Modern Vespa

Opinion please. I just installed a top box and rear crash bars on my GTS. Now, I feel the extra weight and effort needed to put the bike on the center stand. What do you think of putting a side stand on the bike? Is this a good thing to do?

Some say the GTS side stands are unreliable, they retract at inopportune times resulting in your scoot falling over.

the center stand is actually quite easy to use with some practice. with or without topcase and chrome
just my opinion

I think the extra weight should not really make it any harder to use the center stand, if you know how to.

That said, and accepting its limitations, I would not want to be without the additional sidestand. I'm using it in my garage, it helps with the oil change, it reminds me when I take corners too fast (at least the left turns)

I ordered a side stand for my GTS and installed it. It retracted really fast with just a little nudge and I could grind it in the corners. It came off as fast as it went on!!

Can I have it? Salima wants one too. I'll pay.

And here I was just about to order one! I definitely don't want my precious touching pavement with anything but wheel rubber.

Oh great! I just bought one...I guess I need to buy cowling protectors.

The ones we get here come with a side stand and I use it over the centrestand around 90/100. Can't be bothered with the centrestand unless i'm filling up or need to work on it. It self retracts but so do heaps of bikes. I like it and have had no troubles with it except I have scraped it around a corner but no biggie.

I use the side stand on my GTS for opening and closing the front gate at home.

For some reason it looks 'fragile' standing at that angle on just one feet/toe.
I use it with care...just to get in and out. 'Bad luck sits waiting for you hidden in a small corner of the room' is an old Dutch saying.

I have read from front to back here about sidestands...
I have an LX and I see this one from SCOOTERWORKS

The question is.........
The little lobe where the arrow is...
What if I grind a little off so the stand is pulled further foward and not so much perpendicular scoot?
I could also relocate/ add a new lobe if needed..
Think something like this would stop the automatic retraction?

Try checking this link:

https://modernvespa.com/forum/topic13094

Cheers,

Bob

I have one on my LX and love it !

If you know how to use it and know its limitations, a sidestand is great. I use it for a short stop, but never when there is a chance for someone to tamper (ie, sit on) my scoot. I have had several motorcycles that only had a self-retracting sidestand, no center stand.
Limitations:
Ok, they can grind on the pavement on hard left turns. But that's part of the deal. Anyone with a sport-oriented motorcycle has probably ground a sidestand or two.
Use only on a completely flat surface or with the scooter pointed uphill. With no gearbos, a scooter can't be placed in gear when stopped to act as a handbrake. Pointing downhill, even slightly, can cause the scooter to roll off the sidestand.
A high wind or a bump on the scooter (a passer-by, a tamperer) can release enough pressure off the sidestand to make it retract, dumping your scooter.
Incompletely setting it before letting all the scooter weight on it can cause it to fold, dumping your scooter. I learned to hold it in its forward position with my foot while unweighting the scooter onto it. That way I know it is fully extended.
Taking all these precautions are second nature to me now because I'm used to it from motorcycles. But if you aren't used to self-retractng sidestands, stay away from it.

I have been using my retractable side stand for a year now and it has yet to fall over. I have noticed that in order to knock it over you have to bump it pretty darn hard (almost as hard as you would have to bump it on the centerstand to knockit over). I have also noticed the more you use it the spring gets weaker and is able to lean more.

It is a hell of a time saver as well if you have multiple gates to open to park it or you need to throw on some rain gear at a light.

Thanks,
Will tinker around with it soon....

I have one laying around you could have for a reasonable price.....

just say'n...

R

8)

It's gone, I gave it away.

My old '77 BMW also had a retractable side stand. I see how they can be a benefit. Leaving a side stand down can be dangerous.

I had retracting stands on two motorcycles, both Italian. I haven't seen one on a new motorcycle in several years. They have been replaced by side stand kill switches on a non-self-retracting stand. That eliminates self-retracting stands and the problem of riding off with the side stand down. I notice there is a wire on my GTS leading to the side stand But there is no switch attached to engage the sidestand, so it doesn't do anything