Exhibits, Shows and Displays

What are motorcycle stands primarily used for?

I just bought a bike a couple of weeks ago. I see that most people have stands for their motorcycles and I just can't figure out what they are used for exactly...

Public Comments

1. makes it easier to repair the bike
2. Some bikes like cruiser style bikes have center stands built in to their design, If your bike has a center stand built in you dont really need a rear stand, most sportbikes however do not come with a center stand and almost all sportbikes have chains for the final drive. Chains require cleaning, lubing and regular adjusting to stay in top form so having at least a rear stand is very useful. You only really need a front stand for taking the wheel off, if you plan to take your bike to a service center for this type of thing you dont really need a front stand. Bike stands are also useful for storing your bike, some people like to keep the tires elevated off of the cement surface when a bike is going to be stored for a longer period of time, say over the winter months. These are the most common reasons to own stands, the are also nice for cleaning the bike, very nice for cleaning wheels without having to roll it back and forth to get the whole wheel clean.
3. Hi John, I use my stand to do all sorts of things on my bikes. Some times it just helps me make more room in the garage as the bike takes up less space standing straight up instead of on the side stand. The bike stand also helps a lot when cleaning as you can rotate the wheels and clean them without having to roll the bike then wipe then roll then wipe then roll etc...etc...etc...
4. Maybe you mean paddock stands.These are used to prop the bike up so that you can change a wheel or adjust the tension on the chain or just to support the bike if you are doing any work on the engine.You can buy front and rear paddock stands for a bike at any good motorcycle shop.
5. In addition to the previous answers, race bikes do not have side stands or center stands, so they are always placed on stands when the rider is not on the bike. Race bikes also use tire warmers to keep the rubber at a constant temperature while out on the paddock. The stands keeps the tires off the ground so the warmers can completely encircle the tire.
6. to make adjusting the chain easier ( lubing cleaning etc ) which should be done every week or so plus stops bike falling over when you leave it ;)
7. Because it is very difficult to remove the rear wheel on a bike that doesn't have a centre stand.
8. They are good for maintenance, storing for the winter, and the most important reason is they make your bike look cool in photos.