Kick stand strength.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 322,622
Likes: 3,077
From: .....
Funny thing...when I try to "jiffy" it down, I always end up KICKING it. So yeah, Harley's have kickstands. 
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 77
Likes: 26
From: Long Island
I've been thinking the same thing as the OP. I'm new to Harley but every time I lean the bike onto the stand I feel like it's a half an inch from going over.
Anyone ever have the jiffy stand collapse?
Anyone ever have the jiffy stand collapse?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,086
Likes: 19,248
From: The Wasteland
IMO Harley makes the BEST kickstand in the industry. As a matter of fact I was working on my 00 Sportster in my shed years ago. While I was working I must have accidentally bumped it into gear because once I had it all back together I was sitting beside it and I reached up and thumbed the starter thinking it was still in neutral. The second I hit the starter I got the scare of my life as I watched my nearly brand new Sporty scoot across the floor and run right smack dab into an old stove that was in the corner of the shed. It hit the stove and glanced off then hit the wall. The front fender got a little tweaked and had a small scratch on it but the bike never cam off the kickstand and the stand did not bend of fold up even a little bit.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 9,238
Likes: 5,784
From: On the Big Blue marble
My engineer observation. The stand does not flex, I never saw one do that... What you maybe seeing is the bike and stand move slightly on the pivot where the stand joins the frame..It could look like the stand moved. My kid asked me the same question when they 1st started riding.. I was dumbfounded too..
BTW - not a dumb question..
PS - IF by some million to one shot your stand is actually flexing - Change it!
BTW - not a dumb question..
PS - IF by some million to one shot your stand is actually flexing - Change it!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,005
Likes: 53
From: ID Ho
Had a CSP motor officer that was to short to reach the ground with both feet, when he would drop off for service he would roll in, kick the stand out, come to a complete stop, fall onto the stand then climb off the bike, never broke one....they are tough!
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 378
Likes: 100
From: PA
None that I know of. Harley's tend to lean over on their kickstands more than the other bikes i've owned. They're plenty strong!
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 891
Likes: 210
From: Clarksville, TN
I used to be able to do this too. Not so much these days. I use my lift to do just about everything to my bike, including washing it. My back doesn't like me when I'm bent all the way over to clean the motor.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 16,021
Likes: 7,147
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
The stand arm does "flex" slightly when mass is put upon it. It also returns to form when the mass is removed.
The mass being a "side load" can't help but flex, or fail.
The mass being a "side load" can't help but flex, or fail.
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Joe Kucinski
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 21,737
Likes: 17,577
From: Driftless Area
I have gone into places where parking was iffy at best. On an incline, because I had no other choice, I have actually pulled the bike to the kickstand side to get it to lean, and felt both tires lift while pivoting on it.
The only issue I've ever had was in the Big Horn mountains of Wyoming. We went down this little rabbit trail to go look at something, and I hit a rock on the bottom of the frame. It had a terrible rattle after that, and I thought I had really broken something. We were in the middle of nowhere, and it wasn't leaking, so I rode it into Cody. When I got into town and could examine it better, it turns out that when I hit the rock, it slid the rubber kickstand bumper back toward the rear, allowing the kickstand to rattle against the frame rail. I moved the bumper back into place, and all was well again.
Electra-Glides make lousy dirt bikes.
The only issue I've ever had was in the Big Horn mountains of Wyoming. We went down this little rabbit trail to go look at something, and I hit a rock on the bottom of the frame. It had a terrible rattle after that, and I thought I had really broken something. We were in the middle of nowhere, and it wasn't leaking, so I rode it into Cody. When I got into town and could examine it better, it turns out that when I hit the rock, it slid the rubber kickstand bumper back toward the rear, allowing the kickstand to rattle against the frame rail. I moved the bumper back into place, and all was well again.
Electra-Glides make lousy dirt bikes.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 778
Likes: 178
From: Maine
They're strong. I did the most STUPID and ROOKIE mistake ever the other day.....and am still kicking myself for doing it. I was in the local watering hole and I let a buddy who I'm trying to convince to buy a bike take mine for a spin. Later on when I went to leave I was throwing my gear on, started the bike to warm it up (it's carbureted and I wasn't on it) it jumped forward a foot or 2 but stayed up. My friend left it in 1st and I always leave it in neutral......I didn't even think to check. The bike stayed upright thanks to the strong kickstand. I felt like the biggest jackass on the planet. (.......and BTW, before someone asks... alcohol was not involved)