Position of Handlebar When You Park

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Just wondering which position you leave the handlebar when you park your Nomad. I always leave my handlebar positioned straight ahead unless I am locking it, which is hardly ever.

The owners manual says to park and position the handlebar to the left as though you are going to lock the handlebar. I was wondering if there is a reason the book says to park that way.

The main reason I park with mine straight ahead is that it makes it easier for me to get on the bike. If I turn it to the left I have to wrestle it from that position back to center so I can get on easily.

[leadbelly]

I always turn mine full left. I don't know the reason behind that, other then it seems more stable.

[cactusjack]

I turn mine to left and I seldom lock the forks. Yes, I have to straighten out the bars before I climb back on, but turned full left seems to be more stable.

[rickyboy]

I leave mine to the left, but don't have an issue standing the bike up and getting it straight. You aren't eating your wheaties are you.

[cajun2wheels]

I always park straight ahead.Not sure why.

[fish]

Originally Posted by cajun2wheels

I always park straight ahead.Not sure why.

same here unless I lock the bars

[VulcanE]

I always leave mine straight unless I park on a slope, or locking the forks.

[cactusjack]

I believe if you are south of the equator, you turn the bars full right to park. ::)

[dougster]

I just lay my bike over on its left side. Then I don't have to worry about this question.

No, just kidding. To the left. When it is turned to the left, the bike leans into the sidestand, and is more stable.

[skeeter]

Leaning left on the kickstand with the bar left keeps the center of gravity and therefore most of the weight more over the kickstand. If you turn the bars to the right and watch the front wheel, you can see where the footprint of the tire changes and shifts the top of the bike to the right and stands it more upright. You will find it much easier to stand the bike up off the stand with the bars to the right. If the parking area slopes away to the right it will tip over much easier with the bars turned to the right. Look at CJs' pics above and see how much more upright the bike sits even with the front wheel just being straight. In most cases we will adjust the stance without thinking before we get off the bike, however..... sometimes it pays to sit a few more seconds looking at the terrain and thinking about things. Sometimes I move the bike to another spot.

[dank]

I turn mine left and lock it.

[Loafer]

Sounds like a question for a weight and measures brain. Any math scientists out there?

[flavor]

I always turn my bars to the left on level ground because it seems the more you turn it to the left the more it leans to the left, and the less chance somebody will bump and knock it over. I don't know it seems more secure.

Unless it's real hot on blacktop and have nothing to put under the side stand then not so left, for fear of it leaning more left as the side stands starts sinking into it. (Someone I don't knows blacktop).

Ground lower on left I put the bars to the right.

Hey Alalbama here's a thought. When reading some motorcycle topic a discussion started about kicking the hard bags all the time with boots as well as getting on after someones on the pillion sit before you, get on FROM THE RIGHT. I know it sounds weird but try it.

[dregier]

I turn mine to the right but only because it is easier to get on and off on the left side with the apes if the bars are turned to the right. If I park and turn to the left I usually get on from the right side.

[dkdixie]

Park mine both ways depending on length of time its parked. I know of at least one incident where wind actually blew a Harley over. Guy was parked on a surface that had very little lean angle. With his front wheel straight, didn't take much to blow it over.