Touring model (sg) kickstand
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 78
Likes: 1
From: N. Chelmsford, MA
Hey everyone. I'm new to the forum. I hate to post before properly introducing myself but I speciflcally looked up the topic of jiffy stands becasue of what happened to me yesterday. I parked my RK Classic on unevenly sloped pavement, so that the bike was leaning quite a bit on the kickstand side, much more so than usual. I think the bike was also facing slightly down hill, with the bike in neutral. When I got off the bike I noticed the kickstand was angled dangerously back to the rear wheel, more so than normal. I didn't realize the bike was also moving forward. The kickstand seemed to groan under the weight of the awkward lean angle. As I stood there looking at the odd angle of the kickstand I wondered to myself if the locking mechanism will keep the bike from dropping. Just then the kickstand popped and the bike fell over, hitting me on both legs. I'm fine, and the bike is fine, having come to rest on the highway bars.
I'm wondering if I should now have the kickstand mechanism checked to see if it was damaged from giving out under the strain. It seems to work ok but I'm not an expert. I'm sure the design is sound but the locking mechanism will obviously fail under certain circumstances and can only withstand the forces of physics to a point. I learned an important lesson of where and where not to park this bike. Despite this disturbing incident I'm loving the RKC. I look forward to learning a lot from the members on this forum.
I'm wondering if I should now have the kickstand mechanism checked to see if it was damaged from giving out under the strain. It seems to work ok but I'm not an expert. I'm sure the design is sound but the locking mechanism will obviously fail under certain circumstances and can only withstand the forces of physics to a point. I learned an important lesson of where and where not to park this bike. Despite this disturbing incident I'm loving the RKC. I look forward to learning a lot from the members on this forum.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
The is a mod out that is available at no cost from your dealership...
http://www.box.net/services/ipaper_b...red/rexckaoutx
Hope this helps!
Sam
http://www.box.net/services/ipaper_b...red/rexckaoutx
Hope this helps!
Sam
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,272
Likes: 83
From: Southern California
Amen to that! Still gets me sometimes.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,092
Likes: 1
From: USA
I get that all the time too,have even had a few guys standing next to me that don't ride Tourers grab my bike for fear of it falling. I just bought my wife a Heritage and the kickstand is NOT at all the same. I almost dropped it a few times till I got used to it not locking in place like mine does. I just get off the RG and lean'er over and get off with no woyyies at all,I would NEVER do that with the Heritage.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,413
Likes: 17
From: eastern oklahoma
have a friend sit on your bike and hold it upright, then with your hand work the kickstand observing how it's made and how it works. they're very dependable, and lock into position very well. once you see and understand how it works, your worries will be a thing of the past.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,121
Likes: 300
From: New Mexico-No, you don't need a passport.
It works exactly the way it was designed to. It still makes my butt pucker every time it moves after I put it down, but I have complete faith in it.
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Like a lot of other Harley riders, I leave my bike in gear as a matter of habit when I put it on the kickstand. Bike hardly rolls at all.
I'd definitely have a real good look at the kickstand. The kickstand "popped"? But didn't break? I don't see how it could have given way without breaking.....
As I stood there looking at the odd angle of the kickstand I wondered to myself if the locking mechanism will keep the bike from dropping. Just then the kickstand popped and the bike fell over, hitting me on both legs. I'm fine, and the bike is fine, having come to rest on the highway bars.
I love it when that happens.
The reactions by some are priceless. 
Funny even after you tell them it is fine they still wanna doubt you and think it is still gonna fall.