' and 'without dropping the bike') put a bike up on the center stand? Mine's generally required 2 people to do so, and I know the trick is to press the foot lever with the arch of your boot and more rock the bike back instead of 'pull' it, but that's a lot of weight leaned way out from my center of gravity and it gives me creepy feelings...
It's all about starting with both "feet" of the center stand on the ground, it may feel creepy at first (have X stand on the other side until you get the hang of it) but it makes it smooth as butter.

[jfike]

It's all about starting with both "feet" of the center stand on the ground, it may feel creepy at first (have X stand on the other side until you get the hang of it) but it makes it smooth as butter.
see...... personally every time i try this, he ends up helping too much and does it for me. i feel like i am thrown off balance, just by him doing it all while i am trying to do it.....:mgbanghead:

[Queen]

see...... personally every time i try this, he ends up helping too much and does it for me. i feel like i am thrown off balance, just by him doing it all while i am trying to do it.....:mgbanghead:
Yep, helpers can be a problem...tell him just stand there and let you do it, you'll never get the hang of it otherwise.

[KCDakar]

see...... personally every time i try this, he ends up helping too much and does it for me. i feel like i am thrown off balance, just by him doing it all while i am trying to do it.....:mgbanghead:

Wish I had known about this I would have helped you.:confused2:

You do have a nice friend that lives across the street....:thumbup:

[Luna Tique]

all technique. So you might try going to a dealer for your bike and see if someone who's good at it can give you a lesson.


I agree with Luna C.
It is VERY easy it was when done correctly. No effort at all involved.
You should NOT be trying to muscle it up on the stand

[Queen]

I agree with Luna C.
It is VERY easy it was when done correctly. No effort at all involved.
You should NOT be trying to muscle it up on the stand
One exception to this rule...if your bike has been lowered and your stand hasn't been cut down it takes a bunch of effort to get it up on the stand.

[Luna Tique]

One exception to this rule...if your bike has been lowered and your stand hasn't been cut down it takes a bunch of effort to get it up on the stand.


Yes there is that exception :slaphead: :D:

JT's Suzuki has been lowered and he didn't cut his center stand down. It takes a great deal of effort to get it up onto the center stand.In fact it is a major PITA :rofl:
With full touring gear on I helped JT each time it needed to be done.

[Queen]

It was really fresh in my mind from putting my SO's bike on the stand last weekend, damn thing weighed a TON! :grump:

[Kitsune]

...that might be my problem. I've lowered my bike as far as the stock shocks go.

[Luna Tique]

The you will have to remove some of the center stand to compensate for the new height or aways ask for help when possible

[KCDakar]

...that might be my problem. I've lowered my bike as far as the stock shocks go.


Ding, Ding, Ding! There is the answer!
Just for grins raise it all the way up and see if it works better that way. Then you will know for sure.:thumbup:

Oh and let us know!:D:

[KansasKawboy]

The you will have to remove some of the center stand to compensate for the new height or aways ask for help when possible


When I had my bike lowered I carried a short 2x4 with me and would roll the rear tire up on it before I put it up on the center stand.

[SheRidesABeemer]

I've showed more people how to put their bike on the center stand. With the exception of one poorly designed after market...it was all about leverage. The first time my big burley Harley guy tried to put my GT on the stand, I think he was trying to lift the damn thing up...and he did not succeed. I scooted him away from the bike...I was wearing sandles and zipped it right up.

I have to put a video together!!

[indianscout]

I've showed more people how to put their bike on the center stand. With the exception of one poorly designed after market...it was all about leverage. The first time my big burley Harley guy tried to put my GT on the stand, I think he was trying to lift the damn thing up...and he did not succeed. I scooted him away from the bike...I was wearing sandles and zipped it right up.

I have to put a video together!!



+1000 on the vidio




.

[KCDakar]

I have to put a video together!!

:campfire:

[Luna Tique]

oh boy:yahoo: a movie.
I've got the popcorn :popcorn1:

[KCDakar]

I'll bring the marshmallows!:campfire:

[jfike]

one of the couples on the ride this summer almost always parked with their r1100's on the center stand. maybe i should make excuses and ride in to visit and get her to show me how to do it. she rides like a pro and everything that goes along with that.....









mostly cuz we're really good at irritating the neighbors when it comes to bikes.....right jinxxx?

[KCDakar]

one of the couples on the ride this summer almost always parked with their r1100's on the center stand. maybe i should make excuses and ride in to visit and get her to show me how to do it. she rides like a pro and everything that goes along with that.....

Good idea!

I'll be right here! :campfire:

[jfike]

or maybe in the interests of time i should just run over to the mechanic's and have him spot me one day. tracy and i have been talking about getting together since the ride LAST year (2007)!!! :lol:

[KCDakar]

or maybe in the interests of time i should just run over to the mechanic's and have him spot me one day. tracy and i have been talking about getting together since the ride LAST year (2007)!!! :lol:

So what are you waiting for? :thumbup:

Ok at least wait tell morning...:devilsmile:

[jfike]

well, i have to wait at least until next week. hubby is on holidays this week.......

[KCDakar]

well, i have to wait at least until next week. hubby is on holidays this week.......

:campfire:

[krysteen]

I tried like hell to back up my bike while sitting on it but as retarded as i feel about doing it, more times then not i will just get the bike pointed butt towards where i want it.....put the sidestand down...stand on the right side and push it back. That way i am on one side and the stand is down on the other. It doesn't look cool at all but probably better then me scraping my feet trying to back it up on the seat..

[monstergirl]

This raises the question:
how does one *comfortably* (I mean 'safely' and 'without dropping the bike') put a bike up on the center stand? Mine's generally required 2 people to do so, and I know the trick is to press the foot lever with the arch of your boot and more rock the bike back instead of 'pull' it, but that's a lot of weight leaned way out from my center of gravity and it gives me creepy feelings...
Sorry to butt in here, but if your CB is anything like mine, the center stands are not positioned in a place to make it easy to get them up. I can get an R1200GS up on a centerstand no problem, but for the life of me, I can't get my little CB350 up. It's all based on the fact that the centerstand on the GS is positioned right over the center of gravity on that bike, but on my CB, it's way back from the center of gravity. YMMV

I guess my point is, don't feel bad. I'm jealous you've got one! I wish my DRZ had one.

Anyway, that's just my experience/opinion. :):

[KCDakar]

Sorry to butt in here, <snip>

Butting in is welcome around here as long as we play nice.:ecstasy: So don't feel sorry for it! ;):

Butting in is not aloud for indianscout though...:devilsmile:

[indianscout]

Butting in is welcome around here as long as we play nice.:ecstasy: So don't feel sorry for it! ;):

Butting in is not aloud for indianscout though...:devilsmile:


Awww, come on now!! Why not!?!?! I like butts.........




:lol:

[KCDakar]

You better be talking about Ham. :lol:

[indianscout]

You better be talking about Ham. :lol:


Uh, ya......ham....;):




:lol: