Mounting ST1300

okiehick82

okiehick82

Joined
Jul 9, 2013
Messages
103
Location
hamilton Il.
Bike
2003 Honda ST1300
I read a thread recently about mounting using the peg while on the kick stand. I have struggled sometimes mounting without kicking the bags ect. I realized that I had less trouble getting off and never thought about using the peg to get off so I looked at what was different. I found that where I place my foot in relation to the kick stand make a big difference in the easy of mounting. For me if I place my left foot about an inch outside and behind the foot of stand with my foot parallel to the bike. I then lean forward and swing leg over much more gracefully and comfortably and with less scuff marks than before. I would suggest if dismounts are smooth look where your left foot is spotted on dismount. I I lean forward with my right hand on the tank for support which help me get my leg up high enough to clear the seat. I try to do the exact opposite when mounting. Hope this is useful.
 
Well, I gave up the goose step after I scuffed my seat one too many times. I think using the peg would be the graceful and cool way to mount up but I'm not in the habit yet. During last weekend's motorcycle class they preached mounting the bike from the high side, for safety, to stay out of traffic. I tried it. No thanks, ain't gonna happen! I wear platform shoes on my nasty little feet and I ride my bike that goes beep beep beep. short people got, no reason...
 
iflyvfr said:
Well, I gave up the goose step after I scuffed my seat one too many times. I think using the peg would be the graceful and cool way to mount up but I'm not in the habit yet. During last weekend's motorcycle class they preached mounting the bike from the high side, for safety, to stay out of traffic. I tried it. No thanks, ain't gonna happen! I wear platform shoes on my nasty little feet and I ride my bike that goes beep beep beep. short people got, no reason...
Click to expand...
Well, I always mount via the foot peg. At a rally, with hundreds of people around, I tried mounting from the high (right) side. I failed to take into account that the ground sloped and my ST was more upright than usual. Over it went. As usual, it tossed me like a pinball flipper or a bull or bronco. Nothing hurt but my pride. At least I entertained everyone and lots of guys rushed over to help me right the bike. I'm becoming a pro at tip overs. Nothing like practice....
 
SMSW said:
Well, I always mount via the foot peg. At a rally, with hundreds of people around, I tried mounting from the high (right) side. I failed to take into account that the ground sloped and my ST was more upright than usual. Over it went. As usual, it tossed me like a pinball flipper or a bull or bronco. Nothing hurt but my pride. At least I entertained everyone and lots of guys rushed over to help me right the bike. I'm becoming a pro at tip overs. Nothing like practice....
Click to expand...

Need to adjust your "Tip over count"?
 
Using the peg to mount seems to work best for me. I do have a slight fear of pulling the bike over though.....
 
When the wife rides as passenger it's easiest for her to mount up first with the ST on the sidestand then I can get on (never have used the pegs) and balance the bike and fold up the stand.
Tried it with me on first, and I can flat foot the bike to steady it, but there was more of a "struggle" involved and the right luggage bag suffered from her trying to get her leg over the seat and onto the passenger peg.
 
Switching from an ST to an Adventure bike I found I couldn't mount the bike gracefully at all standing on the ground, especially as these bikes tend to have side cases at the same level as the seat. Stepping up on the foot peg, like mounting a horse via the stirrup, is the only way for me now.
 
It wouldn't hurt me to limber up some but mounting/dismounting from the high side would be beneficial to me. I just have to get round to practicing and making it a habit.
 
jettawreck said:
When the wife rides as passenger it's easiest for her to mount up first with the ST on the sidestand then I can get on (never have used the pegs) and balance the bike and fold up the stand.
Tried it with me on first, and I can flat foot the bike to steady it, but there was more of a "struggle" involved and the right luggage bag suffered from her trying to get her leg over the seat and onto the passenger peg.
Click to expand...

I always get on the bike first, then steady it while my passenger gets on. I never even thought of doing it in reverse. You have more faith in the side stand than me.

So, when you both dismount, do you get off first and then her?
 
ddemair said:
I always get on the bike first, then steady it while my passenger gets on. I never even thought of doing it in reverse. You have more faith in the side stand than me.

So, when you both dismount, do you get off first and then her?
Click to expand...

Yes, I get off, put the sidestand down and let her dismount. Well, actually I guess, I put the sidestand down and then get off w/o letting the stand make ground contact until I'm off.
Works well for her short legs with me out of the way and the right side bag gets less abuse. And that way only her weight is ever working on the sidestand as I can get on w/o putting any weight on it.
Seems as though no matter how well planted I was or steady I held the bike, there was always a fair amount of jostling as she got on after me, which made her nervous. She thought she would tip us over, even though it was fairly minimal. This way (her getting on first) is solid.
Give it a try, just make sure the stand is on solid ground/pavement always.
 
Last edited:
jettawreck said:
Need to adjust your "Tip over count"?
Click to expand...
No. I have my own tip over log with a short description of each incident. And I've mentioned in a number of threads my 'practice makes perfect' ethos regarding tip overs - so it is no secret. The total is really irrelevant, the log serves to remind me what needs scrutiny when slowing to a stop. For example when slowing for a stop, I now watch out for potholes, severely off camber slopes, gravel, 'marbles', and hitting the brake while the front wheel is turned. I'm getting better at this - the tip overs come more infrequently now. I'm hoping to grow a couple of inches and that will help a lot:rofl1:.
 
I'm not on Facebook so all I got was some girl in a helmet and crop top. So not a loss for me.
 
CYYJ said:
Wow! That's a great way to save the cost of a gym membership, putting the ST up on the center stand every time you park it.
Click to expand...
True dat! :rofl1:
 
Last edited:
st11ray said:
There's not much to it. Just stand on the CS and pull up on the grab handle. It goes right up.
Click to expand...

Agree. I'm a rather "lightly"built guy and have no problem getting the ST up on the centerstand. I think it's a bit easier than the Kawasaki Concours I previously had, but most have difficulty with those also. It's mostly balance and legwork.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom