imagineer Posted August 5, 2014 Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 To keep the center stand or not to keep the center stand; that is the question… I’m finally getting into my Bandit 1200 project and I’ve determined that I don’t have the required space for the custom belly pan muffler idea (think Buell) I’ve been toying with. If I remove the center stand, it frees up more under belly real estate that can be used for custom muffler and resonator chamber. What pro’s and con’s are there to removing the center stand and just relying on the side stand? FWIW, I have a HF table lift and a homemade scissor jack for getting the bike and/or rear wheel off the ground. I’m also planning on eventually making axle lifts for both the front and rear wheels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkow97 Posted August 5, 2014 Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 spend $50 on a crappy rear stand and just get rid of the center stand. Mine makes noise every time I hit a decent sized bump, and it's hard to use anyway. The only thing I kind of like about it is that it makes the bike more stable when my neighbor's kids want to sit on it and make vroomy noises... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magley64 Posted August 5, 2014 Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 I love my center stand, but have no desire to do anything else with the real estate either. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpoppa Posted August 5, 2014 Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 I'm buying a center stand for the vfr. Makes tire changes simple. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmh_sprint Posted August 5, 2014 Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 Center stand FTW. So much easier to work on anything on the rear of the bike. I also use mine when washing my bike as well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkow97 Posted August 5, 2014 Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 the katana's rear brake line makes using a rear-stand mildly irritating, but on every other bike I've owned, it was easier than a center stand, and didn't need to be carried around with the bike. They are convenient if you don't own a rear stand, but I wouldn't say better. /$.02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gixxus Christ! Posted August 5, 2014 Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 If you plan on riding this bandit hard you're gonna want to upgrade the rear shock. A stock gen 1 busa shock bolts right in with a tiny modification of the airbox, but raises the rear end about an inch and makes the center stand useless....so upgrade the shock and ditch the stand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad324 Posted August 5, 2014 Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 Love my center stand and would never remove it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imagineer Posted August 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 (edited) If you plan on riding this bandit hard you're gonna want to upgrade the rear shock. A stock gen 1 busa shock bolts right in with a tiny modification of the airbox, but raises the rear end about an inch and makes the center stand useless....so upgrade the shock and ditch the stand. I'm told there's already one on it (and yes, the rear wheel touches the ground when the bike is on the center stand) Thanks for all the input...the center stand will be gone this weekend. Edited August 5, 2014 by imagineer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnG Posted August 5, 2014 Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 VFR didn't have a center stand when I bought it. Put one on for three reasons - oil level must be checked upright; chain maintenance is way easier; didn't need to buy a rear stand for oil changes, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackFlash Posted August 5, 2014 Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 The center stand keeps me from leaking gasolineonto the ground after a fill up in hot weather. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gixxus Christ! Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 Look closely at the shock...If it's a busa it will have infinite preload adjustment, not just 4 or 6 notches. It will also have a reservoir that sits horizontally at the top of the shock and the lug on the left side of the air box will have to have been removed for it to fit. The dog bones will also have been shimmer out with a few washers. Never understood the leaking gas thing...I fill my bike on the side stand. If I don't over fill it, it doesn't drip gas. If it's just full on the side stand, it will be just below full when it's stood up straight and the gas levels off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdonn Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 Never understood the leaking gas thing...I fill my bike on the side stand. If I don't over fill it, it doesn't drip gas. If it's just full on the side stand, it will be just below full when it's stood up straight and the gas levels off.Or just use your thigh and hold the bike erect! Regardless, don't need a center stand at the pump... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sporttour Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 if you never brake down on the road and need a center stand then remove it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pokey Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 I specifically buy bikes that either come with a center stand or have that option available, so yeah they are that important for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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