In gear anywhere but my garage. Kill switch then key, with the forks locked. Can't seem to find the kick stand on my trike...

 

Never missed putting the side stand down, but have forgotten to put it back up a few times (on my Goldwing, never on the Harley...).

What gear I park it in depends on the parking position. If it's flat and level it goes in neutral...if there is anything of an up or downhill grade it goes in 1st.

Usually use the kill switch when parking, release the clutch and turn the ignition off with my left hand while holding the brake. Sometimes will just turn off the ignition if there is no chance of the bike rolling when I let go of the brakes, though.

Almost always put the transmission in neutral when waiting at a light unless I know it's going to be a short one.

Always lock the forks unless I'm only going to be a few feet from my bike. Even at a retaurant or bar where I can see it clearly the forks still get locked.

Overnight the bike goes into an upright stand in my garage. I haven't had the Harley on a trip long enough to require an overnight stay away from home yet, but when I rode the Wing the bike goes on the center-stand with the forks locked, all the bags locked, and the stereo system removed if I'm staying at a hotel or a friend's place.

 

Usually just shut it off with the ignition and park it in neutral if ground is flat. I'll use the fork lock if in a public place where I can't keep an eye on it. Have yet to forget the kickstand.

 

Get on, start, ride.

Stop, turn off, get off.

 

Any pictures of the procedure?

 

WOW, Alot of info here, I think I'll print this off (with Wsteed's method highlighted) and tape it to my gas tank in case I forget . LOL

 

My system doesn't require much thought process.....

 

do what feels good to you...the only thing that should be written is stone is do not park the bike facing downhill. the slope of the ground should determine everything about how you park the bike. the rest-lock forks, use kill switch, in gear(maybe important on a severe slope), starting with clutch in/or in nuetral, and so on is a matter of personal choice. always try to park on level ground...if not, park facing up the slope.

 

Park in neutral at home and at work-in gear elsewhere (got a bike pushed off the kickstand in the French Quarter once) kill switch then ignition, never lock the forks, forgot the kickstand once-fortunately it was on a Honda Get on the bike however it suits me at the moment.

 

I shut it off in gear, don't shut off the gas, pull in the clutch and roll back into a parking space. Go into neutal when I go to start it up.