Side or centre stand?

[brico]

I've read that parking the boxer on a side stand for anything over an hour "may" cause the oil to leak past the piston rings causing the blue smoke and "may" eventually cause the damage o the engine. Is this true? how do you do it?

[omg1010]

Hi,

that is absolute bullsh** The oil-level in the engine case is not high enough for the oil to leak into any of the cylinders. But it could be that you have neglected the instructions which came with the bike and have filled in 10 liters of oil? In that case you may encounter said problem ... I for my case have no center stand (due to my exhaust system) and my bike always parks on the sidestand. Never ever did I have such a problem ....

But to be on the safe side I recommend you park your bike on the center stand only and remove the sidestand ...

Brgds
Oliver

[Sunbeemer]

I have seen big puffs of blue smoke when starting after long periods on the sidestand just a few times in 7 years. I think it happens when the engine's left-hand piston comes to rest at the top of it's stroke and then oil (maybe draining from the coolers) can collect in the cylinder bore and slowly seep through the ring gaps into the combustion chamber.

I don't think it will cause the engine harm other than to add some carbon to the heads that can easily be removed with a good "Italian Tune-Up", so I think it's good idea to flog the beast once in a while (like we need a reason, right?)

I use the center stand most of the time except where it's not practical (like in sand) or when parking in high winds.

[omg1010]

Very very small quantities of oil are always present in that area and if the bike has been sitting for long that maybe the reason. But there is no oil leaking into the left cylinder. Neither from the crankcase nor from the cooler. Blueish smoke also comes from unburned fuel ...

It is something which can be observed in cold environment. I can see the same when I start my bike in winter. If I start my bike in summer after its been sitting idle for some time there is no smoke. In cold weather the fuel-air mix is enriched which also leads to such blueish smoke.

If you see this throughout the year maybe it is time to get the valve shaft seals inspected.

Brgds
Oliver

[towerworker]

Like Sunbeemer I would occassionally have the puff of blue smoke after starting from the side stand. Mostly I remember it on my 03, not so much my 04. I have never worried about nor will I in the future. Adds character.




It's much more important to be concerned with proper cooling system/antifreeze maintenance.

[AndyRR]

Where's the "neither" button? Just leave it on it's side, or lean it on a handy tree or nearby car.

I have never worried about nor will I in the future. Adds character.

^What he said.

[ColumbiaBMW]

I clicked on "I do not care" but that's not entirely true, it's just that none of the other answeres really applied to me. Most of the time I put it on it's sidestand (like while I'm at work or just parking it for a few hours). When I put it away in the garage overnight or know I won't ride it a couple of days I'll put it on the center stand. I very rarely see any blue smoke.

[riceburner]

Whichever seem most appropriate at the time.

Given the mileage I do, a little oil in the chamber isn't going to do any harm!

[sweatmark]

"I don't care" - except for 2 things: room in the garage (usually put all the bikes up on centerstand to reduce storage volume), and stability when parking the bike somewhere with soft surface (always on centerstand at such times).

Remind me: did CycleRob find any left/right difference in piston face carbon buildup when he pulled apart his R1150R?

[towerworker]

FWIW--the R is more stable on the side stand, i.e. in a parking lot on a windy day. (ask me how I know this)

[Xdot]

For me it is more a matter of space. For instance, sometimes the bike takes up less space on the center stand. If I'm out riding for whatever reason, I'll only put it on the center stand if I think some kid may try to climb on it when I'm gone! More stable on the center stand.

[AndyRR]

I found that the left side was cleaner. Some bare patches of metal even! My bike spent most of it's time on the side stand during the riding season. I would park it on the side stand overnight, then put it on the centerstand as I was getting ready to go the next morning so I could check the oil and load the left side case easier.

I posted pics of the right side here, but I was on a roll when I did the left side, so no pics for comparison.
http://r1150r.net/board/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=22302

[swamper]

Usually use the center stand however my son has to use the side stand in the garage space he has. When starting after about a week or so it does smoke a bit. Didn't think much about it. Anyway it's going up to 65 here in the Sierras today so I'm heading out for a New Years day Ride. Going to fart around with my electric jacket and see if I can get it to work.

[towerworker]

It is of paramount importance to use the center stand when checking antifreeze level. The antifreeze level must be the same in both tankside radiators. If you ignore this you will have uneven cooling of the jugs and can even result in muffler bearing failure.

[Keppelj]

Whoa, muffler bearing failure! I've always wondered what those little radiators were for. Ball bearings, right? I'm sure I've seen them flying out and bouncing along the road behind me. Happy sight!

[brico]

Looking at responses to my poll I see that the majority still uses centre stand and not the side stand even for short stops while those that commented believe that using side stand for anything other than short stops does no harm? Interesting. I guess Oliver's response persuaded me that parking using side stand is no worse than centre stand so I'll use the side stand unless doing maintenance or storing the bike for the winter. (Too wet to ride in winter here in Vancouver BC ).

[red baron]

Shorter periods: sidestand. Longer periods and overnight: centerstand

[philm35]

The correct answer is both. I also wear a belt with my suspenders.

--Phil

[rich1kim]

Well, I haven't heard of any members complaining that the engine itself died. Just about every other problem, but never engine death.
Engine's very well designed.
Wouldn't worry about the side stand or the center stand.

Rich