Parking a Motorcycle | 6 Rookie Mistakes That You Need to Avoid

[@thewatsongallery2749]

Parking too deep in a parking space so that other drivers - riders may read it as empty. Annoying, and at worst, someone may pull in quickly and damage something or someone. Be seen when parked up.

[@Liberty4Ever]

I love these bite size videos that focus on a single topic... even something as seemingly simple as parking. They're articles in the Be A Better Rider Encyclopedia.

[@RIDEAdventures]

Thanks for saying so, and yes, we hope that little nuggets like this help lots of riders well into the future. RIDE on!

[@scottgale3603]

Park for the fast and easy get away. Like you’re robbing a bank !! LOL

[@arcticr]

I usually park in the “front portion” of the parking spot, rather than all the way back. Just to make the bike easier to see for those who tend to back into parkings in a hurry... especially if a couple of trucks occupies the neighboring spots. 🇳🇴🤠

[@ianmcinnes9398]

Me too, I look and If i can't see the front wheel from 2 cars away I move it until I can.

[@jordesign]

Was going to say this same thing... Not sure if it is considered correct technique, but it sure seems right to me. I have turned into a parking spot, in my car, only to find a motorcycle hidden at the back of the spot.... One numb-nut moving too fast, and SMASH!!

[@monkeyplayer1]

Just started riding, not parked in public, just Rode around town and back but I appreciate the simple things no one tells you. Definitely keeping these in mind

[@alainremi267]

Thanks for your advices! I was "lucky" enough to get a free lesson when a carpenter parked his bike facing downward in front of my office. After being paid for his last works he stepped outside only to discover his bike laying down on the concrete. I learned later that the repairs cost almost as much he had just been paid. Sad story indeed.

[@RIDEAdventures]

Thanks for sharing. It does happen....unfortunately.

[@ianmcinnes9398]

Great advice for any biker. I dropped my Kawa because of parking down hill. Over the years I've taught myself to park ONLY up hill and even then leave it in 1st. A great habit an old geezer showed me that i still use is to kill the ignition when parking by putting down the side stand. If the engine dies I know i'm in gear, keeps running you in neutral. In shopping malls parking I try to find dedicated bike parking but when there is none I look for a car bay with a curb on one side then reverse in and when I walk away i look back and if I cannot see the front wheel from 2 cars away I push the bike further forward. Happy riding to you all.

[@ler3968]

Man, where was this great vid when I needed it many years ago when I got a taller top-heavy bike! I had to learn these tips the hard knocks way...good job.

[@martinuso7446]

Rule no:1 Look down to see if your stand is not going to disappear into a hole in the pavement or if the soil is hard or soft. No.2: Carry a piece of thick rubber with you or on your bike which you can throw under your stand if soil is soft.

[@craigfinnegan8534]

I have a bolt-on kickstand extender with a few form-cut plastic kickstand plates sandwiched-in to give a "high heel" to the foot of the kickstand, thereby reducing the lean angle so there's less weight on the kickstand. I'm that radical because I live in coastal Florida and I'm parking on sugar sand all the time, including when my touring bike is loaded with cargo.

[@robsonenduro3316]

remember always carry golf club and a ball with you ;)

[@johnfrye8452]

Don’t pull all the way in the parking space. Keep the rear of the bike at the entrance to the parking space to avoid a car thinking it is an empty space and crashing into your bike.

[@oklahomahank2378]

The only time I don’t do that is if the space is severely sloped down and I want the back tire against the curb. I also try to park in less busy parts of the lot.

[@patw9175]

The top two comments in this video are saying exactly opposite advice. What are we to think??!?!?!?! (I'm with John on this one)

[@g0fwk]

@@oklahomahank2378 leave it in gear he said, no need for the kerb to stop it rolling. Totally agree with parking at the front of the bay.

[@TROXXOS]

I park front side of the parking space, especially situation like 1:34. If you go all the way, car drivers think it's clear space and ram into your motorcycle.

[@BizKwikTwist]

Just subscribed, going to meet a friend to eat tomorrow and just realized in the 3 months of riding I haven't had to park in a public parking lot yet. Thx!!

[@johnknapp665]

My number one mission when parking at my local biker hang out: Don't pull a Pee Wee Herman and knock over all the bikes.

[@TheRealIndridCold]

🤣😂🤣

[@diannegarrett852]

This was an excellent teaching video. It's even more important for a short rider.

[@steventaylor3884]

If you ride on the proper side of the road as we do in the UK the side stand always take you into the kerb and not into traffic.😄

[@BadDadio]

The proper side is the right side of the road. If the left side of the road has a lot of slope, the bike can easily fall over.

[@drmachinewerke1]

That's sounds good but all of your drunks over there steer into traffic Where with ours on the right side of the pond steer into the ditch .

[@brianchristian735]

So appreciate your time to instruct many basics. Even alot of us seasoned riders still make many errors as such. Its all circumstances. Ride shiny side up and safe rides to you all.

[@carlredmond3642]

Great advice....also watch out for the sidestand sinking into soft ground...use a spreader under the foot

[@darksidemachining]

Be sure to park directly in the middle of a metered parking space. If you park to the side with enough space that allows a small car to share that space, parking enforcement will cite the motorcycle by assuming it is trying to share the space in order to avoid paying the meter. You will have to go to court and try to prove that you paid the meter and the car came in afterwards. This all depends on the municipality parking codes regarding more than one vehicle in a metered parking space.

[@RIDEAdventures]

Good one!

[@jimthompson717]

After 40 years of riding on 20 plus bikes, I still occasionally park facing downhill. Dragging 600 pounds backwards uphill is a good reminder, to think.

[@PaulsMotoZen]

You forgot to mention kickstand pucks for asphalt on a hot day, It could tend to sink and tip over. Even an empty drink can or water bottle flattened out would work. Also helps off road.

[@RIDEAdventures]

Yep, we are shaking our heads amongst the team today, wondering how we forgot to mention the sidestand footing. Good one. Thanks for commenting.

[@charleshunt3806]

Well, I totally see what you’re saying as far as parking your bike and away that’s easier to get out of the spot but luckily for me even if I parked it and had to push it up a hill I shouldn’t have too much of a problem because my motorcycle only weighs 240 poundsbut like I said, I see what you’re saying and I appreciate this video so thank you

[@rickmanley767]

When parking on the shoulder of the road, make sure the kickstand is on solid asphalt, not the weaker edge that can fail when baked in the hot sun.

[@manoelamauricio]

O melhor vídeo sobre estacionamento de motocicleta que já vi. Parabéns.

[@charliem5332]

Good advice. Simple. Do it right.

[@davidherringgo]

Thanks a lot great tips for parking I flunked on at least three that I chose this weekend I gotta practice your tips

[@Fogbrush]

Excellent tips. And the problem of parking by a road and leaning in to the traffic is caused by riding on the wrong side of the road 😁. All motorcycles are British at heart.

[@RIDEAdventures]

Indeed, some of us are on the left side of the road, and some are on the correct side : ) Thanks for watching.

[@nathanboeger978]

Nice video! Pro tip for Asia: Never park a big bike around scooters or the scooter parking area. Always park far away or ask/pay for a car park space. Otherwise, you will have hundreds of scooters all around you can you won't be able to get out or they will accidentally knock your bike over and it will be too heavy for them to pick up so they will just leave it there (happened before!)

[@RIDEAdventures]

Good one! Thanks for adding.

[@x-man5056]

On the first one; Do not park deep into a parking place. Especially in a shopping canter lot or other big parking lot. You don't want to be all the way to the front either. somewhere in the center third, favoring the entrance to the spot, but not sticking out. If you park too deep, semi-conscious people will wheel into the spot and possibly hit your bike.

[@lewicypher1912]

How about side stand on very hot asphalt? I've seen mine start to sink into it.

[@milanstepanek4185]

Solid tips, seen people do almost all of these and I'm guilty of #1 on several occasions. Reverse paddling on a tall bike looks silly as hell, amusement for everybody passing by.

[@WhippyWhip2]

thanks for this video, as a new bike rider this is invaluable information

[@RIDEAdventures]

Glad if it was helpful, and congrats on getting into motorcycles. So many places it can take you!!

[@Land-Shark]

I loved the kick start @1:44 :)

[@RIDEAdventures]

Had to sneak one in there. Thanks for noticing : )

[@sailor5026]

Definitely my problem. Thank you.

[@allenhuling598]

These little details are so important to know....thanks for the video, very timely for my own up-coming adventure starting in a couple days! Cheers all!

[@parsivalshorse]

Really basic and obvious advice - which is the best sort. Good stuff.

[@devozhd4092]

#7 Rookie mistake. Turning the frontwheel to the opposite side of the sidestand. ALWAYS turn the front wheel TO the sidestand. Doing that will put all the weight of the bike on the sidestand, which is way more stable and much harder to tip over. I see this mistake all the time, even in this video!

[@paulroberts3639]

I carry a couple of 75mm squares of hard plastic to put under the kick stand if the ground is soft. I use builder’s spacers about 12mm thick. These spacers are designed for levelling timber framing, especially floors. They are made to be wedged between framing timbers, to take the load of the building above and not to rot. Thus they are strong and durable. They come in varying thicknesses and are light enough to keep in a pocket or any luggage. They cost about 70c each at a hardware store. If I can’t fine level ground, one of these under the stand can make the bike more upright. But mainly I use them on soft grass of gravel. I have used a couple at one time, but not often. If I need more than one, I usually move the bike instead. They work well.

[@MichChief]

A great tip for sure, and to piggy back on this one...asphalt can be hard and firm in the cooler months and can get quite soft in the heat of the summer. The relatively small footprint of a kickstand can sink right into a parking lot on a summer day. I was lucky my bike did not tip over, but I did come back to it on hot day in a parking lot and it was certainly leaning over a few more degrees than when I parked it!

[@Boomer_Dual_Sport]

Thank you. I am definitely guilty of most of those.

[@RIDEAdventures]

"Guilt" is such a strong word for something we're doing for fun : )

[@vininio]

Eric is a great rider, but he is also a spectacular golfer! He can even speak about Geodesy! Love him :)

[@mitchappleby9166]

I added a 3 inch SS 1/8" disk to the bottom of my kick stand so I can park in the gravel, etc. The stand already had a 3/16 inch hole in it. I never have, but now I will always park in 1st gear. Thanks

[@chrisrutledge9330]

I carry a 4" black ABS plumbing pipe end cap, and kick it under the side stand foot. Some dealers have fancy complimentary plastic give away foot pads. My bikes will sink into hot ashphalt or wet ground remarkably fast. Agree with the advice to always park the bike in 1st gear. Fishing in and out of neutral is a waste of time, and on a lot of transmissions, a nuisance. [BMW - and your gear boxes made by the Leningrad Traktor Works - do you hear this?]

[@AdrianM1k]

here we have lots of small bikes also known as underbones. Whenever I park my bike giving a distance from other bikes there will always be an idiot that comes and park way close to mine and is difficult to pull your bike out cause you will be hitting someone elses mirror and you're struggling with your heavy bike

[@ronmason1710]

Where was this info back in 1977. I was going on a cross country tour on my fully outfitted Honda Gold Wing. Went to a camp ground that had individual sites and mine was off the access road about 30 ft and dropped about 10 ft in elevation and went down and set up the tent for the night. Next morning, things began to dawn on me that I had a serious problem. I was very strong in those days but backing up a hill on a Wing was not going to happen. Thank goodness the road was separating the camp spaces by 4 x 4 posts that rose about a foot out of the ground, and about 3 ft apart. I kinda bushwhacked between those and the bushes around them, to get back to the main road. Never did that again.

[@RIDEAdventures]

Ha, ha, thanks for sharing. One of those moments in life never to be forgotten for sure. Glad it wasn't today's Goldwing, (possibly quite a bit heavier?) RIDE on!

[@emilyk-m9z]

Great video, I find my self guilty with parking on off-road. When I get back on the bike, can't reach the other side and my legs dangling there for a bit , thank God no one is around to witness it. Lol . Real struggles for us newbies. Lol . Wish I had seen this video back when I started riding.

[@RIDEAdventures]

Thanks for saying so. Better late than never to learn stuff, and yes, we must consider seat height, especially if we’re going to be riding off pavement. It’ll be fun next time you stop yourself from a little blunder now. Thanks for commenting with positivity:)

[@emilyk-m9z]

@@RIDEAdventures oh yes, I m 5feet7 and I have a Husqvarna fe250 I had it lowered but I still tippy toe. These bikes are generally pretty tall but it's light and so much fun to ride. I figure I get a super capable bike to compensate of lack of off-road skills. Jk. I have fun!

[@billmcmeekin7909]

Well done :-) We just finished 2 weeks across BC offroad and through cities. I can't believe how many parking lot circles I make, lol, due to a fully packed bike, and wanting the right spot to ensure safe parking. You've brought up many great points/challenges many people don't think of. When I doubt use the center stand is our motto :-) Cheers 🇨🇦

[@RIDEAdventures]

Heck, even after making the video about it, I'll probably still make one of these mistakes from time to time. Wrapped up in the love of riding, sometimes the mind wanders : ) Thanks for your note.

[@mitleid_en]

Made the mistake of pulling in face first into a space like a car outside of my college. Took like 10 minutes to waddle out because the space was deceptively level looking but was actually "downhill." I find it hard to take my time backing up because of cars waiting for me but take your time to do it and leaving will be a breeze.

[@oklahomahank2378]

I live in Oklahoma. I instinctively park into the wind. I do the same with my car. You do not want the wind to grab the car door, as the wind can yank it hard enough to bend the door at the hinges.

[@RIDEAdventures]

Another example that applies, good one! (Some of those scenes we showed in the howling winds nearing Ushuaia, in the snow......didn't reveal the tourist who's car door we saw ripped open and folded forward thanks to the same wind. Like, destroyed hinges.)

[@oklahomahank2378]

@@RIDEAdventures I once stopped for gas near Amarillo, Texas. A sign on the cash register said, “No, the damn wind doesn’t blow like this all the time.”

[@rastus666]

I stopped for gas in the panhandle of OK, and the wind was blowing so hard against the right side of my bike that I had to keep some weight on the right foot peg to keep it from blowing over. When I asked the lady in the store(after parking my bike behind the store), if the wind always blew like this, with a straight face she said “no, the wind hardly ever blows around here.” Then she about busted a gut laughing. I told her the windmills were a dead giveaway. That afternoon, sustained winds were 25-35, with gusts well over 50. Riding in high winds is another good topic.

[@diogomorato]

Parking on soft terrain with a small side stand foot is also a bit risky

[@RIDEAdventures]

Can’t believe we forgot to cover that important point! Thanks for mentioning it, yes it will be in another future video.

[@razvandumitru2252]

Great video. I'm a rookie with a ktm 950 adv and no one made a video about how to park those tall things 👍

[@RIDEAdventures]

Haha What!?!?! It's not in the manual. Glad you enjoyed the video

[@razvandumitru2252]

@@RIDEAdventures No it's not. and the basic license course does not teach you that, you have to drop the bike a few times to learn it. I think it's very important.

[@thathard96]

Thank you so much for all the tips!

[@fxrmike5145]

Great video. Will be sharing with my 16 yo boy. I'm a street bike guy, but your off road clips look super fun

[@RIDEAdventures]

Mike, thanks, and have fun with your son. When you guys are ready for some dirt, look us up : )

[@KTMsteve]

kicking over the tenere lol nice touch

[@ronny-drz]

All good common sense tips. Fits in with be aware of your surroundings, parking or riding.

[@piggysister01]

Leaning into traffic - well that's what happens when you drive on the wrong side of the road! 😉 But these were great points, thank you.

[@RIDEAdventures]

Some might say we got it "right" : )

[@gregc6661]

Thanks for showing me how to kickstart an electric start bike :-)

[@garydavis2265]

One thing all the safety courses suggest is turning your front wheel to the left,

[@kelt3965]

Practical n useful sharing! 👍👍👍

[@suspiciousdoge9yand104]

This is some high quality bike tutorial. Absolutely loved it. I am guilty with the first tip lol

[@RIDEAdventures]

Thanks for saying so. Any of us can still slip-up on any of these from time to time :)

[@briandwyer9457]

Great video and very useful thank you.

[@zukamot]

Thank you for your recommendations, they are very useful.

[@RIDEAdventures]

You are welcome!

[@8martinp1]

Wish I had seen this video a week ago. Parked facing downhill. I then had to shuffle it around 180 degrees whilst astride it. Overbalanced and dropped my bike, crushing my ankle and dislocating my big toe! Ouch.

[@RIDEAdventures]

We've all been there lol

[@krystofpopela7010]

Thanks a lot, I tend to use central stand all time because I worry my bike will fall when is on side stand. Your explanation on how to park gave me a lot. But i have to say, Do you rally park all the way back? I tend to park in the middle of parking spot with my back about half a meter in so no one can say , they didn´t see my bike.

[@RIDEAdventures]

Good question, and I think we've seen other comments below on where people choose to park in parking spots. I guess it varies for me, too: Sometimes parking "deep" into the spot allows for other motorcycles to use the same spot more easily, but sometimes parking "shallow" and out near the lane of traffic is nice, to keep cars from accidentally committing to a parking spot they can't use. There is perhaps no perfect answer, other than not parking with the kickstand to high or too low : )

[@mariokasapi8961]

Some great tips. Thanks, Eric!

[@RIDEAdventures]

You bet, thanks for saying so, and glad if the info helps anyone. RIDE on!

[@craigfinnegan8534]

If you're ever going to park on a sidewalk, there's something more dangerous than a curb (or a cop) to deal with - it's a *wheelchair ramp* (which you're always going to be near because that's how you get onto the sidewalk in the first place). Go ahead and say it served me right for parking on a sidewalk (outside an auto parts store), but I had no other choice that day and I only needed to hand the counter person a small bottle of old brake fluid for disposal. What happened, then? As I backpedaled my bike to position it as close to the wall as possible, my left foot suddenly had no purchase because the pavement dipped down as I passed the ramp. It took me completely by surprise - it felt like falling through an open manhole while window shopping. My leg was fully extended, so I couldn't muscle my bike back up with that leg. Down I went with so much weight on the bike (I'd just done my bi-monthly shopping at Walmart) that I had to run into the auto parts store and get 2 employees to help me get the bike back up so I didn't have to spend 20 minutes in the hot Florida sun unloading all the cargo, lifting the bike up by myself, then strapping everything back on again. *OUCH!* So if you're ever maneuvering your bike near a wheelchair ramp, exercise due paranoia.

[@laynetravis]

This tenere what a beauty

[@tamaziandriashvili]

Thank you very much, those were great advices for beginner like me :)

[@cliveadams7629]

I am constantly amazed at how often supposedly experienced riders don't think before they park.

[@ronc.676]

great video, perhaps include kickstand on soft ground or unstable surfaces

[@RIDEAdventures]

Yea, we can't believe we forgot to mention that one. Thanks.

[@Paiadakine]

I carry a flat piece of aluminum about 3x3 inch square to place under the kickstand on asphalt and grass. A smashed beer can be used too.

[@stimsonromano2258]

Awesome review and thanks for sharing big love from Australia 😊😊😊

[@royphillips7435]

Very helpful and well presented video , thanks a lot

[@paolocapani]

Super useful, thank you!

[@duncanjowett5575]

Yeah, that 1st one...done that. Couple days after buying a very old, very huge Goldwing. Slope was so slight i didnt even notice it going in. Bloody noticed it getting it out though😂😂. Not a mistake i'll repeat.

[@bajamcguide]

Good video, thanks Eric.

[@darkshadowsx5949]

if someone doesn't back into a parking spot i automatically assume they dont have an endorsement and never took a test. its one of the things your suppose to learn before you get a temporary permit.

[@phildivalerio]

Excellent, coming sense advice.

[@jasonr1150gs]

Coming sense isn’t so coming

[@kl9518]

I use to park reversing into a parking space until a car reversed into my bike and broke the side stand mount causing a cracked gearbox. The bike was total right off by the insurance due to cost of gearbox replacement. I sealed the crack with epoxy and have riden a few thousand miles without problems, though the bike is worthless. I brought another bike with the insurance money. Now I park front first so if a car pushes the bike over it will only fold the side stand in and the damage will only be mirrors or levers.

[@syndicateproductionstarana4925]

Good tips for new riders.Solid vid

[@PahaLukki]

A lot of that is common sense for seasoned bicyclists as well. But good summary for rooks.

[@LuckyLuke79a]

If we had height adjustable kickstands, for example, with a small motor, it would all be so much simpler. 😬 Anyway, these tips are spot on. 👍

[@RIDEAdventures]

Indeed, an aftermarket option for many bikes that makes parking easier. Thanks for sharing and watching

[@gomertron6329]

Good common sense advice, cheers.

[@hectorskmetija3015]

Surely this is just common sense even for new riders? That aside bugger riding a bike in those winds!

[@johnDukemaster]

Thank you for sharing!

[@RIDEAdventures]

Thanks for the note!

[@raullong8590]

Thank you 🙏 very helpful

[@RIDEAdventures]

Glad it was helpful!

[@southerndeth]

I never park in Parking spaces meant for cars. If it is a busy area, some jerk will try to move your bike.

[@piggysister01]

😳

[@Big_John_C]

Idiot!! Parking spaces are NOT vehicle specific

[@SikterEfendi]

Parking perpendicular to the curb is always a bad idea in the city. Makes it easier for both parking cars to tip it over and other bikers to park too close, begging for a "domino effect".

[@uriel.silveira]

Excellent content!!

[@RIDEAdventures]

Much appreciated! More ahead : )

[@RandyMcCotter]

One thing about parking in gear. I have an Africa Twin DCT and do not have the option of leaving it in gear. Always make sure to lock the parking brake every time you stop. I’ve had it almost roll off the kickstand a few times before I learned that lesson…

[@RIDEAdventures]

Yep, please do use it, riders, and I think we mentioned using the parking brake (if you have one) at least once. Also because in some parts of the world, random passers-by will just regularly hop on a stranger's motorcycle for their own shits and giggles. Such unknowing souls could easily dis-lodge a bike on a slope.

[@wesjohnson4637]

Appreciate this!

[@RIDEAdventures]

Glad if the info helps.

[@mjerse50]

Good advice to learn and follow spot on 🏍✅🌈

[@RyGuyTheAVGuy]

Adventure riders are the BMW owners of the motorcycle world.

[@tahirsharif9461]

As always, excellent reminders.

[@RIDEAdventures]

Thanks for saying so.

[@patw9175]

Man you make that Tenere look small! I can just get my toes down on one side on mine. Have to get off to back it up whether there's a slope or not hahaha. Thanks for another great tip video!

[@RIDEAdventures]

It isn't small? : ) Thanks for the note. Enjoy that great bike as we are.

[@rimonshamon8607]

Great video, I have a kymco 300 x town and comes with 2 stands . One that lean t he scooter on one side and the other one that life the rear tire. Do you recommend using the one that life the tier up? Thank you

[@hardworkingamerican8847]

I am very hesitant to leave my Tenere 700 in gear when parked on a slope . The last time I left it in 1st it had major issues starting . Not sure what was happening but with some rolling and getting it in neutral then taking the key out and trying again it finally started . By the way that parking lot looks a lot like the Safeway parking lot in Truckee Ca .

[@daveminer9217]

Been riding for 50 years. Putting any bike in gear is MY best takeaway from this vid. Your bike should come right back out of gear with minimal effort, if you were parked properly, with the back wheel downhill.....

[@hardworkingamerican8847]

@@daveminer9217 No the front wheel was facing downslope slightly . Leaving it in gear makes a bike just that much hard to "disappear" . Didn't think there would be too much pressure on the transmission plus with the clutch fully engaged she should have started like she normally does when parked in the same spot . That spot is in the middle of the bank and CVS . Plus I can just roll on to my left with duck walking backwards , I have shorter legs for my height but I can try again tomorrow and try a different spot . I am all ears when it comes to motorcycles so I appreciate your reply .

[@ThePalmatron]

Great video!Thanks...

[@mannyechaluce3814]

If I really gotta go, I park it any which way I can Quickly ! :D

[@4CEYLON]

Great tips Eric. Been riding for a while but still do these mistakes once in a while. Thanks and Happy 4th of July.

[@RIDEAdventures]

And admittedly, I still make one of these mistakes from time to time, too. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@oust556]

I like the kick start tenere lol

[@arasunatesan1970]

Thanks Great tips. 👌