Kickstand

Why Your Kickstand Matters More Than You Think

It's one of the simplest parts on a motorcycle, yet few components get taken for granted quite like the kickstand. A worn, bent, or incorrectly sized kickstand can cause your bike to tip over while parked, risking costly cosmetic damage or worse. Whether you're replacing a fatigued OEM unit, compensating for a suspension lift or lowering kit, or adding a side stand to a dirt bike that never came with one from the factory, choosing the right kickstand is a decision worth making carefully.

Side Stands vs. Center Stands

Most modern motorcycles rely on a side stand — the spring-loaded leg that folds down from the left side of the frame. Center stands, by contrast, lift both wheels slightly off the ground and are found primarily on touring and standard-style bikes. As noted by motorcycle historians, center stands are advantageous for long-term parking and performing maintenance like chain adjustments without an external stand, though they are often omitted on sport bikes to save weight and increase ground clearance.

For off-road riders, the calculus is different. Many motocross and MX-style bikes ship from the factory without any kickstand at all — weight savings and the risk of accidental deployment on the track are common reasons manufacturers leave them off. Aftermarket kickstands for dirt bikes typically use existing frame mounting points, include high-tension springs to keep the stand retracted while riding, and can be removed in minutes when heading to the track.

What to Look for When Buying a Kickstand

• Length & lean angle: A kickstand that's too short leaves the bike dangerously upright; too long and the bike tips away from you. Look for options spec'd to your suspension height, especially if you've raised or lowered your bike.
• Material: High-strength steel is the most common choice for cruisers and touring bikes, while aluminum alloy units shed weight for dirt and adventure applications.
• Fitment: Most kickstands are model-specific. Always verify compatibility with your year, make, and model before ordering.
• Finish: Powder-coat and chrome finishes offer corrosion resistance; chrome options also complement the look of custom cruiser builds.
• Extensions & pads: Kickstand pad extensions widen the foot contact area, preventing the stand from sinking into soft ground — a must-have for adventure and dual-sport riders.

Top Kickstand Brands

Drag Specialties is the go-to name for Harley-Davidson kickstand replacements. Their lineup spans side stands and center stands engineered as precise OEM replacements, with options tailored to stock, lowered, and raised suspension heights across decades of Big Twin, Softail, Touring, and Sportster models.

Psychic brings its rider-focused product development ethos to the kickstand category, offering MX and dirt bike fitments that keep pace with current model-year machines — a brand built by riders, for riders who want up-to-date parts without hunting through outdated catalogs.

Moose Racing offers bolt-on and clamp-on kickstand solutions engineered specifically for off-road and MX bikes. Their bolt-on stand features a powder-coated steel shaft and a sturdy steel mounting bracket, installing with just two bolts using existing frame pickup points — with a high-tension spring to keep it firmly in the up position while riding.

PSR rounds out the off-road and performance segment with kickstand options that appeal to riders looking for reliable, no-nonsense hardware that holds up to the rigors of trail and track use.

For riders looking to add a touch of custom flair alongside function, Kuryakyn brings its signature style-meets-function approach to the kickstand category, making them a natural choice for cruiser and custom motorcycle enthusiasts who want even the smallest details to look the part.