Dropped the Swing

I parked the bike on the centrestand on a busy city street. I was a bit concerned about the slight slope on my right, my sidestand was almost upright. But the centrestand was firmly planted and I went about my business.
It took a bit of muscle to get it off again, and as soon as it came off it was moving away from me: not a darn thing I could do about it. Sustained some crushing on the corner of the front fairing and a few scratches. Got some help from a strapping young fellow who happened to be walking by. No mechanical harm done, started right up and rode like a champ. The rattle in the front is slightly louder and I will check for internal broken tabs when I have other reasons to remove the fairing. I went on a 250 mile ride yesterday, no concerns.

I would never take my scooter off the centerstand unless I'm straddling it or sitting on the scooter.

Sorry to hear of that problem cotetoi.  When she starts to go it can be overpowering.  Do you sit on the Swing and rock it forward off the stand? Or stand and push it off with your foot against the center stand?
I gave up the second method as I have had some close calls that way.  With the rocking off the stand I am in better position to steady right away with feet and brake levers.
Mike

Sorry to hear that. Lessons learned...

With model 28a on this,always sat on the bike when taking off centre stand. 

I have never taken it off the centrestand sitting on it or straddling it. I have to try this method and get comfortable doing it because it makes sense that you'd have better control with both feet planted solid.

cotetoi wrote:

I have never taken it off the centrestand sitting on it or straddling it. I have to try this method and get comfortable doing it because it makes sense that you'd have better control with both feet planted solid.

I would never think of pushing my bike off the centre stand if I was not straddling the seat with my feet firmly planted on the ground. Doing otherwise would invite disaster.

I straddle my Swing then push on the bars to roll it off the center stand. As it begins to go, I grab the front brake while keeping the forks straight. This gets to be a bigger chore if parked on a slope, so I avoid that whenever possible.

cotetoi wrote:

I have never taken it off the centrestand sitting on it or straddling it. I have to try this method and get comfortable doing it because it makes sense that you'd have better control with both feet planted solid.

I also apply both hand brakes as soon as I hear the center stand retracting against to bottom of my bike. That way it will stop the forward momentum when the bike hits the ground.

Is there a reason for using the center stand when out and about? I've been using just the side stand. Can't imagine putting it up on center stand all the time. Too much of a workout for me. Figure best use is for maintainence work etc..

I always use centre stand, only use side stand to dismount. I do not trust side stand and bike can be knocked over simply by pushing it forward.

I used sidestand as steady getting off. Then look at pavement/ground surface before deciding whether to use centerstand or not.

Parking brake use: bike left on side stand, always parking brake on. CenterStand used, not good idea to use parking brake as when bike comes off stand rear wheel locked and bike will not roll forward.

Sorry to hear, cotetoi. Not many of us have the courage to help others with examples at our own expense. Your story is valuable to all of us, whether we admit it or not.

Seems best method is to assess slope and stiffness of terrain, as you did. Center stand often appears to be the more stable way to go, but in proper position the side stand WITH PARKING BRAKE ON offers a wider geometric three-point stance to help ensure stability. Sometimes wind also enters as a factor to assess correct positioning.

My 450 Nighthawk was easy to straddle while PUTTING ON OR OFF center stand. Because SWing is so heavy and bulky, I always fear losing control while jacking up on center stand, but taking off center stand is easy because I always straddle.

And I guess by now we center stand owners know that it's really easy to put bike up on center stand on a mild backward slope, but getting it off the center stand uphill...well.... And how do we already know this?

Thinking here---probably anybody who rides SilverWing for any length of time has dropped it. Right?

I belong to the thinking....you are either one who has dropped it or going to. Until you trike it.

I've had 4 scooters - all 4 have been on me.
200 aprilla ended up with giving me a twisted
ankle, sprained knee, and a cracked rib & that
was the first ride.
I got a saying "if you're gonna be stupid you
better be tough"

I use the center stand predominantly. In my opinion the side stand is too short and scoot is not as secure on it as other bikes I have owned. If I need to use side stand on dirt I have a metal plate to place under the foot to widen contact patch and give a bit more height. Also I only use the parking brake with the sidestand...

Two kinds of riders, those whose machines have fallen over and those who will.

I love my 3 wheel Trike.

I follow John G's procedure more or less.
When I'm about to alight I put both feet down, deploy the side-stand, tilt the bike until the stand grounds then get off.
I usually follow up by putting the bike on the centre-stand but leave the side-stand down until it's settled.

I dropped my previous Silverwing in a ford and was trapped under it - got rather wet - and dropped the Crowman when I was pushed off it by a car who had trickled through a red light.
Little damage but huge bruise on my inner thigh caused by the 'horn' of the seat.
Thank goodness for step-through scooters!

I brought a roll of black 20mm plastic car trim and fitted it to the vulnerable edge of the lower panel, ready for the day I drop it.

Dave Weller wrote:

I brought a roll of black 20mm plastic car trim and fitted it to the vulnerable edge of the lower panel, ready for the day I drop it.  

SMART!