I'm unfortunately looking toward winter and would like to try to get the new Ninja off the rubber for a few months if at all possible as part of the winterizing process... Two questions:

Does anyone have a set of stands that they've used and would recommend for a new style 250?

With new rubber compounds, is it still strictly necessary to keep bikes off the tires now, or are flat spots a thing of the past?

Thanks,

Steve

 

Check these stands: http://www.pit-bull.com/motorcycle-stands.shtml I've owned the pit bull rear stand for several years and it adapts easily to different motorcycles...I've used it on my former ZRX1200R, a Suzuki SV650S and now my '08 Ninja 250R. I don't worry about flat spots because I can usually ride the bike some Dec-Mar, even if only once or twice a month.

 

big money stands.. pit bull..
lockhart phillips and woodcraft make good stuff i've used in my own shop for 4 years..

also.. a new addition to the new shop is powerstands' line of stuff..

the front stand is a little hard to use imo.. it's definitely a 2 person job getting the front up if you're not already on the rear stand.. it also puts the front pretty high up in the air and is at a fixed raise height.

i didn't have that problem with the woodcraft, BUT, the woodcraft (even tho adjustable in height) is a little more flimsy feeling that the powerstands piece.

just, if you use the powerstands stuff (or any of them, really) make sure the pin fit's nicelly and put a rag over your fender to avoid scratching it during placement.

 

Not really meant for storage, but the best all round stand is the ABBA stand, which attaches at the swing arm pivot. Use a small wedge under each wheel to keep them off the ground - just for balance as the stand takes the weight. It's less likely to be knocked over than conventional stands.

Otherwise there's no real need to lift the tyres for short periods - three months or so, but get them isolated from the ground by using pieces of old carpet or something similar.

Rob