K11 Owners Group

illicit.nz · Brick Rider Joined: 11 Nov 2018 Posts: 25

Now I know this is possibly going to be more opinion based but I'm interested in what you all think of using the side stand in day to day use?
Leaving the bike on the side stand for periods? I'm fully loaded at the moment and the side stand is much easier to use when stopping frequently.
Longer term? Running while going on and off the side stand?

I ask only because I haven't owned a flat Engine bike before and need to be considerate of oil entering the cylinders, especially when it's a cold start so curious what everyone's procedures and do and dont's are?

Thanks
Isaac[/code]

N41EF · Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2018 2:56 pm Post subject:

I use the center stand, there is a lift handle on K bikes that make it easy, just pull up while stepping down on the side stand and it will pop right up. Other have said side stand will allow oil to pool in cylinders.

I use side stand on the R nike only when fueling, again, I always use center stand.
_________________
2014 R1200RT Water Cooled
2001 R1100S Light
1993 K1100LT. Nissan Ice Blue.(Gone)

Jim · Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2018 6:00 pm Post subject:

Hey Isaac - I probably wouldn't leave the bike on the side stand for months, but it's fine for stops, overnights, even days at a time.

Yes, oil will run back in, but it burns off pretty quickly - and it's not that much.

Even fully loaded you should be able to get it on the centerstand. The only times I've had problems centerstanding were when I used the wrong size tires, or when pulling a trailer.
_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2018 7:06 pm Post subject:

Keep an eye on the side stand pivot bushing and lubrication.
If the lubrication hasn't been good over the years, the bushing insert will wear and cause more "lean" angle to the side stand. Extra lean means more UMPH to stand it upright when loaded.

Some riders have added material to the bottom of the side stand foot to give it a more upright position.
_________________
Ride safe.

1995 K1100LT 0302044
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1997 K1100LT 0302488(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

Flying Duck · Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2018 9:25 am Post subject:

I leave all of my bikes on the side stand all of the time. I have a bunch and it's easier to scrunch them together in the garage that way. It's also easier then putting them on the center stand.

The only time I use the center stand is for oil level checks and maintenance.

The only downside of leaving them on the side stand is that they smoke a bit when started from oil that's seeped by the rings if they've been left on the side stand for a while. No big deal.

If I'm touring and want to maximize the amount of gas I can get in the tank then I just refuel while sitting on the bike with it vertical. Especially with a fully loaded K1100LT, getting it up on the center stand is a lot of work. (RS wheels.)

I ride ferries fairly often and I'm always amused at anal retentive BMW riders who put their bikes on the center stand on the ferry. Occasionally, due to weather or poor piloting, a ferry will hit the dock harder than it should. If that happens a bike on the side stand on first gear (how I leave my bikes) has a lesser chance of taking a nap.

There's no real reason that a K HAS TO to be left on the center stand.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

illicit.nz · Brick Rider Joined: 11 Nov 2018 Posts: 25

Great thanks all, I thought it was a big No No to use the side stand often. Fully loaded she can a bit of a big girl to hoist up, I am running slightly oversize tires so that may be why?

Definitely anything longer than an overnight I'm putting it on the center as I've taken the boxes off anyway.

Thanks again.
P.s have just done over 2k miles since u brought her just over a month ago, south Florida and now in new Orleans heading west to Cali.
Bike now ha 99,000 miles, quite excited to be the one to crack the ton with her soon!!! Expect photos ðŸ˜ŽðŸ˜‚

Grunter · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2018 2:25 pm Post subject: Side stand use

I am not sure if the Users Manaul which comes with the bikes is the same for all countries, but in the UK version leaving the bike on the sidestand is not advised.

When you think about it, a K1100 when fully or even partially laden weighs around 1/4 of a ton and the angle of lean is quite steep. Trusting an 8mm bolt in the sidestand pivot is asking an awful lot.

Another reason is not so obvious, but it can cause problems in older bikes. That is the tank can sometimes take in water (especially moden fuels containing methanol) which normally would not give a problem. When the bike is on the side stand, this water being heavier than the fuel will migrate to the deepest recesses on the left hand side of the tank and remain there quite happily. Un-noticed and apparently benign.

This water will, over time, attack and start to corrode the tank from the inside and the tell-tale blister will appear on the paint work outside. Only speialised aluminium welding will repair it permenantly and of course this will require a tank respray.

Every K model bike be it the K75, K100 or K1100 that I have seen with a perforated tank or repaired with weld has happened on this place and all caused by water corrosion.

It is up to you.
_________________
1997 K1100LT
1994 R1100RS

Flying Duck · Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2018 5:02 pm Post subject:

I thought about the tank corrosion issue. If you leave it on the center stand then it collects water at the low point on both sides instead of just the left.

And the load of sitting on the side stand is a static load that does not cause metal fatigue. Unless something gets corroded it's not going to just snap.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

Grunter · Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2018 2:28 pm Post subject: Corrosion

Yet it will collect in both sides, but in smaller quantities which will not cause as much damage or as quickly as probably double the amount.

As I said I have seen it on all models of K series bikes and always this was on the lower left hand side where the recess is a little deeper.

(My 2nd K75 had this problem which is why, when I bought it, the price reflected the cost of repair.)

As for not leaving the bike on the side stand, it isn't the problem of metal fatigue, but general physical wear and tear. These bolts will over time wear and become weaker as time progresses.

In addition the 'jaws' of the pivot will distort (widen) so allowing the bike to lean further and place even more stress on an 8mm bolt. If anyone cares to do it with their bike, well that is their choice I am only offering my reasoning.
_________________
1997 K1100LT
1994 R1100RS