[Bluejeans]

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]

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]

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 :wink:

 

[Madura]

Sidewalk.

 

[axel_2078]

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]

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]

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

 

[inspiron]

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]

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]

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 :roll: ).

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]

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]

...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]

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]

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

 

[Bluejeans]

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 :roll: ).

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]

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

 

[c50tiger]

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

 

[Bluejeans]

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

...this is true!