One of the most frustrating experiences a motorcycle owner can have is finding their bike tipped over due to a poor parking job. The frustration increases when a biker has to park a motorcycle on a hill. If the parking job is not done correctly, the bike damage could be extensive.
If you are a biker, you should be extremely careful when attempting to stop and park your bike on a hill. It would help if you never were haphazard about your parking position.
In this article, we will walk you through some essential tips for parking your motorcycle uphill and downhill.
Parking Uphill vs. Downhill
When parking a motorbike on a slope, the back of the front tire should always be contacting the curb and inclined towards the roadway. It is preferable to park a motorbike uphill rather than downhill, therefore try uphill parking first.
We’ll go over a few more ideas below that will help you to confidently park your motorcycle wherever. From here, practice will make perfect, and you will learn how to alter correct parking techniques in every situation.
Parking Your Motorcycle Uphill
The motorcycle should always be parked so that it is at an angle from the curb, which will allow you to ride back into traffic when you get back on more efficiently.
For example, one thing you may not want to do is park your motorcycle with the side stands leaning in the direction downhill. Doing this will lead to consequences that could be disastrous. It can also make the process of up-righting the bike very difficult. However, if you do park in this position, you should at least try to park the bike, so it’s at 35 degrees compared to the curb, which will help increase stability.
Apply little pressure to the front tire to ensure it is snugly placed against the curb.
You may need to change the angle at which you park depending on how steep the hills are, the condition of the curb near you, and the weight of your bike. To avoid any unintentional catastrophes, always ensure that your bike is sturdy after parking it.
It is also critical that you are aware of the location of the motorcycle’s side stand.
Suppose you park with the side-stand in a position leaning up the hill. In that case, this can create stability problems as well. In this position, your bike is at risk of tipping over. To help ward off this possibility, place the bike, so it is about 45 degrees or so from the curb.
Parking Your Motorcycle Downhill
The motorcycle should also be parked in a way so that the front tire is adjacent to and touching the curb.
However, exactly how you should park on a hill depends on the hill itself. Different inclines may mean you will need to park your bike differently. You may have to try multiple positions until you find the right one.
When looking for a parking spot, it is always crucial to consider how difficult it will be to get out of it.
If you have to back up the motorbike to get out of a parking place, it’s best to look elsewhere.
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Additional Tips to Park Your Motorcycle on a Sloped Driveway
Before leaving your motorbike on a slope, ensure sure it is in first gear.
When parking on a slope, you should always leave your motorbike in gear. This is a wonderful added safety feature since it adds stability to your bike via the transmission. This will guarantee that the transmission prevents the bike from moving at all when you are not riding it.
You can bring a wheel chock if your bike has luggage or storage space.
So, wherever you park, you may set the chock beneath your wheels to secure your motorcycle.
We recommend using the MaxxHaul 70075 Motorcycle Wheel Chock. This one comes with hardware and firmly mounts to the floor, vehicle, or trailer. It also features three adjustable slots on the wheelbase to suit different motorbike wheels, and you can find it for less than US$50.00.
Another great option is the Extreme Max 5001.5010 Motorcycle Wheel Chock. This piece is a little more expensive, you can get it for less than US$75.00. However, it is definitely worth the price! It has a strong front crossbar and boot for optimal stability, as well as robust steel and a textured semi-gloss black powder finish for heavy-duty strength and beautiful aesthetics. It also includes numerous rear wheel cradle adjustments for customizing wheel fit.
Do not underestimate the use of motorcycle locks
Using a motorbike lock is another good way to secure your motorcycle. It is usually an anti-thieves measurement; however, it will definitely give you peace of mind when parking your bike on a hill.
We highly recommend the ToolWRX Heavy-Duty Motorcycle Lock. This heavy-duty locking device is constructed of high-quality yet lightweight CNC aluminum, and you can get it for less than US$40.00!
If you are an alarm locks fan, we also have a great recommendation for you. Take a look at the YOHOOLYO Alarm Disc Lock Motorcycle Disc Brake Lock. This one works perfectly well on different motorcycle models and is a high-end but affordable piece that you can get at only US$25.00!
Last but not least, we highly recommend the Kryptonite Keeper Disc Lock. The 5mm pin on this Disc Lock is intended to fit the tiniest vent holes, giving anti-theft protection and a wide installation range, and preventing your motorcycle from tipping over when parking on a hill. Find this piece for only US$39.00 at one of the best motorcycle parts & gear stores.
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Overall, you want to make sure you find the most stable position possible to park your bike in. For new riders, this can be especially intimidating. However, with enough practice, or a motorcycle training course tour, you can park your bike safely on an incline with ease.
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