Newbie question

[pdog]

I bought a dirt bike stand for my supermoto bike so I could do some maintenance, one of these:

http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1...O-ADJ-LFT-STND

What I didn't expect was that once my bike was off the floor, it would be very unstable because it's center balanced. A light push on either side will tip the bike over. So what's the point of this thing?

What can I use to get at least the rear tire off the ground so I can change the rear tire, lube the chain, etc easily? I'd love to somehow install rear bobbins as I already have an adjustable rear stand but I don't think my DRZ's swingarm has mounting points for them.

Ideas?

[TYEster]

Originally Posted by pdog

I bought a dirt bike stand for my supermoto bike so I could do some maintenance, one of these:

http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1...O-ADJ-LFT-STND

What I didn't expect was that once my bike was off the floor, it would be very unstable because it's center balanced. A light push on either side will tip the bike over. So what's the point of this thing?

What can I use to get at least the rear tire off the ground so I can change the rear tire, lube the chain, etc easily? I'd love to somehow install rear bobbins as I already have an adjustable rear stand but I don't think my DRZ's swingarm has mounting points for them.

Ideas?

If you put it under your dirtbike right, it should sit fine?

By fine I mean, as long as you have it balanced on there, it shouldn't move at all. However tugging, pulling, pushing, wrenching hard on the bike will have the consequence of an unstable stand. I've used a friends stand that had a tad more surface area than that, and I've gotten both wheels off, replaced a chain, straightened out forks, and basically got the bike down to frame and motor almost.

So as long as you don't really manhandle the bike while it's on the stand, it shouldn't go anywhere, just make sure you've got the right balance point.(also a nice rubber pad on the top of the stand should help)

[pdog]

Yeah, that's what the guys at CycleGear said when I returned it. I'm not sure if it's my bike or me but the bike felt a lot more unstable than I was comfortable with.

I just checked - it doesn't have rear bobbin mounts but it does have a hollow rear axle. At this point, it's probably worth it just to pay someone to change the tire on the bike for me.

[TYEster]

Originally Posted by pdog

Yeah, that's what the guys at CycleGear said when I returned it. I'm not sure if it's my bike or me but the bike felt a lot more unstable than I was comfortable with.

I just checked - it doesn't have rear bobbin mounts but it does have a hollow rear axle. At this point, it's probably worth it just to pay someone to change the tire on the bike for me.

Is your bike a convert from a MX bike or a purpose-built motard? *NM-checked under you avatar

I don't think motard wheels would be that MUCH heavier than MX, but then again I wouldn't know.

Otherwise I'd just get a bigger stand. Or make one

[pdog]

The stand also wouldn't slide under the bike - I had to raise the bike with an improvised ramp. Screw that, I'm looking for something like this:

http://austin.craigslist.org/mcy/1103145984.html

Hydraulics and tiedowns. :-)

[James]

Most motards are going to be too low for a standard MX stand like that - the KTM i had was too low for my MX stands, too. Just pick it up and set it up there, Brenda

[Trip]

I have the same one for my DRZ and it works fine.

[azoomm]

Mike, you have a motard. They are shorter than dirt bikes. The stand you just returned can be converted to easily fit under your bike. I have the same one for my ktm, and it isn't fall-proof, but it works well for me.

[pdog]

Originally Posted by azoomm

Mike, you have a motard. They are shorter than dirt bikes.

I know that now. :-)

Originally Posted by azoomm

The stand you just returned can be converted to easily fit under your bike. I have the same one for my ktm, and it isn't fall-proof, but it works well for me.

I didn't notice that. Sounds like a feature they should be trumpeting to avoid unnecessary returns.

[azoomm]

Originally Posted by pdog

I didn't notice that. Sounds like a feature they should be trumpeting to avoid unnecessary returns.

One thing I've noticed with CycleGear. They mean well, but it isn't rocket science. And, if they don't ride dirt - or in some cases street, you get the wrong answers. They don't always admit what they don't know.

There is part of the assembly that comes off and it slides right under. The foot pedal is actually a beautiful idea. It is actually one of the better options out there.