How to Park Your Motorcycle Correctly

Proper motorcycle parking is essential for rider safety and protecting your investment. A poorly parked bike can tip over, causing damage to components like your motorbike indicator or worse. Here we have put together a general guide for how to park your motorcycle properly.

Is it easy to park a motorbike on a hill?

If you are new to riding a motorcycle, having to park on an incline or decline can seem a bit frightening, but it doesn’t have to be if you follow these tips.

Tips for uphill parking

When parking uphill:

• Position your bike with the front wheel pointing uphill
• Turn the handlebars slightly towards the kerb
• Let the bike roll back until the rear tyre touches the kerb
• Engage first gear and apply the parking brake
• Ensure the kickstand is on solid ground

Tips for downhill parking

For downhill parking:

• Position your bike facing downhill at a diagonal angle
• Turn handlebars away from the kerb
• Use your side stand as the primary support
• Always keep your bike in first gear – this prevents unwanted movement
• Never leave the engine idling on slopes

Tip from AUTODOC experts: If you're uncomfortable with hill parking, look for a more level spot nearby. Practice makes perfect, so start with gentle inclines before tackling steeper hills.

Motorcycle parking laws in the UK

If you ride a motorcycle in the UK, it's clear that understanding local parking laws is essential to avoid unexpected fines and ensure legal parking. What used to be a simple process has become a complex web of council-specific regulations, fluctuating fees and confusing signage that can confuse even the most experienced riders.

Let's break it down so you know where you can and can't park.

Common parking mistakes to avoid

1. Parking in neutral – always use first gear on any incline
2. Ignoring surface conditions – soft ground can cause kickstand to sink
3. Blocking access routes – ensure pedestrians and other vehicles can pass
4. Forgetting to lock your bike – even for short stops
5. Parking too close to building entrances – often prohibited and inconvenient

Quick reference parking checklist

Before parking:

• Check surface is stable
• Assess security of location
• Ensure legal parking spot

While parking:

• Engage first gear
• Position kickstand securely
• Check bike stability

After parking:

• Apply additional security (locks/chains)
• Note parking restrictions
• Remember your location

Conclusion

Remember, proper parking isn't just about convenience – it's about safety and protecting your motorcycle from damage and theft. A few extra minutes spent parking correctly can save you hundreds of pounds in repairs and insurance claims.

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