I once mentioned here how our Ultra leans so far over on the kickstand, and was told that was so you could mount from the right side, and the bike wouldn't tip over. I didn't believe it, so I went out to the garage in the dead of winter and tried it. Sure enough, it's virtually impossible to stand on the right floorboard or footpeg on the right side, with the bike on the jiffy stand, and get it to tip over to the right.

However, when we tried doing it that way, I found it difficult to not only raise the bike upright, but also toget the jiffy stand up wtih both of us on the bike. So I still mount, lift the bike up and raise the jiffy stand, plant both feet and she gets on. We do the opposite for dismounting.

 

You can scoot that rig all around your garage floor with the jiffy stand down. It's meant to stay "locked" when down and the bike weight is leaning on it. I do it all the time. Trust it!
As for my wife... she gets on and off with the stand up and down. Really depends on how ready I feel at the time. No big deal either way.

 

With the Kickstand up or down is ok as long as the bike is not running!!! Better safe than sorry!!

 

I get on, GF gets on...I get off, GF gets off.
Just the way it has been for ever.

 

I believe the best and safest way to mount is for the rider to get on first, put upthe stand and raise the bike while holding the front brake. The passenger puts her hand on my shoulder to steady herself and (which also lets me know shes coming) puts her foot on the passenger board then she steps over and sits on the seat. When she's settledI start the bike and go. Having her hold you shoulder makes it easier for her but also will keep you from being surprised someday when the motors running and you don't see her coming.

You reverse the routine to dismount. I also think it's important to create and do the same routine however you do it.

Ride well,

Jim

 

We use both methods both seem to work just fine.....

 

+1

My wife is 5' so I had to raise the passenger footboards to their highest position so her feet would reach. (even with the comfort profile bag guards) Now, for her to get off the bike, I have to lean it WAY over on the left for her to step off. Then I place it on the kickstand to dismount.

 

+1 on rider mounting first, holding bike upright for passenger to mount/dismount.
One very important detail that an MSF instructor friend taught me: keep thekickstand extended while your passenger mounts/dismounts (even though you're holding the bike level). In case you have a misshap, and you loose it, the bike won't fall over - the kickstand will stop it.

 

Kroozer, I agree, but when dismounting, I have to lean the bike more than the kickstand will allow to let her off...

 

So I guess that the concensus is that most wives mount from the left side when the driver has it up?