Hi guys, I have a couple questions to ask: 1. is it okay to get on and also get off the bike while it is on its side stand? You know, bike on its side stand, stand on the left foot peg and throw right leg over the bike, like mounting a horse? I find that with a tail bag on, it's difficult to get on the bike without standing on the foot peg first. 2. Octane booster: If (and when) I have to use octane booster, do I have to use one that is "Oxygen sensor safe"? Thanks in advance guys, bob
Bob i dont recommend octane boost but have never used it...I have however broken a few stands doing as you describe. Id be careful mounting this way. Rob
Having been a riding instructor for almost 20 years, I would say this is not the right way to mount and dismount a bike. On the other hand, that is exactly how I get on and off my 630, especially when it is loaded up. With riding, there are very few real rules, just guidelines that can be wriggled around. Be aware that the side stand on the 630 has been known to fail. "Oxygen sensor safe"? Get the power-up kit and lose the sensor. Problem solved.
Thanks Rob and Sizzler. I don't use octane booster, but there are places here where 98 octane <EDIT: it's 95 octane> (and sometimes 92 octane) are not available, the gas stations only sell 89 octane. It is for a ride to those places that I think octane booster will be useful. Bob
My buddy has a 690 and his side stand is rock solid. He always mounts using the foot peg as you describe. However I've already bent the side stand bracket on my TE610. The side stand foot is pretty unreliable on dirt (I welded on a bigger foot). So I mount by holding the left handle bar and doing a hopping/kicking action. As Sizzler says, it probably wouldn't get the instructors seal of approval, but it is effective. It also feels very Starsky and Hutch.
I've been mounting my 630 like a horse (foot on peg, swing the leg over) for the past several thousand kays, no problems whatsoever. Mind you I did make up a custom kickstand-stop so it could take the load + not tip over so much
+1 on the kickstand stop to keep the load on the stand more vertical than horizontal. I always do the horse mount. Pretty sure the kickstand is forged alum. In the US we have 87/89/91 octane, If I was traveling a long distance w/o access to prem I might carry some boost. The big thing is make sure the factory leanness has been corrected, lean+low oct fuel = bad things. If I was doing a RTW ride I'd set the bike a little rich. .
Bob....not that this means much but after I searched a bit for the circumstances you mention the booster is a good idea. Many argue the importance of octane rating but from my experience on a bike it does have a dramatic and potentially harmful effect if low. Best of luck with your trip.
Be careful or this will happen. This was when it was Brandy New , was stepping back to get a good shot of it and the kickstand snapped while i was focusing in on it.Talk about being bummed.
Now my WR and TXC I can mount it with the kick stand down. I even kick start the WR while standing on the peg. My buddies think thats crazy. The Orange guys. If you lean on an orange one the stand will break.
