Putting bike on stands for the winter (need opinions)

**The Snowman** · 10-08-06, 12:10 PM

I'm looking to get stands for my CBR for this winter.

Unfortunately, I only have a limited amount of cash. (about $150)

So, should I get a rear pitbull stand, which everyone says are awesome and put the front tire on a thick piece of padding, to keep it off the ground? Or should I opt for a less expensive brand, which I can get a set of front and rear?

Example:
FRONT

REAR

Oh, and spools aren't an option, since I'd have to drill into my swingarm or weld something on to accommodate spools.

**MissTwisties** · 10-08-06, 12:20 PM

Can I ask why we have to put the bike on a stand in the first place? Something to do with the suspension I assume...Sorry for my ignorance...

**The Snowman** · 10-08-06, 12:24 PM

Well, the triple tree front stand unloads the bike off its forks.

The rear stand actually keeps the rear loaded on its suspension.

It actually takes the bike off its tires and resists flat spots on them that might occur if you leave the bike on bare concrete.

**union** · 10-08-06, 12:40 PM

I have the pitbull front and rear stands. You really cant beat the quality but they are more expensive then other stands out there. I know some people have bought Handy Stands and have been happy with those so that might be the direction to go.

Here is their CBR set. http://www.handyindustries.com/shop/...ct=839&D=1&S=4

**Daytona440** · 10-08-06, 12:42 PM

pitbull or woodcraft...i have both and neither have let me down...

**duey** · 10-08-06, 01:20 PM

1 option is to get the rear pitbull stand, and lift and set the front forks on jackstands. If you need a stand we've got a few instock here at SSM

**akira700** · 10-08-06, 02:45 PM

get what you can afford
your bike will survive the winter without them too.
just put some extra pressure in them...
a pad under the tires is a good idea too.

You just want to prevent a flat spot in your tires...
I guess you could also just roll the bike
around from time to time too.

**Josephd14** · 10-08-06, 03:12 PM

Originally posted by duey
1 option is to get the rear pitbull stand, and lift and set the front forks on jackstands. If you need a stand we've got a few instock here at SSM

Thats what i was thinking or you can do it in reverse, although i'd rather have arear stand.. you can get acouple cheap jack stands at walmart..

**union** · 10-08-06, 03:27 PM

Originally posted by josephd14
Thats what i was thinking or you can do it in reverse, although i'd rather have arear stand.. you can get acouple cheap jack stands at walmart..

A front stand is pretty much useless unless you have the rear stand. The front just pretty much lifts the bike up but really adds no stability. I had my front stand first by a mistake by the guy I bought it from and it just sat until I got the rear stand in.

Youre definately better off getting the rear first and trying jackstands or blocks for the front.

**Degsy** · 10-08-06, 04:00 PM

Originally posted by Daytona440
pitbull or woodcraft...i have both and neither have let me down...

I agree. Pitbull or Woodcraft. The pitbull rear and woodcraft front are the best.

derek

**theothersean** · 10-08-06, 04:02 PM

I have a set of handy stands and have been more than pleased with their performance.
How ever, I have 4 bikes in the garage and at one point we had 6 . I do not own 6 sets of stands . the garage floor is concrete.

I have never had a problem with the tires getting flat spots in them and I'm pretty sure there are no ill effects to the suspension either.

If how ever you were going to leave the bike out in a shed on a dirt floor I would get the tires up so they don't actually freeze to the ground.

On a side note if you own a trailer its a good idea to jack it up and put wood or blocks under the tires so they don't freeze into the ground.

As for the bike in the garage, just add an extra 10 psi of air to the tires ( just remember to re check your pressure again before that first ride.) If you are really worried about it get a couple of cheap door mats from walmart or some scrap pieces of carpet. and put one under each tire as it sits on the garage floor.

**Josephd14** · 10-08-06, 04:48 PM

Originally posted by union
A front stand is pretty much useless unless you have the rear stand. The front just pretty much lifts the bike up but really adds no stability. I had my front stand first by a mistake by the guy I bought it from and it just sat until I got the rear stand in.

Youre definately better off getting the rear first and trying jackstands or blocks for the front.

Jack stands under rear spools, with a front stand works, but yea I would rather have a rear stand and use jack stands under the front..

**lee955i** · 10-09-06, 12:27 AM

Ya know, I lived in upstate NY for 30 years and owned a bike almost the entire time. I've never had and have never talked to anyone who has flat spotted a tire during winter storage.
With that said, I use stands just so it can be stuck in the corner and take up less room.
Cheers, Lee S.

**greenmonster** · 10-09-06, 06:46 AM

Ive been riding for 20 years. Ive winterized and stored for the winter. In recent years, I've been keeping the bike in running mode all year round, cuz theres always those days when riding is doable, even when its February, as long as the streets are dry and clear. Ok, so...if you store it, and its on a cement or similar surface, one which conducts cold and retains moisture, then place some sort of padding under each tire. What I use is this blue, closed cell insulation type of foam padding. It has the feeling of a dense spongy material. One, it doesnt hold moisture. Two, its about an inch or more thick and provides adequate insulation. You can use just about any kind of padding; any is better than none...Im just anal by choosing a material that is non-moisture absorbing. The purpose is to keep the tire surface off the cold cement. The stuff I have just happens to be a strip that is a bit longer than my bikes wheelbase, so I just drive up onto it. But a pad a foot square will do nicely too.

**wylee** · 10-09-06, 08:31 AM

I have that rear stand. I bought the front and rear set from the same seller earlier this summer. They're working great for me and the are very sturdy, but I have spools. I'm not sure how well it'd work without the spools, and i can't try it for ya because I sawsalled the end off that was to lift the swingarm itself; it would hit my rear caliper when I tried to lift the rear via the spools.

**richw** · 10-09-06, 08:49 AM

I never had real problem flatting tires
I just put in about 10 extra PSI and

forgettaboutit

I do love my rear stand for service and security though.

**SSearchVT** · 10-09-06, 08:56 AM

I put a piece of rigid foam insulation under the front tire, and keep the back on a stand for the winter. No problems yet...

**The Snowman** · 10-09-06, 05:50 PM

Well, I'm ordering a set of rear pit bull stands and am going to opt for the jack stands to get me through this winter.

Thanks for all the ideas.

**The Snowman** · 10-12-06, 07:16 AM

I managed to find the forward arm rear stand for $122 + $15 shipping online.

I need this stand, since I'll be parking the bike across my garage and space is limited.

Duey, I remember you saying the SSMS has the forward arm stands there.

How much are they getting for the standard stands? If they're less than $137 w/ tax, I'd probably shoot out there.

**stoinkythepig** · 10-12-06, 08:05 AM

I think the flat spots go away in a couple of miles of riding and I never bother to put any of my bikes on stands.

If I could not afford to spend more than 150 bucks on something, I'd surely put the money elsewhere beside stands used to prevent a temporary tire problem.

**Honclfibr** · 10-12-06, 08:23 AM

Handy stands aren't.

**The Snowman** · 10-12-06, 08:26 AM

I'm not just buying them, for winter storage. I'm also tired of having to roll the bike forward when I clean and lube the chain.

It's much easier to do chain maintenance when you can free-wheel the rear wheel.

**stoinkythepig** · 10-12-06, 08:50 AM

Originally posted by 97BladeRider
I'm not just buying them, for winter storage. I'm also tired of having to roll the bike forward when I clean and lube the chain.

It's much easier to do chain maintenance when you can free-wheel the rear wheel.

This is true. I have a cheapo, $69, rear stand with vinyl coated pads that's worked well for years for this purpose. Never owned a front stand, but then I have a winch hanging from my garage ceiling for whenever I need to lift something, like a bike. It's proven far more useful than a front stand for my needs

**duey** · 10-12-06, 08:51 AM

Originally posted by 97BladeRider
I managed to find the forward arm rear stand for $122 + $15 shipping online.

I need this stand, since I'll be parking the bike across my garage and space is limited.

Duey, I remember you saying the SSMS has the forward arm stands there.

How much are they getting for the standard stands? If they're less than $137 w/ tax, I'd probably shoot out there.

I don't think my boss will let me sell it anymore than 149+tax.

Oh and also, if you go with the forward arm version i just remembered that that stand only comes with the spool adapter. They have the non-spooled attatchment that you may need, i think we sell it for 15bux.

**The Snowman** · 10-12-06, 09:11 AM

Standard Pit Bull Stands

Putting bike on stands for the winter (need opinions)

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