Puck for centerstand?

[Emerson00]

So the new(to me) Duc has a centrestand.

Commuting begins again tomorrow.

Asphalt parking lot.

Used a 3.5" floppy disc for my last bike in the parking lot all day, no problems - side stand only.

Should I just use the side stand? Does the centrestand need no puck? 2 pucks/discs?

Got the bike, excited about the centrestand for chain lubing and maintenance in the garage, but realized I wasn't sure if I was supposed to use 2 pucks, no pucks, no just the Side stand...  

[Rincewind]

It would be hard to set pucks for the center stand every day.  I'd vote to keep using your sidestand w/puck method, or to just put it on the center stand.  You shouldn't have to worry about the center stand melting into the asphalt for another month or two.

[Capirex]

Floppy discs.  Good idea.  I guess that's about all they're good for anymore.
I don't use anything for the centerstand in the garage but if you're worried about marking up the floor you could always put a piece of cardboard underneath it.  
In parking lots I always use the sidestand which, as everyone here will agree, is more stable.  

[Tony T]

If you're going to do maintenance to the bike just slip a piece of plywood under it when you use the centerstand. (If you're worried about it sinking into blacktop.) It's easier than fumbling with two pucks. For just parking it short-term I would use the puck and the sidestand. If you have to park the bike for any length of time use the centerstand. I have a leaking fork seal from having it one the sidestand over the winter.  

[Yankee Dog]

I do like centerstands, but I only use them for maintenance.  i alway use the side stand for just parking the bike.  Much easier, faster and more stable.  

Yankee Dog

[Emerson00]

Thanks.

Don't know where I picked up the spelling "centrestand"...

Side stand, disc, no worries.

And, yes, the 3.5" aren't worth much beyond that anymore. I've got a stack of old discs from school, and they last a year or so each anyway.

[Corbeau]

For those who trashed their floppies a while ago, this is a pretty cheap alternative:


(It's a cover for an electrical box)

[2wTraveler]

  Unstable? I use my centerstand anyime the bike is going to be parked for more than an hour or two.

[M.Brane]

 This is earthquake country. I always park the bike in gear, bars locked, and on the sidestand unless I'm working on it.

 Much less likely to get knocked over that way.

[2wTraveler]

Ahhhh. I didn't think about earthyquakes. Sweltering heat and humidity is the biggest hurdle where I live.

[Medic09]

Old MC license plate, folded in half and duct-taped.  Paracord run through one of the holes, long enough to reach the handlebars.  When I stop, I lower into place with the cord; when I leave I pull it up with the cord.  For everyday use, I'd say the sidestand should be good.  That's what it's for.

[Flashmo]

For those who trashed their floppies a while ago, this is a pretty cheap alternative:


(It's a cover for an electrical box)

I use a 4square blank cover.  Perfect and free (for me...).

[bikerfish1100]

Ahhhh. I didn't think about earthyquakes. Sweltering heat and humidity is the biggest hurdle where I live.

you forgot "melted asphalt" in your list of hurdles to contend with. And that is a primary reason for only using c-stand in the garage, for maintenance issues, etc. sidestand is much more stable, and with some kind of puck, the melted ground is no big concern.
we tend to think that because they give us a c-stand that we are actually supposed to use it on a daily basis (and this is from a reformed, c-stand using BMW owner).

[Oilhed]

sidestand is much more stable.  just draw the triangle.  I only use the centerstand during maintenance or parked on grass.  I use a plastic sidestand disc given away by a local dealer but I also have squares of plywood.  Both have a loop of yellow string I put over my grip.

[F14Scott]

A bike on its centerstand is LESS stable than one on its sidestand.  Look at the size of the triangular footprint offered by each way:

           0                        0



     0                            0  0


           0                      

[Doc Bacon]

Don't know where I picked up the spelling "centrestand"...

Maybe from some Canuck neighbour.  

[psyco1]

I usually find a smashed soda can.

[Crowquill]

scrap 1/8" plywood with a hole & a cord, I keep it under the bungee net on the back seat so I can reach it easily when parking.  Almost never use the centrestand (I'm allowed to spell it that way, eh).

But I love the computer disk idea - and they come with a hole in the corner for the string

[falconati]

It would be hard to set pucks for the center stand every day.  I'd vote to keep using your sidestand w/puck method, or to just put it on the center stand.  You shouldn't have to worry about the center stand melting into the asphalt for another month or two.

[sammyseaman]

I've had my centerstand sink into asphalt back in my "green" days. The bike never tipped over but both tyres ( couldn't resist) were touching the ground. Side stand and small plate that fits in your back pocket is all ya need  

[2RR2NV]

Ahhhh. I didn't think about earthyquakes. Sweltering heat and humidity is the biggest hurdle where I live.

what about kids walking by and messing with your bike?  i'd rather have it on the sidestand.

[catskillcougar]

I usually remove the centerstand on my bikes, they add too much weight and makes the underside of the bike look too cluttered for any of the bikes I build. I also had a bad experience with a centerstand, when a kid sat on my bike and rocked it off the stand even though it was in gear.

Anytime I have to get the wheels up, I use paddock stands or I put the bike on my lift where I welded on custom brackets to allow me to lift the wheels off the table.

I carry a plastic puck (magazine freebee) in my tankbag for the side stand, but I've found that putting my gloves under the sidestand works well in a pinch on tar or grass.
I love some of the ideas you guys have come up with though, very ingenious!

[Leanintree]

I usually remove the centerstand on my bikes, they add too much weight and makes the underside of the bike look too cluttered for any of the bikes I build. I also had a bad experience with a centerstand, when a kid sat on my bike and rocked it off the stand even though it was in gear.

Anytime I have to get the wheels up, I use paddock stands or I put the bike on my lift where I welded on custom brackets to allow me to lift the wheels off the table.

I carry a plastic puck (magazine freebee) in my tankbag for the side stand, but I've found that putting my gloves under the sidestand works well in a pinch on tar or grass.
I love some of the ideas you guys have come up with though, very ingenious!

We will NOT have you acting like the soul of reasonableness. When will your horns surface and the green drool start to drip? Quit it. You confuse me and that makes my lobotomy scar itch.

(and for the record, I use a junction box cover as well. I just modified... Take one cover, bend up holed corner. Loop and afix aircraft cable. Loop other end as well to stay on grip and clutch. No bending down to pick up puck, and a whole $2 invested.)

Leanintree

[napper]

I usually remove the centerstand on my bikes, they add too much weight and makes the underside of the bike look too cluttered for any of the bikes I build. I also had a bad experience with a centerstand, when a kid sat on my bike and rocked it off the stand even though it was in gear.

Anytime I have to get the wheels up, I use paddock stands or I put the bike on my lift where I welded on custom brackets to allow me to lift the wheels off the table.

I carry a plastic puck (magazine freebee) in my tankbag for the side stand, but I've found that putting my gloves under the sidestand works well in a pinch on tar or grass.
I love some of the ideas you guys have come up with though, very ingenious!

Using gloves is a great idea, especially since I don't spend more than $20 a pair.

Here's what I used while camping this summer:

[Castaway]

Call me Fred Flintstone .... I use a a flat rock.  

When I had a center stand I never used anything  - seems the three points of contact disperse the weight enough.

[M.Brane]

When I had a center stand I never used anything  - seems the three points of contact disperse the weight enough.

 Yeah just like the 3 when it's on the side only 2 of 'em are closer together, and closer to the center of the bike.

 

[Castaway]

 Yeah just like the 3 when it's on the side only 2 of 'em are closer together, and closer to the center of the bike.

 

Ha! Ya gotta point there!  

Okay, I'll alter/refine my point, the weight on the two feet of the center stand is equal (and maybe the 'feet' have more surface area?). Whereas the weight on the side stand is disproportionately more, and/or the surface area is smaller, causing the side stand to sink. Even if the center stand does sink a bit, the weight is still evenly dispersed on the two feet. (Did I just put too much effort into this?)

[bikerfish1100]

So each system has an inherent problem: the sidestand method has greater pressure on stand, leading to greater chance of sinking, while the c-stand provides a less stable platform (think of the differences in stability/balance of standing with your 2 feet close together vs your 2 feet in a wide karate style stance). However- you can resolve the s-stand isue with a puck, but you can't do anything at all about fixing the c-stand stability issue, short of not using it.

[county]

Call me Fred Flintstone .... I use a a flat rock.  

When I had a center stand I never used anything  - seems the three points of contact disperse the weight enough.

+1 on the flat rock

I remember once I had to walk 5 feet to pick up something to put under the side stand,  but when I got back the bike was still up.

[njd]

I carry a hockey puck in my bag.

[schmii]

A coaster works pretty well but you might want something bigger.

[MK96xj]

I use a 4square blank cover.  Perfect and free (for me...).

That's funny the Moto parking area where I work is now littered with these as i stole a bunch form maintenance

[Flashmo]

That's funny the Moto parking area where I work is now littered with these as i stole a bunch form maintenance

I often have to grab a new one from work, as they get left behind when I get to talking while gearing up.

[delta one]

the BMW dealer near me had a used interceptor fall over one day because the center stand sunk more on one side than the other during a hot sunny summer day. I don't think I could trust a center stand anywhere other than in my garage.  puck the side stand.

[ANZAC]

I do like centerstands, but I only use them for maintenance.  i alway use the side stand for just parking the bike.  Much easier, faster and more stable.  

Yankee Dog

Yankee Dog

I always use my centerstand - to me it's much more stable.  I have seen bikes come off their side stand either by rolling off or not deployed all the way.

If I use the side stand I always put the bike in gear, take up the slack and then put the stand out.   Call me paranoid but I alway expect the worst to happen.

BTW, is that General Sherman in your avatar?

[William]

Wow. I've never given so much thought to stand usage. I use the side stand or the center stand equally, sometimes one just seems to be more appropriate for a given parking scenario. Generally when my sidestand sinks into a surface and the center stand isn't ideal, I just find another place to park the bike.  

[Goat]

I must be lucky, I've always used the center stand and found it to be the most stable and secure.  I've lived all over the US while in the AF and while in Montana I saw two friends bikes blow over while on sidestands and mine on the center stayed firm.  I guess whichever makes you feel safe is the best.......