A Guide to Dirt Bike Stands and How to Use Them

It’s common for beginners to assume that all dirt bikes come with a kickstand to support them. However, this is not the case. While some do feature kickstands, most of them don’t.

There are good reasons for that. The first one is weight savings. Motocross racers often go to great lengths to reduce the weight of their bikes. Throwing the bike’s hefty weight around slows riders down and makes the bike more difficult to control, so any weight savings is welcomed. It may seem extreme to be concerned about a kilo, but they’ll take what they can.

There is also the safety concern. Accidentally lowering the kickstand while in the middle of a jump or even riding the smooth portions of the course may be quite dangerous. Kickstands can also become entangled in the rider’s pants or tall grass, resulting in an accident.

So, how do you support your dirty bike? With a dirt bike stand. This accessory is meant to keep your bike upright and balanced when you’re not riding it on the course. These stands are often built of robust aluminium or steel, resembling a broad base stool, and are used to prop the bike up from the chassis.

Using a dirt bike stand comes with many benefits such as it keeps your bike’s wheels raised preventing suspension and tire issues caused by prolonged inactivity. A dirt bike stand also simplifies dirt bike repairs by providing a higher, sturdy workspace.

Types of Dirty Bike Stands Available

Even the most basic motorbike accessories require a unique formula to function properly. A stand with a too-large platform will appear sloppy, while one with a too-small platform will be difficult to load and easy to slide off of. Bike stands aren’t the most necessary pit gear, but you’ll be amazed at the many different types of dirt bike stands available on the market.

Open Top

You’ll see bikers utilising supports that do not have a platform on top, but instead have two rails for supporting the bike. Instead of using a wedge to level your bike, with an open-top stand you just slide your bike forward or backward to place it on the two rails in such a manner that both wheels are elevated above the ground.

Adjustable

The best models of adjustable stands are those that include two CNC aluminium turnbuckles integrated into the frame that allow you to angle the platform and level your bike. If the stand is magnetic, even better as this will allow you to stick loose nuts, bolts, and tools to the side of it to keep them tidy.

Foldable

Bike stands can take up valuable space in the truck or van during travel. Foldable stands, as the name implies, fold up and take up very little room in your vehicle. Plastic foldable stands are great solutions but keep in mind that they might shatter if misused. Foldable aluminium stands endure significantly longer, although they are more expensive.

Push-Up

Step-on-up stands are quite popular with riders who are too small to raise their bike onto the stand and with veteran riders who are riddled with ailments and prefer to reserve their energy and muscle for riding their bikes rather than lifting them on and off the platform. These stands aren’t the easiest to move and make sure to keep an eye on your fingers when loading and unloading from the truck.

Electric

Electric bike stands were designed for the most seasoned riders, who have invented the phrase “work smarter, not harder.” They are big and difficult to move, much like step-on stands, but they are crucial for many riders who would rather risk an accident on the track than in the pits.

Ride On

This is a stand that you can roll your bike onto and pull into position using a foot lever. It’s not as simple to operate as an electric stand, and it takes some practice, but once you get the hang of it, it’ll come in handy, especially if you have back or shoulder problems. Simply roll your bike onto the stand, and the front tire will drive the stand higher as it rolls onto the front lip. Then, using the foot lever, raise the bike off the ground. This stand is too large and unwieldy to transport to and from the track, but it is an excellent alternative for storing in your garage.

Wedges

Certain bikes, notably KTMs, Yamahas, and Hondas, do not sit completely level when mounted on a stand. The bike is pitched forward or backward by the bottom frame rails. When used correctly, a wedge will elevate both wheels off the ground, allowing you to effortlessly spin them while tightening spokes and sprocket nuts, lubricating the chain, cleaning the bike, or filling the tires.

Scissor Lift

The scissor-lift stand is ideal for mechanics who work on motorcycles regularly. These stands are large and bulky, and they are not designed to be transported to and from the track. However, they will save your back when your bike requires maintenance.