Why a center stand?

[famousperson]

Why does BMW offer a center stand? I know in the old days oil would drain into the left-hand cylinder and cause great smoking upon start up, but I don't think that's the case today. Is the stand there for old times sake?

Personally, I can't imagine a BMW without a center stand. To me, it is one of the things that typifies the marque, along with the bags (and the magic roundel, of course).. There is very little else left of the bike lookswise that many of us grew up knowing and loving.

[deilenberger]

Not sure if you're asking or just commenting, but I want a centerstand 'cause it makes doing stuff on the bike easier. Swapping tires around, loading up for touring, even just parking it in my garage - centerstand is a good thing.

Conversely - question is - why not a centerstand?

[tinytrains]

Ever try removing a flat wheel on the side of the road without a center stand? I won't have a bike with out one.

I use the center stand most of the time. But I do use the side stand for getting on and off the bike, and parking on sloped surfaces.

Scott

[hjsbmw]

Why does BMW offer a center stand? I know in the old days oil would drain into the left-hand cylinder and cause great smoking upon start up, but I don't think that's the case today. Is the stand there for old times sake?

Side stand is fine for quick stops, but some surfaces make it not the most reliable parking method. Many maintenance jobs are painful without a center stand also.

[Tarmac]

I know in the old days oil would drain into the left-hand cylinder and cause great smoking upon start up,

They still do that.

[Stef.]

My dealer told me that it is better for the motor to put the bike on a center stand. Mine came with one so he did not have an incentive to sell me one.
Stef.

[famousperson]

All good reasons. I guess I didn't think it through. I didn't think the oil draining into the cylinder was still an issue.

[Sander Abernathy]

As a cynic I must point out that a center stand probably costs $17 to manufacture and is a $175.00 option on a $15,000 motorcycle. If the profit on a $15,000 motorcycle is $3,000, a center stand added to the invoice increases margin by over 5%.

The last thing on my mind in the excitement of buying my first motorcycle was asking that the center be taken off the bike and the invoice. I do use it almost every time I park the bike though. I considered removing the side stand for a while but then I realized that if I don't start putting ithe side stand down before I get off the bike, I'm eventually going to drop the bike (again). I'm not real flexible and getting my leg back over the bike while also balancing it makes me a little tipsy.

If you want to make yourself jealous, go here: http://store.proitalia.com/shopbybike-monster.html

In particular, notice the $227 comfort seat, the $112 windscreen and the $240 rear fender eliminator kit.

For a larger selection of Monster farkles (without listed prices) go here: http://www.ducati.com/accessories/search/index.do

Every time I see the engine cowling, carbon headlight fairing, single seat tail, and seat cowling, I start to drool a little bit. This is particularly true since I know they all cost about half what the same accessories cost for our beloved R1200R. If they are even available for the R1200R that is. I have yet to find a rear fender eliminator kit and the scaled down Wunderlich license plate frame is $199 for a flat piece of punched and drilled sheet metal painted black.

I guess we just have to comfort ourselves with 15% more hp and 13% more torque that come standard on the R1200R and aren't available even as an option on the Monster 1100S.

[redwing]

What does a center stand weigh? Enough to worry with?...how might one change a flat without a center stand?..a plug?
Is a CS useful on the road or just for maintenance?

Robert

[mribiker]

Not only do I use the center stand for all of the reasons previously posted, it also is the best way to be sure the metal detector at a stoplight sees my bike. All I do is press it down until it just touches the road with my left foot as I cross the grid. Works every time.

[hoflix]

a center stand is a beautiful thing
amen

[sweatmark]

Example: on Saturday during current moto journey, discovered my rear tire showing steel following aggressive ride on chip/seal road surfaces. Same for my buddy on his /6. Stopped at a generic powersports dealer in small town hoping to find tires. Blessings from heaven when correct tires we're discovered.


My Rockster's centerstand made rear wheel removal a 5 minute job. Friend's /6 doesn't have its centerstand, so we hunted for materials, found milk crate, lifted bike up with 2 people, 3rd placed milk crate under bike. Had to hold the bike steady during rear wheel removal. 30 minute job.

The dealer's tech didn't have enough time to put our bikes on lift, so it was either DIY or wait until Tuesday. Glad I had my centerstand.