Just bought my first Harley, I got a 97 Electra glide classic, and so far I love my bike, but I get very nervous when I park my bike and put it on the kick stand. It feels like its gonna fall, I never felt this with my metrics, am I just being paranoid about dropping my baby or just over reacting, any thoughts

 

Been discussed many times, not gonna fall over as long as you deploy it down all the way, it has a locking lug to prevent it from moving with the weight of the bike on it.


The Harley Stand is actually a pretty stout design.

 

Very common complaint. I hate mine. It always rolls forward till it catches. Gives me a coronary every time.

 

The jiffy stand is pretty sturdy on these bikes. Yes that's what HD calls it.

What really freaked me out at first was when I parked on a slight downslope the first day I got my RK, the bike started to move forward slightly. Just about had a heart attack thinking the bike was going to keep rolling and take a dive. I found out the stand will lock in place once the bike is on it. You can actually rock the bike back and forth on the stand and the bike isn't going anywhere.

 

its a good stand from what i have experienced, i will put the stand down and pull the bike back and then let it move to a neutral possition... it has never gone anywhere

 

Once you get used to it you'll be fine. JR

 

I understand your fear, I've been there!
But if you look closely you can see that it will lock.

 

Thanks Guys

 

do not park pointed down a slope.

leave the bike in gear


push the Jiffy stand forward with your foot.

turn and lock the bars

squarsh a mountain dew can if on soft surface- kick it under the jiffy pad

mike

 

It certainly helps if you can observe how it's constructed, and how it actually works. Get the bike up vertical (supported- lift, chock, whatever) and work the stand with your hands, see how the locking tab fits into the slot when the bike leans (lift up the stand leg). That should demonstrate how solid and sturdy the device really is.
Most important take away is to remember to actually lower the stand before you lean the bike. I've not done that yet, but I came very close once. Inspect/lubricate the stand as part of your maintenance program