Where do you park?
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Columbus, Ohio
Where do you park?
Hey all, just getting a little lay of the land here... when I run to the store to pick up a single item on my scoot, I always try to avoid parking on blacktop in the heat because the kickstand can sink and the ride will fall over. So, I always pull up on the concrete right at the front. I get a few looks from some people as if I'm parking in the handicapped spaces, but I don't care about that much. I don't want to damage the bike! People can easily pull into spaces as well without seeing it. Therein lies another danger. Just curious about your practices and experiences with this...
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 396
Likes: 7
From: Dubuque, Iowa
I agree. I would be way to worried about somebody doing something to the bike thinking I was just being a jacka$$ and parking right next to the building. If they don't ride, they don't know about the stand sinking. I always carry a coaster looking think to stick under my stand. As far as where I park, I will usually park at the front of the lot on the striped lined areas, because I have seen a young punk go flying into an "empty" parking spot and wiped out the bike that was sitting in it.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 450
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
Read it again Einstein,
just kidding. 
He didn't say he parked in a handicapped spot, he said where he does park, he get's looks AS IF he's parked in a handicapped spot. And honestly, I have a question. Is it true and how damn hot does it have to get for black top to give way on the kick stand?
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 396
Likes: 7
From: Dubuque, Iowa
We have blacktop here at work and one day last week it was no warmer than 75 and I didn't use my coaster because I was going to be in and out, well 30 min later my stand was about 1/4 down. Last year a guy pulled in and parked his bike and an hour later he almost lost it. Blacktop gets hot and soft fast!
Trending Topics
Cruiser
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: Newnan, GA
I pull into regular parking spots and put down the kickstand. We get temps in the 90s in direct sunlight and have yet to see the kickstand sink into the pavement. However, I will park in the shade if I can.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Columbus, Ohio
I was in my MSF course a while back and some guy pulled up on his rice burner. Threw the kickstand down, and joined us on the course on the issued bikes. It was pretty hot, may low to mid 80s, but not scorching. And hour in, we hear a racket as we ramped up for the next drill... over went the burner. Even though he drove a stupid bike, I felt bad for him. Had quite a bit of damage on it. He tried to play it cool, but if my baby ever collapsed I would get in the fetal position and cry myself to sleep right there on the hot blacktop.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: Deep in the South
Not from the south, are ya?
Where I live in South Carolina 100+ degree days are not uncommon. The blacktop gets so hot that putting your hand down on it will give you blisters in seconds. When it is that hot, and you balance several hundred pounds on your stand without a "coaster", you can expect to have to pick up your ride when you come back out of the store.
We didn't move an ambulance for four days once. When we tried to pull out, it didn't want to move. Further examination revealed the unit had sunk into the blacktop about three inches. The fire department now makes us move the truck around daily to ensure we don't do that again.
We didn't move an ambulance for four days once. When we tried to pull out, it didn't want to move. Further examination revealed the unit had sunk into the blacktop about three inches. The fire department now makes us move the truck around daily to ensure we don't do that again.