Stand FAQ
Basics
Stands make working on your bike much more safe and enjoyable than the side stand. Even mundane things, like washing and changing oil can be much easier when you have a stable bike to work around. For tightening chains, and lining up rear wells, a rear stand is almost required.
Types
There are front and rear stands. Front stands can lift up on the bottom of the forks, and enable wheel removal, or they can lift up under the bottom triple clamp, and allow wheel and/or fork removal. Rear stands can be dual sided, single sided (s4r,996), front handle, rear handle, standard, or spooled. The spooled stands use forks that cradle spools that are fixed to the swingarm. They are the most precise and stable stands, but not many bikes have spools as OEM. Spools can be added to almost any bike by drilling and tapping, drilling and adding inserts or rivnuts, or welding nuts to the swingarm. I recommend contacting a spool manufacturer for advice on what technique to use. Some stands can even accommodate both spooled and none spooled bikes.
Brands
There are many brands I know of, and probably many more I don't know of:- Cycle Cat - new to the stand market, but they have been making quality motorcycle components for a long time. $200+ for a stand, rears only for the moment, no-one that I know has bought one yet.
- Pitbull - widely regarded as the best of the best, but they charge for their quality too. Typically $140-$170 per stand, and they make several different models of both front and rear. If you look at the service area of a moto shop, more than likely they will be using pitbulls. No paint to chip off, 100% zinc plated.
- Heindle - middle of the market, well built, but not all the features of the more expensive stands. Several different styles, and both front and rear. $160 for both stands. They are powder coated.
- Lockhart Phillips - considered near the bottom of the stand market, even though they cost around $110 each. They are known to have the swingarm pad come off and the swingarm slides down the stand until the bike falls. They are painted or chrome plated.
- Handy Stands - the minimalist approach to moto stands. You can find both front and rear stand togehter for around $100. They have mixed reviews, but generally are considered worth their cost, and especially the rear stand functions well. There has been one report of the legs spreading, and a Monster falling off. They are painted. Handy also makes a lot of other shop tools.
Tip
I place a short 2x4 under the side stand during lifting and lowering, to minimize the amount of tilt needed for the stand to generate
Videos
Check out these how to use videos provided by DML members: (you may need to do a "Save As" if using FireFox)
Front Handle Stand (Mitt)
Rear Handle Stand (Michael Moore)