Side stand question

[thompsonr]

I have a 2000 R1100RT when the bike is on the side stand I can stand on the left side of the bike take the bars in hand and with little effort pull the bars toward me and lift the front tire off the ground. Is this common or do I have a problem?

Stand doesnt appear to have been shortened and It stands by its self ok But I think I could put it on its side with little effort.:scratch

Worry or not?

Thanks RT

[flars]

Normal. Depending on which shocks you are using, and the settings thereof, the bike will adopt different angles when on the side stand. We used to use the 'lift it up using the side stand' trick when oiling our chains in the old dayz. My RS really leans way over with Oehlins and stiff settings, but my RT sits a little higher because the shocks (also Oehlins) are set softer.

[mrbreeze]

The sidestand on my R1100R is too short also, IMHO.

Load the bike with camping gear and it gets really easy to pull it over to the left.

If you are running taller tires (or bias ply tires) this aggravates the situation.

I carry a small block of wood on a string, so if I get in a bad situation with it I can drop the wood on the ground and scoot it under the sidestand. Loop the string around the left handgrip so you don't go off and leave it, and so you can pick the piece of wood up while sitting in the saddle. Works for me.

[flars]

"Loop the string around the left handgrip so you don't go off and leave it, and so you can pick the piece of wood up while sitting in the saddle..."
This is particulary appropriate for those of us who are older, since we have a tendency to fall over if we have to lean over to pick up the piece of wood.