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5,055 Posts
Gary,
I always put the scooter on the sidestand before hoisting it onto the centerstand. I do the same with my motorcycle. I've always done that.
As you mentioned, that allows me to get off of the machine safely. I can then get the proper stance - left hand on handlebar grip, right hand on passenger grab rail, right foot on centerstand tang (push it down to contact the floor or pavement) - gently right the machine, step down & pull up to hoist it on the centerstand. Then I kick the sidestand up.
That makes the whole process more relaxed, because I am not worrying about dropping the machine. I get a better stance for the lift, which greatly reduces the chance that I'll hurt my back - back injuries heal slow - and this whole routine takes maybe 1 minute more than if I skipped the sidestand step. It is total habit now - I don't even think about it.
The fact that the engine cuts out on the scooter when I drop the sidestand is no big deal - I would have been shutting the engine off next anyway. The only time it is slightly annoying, is if I've backed the scooter out of the garage, started it, and then remember that I left my sunglasses or gloves in the garage, or maybe left the lights on in the garage. If it weren't for the cutout switch, I could just set the handbrake, drop the sidestand, and go retrieve the item or whatever. But Suzuki doesn't trust me with that, which is mildly insulting. Actually I think it's the insulting thing that gets me, more than the inconvenience, when I drop the sidestand and the engine cuts out. And, yes, I know that's all in my head - they've got liability suits to consider. But it's my head, and that's how it thinks...
I always put the scooter on the sidestand before hoisting it onto the centerstand. I do the same with my motorcycle. I've always done that.
As you mentioned, that allows me to get off of the machine safely. I can then get the proper stance - left hand on handlebar grip, right hand on passenger grab rail, right foot on centerstand tang (push it down to contact the floor or pavement) - gently right the machine, step down & pull up to hoist it on the centerstand. Then I kick the sidestand up.
That makes the whole process more relaxed, because I am not worrying about dropping the machine. I get a better stance for the lift, which greatly reduces the chance that I'll hurt my back - back injuries heal slow - and this whole routine takes maybe 1 minute more than if I skipped the sidestand step. It is total habit now - I don't even think about it.
The fact that the engine cuts out on the scooter when I drop the sidestand is no big deal - I would have been shutting the engine off next anyway. The only time it is slightly annoying, is if I've backed the scooter out of the garage, started it, and then remember that I left my sunglasses or gloves in the garage, or maybe left the lights on in the garage. If it weren't for the cutout switch, I could just set the handbrake, drop the sidestand, and go retrieve the item or whatever. But Suzuki doesn't trust me with that, which is mildly insulting. Actually I think it's the insulting thing that gets me, more than the inconvenience, when I drop the sidestand and the engine cuts out. And, yes, I know that's all in my head - they've got liability suits to consider. But it's my head, and that's how it thinks...
