Author Topic: Centre stand or paddock - can't make mind up! (Read 5484 times)

mr_mal · « **on:** April 03, 2012, 12:57:11 »

Hmmm... To mainly lube chain, adjust tension on L2...

Apart from parking and touring use (when I don't have access to a paddock stand) is it really worth me spending £180+ rather than £40...

Any comments from your own experience?

Juvecu · « **Reply #1 on:** April 03, 2012, 13:50:29 »

I had the centre stand on when I bought the bike. I put it on the centre stand whenever I park, but other than that I don't really have a use for it unless I'm doing maintenance. If I bought my next bike and it didn't have a centre stand I don't think I would really miss it if I had a paddock stand.

How about one of these? You can stick it under the seat or in the top box if you need it on the road. There are other brands than that one I think. Have a search on here too, I remember there was a topic about them.

greywolf · « **Reply #2 on:** April 03, 2012, 14:13:45 »

If I didn't take any overnight trips, I could do with a paddock stand. There's nothing like a center stand to do chain lubing and adjusting or even tyre replacement away from home though.

StromGeeza · « **Reply #3 on:** April 03, 2012, 14:19:47 »

Centre stand for me. There's a reason they cost what they do!

frez · « **Reply #4 on:** April 03, 2012, 15:27:46 »

I have a centre stand even though I already had a paddock stand at home for other bikes in the family.

A centre stand is simply more convenient, more stable when parked, and safer on ground that has any slight give in it. It is not essential though.

IanP · « **Reply #5 on:** April 03, 2012, 18:04:55 »

I bought this the other day, because I don't have a centre stand but the bike came with cotton reels fitted.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200704522737? ... 1497.l2649

I also use on of these so I can just ride into the garage and get off, works well with paddock stand as bike is already upright.

Keith Cross · « **Reply #6 on:** April 03, 2012, 20:21:15 »

I have 4 bikes, 2 with a centre stand (Vstrom 650 GT and Goldwing 1500) and 2 without (Aprillia 750 Dorsoduro and CRF250X). The centre stand makes maintenance and cleaning so much easier then using a paddock stand. Next best thing is an ABBA stand, but like the paddock stand they are not the sort of thing you can take on a trip.
Do I think a centre stand is worth the money, too right it is.

Keith C

mr_diver · « **Reply #7 on:** April 03, 2012, 20:31:12 »

have a centre stand on the Honda CX500, the old man's Deauville and my old 125. not on the wee and it's the next thing I'm going to fit.

I really miss the ease of rolling it onto the centre stand. paddock stands are only really any good if you have someone to steady the bike. I won't raise it up on my own just incase. - centre stand no problem.

there's some on ebay for less than £90. when I can beg some pennies out of the mrs I'll get one. but if I get it ordered and delivered to work, she'll never know.

Petrust · « **Reply #8 on:** April 04, 2012, 07:55:22 »

Quote from: "mr_diver"

paddock stands are only really any good if you have someone to steady the bike. I won't raise it up on my own just in case.

I agree entirely mr_d, putting a heavy bike on a paddock stand safely is definitely a two man job.

To do the job single handed, the bike's leaning over on its sidestand, you are at the back offering up the paddock stand to the reels, and you have to get the bike upright before you can lift it - perfect recipe for disaster.

That's why I had a centre stand fitted.......

lj03vwk · « **Reply #9 on:** April 17, 2012, 18:51:14 »

I find the centre stand I fitted invaluable for all those little jobs including cleaning the rear wheel, I'd hate to be without it.
LJ

Ubique · « **Reply #10 on:** April 17, 2012, 20:28:15 »

Couldn't be without my centre stand!

Penfold · « **Reply #11 on:** April 17, 2012, 20:30:26 »

I never had a centre stand before I got my Wee2. Wouldn't be without one now great for working on the bike cleaning and much more stable when parked up.

WeeStromer · « **Reply #12 on:** April 17, 2012, 20:55:42 »

I've always used a paddock on my wee. I put a piece of wood on the deck under the sidestand and then lift the rear.
this has worked for me, but I fancy a centre stand to help lube the chain etc when on the road and for those other jobs where you need the bike supported, ie rear shock change. I'm thinking of getting the sw motech stand.

DESERTRAIDER · « **Reply #13 on:** April 17, 2012, 20:57:20 »

its got to be a centre stand , worth their weight in gold

gourockguy · « **Reply #14 on:** June 06, 2015, 00:08:52 »

Hope it's okay to bring this thread up again after so long.

I'm looking at getting a center stand for my new 650.
The Motech instructions say that it's quite a difficult operation to fit their center stand and to consider getting a garage to do it.
Can anyone tell me if it's relatively easy to do myself?

Ratcatcher · « **Reply #15 on:** June 06, 2015, 06:11:35 »

I fitted a genuine one on my Veek recently, was worried about fitting the springs, but it was really easy, just made a loop of wire out of a coat hanger and used a screwdriver to lever them on, then cut free the wire. half hour job in total.
Don't see how the sw motech one can be harder.

awicks · « **Reply #16 on:** June 06, 2015, 08:11:12 »

I fitted the sw motech one to my glee. Wasn't particularly tricky and took less than an hour. If you have the tools and are willing, you should have no problems. I found fitting the spring so easy that I thought I'd done it wrong and then spent the next ten minutes investigating before concluding that it was right after all. I use my centre stand all the time now, and the mechanic likes it when I take it in for any work as it makes their lives easier too.

Andy

MartinW · « **Reply #17 on:** June 06, 2015, 09:00:09 »

I'm not a mechanical person, but I fitted mine without too much bother.

gourockguy · « **Reply #18 on:** June 06, 2015, 12:27:04 »

Cheers blokes...I'll fit one myself then!

docdl650 · « **Reply #19 on:** June 06, 2015, 13:02:34 »

first time posting on the site . Have you considered getting a second hand one ,getting it blasted and powder coated . Got mine coated for under 20 quid . Hard to deal with a front wheel puncture/removal on the road without one.