Touring model (sg) kickstand
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,140
Likes: 17
From: Wisconsin
Like everyone said, you will get used to it. I have an '08 RK and it took a while to get rid of the fear even knowing how the stand worked. The other day we took out the shovel for a short ride and we parked at the curb on an incline. I haven't ridden it in a while so when I put the stand down and got off it moved forward, I thought no big deal but forgot I wasn't on the RK. Damn thing rolled about four feet down the hill on the side stand before I ran to grab it. I'm just glad it stopped on it's own. Was pretty damn funny, so after all these years, yep, **** still happens. Anticipating the "why don't you park in gear" questions, 'cause I hate that forward lunge when I forget it's in gear and kick it. I guess I could count on the neutral light, oh yeah, it don't have one of those either ....
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,602
Likes: 3
From: Southeastern Michigan
It's a learning curve - once you get used to it you'll realize there's none better!
As stated - it locks in - you can push the bike forward and backward on level cement/ashfault while on the stand.
As stated - it locks in - you can push the bike forward and backward on level cement/ashfault while on the stand.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,622
Likes: 1
From: Topeka, KS
What he said! It freaked me out the first time I got off and the bike rolled forward a bit. Any of the bikes I had before that would have been a signal I was about to see my bike laying on the ground. The HD stand is the greatest, just let it grow on you.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
After living with these FLH kickstands for 13 years and being around others who ride metrics, I can say that this is the most stable perch imaginable. Once the bike leans onto the kickstand it will not fall over even if you're on an immoderate grade either fore or aft. It does have some slack, but it isn't going anywhere and it definitely won't fall over. You'll get used to it and in time you will appreciate it.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,413
Likes: 17
From: eastern oklahoma
have someone sit on your bike upright, while the kickstand is down. it's a very clumsy design, but it's the way harley has been making kickstands it seems like forever. while your friend is sitting on your bike holding it upright with the kickstand down, work it through it's range of motion and you'll see the method of their madness. it locks into position when it's down. foolproof is the word that comes to mind. if you think the jiffy stand on the touring bikes feels weird, it's even stranger on a dyna, they seem to lean back more. harleys jiffy stand just works, has stood the test of time, so why try to improve something that works? very dependable and once you study how they work, you'll have confidence that it'll hold your bike up. i cannot think of any aftermarket replacement that can compare with the functionality and durability.
