Any ideas? Also the kickstand constantly sinks into the hot pavement.

Paul, this is what you need. It's made by a fellow named Twinheadlight Ernie in in Minnesota. Many of us have this. Very well made. I put a coat of primer and then 2 coats of flat black on it. http://twinheadlighternie.smugmug.com/gallery/4399208_7sPPh#258353580_QZ3En

Ernie's Fatfoot!! Powder coat it and enjoy! No sinking at all.

Was it parked on a downhill slant, instead of uphill? It may have rolled forward from the force of gravity...
Speedy Gonzalez of San Diego California makes a nice Flat Foot for the Versys. $40 + shipping. ($5 US to US/$10 US to Canada/$12 US to Europe and worldwide)
Made of 6061-T6 aluminum with stainless steel hardware, it's also available in black anodized. Flat Foot shown in second pic is made to fit with the lowering kit, also available from Speedy.
http://www.versys.co.uk/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=45&topic=3169.0
http://www.versys.co.uk/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=45&topic=3132.0

I was always taught to park the bike in first gear then roll it forward as far as possible before putting the kickstand down. That way it can't roll forward causing the stand to collapse... and if it rolls backward the stand won't be able to collapse.

Mine sinks into the pavement, a lot faster than any other bike i've had....I put a plate under the kickstand.

sounds more like operator error than a failure of the kickstand...u were either parked on a downhill grade or u never extended the kickstand all the way out....I always hold the bike for a few seconds to make sure it is stable..and then double check ...any time I have dropped a bike it has always been my fault.....:eek:

I just carry one of the 50 kick stand plates I have picked up free over the years in the tank bag. Cost 0, installation 3 seconds, painting none...

I just carry one of the 50 kick stand plates I have picked up free over the years in the tank bag. Cost 0, installation 3 seconds, painting none...

+1

I had own many different bikes. Some kickstands are designed better than others.

Whenever I parked, I make sure the bike is stable (either in gear or what ever) before I jump off and walk away from the bike.

I had never drop a bike. Making sure the bike is stable before moving away from it save some $.

Like Hooligan, I carry a "kickstand plate" at all times in the little pocket on the back of the tank bag. It is just a piece of hard aluminum, 2" X 4" X 1/4" thick.

The ground was on a very slight downward incline, from now on I will keep the bike in gear. I won't make that mistake twice. I have to get one of those kickstand adapters soon. From just a drop it did a quite amount of damage, leftside cowl, clutch lever, leftside engine cover, leftside radiator cover, bent the shifter, scuffed the front left signal and handlebar weight. All parts on order.

Li432Paul - this is not your fault. I have the same problem with my bike as well - exactly what you described happened to me. Luckilly, my bike didn't suffer any damage - just a tweaked mirror. I never had this problem on my previous bike.

What I've noticed is that when the kickstand is down and on the pavement - it's not really down all the way. I usually have to jiggle the handlebars and/or put my foot in behind the kickstand and pull it out even more. I've lubed the entire stand mechanism but that only improved the coming down part - not the lock part.

I get real nervous every time I do my oil check because I have to set the bike back down and I know that kickstand is not secure. But, I'm on the wrong side to do that and in a bad position if the bike begins to slip to catch it.

If you get one of the fatfoot options - do a write up, I'd like to know if this improves this situation. I have a feeling our kickstands are not welded to the frame properly and they touch down too early.

Also, any naysayers out there - my drop happened in my perfectly flat garage. It just rolled right off the stand like Li432Paul described.

I am in California, we don't have Versys here yet, so I can't really tell if the kickstand is any good or not. Versys has been out in Europe for a couple of years, wondering if they have any problem there...

One other thing, make sure the handlebar is turn all the way to the left, then put the kickstand down all the way and lean the bike over. If the bike still seem unstable on a level ground, then there might be a design flaw... When working on bike, any force pushing the bike forward will likely tip the bike over.... Use caution!

Or you can be dumb ass like me and pull what I did on my first bike.

I got off and forgot all about the kick stand. It was a Yamaha V-Star. All I remember was the bike rolling on top of me as I tried to save it. I ended up bending the left handle bar.. lucky!!!

One other thing, make sure the handlebar is turn all the way to the left, then put the kickstand down all the way and lean the bike over. If the bike still seem unstable on a level ground, then there might be a design flaw... When working on bike, any force pushing the bike forward will likely tip the bike over.... Use caution!

This is what I do everytime now. I also put my foot behind the kickstand and pull it out. I never had to do this on my F650CS and I've asked other forum members if their V's had this problem and no one said they did. I should make a video of the issue.

The biggest problem is checking the oil, because I'm on the wrong side of the bike to ensure it's fully retracted.

I'm going to have my dealer check it out. I thought it just might be my bike, but it looks like this Versys owner also has the same exact problem.

I finally parked the bike on a flat surface (in the driveway I pull in sideways so the bike is much higher than the kickstand and then lean it over). On a flat street, the versys doesn't lean enough to the left. I also noticed that when the tires cooled down, the bike moved.

Can the kickstand be adjusted so it sticks out more (for more of a lean) and a little forward (so the kick stand doesn't pop up if the bike is pushed forward)?

I finally parked the bike on a flat surface (in the driveway I pull in sideways so the bike is much higher than the kickstand and then lean it over). On a flat street, the versys doesn't lean enough to the left. I also noticed that when the tires cooled down, the bike moved.

You should park this way if the ground is not level. If you park the other way, kickstand higher than bike; most likely the bike will tip over to the right. I have seen many riders do that. Again, make sure the handlebar is turn all the way to the left.

Bike should not moved at all, even after tire cool off. There is something else going on there.

Can the kickstand be adjusted so it sticks out more (for more of a lean) and a little forward (so the kick stand doesn't pop up if the bike is pushed forward)?

I have seen mechanics heat up the stand using torch and kind of bend it so that the bike lean more to the left. They do that when the bike is modified lower. I personally will not lower my bike and do any modification to the stand unless it is necessary.

The side stand actually seems too short to me also compared to all previous motorcycles, causing it to lean a bit more than it should. It sits better on a 1/4" to 1/2" thick support. I do have the front suspension preload up to maximum height resulting in less sag, and the rear at position 3 which keeps the rear suspension fully extended when I'm not on it...
I've never had one drop off the side stand. My Hepco & Becker crash bars and Zeta hand guards on tapered aluminum handlebars without bar-end weights and rear swingarm slider spools have already paid themselves after I wiped out off the ledge of a dirt road onto the grass at about 30 mph. I just straightened out the rear brake lever and there is no damage whatsoever! I was also able to fit Happy Trail's skid plate with the crash bars...

My bike is parked every morning on a dirt drive way , slightly downhill and left idling , not had a problem with it falling over .

i do always double check that the bike is stable when it is on the stand ( done it with all my bikes )

Next item under this topic... WIND. I have seen bikes get knocked over by heavy winds. I don't think an anchor would make much a difference since that is a theft deterrent. I can see a Versys toppling over much more quicker than a bike with a steeper angled kick stand.

First, it sucks to drop a new bike, put mine down in the ditch out front like 1 month old, minor damage but S@@T!

I cutout a piece of .040" thick stainless and fit it around and slightly above the bottom of the stock foot and tigged with 308stainless rod. Painted it flat black.

I have not had any problems with the stand. I use Speedy's flat foot and works well. I also use the pegs to get on and off the bike while it is on the stand (givi cases, short legs and poor flexibility...) and never the bike not being stable.
As for wind, mine was caught park outside in a storm (120km/hr winds and rain) and did not move.

Before I had the flatfoot, the kickstand would sink into the gravel I normally parked on. Didn't tip over, but I used a trick my RSC instructor told me - use a crushed pop can.

Now that I have the flatfoot, no problems!

In my humble opinion, as a Versys owner and driver, I think that the Versys' kickstand is actually weak and perhaps undersized, if compared to the rock steady Honda Transalp's one. I'm driving both motorbikes, and the Transalp's kickstand is a true rock. I always get really nervous when I get off the Versys, for me it's a very very major issue and I cannot deny to think about a new bike, maybe a custom...

This is a completely different matter from pavement sinking in very hot environments; this issue can be easily solved just by placing something flat under the kickstand, I use a scrap metallic threaded cap coming from a glass beans jar: cheap and quickly replaceable if lost or left behind after a parking :-)

When I added Speedy's lowering kit and flatfoot, I cut a little extra off the kick stand so the bike would have a little more lean left when parked. Always park bike in gear.

Mike

never had a problem with the stand at all,I do carry a pad for soft ground tho,but rolling off is operator error,sorry but thats it

never had a problem with the stand at all,I do carry a pad for soft ground tho,but rolling off is operator error,sorry but thats it

Sorry, operator error doesn't cut it on this one. I'd have to show you the problem for you to believe it. Fortunately for you, your kickstand is welded on at the optimum angle to lock properly. A few of us have kickstands that touch down too early to engage properly.

When my kick stand is down and the bike is held up perpendicular to the ground, the plate on the kick stand is nearly touch the ground. I have the stock suspension and I have not lowered the bike at all. I feel the kick stand should be at least an 1" from touching the ground when the bike is perpendicular to the pavement so when you lean the bike to the left and engage the kickstand it locks properly. Our kickstands touch down too soon and although it appears to be set it's not.



We have to put our foot behind the kickstand and pull it out about 1-2" further to fully engage that stand. If you don't do that - the bike will fall on it's side. I never had to do this on my previous bike as some of the other posters have mentioned.

Sorry, operator error doesn't cut it on this one. I'd have to show you the problem for you to believe it. Fortunately for you, your kickstand is welded on at the optimum angle to lock properly. A few of us have kickstands that touch down too early to engage properly.

When my kick stand is down and the bike is held up perpendicular to the ground, the plate on the kick stand is nearly touch the ground. I have the stock suspension and I have not lowered the bike at all. I feel the kick stand should be at least an 1" from touching the ground when the bike is perpendicular to the pavement so when you lean the bike to the left and engage the kickstand it locks properly. Our kickstands touch down too soon and although it appears to be set it's not.



We have to put our foot behind the kickstand and pull it out about 1-2" further to fully engage that stand. If you don't do that - the bike will fall on it's side. I never had to do this on my previous bike as some of the other posters have mentioned.

I agree, Ocean. My kickstand can be pulled out just as you stated. I question the durability of the stand as well. The stand on my past KLR {IMO} was really beefy, this one seems to be there just because. Kawasaki must know by now that most of us load our bikes up with luggage, tank bags, whatever, and you'd think that maybe down the pike they'll be a fix. I don't like mine either. I can say though I never had any problems with a tip-over either. When the surface calls for it, I put a cover plate from a 4-gang receptacle {home-depot about, .50 cents} that I keep in my tank bag.

Mine sinks into the pavement, a lot faster than any other bike i've had....I put a plate under the kickstand.

Evidently, you've never owned a ZRX. The end of the kickstand is about the size of a pinhead (for a 490 lb. bike anyway) I've actually seen it press itself into a driveway so fast it would have fallen over in one minute. ( My sister had a hen). I like that big foot idea.

To put this issue to bed, here are some photos:

This photo shows the kickstand bottom plate a 1/2" off the ground when the bike is perpendicular to the floor.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3168/3053366500_87bf832787.jpg

As a point of reference this is the contact point, where the kickstand touches-down onto the floor. If you leave your bike (those of us with the faulty kickstands) at this stage, you may find your bike on the side in a few moments.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3290/3053361798_6a760ca0d7.jpg

The next photo shows the fully engaged position of the kickstand. Notice how far past the initial point of contact the kickstand is now. I have to put my foot behind the kickstand and pull it out to get it to lock.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3136/3053363542_1bbb44f3e3.jpg

Finally, I lifted the bike back up to show the difference between the two lines. It's 1" between initial contact and full locked position.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3178/3053365002_5e97127443.jpg

I kick my stand down and forward, tip the bike onto it, then pull back to make sure it is engaged properly. very time. My buddies harly locks in place when weight is applied. Thats a nice feature.

If it rolled of that means you were on a hill and didnt have it in gear when you got off so it isnot the kickstands fault its yours. I have learned that a while ago if you park on any hill put it into gear let it roll back until it does not go anymore that put the stand down. Problem solved.

Question of the day.Did you modify your kickstand pad?? heres a photo of mine

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a113/maddjack/pad.jpg
Vs the Images of yours

To put this issue to bed, here are some photos:



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3290/3053361798_6a760ca0d7.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3136/3053363542_1bbb44f3e3.jpg

Yes, it's Speedy's Flat Foot. Same problem with and without it.

I just installed the Flat Foot a few days ago - I've been living with the problem since I bought the bike with an unaltered kickstand (purchased May 2008). Like many of us that discover our bikes are prone to this problem - it is usually within the first few days of ownership. That's because previous bikes we've owned had the kickstand installed properly. I think it's simply the angle the stand is mounted to the frame. What should happen is that you lean your bike on to the stand at the angle it contacts the ground the weight of the bike then forces the kickstand into the lock position. With ours, the kickstand makes contact too soon and doesn't allow for it to lock. That's why we have to kick it out ourselves manually. Once that is done - then it's quite solid.

When it happened to me - it was in my garage on a relatively flat surface. Luckilly it fell on a garden hose that was laying on the floor and I avoided the damage that others have experienced.

Does anyone have Photos of the stand while it's retracted with the foot pad attached ???

When I bought Seedy's lowering block I also bought the Bigfoot plate. I cut about 2" off the stand leg and mounted the flatfoot. Now it leans nicely and I have no problems with it falling over unless I park it on a reverse, downhill slope and then I deserve what I get.

I've got to agree with Ocean - some of these bikes appear to have a funky kickstand angle, that causes the stand to not "lock" in place. The day I hit one thousand miles I pulled my bike out of the garage onto my flat driveway, put the kickstand down and started the bike to let it warm up. I didn't step away from the left side of the bike, but I turned my head for a second and when I turned back the bike was falling over and was halfway down. I must say that only a miraculous catch prevented the bike from contracting a bad case of concrete poisoning. I grabbed the left grip with my left hand and jammed my right knee under the seat as the bike reached about the halfway over point, and somehow managed to save it.

I've owned about 15 bikes. I've never dropped one yet - knock on wood. I'm meticulous about making sure a bike is settled onto it's stand before I walk away from it. This is the only bike I've had where I have to put my foot behind the stand and push it forward to get it to lock into place.

From that day forward, I'll check my stand at least twice before walking away from the bike, and I'll always try and remember to turn the wheel all the way to the left.

All that damage from a fall-over. Mine went sliding down the road on the RHS at well over 30mph and did minimal damage with no crash protectors on. Scratched plastics and a bent foot brake-lever.
I endorse the guy who said put it in gear and roll forward before putting side stand down. I ALWAYS do this. It's always a good idea to park uphill so you dont have to struggle to pull it backwards against the hill if you are nose-in to the kerb.
All this talk of hot-pavements. Where are you then in November?
Ted99uk.

I agree with Ocean that this kickstand is a bit off. My solution was forced on me via the Speedy lowering links. I had to cut the kickstand shorter anyway. So, I cut it off even shorter than Speedy's suggestion: up to about 2.5". Now, the bike leans just right for me.

So, in the spirit of paying it forward and generating some good list karma, :) I'm offering to Li432Paul a free Ernie Fatfoot (see post #2). I no longer need it, and it's already been rattle canned black. Just pay postage from LA to where you are. If Li432Paul doesn't want it, then I'll offer it up to the list.

Peter

I always make sure to pull out the kickstand with my foot as Ocean describes, it always moves before it settles, I wait a couple seconds then go. I put it in gear when on a slant, I don't roll it forward but will from now on, that makes sence.

Also keep a crushed beer can (red-necks kickstand plate) in the tank bag for dirt, gravel or other unstable ground. I am considering getting something with more surface area, more so after reading these threads.

pmac

I agree with Ocean that this kickstand is a bit off. My solution was forced on me via the Speedy lowering links. I had to cut the kickstand shorter anyway. So, I cut it off even shorter than Speedy's suggestion: up to about 2.5". Now, the bike leans just right for me.

So, in the spirit of paying it forward and generating some good list karma, :) I'm offering to Li432Paul a free Ernie Fatfoot (see post #2). I no longer need it, and it's already been rattle canned black. Just pay postage from LA to where you are. If Li432Paul doesn't want it, then I'll offer it up to the list.

Peter

Hi Peter,
That is a very generous offer....Thank you very much. Yes I will take and put it to good use it if the offer still stands. My email is Li432paul@aol.com

Paul,

It's a deal. The Fatfoot will be in your stockings for Christmas.

Peter

I fixed mine so i dont have to do some sort of ritual dance after every dismount and it took only a few minutes. After my bike fell over I went home, found a can of black spray paint and a 3 lb hammer. Put it on a rear stand for support then whacked that flimsy side stand with the big hammer [forward] towards the front tire about 4 times moving it maybe an inch or more forward then tu chipped paint..
It has a nice lean to it now when side stand is deployed and when you flick it out it stays out. I realize this sounds gimpy but so is the stand and it worked wonders.