First days: Living with a motorcycle: Difference between revisions

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====Parking ====

Parking a motorcycle is not as obvious as it would initially appear. Sure, parking in a big flat parking lot is easy, but ~~what do you do when faced with a hill? Which stand to use, if you have both a sidestand (or kickstand) and a centerstand?~~

Parking a motorcycle is not as obvious as it would initially appear. Sure, parking in a big flat parking lot is easy, but there ar other considerations.

'''Which Stand to Use?'''

If you only have a sidestand, this section doesn't apply to you so much~~, but still contains some good information. For the rest of you, here are some guidelines for when to use which stand~~.

If you only have a sidestand, this section doesn't apply to you so much.

The sidestand makes the biggest triangle between the wheels and the stand. This is the most stable way to park the bike, most of the time. Particularly if you're parking on any kind of incline, the sidestand is definitely the best choice. If you're only going to use one of the stands on the bike, the sidestand is far easier to use, and is almost always a better choice.

The sidestand makes the biggest triangle between the wheels and the stand. This is the most stable way to park the bike, most of the time. Particularly if you're parking on any kind of incline, the sidestand is definitely the best choice. If you're only going to use one of the stands on the bike, the sidestand is far easier to use and is almost always a better choice.

If you have a motorcycle with horizontally-oriented cylinders (Honda Goldwing/Valkyrie, BMW R bike, BMW K bike), it's ~~preferrable~~ to park on the centerstand. This prevents oil from running into the downhill cylinders. It's not normally a problem, but if oil pools against the bottom of a piston for more than a few hours, it can seep into the combustion chamber, causing anything from blue smoke on startup to hydraulic lock. Hydraulic lock is best avoided, as it can destroy an engine in a few revolutions of the starter.

If you have a motorcycle with horizontally-oriented cylinders (Honda Goldwing/Valkyrie, BMW R bike, BMW K bike) it's preferable to park on the centerstand. This prevents oil from running into the downhill cylinders. It's not normally a problem, but if oil pools against the bottom of a piston for more than a few hours, it can seep into the combustion chamber, causing anything from blue smoke on startup to hydraulic lock. Hydraulic lock is best avoided, as it can destroy an engine in a few revolutions of the starter.

The one time when a centerstand is probably a better choice is when parking on a level and flat but soft surface, like sand or very hot asphalt.

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* Is it safe?

Parking in such a way that you block anyone's access to anything is sure to get you bad attention, so pick spots which don't block anyone's door opening, or walking path. Never ''ever'' park where you might impede access to a handicapped spot, even if you're not in the actual parking spot.

Parking in such a way that you block anyone's access to anything is sure to get you bad attention, so pick spots which don't block anyone's door opening or walking path. Never ''ever'' park where you might impede access to a handicapped spot, even if you're not in the actual parking spot.

If you find another motorcycle parked in a car spot, and there's space to let the other guy out, it's probably alright to put your bike there too. Use your judgement, sometimes it's better to avoid parking too close to another bike. Make sure you leave the other motorcyclist room to get his bike out safely.

If you find another motorcycle parked in a car spot, and there's space to let the other guy out, it's probably alright to put your bike there too. Use your judgement; sometimes it's better to avoid parking too close to another bike. Make sure you leave the other motorcyclist room to get his bike out safely.

If you decide to park in a full-sized car spot, park near the entrance to the spot, with your bike's tail towards traffic. There are several factors at play here. Leave the bike near the entrance (closer to traffic) to make it obvious that the parking spot is filled. A bike pulled way into the spot looks empty until the car driver pulls part-way in, and that may make the driver angry. An angry driver can smoosh your bike flat, or may take it out on another motorcyclist later. Leave the bike parked with the tail towards traffic because the tail is more durable than the front-end, in case an inattentive or angry driver ''does'' hit the bike. Parking at the back of the spot also helps you avoid the big grease-spot where cars' engines have dropped motor oil for the last 20 years. This grease can cling to your ~~tire~~, making for a very exciting time at your next turn.

If you decide to park in a full-sized car spot, park near the entrance to the spot, with your bike's tail towards traffic. There are several factors at play here. Leave the bike near the entrance (closer to traffic) to make it obvious that the parking spot is filled. A bike pulled way into the spot looks empty until the car driver pulls part-way in, and that may make the driver angry. An angry driver can smoosh your bike flat, or may take it out on another motorcyclist later. Leave the bike parked with the tail towards traffic because the tail is more durable than the front end, in case an inattentive or angry driver ''does'' hit the bike. Parking at the back of the spot also helps you avoid the big grease-spot where cars' engines have dropped motor oil for the last 20 years. This grease can cling to your tires, making for a very exciting time at your next turn.

====Filling It Up ====

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 ====Parking ====
-Parking a motorcycle is not as obvious as it would initially appear. Sure, parking in a big flat parking lot is easy, but what do you do when faced with a hill? Which stand to use, if you have both a sidestand (or kickstand) and a centerstand?
+Parking a motorcycle is not as obvious as it would initially appear. Sure, parking in a big flat parking lot is easy, but there ar other considerations.
 '''Which Stand to Use?'''
-If you only have a sidestand, this section doesn't apply to you so much, but still contains some good information. For the rest of you, here are some guidelines for when to use which stand.
+If you only have a sidestand, this section doesn't apply to you so much.
-The sidestand makes the biggest triangle between the wheels and the stand. This is the most stable way to park the bike, most of the time. Particularly if you're parking on any kind of incline, the sidestand is definitely the best choice. If you're only going to use one of the stands on the bike, the sidestand is far easier to use, and is almost always a better choice.
+The sidestand makes the biggest triangle between the wheels and the stand. This is the most stable way to park the bike, most of the time. Particularly if you're parking on any kind of incline, the sidestand is definitely the best choice. If you're only going to use one of the stands on the bike, the sidestand is far easier to use and is almost always a better choice.
-If you have a motorcycle with horizontally-oriented cylinders (Honda Goldwing/Valkyrie, BMW R bike, BMW K bike), it's preferrable to park on the centerstand. This prevents oil from running into the downhill cylinders. It's not normally a problem, but if oil pools against the bottom of a piston for more than a few hours, it can seep into the combustion chamber, causing anything from blue smoke on startup to hydraulic lock. Hydraulic lock is best avoided, as it can destroy an engine in a few revolutions of the starter.
+If you have a motorcycle with horizontally-oriented cylinders (Honda Goldwing/Valkyrie, BMW R bike, BMW K bike) it's preferable to park on the centerstand. This prevents oil from running into the downhill cylinders. It's not normally a problem, but if oil pools against the bottom of a piston for more than a few hours, it can seep into the combustion chamber, causing anything from blue smoke on startup to hydraulic lock. Hydraulic lock is best avoided, as it can destroy an engine in a few revolutions of the starter.
 The one time when a centerstand is probably a better choice is when parking on a level and flat but soft surface, like sand or very hot asphalt.
@@ Line 55: / Line 55: @@
 * Is it safe?
-Parking in such a way that you block anyone's access to anything is sure to get you bad attention, so pick spots which don't block anyone's door opening, or walking path.  Never ''ever'' park where you might impede access to a handicapped spot, even if you're not in the actual parking spot.
+Parking in such a way that you block anyone's access to anything is sure to get you bad attention, so pick spots which don't block anyone's door opening or walking path.  Never ''ever'' park where you might impede access to a handicapped spot, even if you're not in the actual parking spot.
-If you find another motorcycle parked in a car spot, and there's space to let the other guy out, it's probably alright to put your bike there too.  Use your judgement, sometimes it's better to avoid parking too close to another bike.  Make sure you leave the other motorcyclist room to get his bike out safely.
+If you find another motorcycle parked in a car spot, and there's space to let the other guy out, it's probably alright to put your bike there too.  Use your judgement; sometimes it's better to avoid parking too close to another bike.  Make sure you leave the other motorcyclist room to get his bike out safely.
-If you decide to park in a full-sized car spot, park near the entrance to the spot, with your bike's tail towards traffic.  There are several factors at play here.  Leave the bike near the entrance (closer to traffic) to make it obvious that the parking spot is filled.  A bike pulled way into the spot looks empty until the car driver pulls part-way in, and that may make the driver angry.  An angry driver can smoosh your bike flat, or may take it out on another motorcyclist later.  Leave the bike parked with the tail towards traffic because the tail is more durable than the front-end, in case an inattentive or angry driver ''does'' hit the bike.  Parking at the back of the spot also helps you avoid the big grease-spot where cars' engines have dropped motor oil for the last 20 years.  This grease can cling to your tire, making for a very exciting time at your next turn.
+If you decide to park in a full-sized car spot, park near the entrance to the spot, with your bike's tail towards traffic.  There are several factors at play here.  Leave the bike near the entrance (closer to traffic) to make it obvious that the parking spot is filled.  A bike pulled way into the spot looks empty until the car driver pulls part-way in, and that may make the driver angry.  An angry driver can smoosh your bike flat, or may take it out on another motorcyclist later.  Leave the bike parked with the tail towards traffic because the tail is more durable than the front end, in case an inattentive or angry driver ''does'' hit the bike.  Parking at the back of the spot also helps you avoid the big grease-spot where cars' engines have dropped motor oil for the last 20 years.  This grease can cling to your tires, making for a very exciting time at your next turn.
 ====Filling It Up ====