Front paddock stands, opinions?

[rapid van cleef]

Hi peeps. I am after some experienced opinions please. I am about to take my track day experiences up a level and buy some warmers and a front stand(already have a rear stand) Is there a particular benefit of having a front stand that lifts from under the front of the chasis near the top of the forks as opposed to the stands that lift from the bottom of the forks?

Theres a supplier in Paeroa selling both types. The type that lifts from the top of the forks as around triple the price, which is ok. But why would I need that as opposed to the type that lift from the bottom of the forks? What are the pros and cons?

The same supplier is selling warmers too , for around 350 bucks I think.
Opinions?

Thanks

[SVboy]

I suggest getting the frame lift because it is more stable and enables you to take your front wheel off. Warmers-you get what you pay for-I doubt many experienced riders would recommend the [SUMOMOTO?] warmers. A few $$ more will see you intoTYREWARMERS.CO.NZ which appear a lot more reliable.

[The Singing Chef]

Hi peeps. I am after some experienced opinions please. I am about to take my track day experiences up a level and buy some warmers and a front stand(already have a rear stand) Is there a particular benefit of having a front stand that lifts from under the front of the chasis near the top of the forks as opposed to the stands that lift from the bottom of the forks?

Theres a supplier in Paeroa selling both types. The type that lifts from the top of the forks as around triple the price, which is ok. But why would I need that as opposed to the type that lift from the bottom of the forks? What are the pros and cons?

The same supplier is selling warmers too , for around 350 bucks I think.
Opinions?

Thanks

Yea just means that as well as being more stable, you are able to move the front forks around which gives you a bit more flexibility in working on the front end. Also means that if you want to change your forks and don't want to tie the bike to a post, then you can.

[Mystic13]

The Paeroa ones are also folding ones. Problem is if your bike is not the right height... whatever that is then the things don't work. Won't work for my CBR600 1989. He's a good guy to deal with though. If they don't work he'll swap or refund etc. Or modify them to work. Problem there is though I have to get my bike to Paeroa with the stand to get it sorted. And I haven't got there yet.

Just check and make sure the stand works for your model of bike. He did say it would work for mine then it didn't.

As for the stands that go under the forks guys will mention having those and bumping into the bars and having the bike come off them easily.

Given the choice I'd go for under the head stock option.

[sharp2183]

I have both types and would recommend the headstock style. However I would also say that cheap is not always best. The paeroa ones are almost half the price of a Bikelift (in each style) but the more expensive brand is just better.

If money is an issue, go halfway and get a Bikelift (good brand in my opinion) front stand that fits under the forks. There are a few options here for style but the 'swing' model is generally the least stable and hardest to use. Other options are ones that have cones that slot under the fork ends and those that sit on the caliper mounts (may not work with your bike if you dont have radial calipers). A good brand should set you back just over $100.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/SearchResults.aspx?&searchType=0001-0026-&searchString=bike+lift&x=0&y=0&searchregion=100&type=Search&sort_order=&redirectFromAll=False&generalSearch_keypresses=1&generalSearch_suggested=0

However if you just wanna save some cash and don't really care, then get the Paeroa ones. I have one for my second bike and it's not great, but it works. It can make changing wheels a pain, and has left me in the lurch when I have needed to take my forks off. But if you don't plan on doing that...

On the warmers, cheaper may mean less support if they crap out. For the $100, I would rather go to Kevin at racesupplies.co.nz or to tyrewarmers.co.nz. Another $150 would probably get you some Capit ones, which have a three year warranty I'm told.

[Geordie_Biker6]

You could always buy me a set of those tyre warmers and the front stand youre looking at, ill test em and let you know how they go.

[Pussy]

FG front stands are bloody good. I don't think they are imported in to NZ anymore, though.

[SILVER SUZI]

I have a set of HOC (Paeroa) ones and a set of Oxford ones. I prefer the HOC ones. Don't go halfway, get the under fork and headstock stands. I use the under fork ones at the track, never had a problem yet. If you trackday bike is a road bike, things under your headstock (like the horn) may get in the way of a headstock stand.

[pzkpfw]

As for the stands that go under the forks guys will mention having those and bumping into the bars and having the bike come off them easily.

I bought my stands as a set of two off TradeMe. Each stand came with interchangeable "holding ends". Forks for under bobbins, flat cup things for under swingarms if no bobbins available, and thorns for going up the ends of the forks.

I didn't like those thorns, and yes it didn't seem too stable.

So I use forks on the front stand, as used with bobbins. I use the hollow axle - shove a short bit of aluminium rod through it. (Had to widen the stand a bit).

It's all pretty stable. With the bike up on both stands it's rock solid.


However, not so much use if I wanted to take the front wheel off, or do alignment.