Kickstand in traffic?

[Serk]

I was in stop and go traffic today behind an FJR and I saw him doing something I'd never seen before...

Every time traffic would stop, he'd put his kickstand down, in the middle of the road. He didn't get off the bike or lift his feet up or anything just... put his kickstand down and lay the bike into it, then 15-20 seconds later kickstand up and ride a few more feet until traffic stopped again...

I'd never seen that before, never thought of it, just figured I'd share, anyone else do that or seen that before?

[Bighead]

I have done it but it was in traffic that was at a stand still for longer than 10 minutes even turn it off sometimes but as I say traffic in front and behind me have to be at a stand still.

[big poppa pump]

I hardly ever put my bike in neutral when I'm in stop n go traffic, let alone putting the kickstand down!

[Hook#3287]

Maybe his left leg was bothering him and he didn't trust it.

I would think that for 10-15 seconds, moving the stand down, then up, would be more effort than just holding her upright.

[..]

I hardly ever put my bike in neutral when I'm in stop n go traffic, let alone putting the kickstand down!

+1

Or even when just stopped at stop light.

People are weird.

[Serk]

I hardly ever put my bike in neutral when I'm in stop n go traffic, let alone putting the kickstand down!

+1

Or even when just stopped at stop light.

People are weird.

Yeah that was kinda what I thought too... Just got me wondering if I was missing some trend or something... Very odd...

[wiggydotcom]

I've killed my bike and have just kept it balanced while stopped waiting for a train to clear. In most situations, I would think it'd be a pretty dangerous practice. If he quickly had to put the bike in gear for some reason to take off fast, we all know the bike would die with the stand down.

Like has already been mentioned, could be a medical issue necessitating the practice.

[Cracker Jack]

I think most everyone knows, but in case you don't, any thing you do that makes you unprepared to go immediately, put kickstand down, turn off engine, get off the bike, take your helmet off. etc., will make the delay shorter. I'm sure the learned guy putting the kickstand down mitigated the delay.

[dinosnake]

I hardly ever put my bike in neutral when I'm in stop n go traffic, let alone putting the kickstand down!

+1

Or even when just stopped at stop light.

People are weird.

+2

But then again, at any stop, I'm doing what the AMA says you should - first gear, clutch in.  I'm also on a single leg (left) with my right leg on the peg, so I guess that makes me a snob when I see something like that (putting the kickstand down) and say to myself, "newbie".

[Jess from VA]

Besides being backed up for a long time for an accident (got off, walked over and found shade), there is one particular light near me that lasts about 4-5 minutes.  After an all day ride in the heat, on my way home, if I hit this light I can put it on the stand, get off and have a cool drink of water from the saddlebag, and get back on and still wait 90 seconds.  100 cars are behind me, I'm not going to get hit (unless the guy behind me takes his foot off the brake; and I don't spend five long minutes staring into my mirror either).

Repeatedly using the stand inching along is nuts.  It only takes one leg to hold the bike up (unless you have a blowing crosswind).   

[Bighead]

I hardly ever put my bike in neutral when I'm in stop n go traffic, let alone putting the kickstand down!

+1

Or even when just stopped at stop light.

People are weird.

+2

But then again, at any stop, I'm doing what the AMA says you should - first gear, clutch in.  I'm also on a single leg (left) with my right leg on the peg, so I guess that makes me a snob when I see something like that (putting the kickstand down) and say to myself, "newbie".

This is my normal procedure wouldn't do it in stop 'n go traffic only if traffic is at a stand still as in a wreck or such.

[Lyonardo]

My first thought when I read this: sciatica.
I've had a couple spinal surgeries a couple decades ago, and I remember riding but taking every chance I could to straighten my legs out.

[Sorcerer]

I'd be dead if did that all the time. I've had a number of times that it was emergency go time. That delay in getting the stand up would have cost me my life more than once. Not withstanding, if I'm waiting on a train or what looks to be a long delay, until there are at least 2 caged behind me for protection, I'm in first gear, hand break on, foot break on, checking both mirrors. One I had I was first up in the left lane at a stop light. Watching mirrors, watching cross traffic. Gal starts a left turn in the cross traffic,  Me "oh sh$t" she's not going to make it. She hit the on coming car redirecting it towards my spot. Me I take a hard right in front of the car next to me. The deflected car hit the rear quarter of the car the was be side me. We've got to stay in our toes.

[..]

I'd be dead if did that all the time. I've had a number of times that it was emergency go time. That delay in getting the stand up would have cost me my life more than once. Not withstanding, if I'm waiting on a train or what looks to be a long delay, until there are at least 2 caged behind me for protection, I'm in first gear, hand break on, foot break on, checking both mirrors. One I had I was first up in the left lane at a stop light. Watching mirrors, watching cross traffic. Gal starts a left turn in the cross traffic,  Me "oh sh$t" she's not going to make it. She hit the on coming car redirecting it towards my spot. Me I take a hard right in front of the car next to me. The deflected car hit the rear quarter of the car the was be side me. We've got to stay in our toes.

Yep, yet so many including Valkyrie riders seem to be oblivious of the danger.

OR supremely confident in their ninja like reflexes 

[grandpaweaver]

My first thought when I read this: sciatica.
I've had a couple spinal surgeries a couple decades ago, and I remember riding but taking every chance I could to straighten my legs out.

Same here both hips replaced and back surgery. At a light sometimes I stand up while straddling the bike, still in gear clutch in. Feels good to just get it all stretched out  

[Serk]

My first thought when I read this: sciatica.
I've had a couple spinal surgeries a couple decades ago, and I remember riding but taking every chance I could to straighten my legs out.

Yeah, I know the pain of Sciatica (L5-S1 and L5-L4), but this guy wasn't doing the "Sciatica Pain dance" if you know what I mean. Could have been though, we all react differently.

I wish I'd gotten some video of him but, I was driving and everything.

And it'd be one thing for as someone mentioned a train, but this guy was doing it every time he stopped for more than 5 seconds or so. Just very odd... He didn't seem to be in distress or pain or anything, and it seemed like a practiced motion, if that makes sense. Almost reflex like, bike comes to stop, right foot down, left foot sweeps kickstand down.

[Gryphon Rider]

And it'd be one thing for as someone mentioned a train, but this guy was doing it every time he stopped for more than 5 seconds or so. Just very odd... He didn't seem to be in distress or pain or anything, and it seemed like a practiced motion, if that makes sense. Almost reflex like, bike comes to stop, right foot down, left foot sweeps kickstand down.

Now if he was really good, he'd do it without putting his right foot down!

[..]

And it'd be one thing for as someone mentioned a train, but this guy was doing it every time he stopped for more than 5 seconds or so. Just very odd... He didn't seem to be in distress or pain or anything, and it seemed like a practiced motion, if that makes sense. Almost reflex like, bike comes to stop, right foot down, left foot sweeps kickstand down.

Now if he was really good, he'd do it without putting his right foot down!

I used to do that on my previous Valkyrie. Coming to a permanent stop I'd deploy the kickstand just before stopping and then come to a halt.

Did it once entering a motel parking lot in Boone NC. Slight dip in black top caught the stand and flipped it up enough for me to step off the bike as it fell to its side  

Last time I stopped looking cool  

[hubcapsc]

[GiG]

Ghostridersc
Bet you was on an "office" break!
Cool  

[hubcapsc]

Ghostridersc
Bet you was on an "office" break!
Cool 

Hee hee... I thought of that too, and made a ghostridersc picture for it...



I was on the way to the Gettysburg ride in 2009... passing a panel
truck, when all of a sudden everyone all the way out to the horizon
slammed on the brakes...

-Mike

[Jess from VA]

I was stuck like that on I-81 N returning from Asheville Inzane for hours.  Nearest exit was miles and miles north, and if you try running the breakdown lane up to the next exit, you get a reckless driving ticket in VA. I would have been willing to try a goat trail if there had been a hole through the freeway fence, but no luck.  I would have crossed the grassy median for South, but it was a muddy quagmire.  I hit a news station and it told us of a big pileup on the two lane so it was going to be awhile.

It rained all day on and off, and had the rain gear on and, after stopped with stand down, bike off, sitting there, it opened up to a long toad strangler (you get wetter stopped than moving).  I thought about making a tent out of some gear in the bags, but nothing (besides what I was wearing) would serve.  I wished I'd had one of those small fold-up 8" long umbrellas, which would have made people laugh, but would work.  The thought of packing one seems like a longshot, but that day it would have been a good idea.

Ever notice how if you are sitting in traffic soaked like a wet rat for hours, with 10K cars/trucks all around you, no one offers to let you sit in their car?  

Then, with all the rain forever, don't you know you suddenly have to pee like a racehorse.  Then people wonder why you are pulling off ONE boot, and standing funny.  Of course, after that, no one is letting you sit in their car.

[hubcapsc]

I was stuck like that on I-81 N returning from Asheville Inzane for hours.  Nearest exit was miles and miles north, and if you try running the breakdown lane up to the next exit, you get a reckless driving ticket in VA. I would have been willing to try a goat trail if there had been a hole through the freeway fence, but no luck.  I would have crossed the grassy median for South, but it was a muddy quagmire.  I hit a news station and it told us of a big pileup on the two lane so it was going to be awhile.

It rained all day on and off, and had the rain gear on and, after stopped with stand down, bike off, sitting there, it opened up to a long toad strangler (you get wetter stopped than moving).  I thought about making a tent out of some gear in the bags, but nothing (besides what I was wearing) would serve.  I wished I'd had one of those small fold-up 8" long umbrellas, which would have made people laugh, but would work.  The thought of packing one seems like a longshot, but that day it would have been a good idea.

Ever notice how if you are sitting in traffic soaked like a wet rat for hours, with 10K cars/trucks all around you, no one offers to let you sit in their car?  

Then, with all the rain forever, don't you know you suddenly have to pee like a racehorse.  Then people wonder why you are pulling off ONE boot, and standing funny.  Of course, after that, no one is letting you sit in their car.

This thing stretched for miles, and lasted hours and hours... after an hour or so, we all turned around and went the other way...



-Mike "I-40, North Carolina"

[..]

I'd have been pushing the bike whilst in first with the idle increased.

[Jess from VA]

Paul, it was like 10-12 miles to the next exit. 

I'll risk the breakdown lane if I can see the exit ahead and see no cops, but with the big pileup, the accident scene was swarming with cops and ambulances.

[..]

Paul, it was like 10-12 miles to the next exit. 

I'll risk the breakdown lane if I can see the exit ahead and see no cops, but with the big pileup, the accident scene was swarming with cops and ambulances.

Uh Oh. 

[Ken Tarver]

Jess
Several years ago, was in Chattanooga on I-24, frog strangling rain coming down, slow/stop and go traffic due to a wreck. Was behind a couple on a wing, every time the traffic stopped, up popped an umbrella by the lady on back. What a hoot that was, would have loved to got that picture for you.

Ken

[Jess from VA]

Jess
Several years ago, was in Chattanooga on I-24, frog strangling rain coming down, slow/stop and go traffic due to a wreck. Was behind a couple on a wing, every time the traffic stopped, up popped an umbrella by the lady on back. What a hoot that was, would have loved to got that picture for you.

Ken

OK, that's it.  I'm packing a mini umbrella when I go on trips. 

I remember another ride in WVa (Hillbilly ride).  In a huge storm, we all turned around and went back down the mountain, then pulled in to an abandoned group of buildings.   A few were able to fit under a small bldg roof overhang, but the rest of us just stood in the rain.

   

[..]

Jess
Several years ago, was in Chattanooga on I-24, frog strangling rain coming down, slow/stop and go traffic due to a wreck. Was behind a couple on a wing, every time the traffic stopped, up popped an umbrella by the lady on back. What a hoot that was, would have loved to got that picture for you.

Ken

OK, that's it.  I'm packing a mini umbrella when I go on trips. 

I remember another ride in WVa (Hillbilly ride).  In a huge storm, we all turned around and went back down the mountain, then pulled in to an abandoned group of buildings.   A few were able to fit under a small bldg roof overhang, but the rest of us just stood in the rain.

   

That was a Chinese fire drill when the group stopped to put on waterproofs. Riders trying to find them not knowing which saddlebag/trunk they were in. Some obviously having never used them before struggling to get them on.

[flsix]

!0 or so years ago we were on I-75 south bound. North bound lanes were dead stopped for miles. Soccer game in the median and BBQ grills going. It looked like a tail gate party with everyone on folding chairs. Felt bad for all the folks who were trapped there.

[Jess from VA]

Jess
Several years ago, was in Chattanooga on I-24, frog strangling rain coming down, slow/stop and go traffic due to a wreck. Was behind a couple on a wing, every time the traffic stopped, up popped an umbrella by the lady on back. What a hoot that was, would have loved to got that picture for you.

Ken

OK, that's it.  I'm packing a mini umbrella when I go on trips. 

I remember another ride in WVa (Hillbilly ride).  In a huge storm, we all turned around and went back down the mountain, then pulled in to an abandoned group of buildings.   A few were able to fit under a small bldg roof overhang, but the rest of us just stood in the rain.

   

That was a Chinese fire drill when the group stopped to put on waterproofs. Riders trying to find them not knowing which saddlebag/trunk they were in. Some obviously having never used them before struggling to get them on.

 

You bet.  In fact, there is nothing much funnier than a big group of riders de-biking in a gathering storm to all don their rain gear.  The pants are always the fun part, guys hopping around on one foot, falling in the mud.  Guys leaning on their bikes, going over.  Trying to put bibs on over the head.

Dude, you hold me up, then I'll hold you up. 

The only thing missing is the Benny Hill music. 

This is where the old Walmart bag over the boots trick really comes in handy.

[Serk]

This is where the old Walmart bag over the boots trick really comes in handy.

...until it slips and you've gotten scrape the melted mess off your exhaust... 

[dinosnake]

This is where the old Walmart bag over the boots trick really comes in handy.

...until it slips and you've gotten scrape the melted mess off your exhaust... 

And that's why you learn, after many years, to simply make sure your riding boots are waterproof in the first place ;-)

[Jess from VA]

No boys, you use the bags over the boots, just to get them to slip easily down through your rain pants and gaiters without hanging up (and hopping around falling in the mud).  Once done, you put them back in the saddlebags, not ride with them on. 

I agree with waterproof boots.

[Willow]

If I remember correctly from the hillbilly ride, once we gave up waiting and decided to ride in the rain it was less than a mile before we were out of the rain completely.   ???

Oh, to the original topic, I'm not sure the rider really belonged on two wheels.

[hubcapsc]

If I remember correctly from the hillbilly ride, once we gave up waiting and decided to ride in the rain it was less than a mile before we were out of the rain completely.   ???

Either that was the one I missed, or it rained on y'all while I snuck off with Britman
and some of his zoom-zoom pals to see Burke's Garden...



Those guys move on down the road... 

-Mike

[..]

If I remember correctly from the hillbilly ride, once we gave up waiting and decided to ride in the rain it was less than a mile before we were out of the rain completely.   ???

Either that was the one I missed, or it rained on y'all while I snuck off with Britman
and some of his zoom-zoom pals to see Burke's Garden...



Those guys move on down the road... 

-Mike

That one?

I was thinking of the one I rode my KLR to.

[GiG]

I remember another ride in WVa (Hillbilly ride).  In a huge storm, we all turned around and went back down the mountain, then pulled in to an abandoned group of buildings.   A few were able to fit under a small bldg roof overhang, but the rest of us just stood in the rain.

....

That was a Chinese fire drill when the group stopped to put on waterproofs. Riders trying to find them not knowing which saddlebag/trunk they were in. Some obviously having never used them before struggling to get them on.

I remember heading up that mountain pass, I looked up and the sky was completely black and I thought: "Where in hell is Don taking us?!?"

Then the Chinese Fire Drill started    

All those bikes trying to get off the road or turned around in a gully washer was enough excitement -
Guys hopping around trying to get suited up before getting wet (didn't work!). I pulled on my rain pants so fast that I pushed my boot right through the stirrup... Mabe I shoulda just stuck with the old garbage bag trick...

But it was fun hangin around the woodpile B S-ing until the clouds passed.
Smokin Joe made me levitate oft that woodpile real quick when he said he saw a rattlesnake...  

Yeah, that was one I won't ever forget  

BTW: It was all Steve Eads' fault    

[Oss]

coming home alone from a VOAi ride in Sweatwater I 81 a rollover truck fire in the median got us all stopped dead engines off....
I was towing the bushtec at the time having just had the work done (new tongue/air lines etc) by John Bushtec (that was 2006)
So that is the only time I have ever put down the kickstand in traffic to my recollection

I took off the jacket and helmet opened the trailer and got out the soccer chair, asked the trucker next to me to please hit the horn when the truck fire ahead was put out and traffic will be going soon

Took a nap (it was hot out), woke up to a horn, had about 40 seconds to get everything packed up and moving

About ten miles up the road got off to meet HB and LD and a trip to their ranch  I do believe that may have been the first time we met as well.  LD would have the best rememberer being so young and all.

With all the heavy city driving I do agree it would be nuts to put down the kickstand at any red light

[3fan4life]

That was a Chinese fire drill when the group stopped to put on waterproofs. Riders trying to find them not knowing which saddlebag/trunk they were in. Some obviously having never used them before struggling to get them on.

My rain gear is ALWAYS on the bike and ALWAYS in the right side saddle bag.