Where do you park your bike? - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

Bluejeans · 10-09-2004, 07:14 PM

I have a question. When you go to a store on your bike, where do you park it? Do you put it in a regular parking place?

So far, the only place I've been other than just riding, is to work, the bureau of motor vehicles, and the leather shop. At work, I park where I damn well please and anybody who doesn't like it can bite me...

At the BMV and the Leather shop, there were designated motorcyle parking spaces. But now, I'm ready to start riding places like the grocery store, video store, drug store, etc. but I just don't know where to put my bike.

What does everyone else do?

**Trapper** · 10-09-2004, 07:23 PM

Personally I park in a regular spot but I make sure I don't go too deep so that the cagers can see the bike between two other cars.

c50tiger · 10-09-2004, 07:28 PM

Well - depends. At work I park in my usual spot. If other places don't have designated bike parking, I'll just park in a regular spot - backed in but not too far so that its easily visible to folks looking for an empty spot.

I have been known to create my own spots now and then

Madura · 10-09-2004, 07:53 PM

Sidewalk.

axel_2078 · 10-09-2004, 08:36 PM

I do the same as Trappercase...park in a regular spot, but don't pull all the way in. You don't want someone to swing in and knock the bike over because they couldn't see it between the cars. If there's motorcycle parking available and it's in a safe location, I would go for that first even if it means doing a little more walking. Lots of people get ticked off when they see a motorcycle occupying a parking space, especially when parking is a luxury, like here at work. We've got about 36 parking spots for around 300 people.

**Clint** · 10-09-2004, 10:38 PM

I look for those giant, vacant corners on the sidewalk along storefronts - the ones where no one walks and the leaves collect. Haven't had a problem yet. Otherwise, in a regular spot.

GIXXER-Mike · 10-10-2004, 08:03 AM

In a regular spot but not to deep. Hadn't had a problem yet :o !

**inspiron** · 10-10-2004, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madura

Sidewalk.

Gotta be careful when doing that ... in Switzerland, there is a law that you have to leave 1.5 meters (about 5 feet) of space around any crosswalk or sidewalk. I parked next to a bunch of bikes and rollers, but was only 1 meter from a crosswalk. The result ... a ticket - CHF 40.00 fine (about $30.00). Since then, I tend to park in designated MC parking spaces, or between the cages on the side of the road.

Nexus242 · 10-10-2004, 05:38 PM

At work I park right in front of my store under the overhang and behind a larger supporting piller on the sidewalk so it's not really seen unless your on the sidewalk and it's always visible from inside too. A lady I work with parks her GSXR600 there too.

At most stores I will try to park on the side walks out in front, never had an issuse at Wallys, Tar-Zhay or Publixs but if I have to park in a regular space I will but leaving my rear end out enough to be seen before a car can start to turn into the space. Only one place I goto, Florida Mall, has bike parking and it's right up front by the main entrance which is very cool. It's better parking then the handicap get!!!

themeatmanlandry · 10-11-2004, 09:11 AM

Just like my cages, I park FAR away from the general population. If the bike's out in the open, they can see it pretty easily (not that that means anything

).

For the most part, mine's a corner-carving toy that I use on Saturday/Sunday mornings, so I almost never park it anywhere, other than the gas pump (I pay with a card) and the garage (at home).

Va bene · 10-11-2004, 09:51 AM

Depends. A lot of times in a regular spot but definitely toward the back of the spot so I am visible. Preferably a spot with a curb or island on one side so there is more visibility and only one spot next to me.

Sometimes if it is available, large enough and not in anyone's way, I'll park where they have those cross hatches painted (next to a light post/handicapped spot/end of the aisle/etc).

My overall objective is somewhere the bike will not be in the way and it will be SEEN.

c50tiger · 10-11-2004, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themeatmanlandry

...I almost never park it anywhere, other than the gas pump (I pay with a card) and the garage (at home).

not to give them free advertising or whatever, but speedpass rocks. When it's working.

SeattleKatana · 10-11-2004, 12:17 PM

Like most have posted, I park in a regular spot, but also not far in. The other thing I make sure of is that the parking spot does not slope down. Some times it takes some looking around to find one. I want to make sure the bike does not roll forward off the kickstand. At least for my Katana, it doesn't take much to roll forward and fall.

**Louis** · 10-12-2004, 11:32 AM

Always a regular spot unless there's a dedicated motorcycle parking (have one at work).

Bluejeans · 10-12-2004, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themeatmanlandry

Just like my cages, I park FAR away from the general population. If the bike's out in the open, they can see it pretty easily (not that that means anything

).

For the most part, mine's a corner-carving toy that I use on Saturday/Sunday mornings, so I almost never park it anywhere, other than the gas pump (I pay with a card) and the garage (at home).

That's cuz in Mempho...you leave it for 10 seconds and it's gone...

OT Story...
When I lived in Memphis, we decided to really redo the bathroom. So, hubby and a friend pull out the tub and the toilet and set them on the front porch while they rip out the floor.

ONE HOUR LATER...
Hubby and friend are done ripping out the floor and have installed the subfloor, ready for tile. The decide to put the toilet and tub back in on the subfloor until we find and order the tile we want.

They went out the front door to get the toilet and tub. They are gone. I swear...gone. Some fool came up on the porch in broad daylight and STOLE my freakin' toilet and bathtub! And you wonder why I moved to Maine.

Bluejeans · 10-12-2004, 01:39 PM

Thanks for all the replys. I guess I'll take my chances in the regular parking spots. It just feels weird...

c50tiger · 10-12-2004, 01:53 PM

Not as weird as it might feel trying to park your car in the m/c parking zone

Bluejeans · 10-12-2004, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c50tiger

Not as weird as it might feel trying to park your car in the m/c parking zone

...this is true!

10-09-2004, 07:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
Bluejeans Clunked into first gear Joined: Aug 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 226	Where do you park your bike? I have a question. When you go to a store on your bike, where do you park it? Do you put it in a regular parking place? So far, the only place I've been other than just riding, is to work, the bureau of motor vehicles, and the leather shop. At work, I park where I damn well please and anybody who doesn't like it can bite me... At the BMV and the Leather shop, there were designated motorcyle parking spaces. But now, I'm ready to start riding places like the grocery store, video store, drug store, etc. but I just don't know where to put my bike. What does everyone else do? __________________ There are 10 kinds of people...those who know binary and those who don't ------- 1995 Intruder VS800 - Black w/blue metallic flake 2003 Savage - Teal Green

10-09-2004, 07:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
Trapper Dogs Best Friend(admin) Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: SOLD Location: Moncton NB Canada Posts: 9,091	Personally I park in a regular spot but I make sure I don't go too deep so that the cagers can see the bike between two other cars. __________________ PointFlushRetrieve.com - Bird Dog Blog Motorcycle-Journal.com Blog

10-09-2004, 07:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
c50tiger Can Ride And Chew Gum Joined: Aug 2004 Bike: 2005 C50 Location: Selma, Alabama Posts: 2,058	Well - depends. At work I park in my usual spot. If other places don't have designated bike parking, I'll just park in a regular spot - backed in but not too far so that its easily visible to folks looking for an empty spot. I have been known to create my own spots now and then __________________ Let's think the unthinkable, let's do the undoable, let's prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all. - Douglas Adams COGITO EGGO SUM: I think, therefore I am... a waffle

10-09-2004, 07:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
Madura Puddle Runner Joined: Aug 2004 Location: Orlandon't Posts: 384	Sidewalk. __________________ I said Madura, not Marauder.

10-09-2004, 08:36 PM	#5 (permalink)
axel_2078 Sit speling cheker Joined: May 2004 Bike: 2003 Marauder 800 Location: Fairview Heights, IL Posts: 1,668	I do the same as Trappercase...park in a regular spot, but don't pull all the way in. You don't want someone to swing in and knock the bike over because they couldn't see it between the cars. If there's motorcycle parking available and it's in a safe location, I would go for that first even if it means doing a little more walking. Lots of people get ticked off when they see a motorcycle occupying a parking space, especially when parking is a luxury, like here at work. We've got about 36 parking spots for around 300 people. __________________ "Rome didn't win wars by holding meetings. They did it by crushing those who opposed them." - unknown Everyone has a dark side. Mine's just a little closer to the surface.

10-10-2004, 08:03 AM	#7 (permalink)
GIXXER-Mike U.B's LoveChild Joined: Aug 2004 Bike: 2004 GSX-R600 (Blue/White) Location: ALABAMA Posts: 1,113	In a regular spot but not to deep. Hadn't had a problem yet :o ! __________________ "I'm here to fight for truth, and justice, and the American way."

10-10-2004, 05:38 PM	#9 (permalink)
Nexus242 Can Ride And Chew Gum Joined: Aug 2004 Bike: yellow and black Location: Wide awake in dreamland... Posts: 1,935	At work I park right in front of my store under the overhang and behind a larger supporting piller on the sidewalk so it's not really seen unless your on the sidewalk and it's always visible from inside too. A lady I work with parks her GSXR600 there too. At most stores I will try to park on the side walks out in front, never had an issuse at Wallys, Tar-Zhay or Publixs but if I have to park in a regular space I will but leaving my rear end out enough to be seen before a car can start to turn into the space. Only one place I goto, Florida Mall, has bike parking and it's right up front by the main entrance which is very cool. It's better parking then the handicap get!!! __________________ The killer in me is the killer in you My love I send this smile over to you...Smashing Pumpkins

10-11-2004, 09:11 AM	#10 (permalink)
themeatmanlandry Happy-ass Lunatic Joined: Dec 2003 Bike: 2002 Bandit 600S (Black); 2006 GSXR750 (Black) Location: Memphis Posts: 11,423	Just like my cages, I park FAR away from the general population. If the bike's out in the open, they can see it pretty easily (not that that means anything ). For the most part, mine's a corner-carving toy that I use on Saturday/Sunday mornings, so I almost never park it anywhere, other than the gas pump (I pay with a card) and the garage (at home). __________________ Go to hell

10-11-2004, 09:51 AM	#11 (permalink)
Va bene Savage Riders Rock Joined: Sep 2004 Bike: Suzuki Savage LS 650 Location: Dandelion Alley Posts: 255	Depends. A lot of times in a regular spot but definitely toward the back of the spot so I am visible. Preferably a spot with a curb or island on one side so there is more visibility and only one spot next to me. Sometimes if it is available, large enough and not in anyone's way, I'll park where they have those cross hatches painted (next to a light post/handicapped spot/end of the aisle/etc). My overall objective is somewhere the bike will not be in the way and it will be SEEN.

10-11-2004, 12:17 PM	#13 (permalink)
SeattleKatana In Training Joined: May 2004 Bike: 2003 Katana 600 Location: Seattle, Wa Posts: 107	Like most have posted, I park in a regular spot, but also not far in. The other thing I make sure of is that the parking spot does not slope down. Some times it takes some looking around to find one. I want to make sure the bike does not roll forward off the kickstand. At least for my Katana, it doesn't take much to roll forward and fall.

10-12-2004, 11:32 AM	#14 (permalink)
Louis Administrator Joined: Sep 2003 Bike: SV650S '05 (Blue) Location: Gatineau, QC, Canada Posts: 10,655	Always a regular spot unless there's a dedicated motorcycle parking (have one at work). __________________ Louis

10-12-2004, 01:39 PM	#16 (permalink)
Bluejeans Clunked into first gear Joined: Aug 2004 Location: Maine Posts: 226	Thanks for all the replys. I guess I'll take my chances in the regular parking spots. It just feels weird... __________________ There are 10 kinds of people...those who know binary and those who don't ------- 1995 Intruder VS800 - Black w/blue metallic flake 2003 Savage - Teal Green

10-12-2004, 01:53 PM	#17 (permalink)
c50tiger Can Ride And Chew Gum Joined: Aug 2004 Bike: 2005 C50 Location: Selma, Alabama Posts: 2,058	Not as weird as it might feel trying to park your car in the m/c parking zone __________________ Let's think the unthinkable, let's do the undoable, let's prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all. - Douglas Adams COGITO EGGO SUM: I think, therefore I am... a waffle

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