Reddit mentions: The best powersports stand

there are a few different ways. the easiest is to get a steering stem stand. those are fairly cheap, maybe 50-60 bucks. they come in handy when you change the front tire as well.

you can also jack up under the motor and raise the front and strap the back end down so it doesn't tip. if you have a center stand you don't even need a jack, just put it up, strap the back down and you're good.

or you can hang the front end off the rafters with ratchet straps.

but regardless of which method you use, it's totally worth doing yourself because a shop will easily charge 300+ for this job, so think of any tools you get as an investment. as far as specialty tools you will need a torque wrench for sure, a seal driver is very helpful but you can make one out of a pvc pipe, and depending on your bike a big hex bit for the axle (probably not needed on your bike).

this video does a good job of walking you through it

good luck!

Absolutely worth it. Entry level but very practical equipment is inexpensive and is all that is really needed unless you are doing a couple hundred tires a year.

Here is a example of some simple equipment to get one started:

Tire machines with bead breaker

• I worked in a shop that used this very same manual tire machine for awhile. Works well. Sold under many names. Currently $65 at Amazon.
  
• I used a $39.99 Harbor Freight Tire machine With the $39.99 motorcycle adapters for some time at home with a few mods. $80 investment.
  
  Balancer and weights
  
  
• A simple static balancer is cheap, effective and easy to use. Also they are often more accurate that computer spin balancers as most computer spin balancers have a lower limit of 1/4oz. Where as the static balancer will/can go down to a gram or less if you wanted to, but a 1/4oz or 1/8oz will do for the street. I have a more robust version of this I made at work, but this will do a home user just fine for $81.32
  
• Stick-on wheel weights are the most versatile and can be painted what ever color you want to match the wheel they are going on. Motion-Pro 90oz box for $25.96
  
• Some $10 rim protectors will come in handy also.
  
  So for less than $200 one can set them selves up to mount and balance their own tires with decent equipment. A little bit of practice and it will become easy. A nice mounting bar/tool for these machines is a No-marr

I just did this very thing moving my R1100R from southern California to northern Oregon. First tip: UHaul rents motorcycle trailers and does not like people putting motorbikes in their truck cabins so this isn't entirely kosher. I was towing my car and so opted to do it anyway.

Get a wheel chock. It doesn't have to mount to the floor (which you can't really do with a UHaul) but it will help prevent the bike from moving backwards/forwards and will keep the front wheel straight.

My process went like this:

• Got a small hand-pump and drained the petrol from the tank
  
• With a couple of friends walked the bike up the ramp and into the back of the truck
  
• With the same friends lifted and rotated the bike 180° so it was facing out the door
  
• Rolled the bike into the wheel chock
  
• With somebody sitting on the bike (to compress the front shocks a bit) ratchet-strapped the bike into place. Using the front fork/clamps is generally better than directly attaching to the handlebars, and the rear straps don't need to do any compressing -- they're just there to keep anything from slipping around.
  
• Packed everything that remained around the bike, including putting some heavily weighted things on the wheel chock legs to help keep the chock from moving.
  
• When stopping for gas I checked the straps to make certain they were still snug.
  
  Leave the kick / center stand up and cover the bike with some furniture pads or blankets to keep anything from scratching it (but you should pack everything tightly enough that nothing is moving around in the truck to begin with). All I had to on arrival was remove the wheel chock pin to disassemble it in place, removed the straps, and while in neutral got a push out the door and rode the ramp out.
  
  That said if you aren't towing anything already I would get their motorbike trailer. The bike itself takes up a decent amount of space and you can only pack so many things to either side of the bike because you don't want anything touching the straps. If it's an option you probably have a better space-to-cost ratio with the trailer and then filling the truck floor to ceiling with boxes.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0036QZ8VQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1370220113&sr=8-2&pi=SL75
I picked these up last year and they lift the bike pretty solid. Pretty heavy stands for the price. Spools are about 15$ depending on the style etc. Really helps with chain cleaning/ lubricating, rear tire/ brake work etc. The "grunge brush" is a fantastic tool as well. Also cheap, http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000BS02LS/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1370220336&sr=8-1&pi=SL75
May not be "fun" gifts but endlessly useful if not already owned. happy spending!
Edit: just adding something to 6x9equals42's post, excellent ideas

If I had to do it again I would. It is heavy AF, and awkward to get home. (As far as I know they will only help you get it into a pickup truck. Heavy end forward of course, but that makes it really hard to unload by yourself) As others have mentioned, the front chock should probably be replaced with something beefier, (I used this) and it doesn't spin worth a shit. The ramp does come off easily but it obviously does take up a motorcycle's worth of space in the garage.

But other than that, its fluffy white clouds. If you couple it with one of these you will be ready for anything. I threw a couple extra C clamps on it for additional mobile tie downs, useful if you want to raise the front or the back wheel.

I bought one of these to clean my chain. Super cheap and works like a charm for almost any bike.

Every ~300Km I use Ipone chain cleaner and a chain brush to remove any crap. Then I apply an even layer of Motul C4 Chain lube along the center of the chain.

If you don't have a center stand like me, consider getting one of these its amazing. Hope this helps! Ride safe. :D

Have you got spools on your swingarm? If yes then it will, if you haven't I don't see how it would work.

If you can fit these to it it will be OK.

https://www.amazon.com/Venom-Attachments-Sportbike-Motorcycle-Attachment/dp/B018IM0ANS/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1479338577&sr=1-2&keywords=paddock+stand

Or just get one like this.

https://www.amazon.com/Goplus%C2%AE-Motorcycle-Forklift-Spoolift-Swingarm/dp/B019RH6B8G/ref=sr_1_11?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1479338425&sr=1-11&keywords=paddock+stand

Haha fair enough. Another option might be to get something like a rear wheel chock https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sealey-FPS4-Motorcycle-Wheel-Chock/dp/B001SFQVJA . You can put your rear wheel in one of those and it'll keep your bike nice and level.

http://www.amazon.com/Venom-Motorcycle-Paddock-Universal-Kawasaki/dp/B0077T23IO?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00

Save $10 at Amazon if you want. I have these for my FZ-07 for the past 2 years and they've been great.

Sounds like you need a hitch carrier. I don't have any specific recommendations regarding brands, etc., but this is the sort of thing that will likely work for you: https://www.amazon.com/Black-Widow-SMC-600R-Motorcycle-Carrier-600lb/dp/B002M3ODTC. On average these things seem to be rated for around a 600 lb capacity, so I'd think a dirt bike would be perfectly safe to transport using one of these.

Thanks. So I need to install "bobbins" on my swingarm, which the rear paddock stand will use to lift the bike?

I'll see if I can use R&G's info to find something similar in the U.S. If I buy from that site, the stand alone would be about $110 USD after shipping + Spools/Bobbins.


The only thing that shows up in Amazon with "Thruxton" on it were single-sided rear stands:

• 27mm Swing-Arm Stand Side Pin
  
  
• Single Left-Side Swing-Arm Stand
  
• Together, with shipping, about $100. Not bad and cheaper than the $200-250 center stand.
  
  The only Triumph-specific spools I've seen show up for the Triumph Daytona, but from the forums it doesn't seem that these would be applicable to the Thruxton. From triumphrat forums it seems that people have had to get somewhat crafty with spools (drilling holes or mounting to shocks instead).
  
  It seems that Pit Bull, such as in thepen's comment, may end up being easier as it apparently doesn't require spools (supported on triumphrat forum as well.) However, the use of the Pitbull on the Thruxton, from what I've read, can often be difficult for 1 person to do properly.
  
  Sucks that most of the relevant comments on the Triumph Forum don't have valid links anymore to the products they used! The more popular Bonneville options aren't of any help either, due to the placement of the Bonneville's exhaust pipes.
  
  Edit: Here's the Pit Bull Bonneville that seems compatible with my bike. At that price ($180), I wonder if I'd be better off getting the actual center stand instead though.

I had a Versa Haul about 15 years ago. Rated for 500 pounds. I really really liked it. Super easy to load a bike on solo because of the ramp, and the four tie down points were sturdy. Had the tail light kit that plugged into the trailer harness.

I hung it off the back of a Chevy Tahoe. Couldn’t even tell the bike was there, really. Dirt bike was solid; sagged the rear end a touch when I loaded my street bike (425 pounds wet or so.). I had a mechanic install some stiffer leaf/overload springs on the Tahoe and that helped immensely. Thousands of miles with the street bike on it and a jet ski trailer (with jet ski) attached along behind.

I wouldn’t recommend exceeding your vehicle’s max tongue weight, but I never had any issues and would get one again. Only once did a strap get loose and I saw the bike lurch over in the mirror. That was a pants shitting middle of the road experience but it was the strap’s fault, not the carrier.

Oh and it had a collar with a couple bolts that you’d use to snug it up to the hitch receiver. That was nice as it meant it wouldn’t rock left to right. Worked great on my first Tahoe which had a 90 degree angle between the receiver collar and tube. Didn’t work so well on my subsequent Tahoe because that same collar/tube joint had the weld at 45 degrees so the bolts couldn’t get as much purchase. That said, while then assembly rocked, it was still quite solid.

Same capacity, except mine has an aluminum U wheel track vice the steel on that one. Remember the hitch hauler itself weights about 80-100 lbs.
I have this one, but I welded a 3/8 wide stringer under the receiver part just to feel comfortable with a Dual Sport, there is no way in the world I would trust any hitch hauler for for 600 lbs.
Black Widow SMC-600R Deluxe Steel Motorcycle Carrier-600lb. Capacity https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002M3ODTC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_6WxzCb293YYYC

Amazon. SUPER cheap. I seriously cannot fathom why someone would spend $150 on a pitbull or similar stand. If it isn't giving me a handie and making me breakfast, I ain't spending that kind of money when the no name one for $37 bucks works great

Is a proper stand something like this?
https://www.amazon.com/Venom-Motorcycle-Swingarm-Profile-Kawasaki/dp/B00AWE0E3W/ref=sr_1_5?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1505118970&sr=1-5&keywords=swingarm+triple+tree

No-Mar tool is something like this?

https://www.amazon.com/No-Mar-AC-Y-03905111-Yellow-Thing-Tire/dp/B011J6KXR8/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1505119332&sr=1-1&keywords=no+mar+tools

Would this work for lifting the back up? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LWE1T7R/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I got one for my motorcycle and it works great

Something like this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002M3ODTC/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_Skmlxb1MMF0QQ

You would have to do more research to find the good ones.

Any paddock stand should fit, you just want the one with the curved / hooked brackets and you adjust them to fit the width.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/5072-Black-Range-B5072-Paddock/dp/B00FE6KLSG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1526407000&sr=8-3&keywords=paddock+stand

I use this for the CB650F.

I've got this. They both work great.

Venom Motorcycle Front+Rear Headlift Dual Lift Stand For Suzuki SV650/S (03+) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01721NQT6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_dh2SDbQP3GT7X

You can put your bike on paddock stands if you're concerned. They're also super handy for maintenance, everyone should have a set in the garage.

What this guy said. Get a triple tree stand, its worth the extra money and makes taking tires off 100x easier.

This is what I have as my front stand. Its solid steel tubing and I like it.

This is what I have as my rear. It does okay but it I would not put a bike heavier than the SV650 on it. I'd probably get the rear stand equivalent of the front stand I have.

I have these.

https://www.amazon.com/Venom-Motorcycle-Paddock-Universal-Kawasaki/dp/B0077T23IO

Really good price. No spools needed. I have used the rear stand several times and it works very well. Stable enough to do any maintenance you need to do. Haven't tried the front one yet, but I imagine it works just as well.

I have cbr500r. Idk how to put the tag next to my name.

If you don't have any paddock bobbins or the ability to fit them on your swing arm:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Oxford-Repair-Stand-Wheel-Black/dp/B0045CMQU6/ref=sr_1_12?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1526411975&sr=1-12&keywords=paddock+stand

I use this for my 650 Bandit

I have this and use it on my dual sport and adventure bike.

OrionMotorTech Dilated Scissor Lift Jack for Street Bike, Cruiser, Adventure Touring Motorcycle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M0AB7MJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_grbwDbRJNBV8G

There was a set of both front and rear on amazon recently for like $60

http://www.amazon.com/Venom-Motorcycle-Swingarm-Paddock-Kawasaki/dp/B0036QZ8VQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1408486452&sr=8-1&keywords=motorcycle+stands

• Venom Stands
  
  Alternatively, hang it from the ceiling or a ladder with ropes/ratchet straps. These are good if you need to take off the forks or swingarm.

Buy a set of motorcycle stands.

And yes, that is the oil drain bolt.

Oh, so that's what the HF cheapies look like. lol I was going to get one but ended up opting for something even cheaper on Amazon.

> Grab a rear stand for $150 (American, sorry in advance for using my currency in this reply) or so, pit bull is a great brand.

You can get Vemon brand front and rear stands for $60 on Amazon. No doubt they're not as sturdy as Pit Bull, but I got them and they've been working just fine for me.

I think I ended up getting mine off eBay since they shipped to Canada for free, but I got the same one as this http://www.amazon.com/Venom-Motorcycle-Swingarm-Paddock-Kawasaki/dp/B0036QZ8VQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410524786&sr=8-1&keywords=venom+motorcycle+stand

I use Venom on my wife's Rebel 500. Works fine, cheap at Amazon - just under $70 for the pair of front and rear: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0077T23IO

Just under $50 for the rear by itself. Right now the bike is up on both stands for the winter.

The lifts an Orion, $65 they sell on amazon 1000lb weight limit

OrionMotorTech Dilated Scissor... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M0AB7MJ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share


Edit: add link

Just spend the 70$ and buy these https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0077T23IO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_CjONBbE71KG48

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0077T37GQ/

https://www.amazon.com/Venom-Motorcycle-Paddock-Universal-Kawasaki/dp/B0077T23IO

They are $70. I've had them a year so far. You don't need spools, it uses the swingarm on the rear with rubber paddles. You should be able to see it in the picture.

Used on my cbr500r. Works for all sorts of bikes.

With the invention of modern lubes, taking the chain off and soaking it in oil is way, way more work than its worth. It takes literally 3 minutes to lube my chain with teflon chain lube, and it lasts a couple hundred miles. And you dont have to clean the chain because its not sticky. Over like 150k miles across 5 different bikes, my chains and sprockets seem to last way longer than when I used to use oil based lubes.

I use this thing on my bikes that dont have center stands: https://www.amazon.com/Hardline-Products-RS-00001-Rollastand-Sport/dp/B000GU0XRO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1468449177&sr=8-1&keywords=motorcycle+roller+stand

I picked up this one as my BMW is a bit shy of 500lbs:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002M3ODTC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I've yet put it together however.

I've seen more than a few people over the years at the track use this to tote their sport bikes which weigh upwards of 400lbs+ http://www.amazon.com/Mounted-Motorcycle-Carrier-Capacity-Loading/dp/B002M3ODTC
The downside is your bike is out in the elements.

IDK man, folds flat and can be thrown in the closet, under the couch, behind a TV stand, under a milk crate.

https://www.amazon.com/OrionMotorTech-Dilated-Scissor-Adventure-Motorcycle/dp/B01M0AB7MJ/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=motorcycle+lift&qid=1563369560&s=gateway&sr=8-3

I purchased my 2016 R3 brand new. I dropped it the third day I had it and bent the footpeg. Replaced it for $20. I later dropped it on grass. No damage. The third time I dropped it the clutch lever broke and I scratched the sticker on it. Big bulb turn signal cushioned the fall and plastics took almost no damage. $10 for a new lever.

I'm going to keep this bike for a long time. It's already paid off in full so it's just insurance and maintenance from now on.

I wanted the cleanest look possible but state law forces me to have some sort of turn signals rather than just an integrated taillight. YMMV.
Try this for low cost?

Some upgrades:
Bike stands front and rear: $70

Saddlemen seat (comes with pillion seat): $200

Eventually some better tires: ~$200

1WD-F41B1-00-P0 (Matte tank center to replace my glossy black): $30


No fender eliminators for me. I'd rather my plastics take a hit than the shock getting sent through to the frame. Although I suppose after a certain point it won't matter.

Head over to the R3 forums. Plenty of cool people and mods there.

diy

I've heard great things about venom

even that stand is probably cheaper than bringing in the bike.


I've gotten quotes for $100 per tire on my bike. or like $25-30 rim off.... :P

triple tree stand no brand

stands aint cheap. but they're worth their weight in gold.

I used to think stands were worthless and just a convenience. hell no they are worth it.


sooo yeah. :<