"Real" race bikes don't have kickstands (don't need the added weight or anything else that can drag, etc.). You need at least the rear at the track or you'll have to lean it against the wall.

When you put a bike up like that, you're really just getting the wheels off the ground -- in this case, perhaps to show off the clean rubber.

I have stands like this (not this quality) and put my R6 up like that so I can clean the tires off. There are times when you just have crud on the tires and I think cleaning them helps to make them stickier when you get back on clean pavement. Plus, cleaning rims is easier on a stand like that. I guess if you just want to show off a bike evenly on both sides (if you have a kickstand, the left is always at a tough angle to photograph), you only need the rear stand.

For photos, sometimes, you want to put tire shine product on the tires to make them look good for photos -- knowing full well, you don't ride on them like that.

Oh and if my bike is to stay unridden for a while (say waiting for snow to melt), I'll store it like that to prevent tire flatspots).

Dennis

 

One of the big reason for these stands on race bikes is they put tire warms on the bikes while they are not racing. Even when it's 100 degrees out those tire warmers are on.

 

I have a lift

I have a lift for my cruiser. Too heavy to jack up like those fly weight bikes!

Don't put that tire black on your tread! Or on your pegs or floor boards! I did and when I stopped and put my foot down it was like standing in grease!

 

I bought stands for my bike to change oil, clean chain, and store for winter so no flat spots.

It's also easier to thoroughly check your tires for nails and stuff when they are on stands.

They come in very handy when working on a bike. They are super stable.

 

Exactly!!!! they also come in handy when changing brakes, changing chain, mounting tires.... they are definately not just for poser points.

 

and they look cool and keep bike very stable

 

Great for when you need to lube the change.

 

Go to some road races and see what they're used for...

They're work stands, most commonly used for wheel change/tire change and general maintenance. I use a set to change tires and the rear to lube the chain. The rear can be used alone, but not the front.

I did my rear brakes the other week and having it on the stand with the bike upright was better than leaning on the side stand.

For me it is not the "cool" factor, it's the functional factor. Much like it would be functionally great to get a platform lift too.

 

They're used in bike shops to change tires and do other drive train work, or fork work. With the bike on a lift and one tire in the tire vise you need something to lift the end you're working on. A fat-jack would not have anywhere to lift from or it would crack a fairing or something, so you use one of those.

 

Harbor freight has them for around 40 bucks. They might not look as sexy as the ones in the pic, but they work. I think they even carry the spools to put on the bike.

 

They have a couple of them. I bought the low buck one for about $35 with the swingarm pads for bikes without spool mounts. I use it on both my KLX and my Zephyr. It would work on about any straight arm swingarm chain drive bikes... and it works great.

Thay had another trick one too.

The design is such that the loop around the back surrounds the back tire, not so much in the way as one might think. No problem with strength either. If you live near a Harbor Freight outlet it's a good buy. No idea what shipping miight be otherwise.

 

Makes quick work of lubing a chain, cleaning wheels, changing oil....lots of stuff is easier when it's on a stand.

 

Also it keeps the bike standing up straight so that it takes up less space in your garage during the long ND winters.

 

Some bikes come with a center stand that lift the back off of the ground to do chain cleaning, adjusting..etc. On the bikes that do not come with a center stand you still need to get that rear wheel off the ground for easier cleaning, adjusting the chain, cleaning tires..etc. You can use this stand for that.

 

Not soo much of an issue with modern tires, but people don't like leaving their tires in contact with the ground. In older tires (aka not modern tires) leaving your bike tires on concrete while in storage would allow the concrete to suck moisture out of the tire leaving a flat spot or a hard spot that woul dhave reduced traction, which would suck when leaned over.


Around here most people use them for maintenance or if they have multiple bikes to store and width is an issue.

 

Tire warmer installation. And the fact that factory mounted side stands and/or center stands are not allowed on road racing bikes.

 

DachshundUberAlles is correct. Even on track days, the novices are required to safety wire the kickstands up.

Even a rear stand makes a world of difference when you perform simple tasks. My bike's side stand was a little on the short side and I was never comfortable working on it because of the angle:

Compare that with this:

I did spend a bit on the PitBull stand but they were worth it. I can even sit on the bike and they felt solid. (BTW, that's a forward handle version so that I won't trip over the conventional rear handle)

 

Sure beats hanging the bike from the ceiling, as I once did when I needed to change out both tires at the same time!