This may be a dumb question but please bare with me lol im new to bikes. I was talking to a buddy last night about bike stands because I want to get a rear stand. He told me that I need the spools and a spool stand because he said those are the safest. Then I asked what are spools and how do that hook up. I was told they should be pre drilled holes for the spools to bolt right in. When I got home I looked at my bike(2006) and I dont see any pre drilled holes in the rear arm. What kind of rear stand to you guys use? and where did you buy them from? I dont need nothing crazy I just want the cheapest one that will hold the bike safely. Thanks!

 

Just get one that will support your bike from the swing arm and you'll be ok.

 

f4i's dont have pre drilled holes for spools. u can drill the whole urself and rivet in the insert urself. personally i didnt wanna drill a hole in my swingarm so i just got a stand with swingarm pads. the pads just slide under the swingarm as opposed to under a spool.

 

I was reading that the bike can slip off the pads and scratch ur swing arm. Is this true or are you guys using them with no problems?

 

Yes and yes,if your not careful your bike can slip off and scratch more than your swing arm.I never had a problem with it.

 

Spool-less here and everything is fine. Just hold the bike level, setup the lift under the arm, then push down and lift bike. Very easy.

 

I bought mine when I still owned an F4. My 1000rr has spool slots but this works great on the swingarm. This will adjust in and out depending on the size and the paded swingarm platform has walls on both sides to keep it from slipping out. Easy to use and was a ebay cheapy.

 

I drill and tapped spools and used a thread rod thru the axle for my wifes bike..

Works great for cleaning and maint. but I know that to take rear tire off I can not use this method

 

+1 Get a rear stand with swing arm pads

 

Yep - I have the Vortex rear stand with pads. No problems, very solid.