Position of Handlebar When You Park

[Cajunrider]

All the way to the left because of added stability. I mount and dismount on the right side so the bars stay full left until I'm ready to crank up.

[Sin City Stan]

Always to the left. If the side slope is too much I move.

[ringadingh]

I too park with the bars to the left for the added stability.

When I took the motorcycle safety course the instructors made everyone keep the bars full left when dismounting the bike. If you didn't, they made you go back and turn them. I never asked them why, now I wish I had.

[upside22]

I almost always turn mine all the way to the right. I simply cannot get on the bike any other way. I've never had any problems on level ground.

[Todd]

Full Left here

[usranger74]

Unlike my politics, I turn mine to the left ;)

[Kawhead]

Weather I ride or not, on even days I turn mine left and odd days I turn them right to prevent premature wear on the bearings.

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by Cajunrider

All the way to the left because of added stability. I mount and dismount on the right side so the bars stay full left until I'm ready to crank up.

Turn the fork to the left for stability of the bike to help prevent if from falling over -- especially while unattended.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Well got a lot of responses to the little question that I felt stupid to ask. Finally got the nerve to ask it. Different opinions from different people.

Cajuns mount from the right side. Never knew that.

I do leave my handlebars straight when I park. If I turn the bars to the left then it is leaned too far over. I worry about it turning over to the left. I have never had a problem with having to worry about the bike turning over to the right.

If I happen to turn my bars to the left and the ground leans left then the bike is leaned way over. Then when I get on I have a devil of a time trying to right the bike. Just my thoughts.

Liked Mike's thought of turning it to the left and to the right to prevent bearing damage.

[taranis]

Almost always turned to the left, unless I'm working on the bike in the garage. I also mount from the right since the bike is parked along the left wall of my garage. When out, I'll mount from either side - doesn't seem to make much difference when you're 6'6". :)

[wheelie]

Forks full left and mount from the left. I guess that goes back to my horse riding youth. And my kick start bikes, I had to have my left foot on the ground to kick the bike with my right.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

I remember my kick start days too. I have always mounted from the left side just like getting on a horse.

For you tall Texans I guess it doesn't matter as all you have to do is swing your leg across.

[Top Cat]

Bars straight and mount from left.

[glwilson]

Gene... you need to make sure your bike is level... otherwise don't park it.

In addition, when you do park it on level surface, by turning the wheel to the left you re-center the "gravity" of the bike "deep" into the pivot of the frame and kick-stand -- thereby helping to stabilize the bike as best as it can be.

While you may "think" your bike is more stabile with the wheel on center... fact is... it is not -- thus the reason the manual says to park the bike with the wheel turned to full-lock left.