Dirt bikes are action packed vehicles. You traverse hard to navigate terrains on the go but here’s the thing- although specialize in flying through dirt tracks, need proper cleaning from time to time. That’s where the stands come in. You have to put a dirt bike on a stand properly to clean it or for maintenance.
The method of putting a bike on a stand differs based on the types of stands. Each stand has its unique way to support a dirt bike when it is being cleaned. You need to know how exactly to use each of these stands so that your bike doesn’t get damaged or has places left to be cleaned.
Let’s take a look at how to put a dirt bike on a stand and what other things to look out for while you are at it.
How to put bikes on stands
There are various ways you can put dirt bikes on stands. These methods depend on the type of stand that is being used.
Lift Stand Method
This is the easiest method of putting your bike onto a stand. You hardly have to do any work other than rolling the bike into the correct position. The rest of the work will be done by the stand itself. Use the contraption made for lifting the bike to lift the bike to the height you desire.
Although some people like the usual stands as they cost less than the lift stands, the sheer physical strain can cause a hernia. So, despite being costly, it is better to use this method to ensure your safety.
Side Panel Lift Method
It is the most common and traditional way of lifting your bike onto a stand. It requires some arm and hip strength as you need to lean the bike to a side and lift it on the stand. The stand itself is fixed and strong. After you become adept at making the right movements, it doesn’t take more than a couple of seconds to complete the whole process. This simplicity along with the reduced expense makes it very popular in the pits.
Real Tire Lift Method
The basic idea of this method is similar to the side panel method, but the way to lift the bike onto the stand is a bit different. It is not as popular as the side panel one but is more advanced and easier to do than that one.
Take your dominant hand and grab a hold of the rear tire of your bike while keeping a hold of the rear fender with the weaker hand. Now lift the bike and move the bike above then stand slowly. After the bike is stationary, just make sure the front is centered properly and you are done. Keep an eye on the front wheel as it may squirrel out during the process.
Triangle Stand Method
This is a kickstand for your bike. It is very cheap and doesn’t require any strength to put the bike on the stand because it doesn’t even lift the bike in the air. Just attach the stand to a nut on the tire and you are done.
Nose wheelie Method
This is just a method to make you look cool. If you are confident and skilled enough, do a wheelie and place the bike on the stand directly. That is it for this method.
Rear wheelie Method
This is cooler than the nose wheelie version as it requires a lot of time perfecting the art of a rear wheelie. You might as well spend that time practicing on the track.
You are less likely to cause an accident if you roll your bike manually forward and then tightening the brakes. This will result in the rear wheel being lifted. Then scoot the bike over the stand and get off of it. But be very careful with this method as the slight misjudgment will result in you getting seriously hurt.
Types of Bike stands
As I said before, you have to follow different steps to put your bike on a stand according to the different types of stands available. Mainly there are four different types of bike stands for you to use, all with their quirks and drawbacks.
Fixed Stands
These stands are the most common out there. The base of the stand is fixed, while you can adjust the top of it according to the bike’s chassis.
So, you have to physically lift the bike onto the stand, which can be very gruesome as most machines weigh 200 pounds. But its advantage is that it will give the bike a stable base while you are working on it. They are also very budget-friendly as they cost the least.
Lift Stands
This is one of the most user-friendly stands for dirt bikes. You can adjust the height of the bike according to your requirement. The process of placing the bike onto it is also quite easy. But it is quite expensive and you also have to change the hydraulic fluid as it uses a hydraulic system.
Roll up stands
One of the most newly invested stands in the market, these stands are a hybrid of the fixed and the lift stand. There is a ramp for you to roll your bike up after which you have to stand on a lever. This will create a fixed stand as it will lift the bike in the air. Its convenience and speed are rapidly making it a stand of choice for bike owners.
Triangle stands
It is very easy to use and is also budget-friendly. It can be used as a kickstand by attaching it with a nut in the tire. But it has some drawbacks that disparage people from using it. It does not lift the bike in the air, making maintenance difficult in some cases. It also is not a long-term option for you to keep in storage.
Why kickstands are not Recommended for dirt bikes
Although it is possible to install kickstands on a dirt bike, experts don’t recommend you do so. Because the stand accidentally may get triggered by the rider. If it happens while the bike is running, things can get very ugly very fast.
Also, you need to be as lightweight as possible during a motocross race. But kickstands only add additional weight to your bike which will be counterproductive.
What are the uses of Bike stands
There are various ways that a bike stand can be useful. Some of them are:
- Cleaning the bike
- Repairing or performing maintenance on the bike
- Keeping the bike in storage
What attributes to look for while buying a bike stand?
When buying a bike, you have to make sure that your stand has a few important attributes. Without these, you will need to spend an unnecessary amount of money buying bike stands frequently. The key attributes you’d want in an ideal bike stand are:
- Durability
- Compatibility with your bike
- Lightweights
- Adjustability
I also have an article on the best dirt bike stands you can choose, which you can check out for more detailed explanations.
Common Mistakes when using a bike stand
Not all of us are experts in using a bike stand. Mistakes will inevitably be made when people are going to use the stands. It is better to know about them beforehand so that they can be avoided easily.
Setting the stand up on the uneven ground
If you are using a fixed stand, the ground that you are setting it up must be even. Uneven ground will tilt your bike causing it to fall over.
Having the bike too far or too close from the stand
The ideal distance between the bike and the stand should be 3-4 inches. Any farther than this and you won’t be able to put the bike onto the stand. On the other hand, being too close to the stand will mean you will knock over the stand when trying to use it.
Wrongly Grabbing the bike
Sometimes your hand automatically reaches around the bike, grabbing hold of the exhaust pipe instead of the rear fender. Make sure to look out for this. If you grab the exhaust pipe, you will severely burn your hand as the pipe is extremely hot.
Wrongly lining up the bike and stand
Putting the bike too far forward or backward will do you no good. Place it between the two rails of the frame of the stand. This will make sure your bike remains stable while you are working on it.
Final words
Motocross is an exhilarating sport to both watch and participates in. Bike stands make things easier for the performers so that they can provide us with the highest level of entertainment. So knowing how to put a dirt bike on a stand is essential to ensure top performance. Consider all your options and what you want from your stand, and then choose the right one to bring the best out of your dirt bike.
