I don't know if this has been brought up before, but I'm watching my favorite show right now (dateline predator show - that's another thread though)...so I haven't done a search.
I just want to know who else can't stand these kickstands on the harleys. I just don't understand why they are set up so that the bike leans over so far. Not only that, but they just don't seem as rigid as they should. These are big, heavy bikes, and it just seems like the kickstands are just not very supportive. Maybe it's just me, but has anyone ever had a problem with these things? I sometimes wonder what I'd do if it broke.
Don't get me wrong. My worry isn't based on any bad experience...and I really don't know the reliabilty of these stands. The experience I do have is with my previous metric bikes. The stands on those bikes just seemed to hold the bike upright a little more and they definitely felt a little more firm. So far this has been the only thing about a metric that I might actually like a little more

So should I even be concerned? And what about alternatives if I ever did run into a problem.
I'd really like to hear what you guys think.

Todd

 

no problems at all

 

wish they were adjustable to make it stand up a lil more

 

Put a small 2x4 under your stand. The stand is all about nostalgia IMO.

 

I like the way it leans on the stand. Gives me confidence, maybe false, but confidence none the less that some tool won't walk by, bump into it, and knock it over.

 

The Harley kickstand (Jiffy Stand) is the most reliable stand on the market. It locks in place when weight is placed upon it and you can't roll the bike off by accident. A brand new Gold Wing has a stupid little straight hunk of non chromed metal holding it up. I've never had a kickstand break in over 30 years of riding Harleys.

 

I think these stands have been made the same or similiar since the early 1900's, anyone can correct me if I am wrong. Probably part of the reason they lean over so far is so that if you park your bike on an uneven surface the bike won't fall to the high side. When I had a sport bike, I had it fall to the high side when I parked it on an uneven surface because the bike sat so vertical when on the sidestand.

 

Believe it or not HD does know what they are doing. The jiffy stand is reliable and does its job. Don't worry so much.

 

The jiffy stand is the most secure and reliable side stand in use. As far as I know, only H-D and Moto Guzzi use the locking side stand.

 

I like my jiffystand. As Terry said, they work great when used correctly.

Just to let you know, mine has gone over once on the high side, and it was all my fault. No excuses or blame on the equipment. I left it on my sloped driveway thinking it had enough angle left to keep it upright. I was wrong.
Mental error on the owner.