New RT Rider - Couple of Questions

[beemer dood]

I recommend against using a foot peg to mount, unless the bike is on the centerstand.  The bolt that holds the sidestand on sometimes breaks.  It happened to a motor officer buddy. 


A friend of mine makes a 3M product to prevent scuffing your bags.  I've been using it for several months and have not put a mark on mine.  I've got hip and knee issues and manage to hit the bags with a boot quite often.  He also makes the retro-reflective material to apply to the back of the panniers.  The website will be called scuffblocker.com but it's not up yet.  You can reach him at http://motoreflective.com/ until it is. 

[guest2360]

The added load on the side stand is minimul as the weight is down and mostly on the wheels.  On the centre stand however you are putting your full eight on that and then even more strain on it when you rock forward to get it off.