What's safer. Center stand or kickstand?

[calamari]

Sometimes I feel like the kickstand will not 'hold' if somebody were to lean against the bike from the right side... not that I will do it or allow other to do it, but many people don't respect other people's property  :x

I was wondering, is it a bad idea to leave the bike on a center stand while parking somewhere? or should I keep using the kickstand?

[Alphamazing]

I had my bike on the kickstand, and some jerk backed into my bike, knocking it over. It would have fallen had it been on the centerstand, though. The kickstand just makes a different triangle. Kickstand makes it more stable lateraly, while the centerstand makes it more stable longitudinaly.

[dgyver]

I have seen some bikes fall over from being on the center stand and sinking into soft asphalt. All the bikes I have owned in the past 15 years only had side stands. Never had an issue with them. I carry a metal plate to put the stand on if parking where it may sink in.

[Cal Amari]

I use the centerstand 99.999% of the time; YMMV.

[TarzanBoy]

The kickstand has a much larger 'footprint' than the centerstand, which makes it the 'safer' stand to use.  The kick stand is pretty sturdy.  On flat ground, you should be able to sit on your bike like a bench, no problem, with the kickstand down.    This can also be done with the centerstand, but its definitely riskier since its 'feet' are so close together.

Contrary to what alphafire said, the centerstand isn't more stable 'longitudinally' on the centerstand... it is definitely less stable.  A quick measurement of the points of contact the bike has with the ground vs its center of mass easily proves that.  

The advantage of the centerstand is that the weight is not distributed over as large a surface area, and that its center of mass does not move as far from riding position... giving it more inertia than it has on the kickstand (it won't *start* moving as easily... but it doesn't have to move nearly as far before it tips over).  Its disadvantages (as far as balance) are a smaller footprint, and higher center of gravity which make it inherently more unstable.

All that being said, using the centerstand takes up less space, which is usually what makes me decide which to use and when (coupled with how level the terrain is)

[Roadstergal]

Ja, I won't put a bike on the centerstand unless the ground is perfectly level.  If there's a discernable tilt, I'll park it with the sidestand towards the lower side.  If there's a horrible slant, I'll park it diagonally in gear with the sidestand still towards the slant.

[Alphamazing]

I dunno, TarzanBoy. If someone bumps my bike from the front while on a centerstand, most of the force would be transferred to the rear wheel. That's a pretty large 'footprint' On the kickstand, however, because the bike is leaned, it would divide the force between the kickstand peg and two small tire 'footprints' (because it is leaned, the full tire isn't used. I see where you're coming from, though, and you could be right. I dunno. Just my thoughts.

[Stephen072774]

I hated using the side stand on my bike with the stock tires, but after I put on an 140/80 rear it became much more stable on the side stand.  It (side stand) just seemed a little bit too long before the tire change...

[TarzanBoy]

Well, lets think about the bike's supports on either stand.

Center-stand:

                Front wheel   - - - - - - - - - -|
     (a)     /                 \   (b)                |
             /                    \                      |
Left.CS.foot --------- Right.CS.foot         |  (g)
           .          (c)           .                   |
       (e)  .                     .   (f)               |
                 Rear Wheel  - - - - - - - - - -|
               

Distance (a) and (b) are both about half the bike length (~36 in).  Distance (c) is no more than 12 in usually.   If the bike is tipped backward, then the rear wheel makes contact.  
(e) and (f) are roughly the same distance as (a) and (b)... but it can be said that the full length of the bike (g), ~60 in 'protects' the bike from flipping along the longitudinal axis if the bike gets tipped in that direction (as if yoru bike might actually go end-over-end without some squid *trying* to wheelie the bike)


Kick-stand:


                Front wheel  
     (h)      /        |
             /          |
           /            |
KS.foot               |  (g)
           \            |
       (i)  \          |
               \        |
                Rear Wheel  

With your kickstand down, you *always* get the longitudinal stability of the wheel base (g).  Also, (h) and (i) are both greater than (a) and (b) which gives better lateral stability.  In addition, the center of gravity is lower which means that the bike won't tip over as quickly.

[Alphamazing]

Ah, indeed it is so. Centerstand is wonderful for lubin' the chain, though.

[stingray]

sidestands always unless doing bike maintenance

[Traveler]

Wind's blowing? Kickstand
Steep slope?     -----"-----
Flat sideslope?   Centrestand.
Plain flat?          -------"-------.
Can I get my rear wheel T-boned against a kerb? Centrestand.
Also, I carry a piece of 6"x6" plywood for muddy/hot tarmac conditions.

[RedShift]

Interesting question.

I have to agree with the crowd that likes the side stand the best.

Three points of contact do it for me.  Leave the bike in first gear, pointing uphill, bars in the lock position, puck under the stand's foot and it would take a deliberate act to knock the bike over.

Sure, the centre stand may have three points, but two are about 10" apart and aren't as stable as the tirangle made by the two wheel's contact patches and the side stand on a puck.