Is there anything like this for GS500's? http://www.altrider.com/images/thumbnail/product_large/installed-altrider-side-stand-enlarger-foot-for-the-bmw-r-1200-gs-water-cooled-4.jpg
It's a kickstand footprint enlarger. I know they're usually for dual sports but with the Texas heat and cheap asphalt I'm afraid my bike will tip over while I'm gone if I go somewhere.
I don't believe there's an actual aftermarket product, but lots of people just get an abs or steel electrical junction box cover to put under the stand when parking. The idea, after all, is to spread the load so you don't have to worry about the stand sinking as you noted. A junction cover costs like a dollar at any hardware store.
Use a ceramic tile from a building supply store. You can even use their designer suggestions to pick the color...
Or use the center stand.
Quote from: Rallyfan on June 24, 2016, 11:00:08 AM
Or use the center stand.
From a stability standpoint, I'd trust the side stand with something under it (tile, junction box cover, crushed soda can, etc) much more than the center stand. Someone leans on your bike wrong when it's on the center stand and it's gonna move. Not quite as easy as that with side stand. Further, if you're worried about sinking into hot asphalt, the center stand feet aren't much larger than the side stand foot.
I'd guess more PSI on the center stand feet anyway...
Quote from: jdoorn14 on June 24, 2016, 12:37:05 PM
Quote from: Rallyfan on June 24, 2016, 11:00:08 AM
Or use the center stand.
From a stability standpoint, I'd trust the side stand with something under it (tile, junction box cover, crushed soda can, etc) much more than the center stand. Someone leans on your bike wrong when it's on the center stand and it's gonna move. Not quite as easy as that with side stand. Further, if you're worried about sinking into hot asphalt, the center stand feet aren't much larger than the side stand foot.
I'd say the opposite.
The center stand distributes the mass among two feet. The side stand not only uses less surface area but also subjects that decreased surface area to more mass.
I've never seen an instance where the center stand resulted in reduced stability compared to the side stand.
I'm with Jdoorn on this one. A parked bike depends on 3 points of contact - either the kickstand and wheels, or the feet of the center stand and the front wheel. The kickstand provides a larger "contact triangle" which is more stable. Want to test it? Try using the center stand in dirt or gravel but be prepared to catch the bike (DAMHIK).
To the OP: you could have a piece of steel welded to the bottom of the kickstand to give you a larger foot print as well as the other suggestions above.
I see vendors giving away free plastic "kickstand pads" from events all the time, I have a pair I keep in the "trunk" that I'll use on especially hot days. Buying one wouldn't be more than a buck or two anyway.
Wouldn't be hard or very expensive to have someone weld on a piece of steel to make the foot larger, either.
I have one of those kickstand pad things too...! Got it for free from the guy who does the state inspection on my bike. He keeps a basket of them in his office area with a sign that says for free. :thumb:
Why not have a slightly larger bit of 1/8" plate steel under the original,welded.
Well I don't want to have to have to carry around a pad. I have one in my garage. I was just wondering about a manufactured pad before making and welding my own one on. I've got plate steel I can weld to make a bigger footprint. I guess ill do that than!
Quote from: Fatasianboy on June 25, 2016, 02:30:42 AM
Well I don't want to have to have to carry around a pad. I have one in my garage. I was just wondering about a manufactured pad before making and welding my own one on. I've got plate steel I can weld to make a bigger footprint. I guess ill do that than!
If u go this route howz about a before/after pic.
Google Kickstand Kritters