 Parking your bike
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Joined: Nov 2009
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My husband and I have an ongoing debate and I need your help.  Do you leave your bike in neutral or in gear when you park it? I always leave mine in gear and his is usually in neutral unless on a hill.
Have a heart that never hardens, a temper that never tires, a touch that never hurts. - Charles Dickens
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 Re: Parking your bike
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 169
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I leave mine in neutral only because I turn it off in neutral.
06 Speedmaster
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Re: Parking your bike
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616 |
Depends on if I was in N when I shut her down.
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
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Re: Parking your bike
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1
Second Wind
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Second Wind
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1 |
Its easier to push away when in neutral. So If you want to be pranked by your friends park in neutral. If not leave 'er in gear.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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Re: Parking your bike
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 125
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Quote:
Depends on if I was in N when I shut her down.
I second that one! hehehe... don't know if it's right or wrong but that's what I do.
I do lock the handlebars everywhere I go though.
2003 Caspian Blue America: Rush Exhaust, FREAK Kit, Almost Chrome Everything, 150/80/15 and 120/90/18 WWW, 18T and 42T Gears, Speedy Tach.
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Re: Parking your bike
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Logic dictates I park 'er in gear, but I'm not always logical. Neutral in the driveway usually 'cause I can just grab it and move it around.
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Parking your bike
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 125
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 125 |
Quote:
Logic dictates I park 'er in gear
That parts the truth! I think my logic kicks me in the noggin' if I'm on anything other than flat. Any kind of a grade and it's in gear.
2003 Caspian Blue America: Rush Exhaust, FREAK Kit, Almost Chrome Everything, 150/80/15 and 120/90/18 WWW, 18T and 42T Gears, Speedy Tach.
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Re: Parking your bike
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,580
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,580 |
Every bike I've had I've nearly always parked in neutral. I don't know why. Strangely, every car or van I've had, I've nearly always parked in gear. Probably because it used to annoy the hell out of the wife.  Do you think that might be why she's an ex-wife now 
Too old to die young, too ugly to leave a good looking corpse
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Re: Parking your bike
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,738
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,738 |
I always park all vehicles in gear unless inside my garage.
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Re: Parking your bike
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 728 Likes: 1
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I'm in mind to think like your Hubby, neutral unless its on a hill. That way I can start it up, before putting my gloves on if its been parked for awhile. 
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Re: Parking your bike
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 713
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You ALL were supposed to agree with me, jeez, now what do I tell him???? At least a couple of you are on my side.
Seriously though it's interesting. Thanks
Have a heart that never hardens, a temper that never tires, a touch that never hurts. - Charles Dickens
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Re: Parking your bike
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,680
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,680 |
Always in gear, and usually with petcock OFF
Thom
I might be wrong, I sometimes am.
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Re: Parking your bike
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,419
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,419 |
Does anyone else struggle to shift into neutral while the engine is not running?
This is the main reason I park in neutral - except if on a hill. If I have parked in gear, I usually need to start the bike in gear and then slip the clutch slightly before she will allow me to shift into neutral. All a bit of a hassle. Anyone know any tricks/knacks to overcome this issue?
Cheers, Richard
~~~~~~~~~~~~
09 America, Staintune Pipes, K&N, Breathe, Hagon Nitros, AI & O2 removed, tune 20184 (modified), MTX-L a/f gauge
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Re: Parking your bike
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821 |
Neutral in my garage.
Outside, I park in gear because it can get windy without notice around here and wind can push a bike, rolling it and making it fall over, seen it happen.
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: Parking your bike
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821 |
Quote:
Does anyone else struggle to shift into neutral while the engine is not running?
This is the main reason I park in neutral - except if on a hill. If I have parked in gear, I usually need to start the bike in gear and then slip the clutch slightly before she will allow me to shift into neutral. All a bit of a hassle. Anyone know any tricks/knacks to overcome this issue?
Just roll it forward til it stops, back til it stops and split the difference so the pressure is off the gears. Should slip right into neutral without using the clutch.
That's what I do if I want to start it before I get on.
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: Parking your bike
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,419
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,419 |
Hmmmm. Mine doesn't roll forward or back while in gear - no play at all.
Cheers, Richard
~~~~~~~~~~~~
09 America, Staintune Pipes, K&N, Breathe, Hagon Nitros, AI & O2 removed, tune 20184 (modified), MTX-L a/f gauge
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Re: Parking your bike
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Quote:
Hmmmm. Mine doesn't roll forward or back while in gear - no play at all.
Pull the clutch and it should.
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Parking your bike
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,459 Likes: 1
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,459 Likes: 1 |
Leave mine in neutrel unless on a hill or a boat. Would also put it in gear if it was on a trailer, thats never happened. 
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Re: Parking your bike
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,419
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,419 |
Keith - I think you're missing the point.
Pulling the clutch while in gear with the engine off does not enable changing gear or moving to neutral on my bike - at least most of the time. It usually is very reluctant to move out of gear without the engine running (clutch in. So it requires starting the engine and applying slight load on the gearbox by slipping the clutch a tad.
Cheers, Richard
~~~~~~~~~~~~
09 America, Staintune Pipes, K&N, Breathe, Hagon Nitros, AI & O2 removed, tune 20184 (modified), MTX-L a/f gauge
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Re: Parking your bike
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 537
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Adjunct
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Posts: 537 |
Quote:
Does anyone else struggle to shift into neutral while the engine is not running?
Nope
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Re: Parking your bike
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1
Second Wind
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Second Wind
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1 |
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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Re: Parking your bike
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,186 Likes: 55
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,186 Likes: 55 |
Neutral, comes from when I rode my chopper all the time. Can't start an old Triumph twin in gear with the kickstart, the clutch disengages that. So when running up to start in a hurry there is no time to mess around finding neutral. Now I just do it out of habit.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Parking your bike
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
Neutral in my garage.
Outside, I park in gear
+1 (plus, my garage might be the only truly level spot in the county  )
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: Parking your bike
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,839 Likes: 3
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,839 Likes: 3 |
old habits are hard to break. fuel off, neutral, and pointed out(always backed to the curb) in case i'm in a hurry when leaving. i suppose this all stems from when bikes were built a little less reliable
ENJOY!!!!! NEWT!!!!!
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Re: Parking your bike
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,685 Likes: 20
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,685 Likes: 20 |
I didn't know there was any other way. Neutral then turn off the key. Ya see they put the key on the left side for a reason. So you would be in neutral first before turning it off. Can't let go of the clutch otherwise. Kick it down into gear if on a steep hill. It also makes sure you don't forget your key.
Just teasing but it does kinda make sense.
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: Parking your bike
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
What ever you do watch this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ti6_N19wc_A
Yep. However, every H-D I've ever ridden has had a kickstand which when extended feels somewhat "nebulous" down there and has given be the feeling that the bike will fall over once I get off of it.
And re the Kathy's question: I too almost always leave my bikes in neutral unless they're parked on a inclined surface.
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Parking your bike
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1
Second Wind
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Second Wind
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1 |
Well I couldn't find a video of a Triumph rider who dropped his bike due to failure to engage the side stand. So I had to settle for a Harley rider.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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Re: Parking your bike
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,186 Likes: 55
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,186 Likes: 55 |
A good friend of mine ,Cousin Jimmy (RIP) has done that several times that I have seen. Always good for a laugh. Some old HD stands are designed to go up by themselves. The weight of the bike keeps them down.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Parking your bike
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Yep Ian, and like I was sayin', the sidestands on the newer H-Ds don't feel like they're fully deployed, even when they are.
And, Ducati for years had that whole "designed to go up by themselves when you'd swing the bike upright" thing goin' on, and of which I always thought was a left-side turn-signal smash(at a minimum) just waitin' to happen, too!
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Parking your bike
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,124 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,124 Likes: 13 |
There is no definitive answer! Depends on where you park it. I do it all. Mostly just put her in neutral, side-stand down, fuel off, key off, lid on saddle, gloves wedged 'tween the speedo and handlebars.
Park at strange hotel or where you can't see it? In gear, steering locked, key out, fuel off etc...
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Parking your bike
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
...Mostly just put her in neutral, side-stand down, fuel off, key off, lid on saddle, gloves wedged 'tween the speedo and handlebars...
That reminds me...considering the ignition location on our bikes, I wonder how many of us around here have at least one time run down the battery 'cause we've used the kill switch to stop the engine but have forgotten to do that thing you mentioned that I've put in bold print there???
(...I have to admit I did that once!) 
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Parking your bike
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,186 Likes: 55
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,186 Likes: 55 |
I have never shut my bike off with the kill switch. Never used to have one so never use it.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Parking your bike
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
I have never shut my bike off with the kill switch. Never used to have one so never use it.
Well, I suppose that's ONE advantage to bein' sooooo "Old School", eh Ian?!  
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Parking your bike
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 231
Adjunct
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Adjunct
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Posts: 231 |
Unless I am on a hill, I leave it in neutral, back in, use the kill switch, and leave the gas on. Only ran the battery down once this way, and I figure the fuel system is supposed to have fuel, so let it flow.
Send lawyers, guns and money, cause the sh*t has hit the fan!
-W. Zevon
2020 Bud Ekins T100
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Re: Parking your bike
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,186 Likes: 55
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,186 Likes: 55 |
Quote:
Quote:
I have never shut my bike off with the kill switch. Never used to have one so never use it.
Well, I suppose that's ONE advantage to bein' sooooo "Old School", eh Ian?!
Yep, I still want a point ignition and a kick start! No CDI to fail then or expense to replace it.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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 Re: Parking your bike
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626 |
Quote:
Its easier to push away when in neutral. So If you want to be pranked by your friends park in neutral. If not leave 'er in gear.
If any of my "friends" pushed away my bike they would:
A: No longer be friends
B: Have broken legs
BTW Missanies, I'm with your hubby, I always leave it in
neutral unless it's on a hill. Then I leave it in gear.
Steelheart- '03 Speedmaster Black/Yellow
The Hayabusa Killa
16" Shorties/140 mains/Airbox drilled
Procom CDI
"There is no cure for Celibacy. But we can treat the symptoms."
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Re: Parking your bike
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1
Second Wind
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Second Wind
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1 |
This is how I park mine. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wx2J4o4qr00see how perfectly executed. No side stand required.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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Re: Parking your bike
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,068 Likes: 1
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,068 Likes: 1 |
Neutered or in gear , 'tis always better to crank it in neuter .
If it be in gear and you pull in the clutch to turn it over , there's a drag on the starter .
Next time it's cold , put 'er in first , pull the clutch and feel how much harder it be to push it .
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Re: Parking your bike
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
Mine's usually in park, with the e/brake on.
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: Parking your bike
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 237
Adjunct
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Adjunct
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Posts: 237 |
Allways leave the Bikes in neutral ..
But I live in Florida.. Flat.. Flat... Flat...
easier to move around etc...
07 SPEEDMASTER ..SLASHCUT BUBS..
NOLOGY COILS/WIRES ..PHANTOM BLACK ..CHROME COVERS...K&N PODS..
BEAUTIFULL WHEN SHE RUNS RIGHT..SHE WAS ..
.. I LIKE HER>> ALOT ~~
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