Use your parking brake.

Went for a ride Thursday. Weather was great, smile on my face the whole time. Stopped @ the house to check on a couple of things before going back to the camp ground. got things done, geared up and started out the drive. Heard a rattle,damn it, forgot to latch the trunk. Put down the kick stand,got off the bike and turned around just in time to see my new to me Wing fall to the stone drive. Scratches all over the place. Even got the trunk & mirror. Lesson learned. Always set the parking brake! To top it off,the trunk was latched.

That's really unfortunate.

Only scooter I've ever owned where the side stand was a waste of time was vespa as no matter how careful you where they always rolled off the side stand.

Respray in a custom colour of your choice now??

I feel for you. Got my lesson early too, the SW is a big heavy load somewhat awkwardly balanced top heavy. Use every tool you have and the parking brake is your friend. Unless you were planning to exhibit it, forget about the dings and keep riding.

If your Swing is black, you can use a black felt permanent marker to hide the scratches. Good luck!

Black fingernail polish works well too !! I know...

My biggest complaint on the SWing is the too short side stand... Very seldom use it but then unless on a hill I never use the parking brake either. Center stand for me all the way.

Sidestand fine for old gits like me getting on and off a heavy maxi scooter only. Parking brake very handy for fiddling about with gloves, zips etc when parked on an incline waiting for traffic lights to change, or when the scooter is strapped down on a ferry.

But other than that it's all too easy to automatically set off from a stop with the parking brake still on, and if you don't notice that red warning light quickly you'll wear out the brake pads very easily.

My 2002 Swing was my first scooter. First bike with a parking brake. I always use the parking brake. Yes, there were times when I drove off with the brake on, but never more than 50 feet. Now with my 2013 Swing, it has become a natural habitat to release the brake. Same with the side stand with bypass wiring. Since I always use the side stand, it has become automatic to raise the side stand. No one but me rides my Swing.

OK. I might sound ignorant here Meldrew but why would/do you use the parking brake while at a traffic light?

I use mine all the time when parked and have never forgot to take it off. Or at least haven't forgotten yet.

Swing is new to me, so I have not bothered using the park brake yet, maybe I should learn how it works and start using it?

Pete, you don't want to learn the hard way, straining and tearing muscles to pick up that heavy lump in front of your neighbours or strangers on High Street. That hand brake is a safety device to stop the bike from rolling. No gears on this thing . But you know that already, don't you?

Jay.

Dale N. wrote:

OK. I might sound ignorant here Meldrew but why would/do you use the parking brake while at a traffic light?

I use mine all the time when parked and have never forgot to take it off. Or at least haven't forgotten yet.

I also use my parking brake at some lights when on an incline. Several traffic lights near where I live favors main street routes and even longer waits depending on the time of day. Sometimes I just turn my handle bar to full left or right away from the downward incline. So far I have not forgotten to release the parking brake.

cotetoi wrote:

Pete, you don't want to learn the hard way, straining and tearing muscles to pick up that heavy lump in front of your neighbours or strangers on High Street. That hand brake is a safety device to stop the bike from rolling. No gears on this thing . But you know that already, don't you?

Jay.

Yes you are right Jay, been there played that game a few times with various Goldwings I have owned. Always happens when there is a nice big audience, although of course the Goldwing is very easy to stand up when she "has a rest". I assume that an Swing doesn't just sit down on the footboards, but is inclined to go all the way down and trash some tupperware or fittings?

I will check out the handbook and then have a play with the handbrake one evening this week.

One good thing about using the parking brake is that you know that it works when you need it. My 2¢.

Good lesson for most of us.

If you don't know what a hill is at a traffic intersection, you won't need to use your P Brake, but if you do a little traveling away from home, you will learn to use it soon enough.

Dale N. wrote:

OK. I might sound ignorant here Meldrew but why would/do you use the parking brake while at a traffic light?

I use mine all the time when parked and have never forgot to take it off. Or at least haven't forgotten yet.

most likely advance riding technique.
Same as car if stationary at lights waiting to turn if you get shunted from the rear you aren't catapulted into opposing traffic.

In the emergency services they use police road craft Manuel but unique to London was something called the Hendon shuffle alternating between staying static with first gear and foot brake