Silly question but how do you guys park your bike (on the street in between two cars)? What do you find is easiest? Do you pull up next to the spot, wait till traffic clears, swing the bike perpendicular, and then back it in while straddling? Or do you turn the engine off, get off and manually back it in? Or do you do the kickstand spin to turn it perpendicular and then back it in?

Some tips would be greatly appreciated. I find that parking is the most awkward part of my riding. I'm on my toes so it's hard to generate enough push to move the bike backward while straddling. I usually get off and then while standing on the side, push the bike into traffic, and then slowly back it up into the spot, however, this requires a pretty long gap in traffic to allow me enough time.

It's easier to reverse into parks,then u can go forewards when leaving.I'v got the Naked model with no belly pan so it's more versatile for negotiating over small gutters & obstacles like that.My philosophy is,if the bike's safe & i'm not going to get a ticket then everything is fair-game. 

Back in on the bike. Rear wheel at the curb and at an angle. That happens to be the law here when parking on the street.

Moving a bike when you're not on it makes it too easy to drop it.

.....and always park in 1st gear. That's your parking brake.

Quote from: adidasguy on August 05, 2013, 10:18:57 PM
Back in on the bike. Rear wheel at the curb and at an angle. That happens to be the law here when parking on the street.

That's what I do.
I got off to park once and dropped the bike so I don't do that anymore.

Quote from: adidasguy on August 05, 2013, 10:18:57 PM
Back in on the bike. Rear wheel at the curb and at an angle. That happens to be the law here when parking on the street.

Moving a bike when you're not on it makes it too easy to drop it.

.....and always park in 1st gear. That's your parking brake.

I agree with you guys on being on the bike to back it up... but for height challenged people, this can prove to be quite the task and you can easily drop the bike trying to do it.  One foot slips out since you are on your toes, and that's it. 

To be honest, you should be able to get into nearly parking position before your feet have to touch the ground anyway.  You just need to practice maneuvering the bike in small places (gymkhana anyone?).  Then you will only have to back the bike a few inches to the curb. 

Before I lowered my bike, I couldn't back the thing up hardly at all while I was on it... and if there was gravel, well there was no chance of it.  I have a 29" inseam, so it doesn't work well to go anywhere on tip toes from a 31.5" seat height. At least you have throttle to go forward... no help going backwards.  I put the kickstand down, got off, and backed it up.  To me, that was the least likely way to drop it. Its not a heavy bike, so this is an option. .. but if it were a hog, you'd have to figure something else out... but those tend to be lower anyway.

Either way, at least put the kickstand down before you back it up (must be in neutral so don't forget to put the bike back in first when you are set).  That way if the bike decides to lean, you at least be clear from dropping on the left side.  Just practice till you are confident, and really work on maneuvering in small places.  So that either way you decide to back it up, you don't have to do it much at all.

I will note that since my bike is now lowered I back it up while on the bike.  But I practiced my parking process a long time before I lowered it, so I didn't get flustered in traffic... or look like a noob that couldn't handle my bike.  Seriously.  Anytime spent practicing a riding technique or maneuver is time that pays well.



- Bboy

Stay on the bike next time. Check.

I have the same issue as BockinBoy (I'm a pretty small guy) so backing up proves to be a challenge using my toes. But I'll practice more before I write off that method.