Is there a better option than the stock kickstand? I'm sure I'm being paranoid but this thing is squirrelly and makes me nervous as hell

 

Believe it or not the Harley kick stand is one of the best.
You can't just push it off the kickstand like you can some others that I've had.

I think they did make a center stand you could put on your bike if you wanted to.

 

you may need a new pin or bushing for the stock one.

 

Relax man, it's as safe as houses. When I bought my first Harley, back in the '70s, they were as rare as hen's teeth over here in the UK. I would show off my jiffy (and new bike) by parking it on a steep hill, pointing either up or down, so it would roll, dragging the stand with it. Putting it in gear stopped that. Try it!

 

What he said ...

 

The stands are plenty stout and work well.

Ya get used to it

WP

 

For some reason, my "jiffy stand" sits at an angle that looks like it's about to fold up, but that's where it locks. If I had a dollar for everyone who has said "your bike's going to fall over", I'd have a bunch of dollars, but it works.

 

Indeed. Having mentioned the '70s, for many years here in the UK we had only one dealer. He would service an FLH, including removing both wheels, by jacking it up with two trolley jacks (you chaps may call them something else!) under the right side of the frame, the bike leaning on it's jiffy.

I understand the jiffy was actually invented by CHIPS, so their officers could put down their stand while using the same foot to dismount, no doubt while drawing their sidearm.....

 

I have just ordered a new spring for my kickstand on the 91 Ultra.
Unlikely your ride will fall over, the kickstand is well designed as close inspection of it reveals. Almost as dangerous as the ride falling over is a kickstand not returning to its position on the frame due to a weak/old spring
hence the reason I am replacing the spring. Just saying.

 

I still remember my heart stopping when a dealer demonstrated the Jiffy Stand on a brand new 'glide back in the late 80's. He pushed the bike, it moved forward, my heart stopped - certain that it would fall over and domino the bikes next to it. He, naturally, got a good snicker out of my reaction....