Solid Platform for Parking

[xsylus]

My driveway and the area around my house is all dirt and gravel. Even if I park my bike using the center stand sometimes it sinks in and starts leaning. Also when it rains the bottom of the bike gets splattered with mud.

I'm wondering if there's a base platform I can purchase that would be more solid and secure for my bike. I'd like to have a concrete slab to park it on, but that isn't an option. So if there's something less permanent but similarly sturdy that can be purchased and hopefully isn't too expensive, that would be helpful.

Any suggestions?

[90GTVert]

How about pavers? I just looked online and they're about $2 for a 12"x12" basic paver. Wouldn't be that expensive to turn a flat spot into a full parking spot with them.

A chunk of thick aluminum large enough for the stand would likely stabilize the bike and keep it from sinking, but I think the pavers would be even better. Plywood, steel or similar could work for some time, but they'll rot or rust eventually.

[xsylus]

I was thinking something along the lines of this but maybe without the diamond plate pattern.




The site does have options for these with a smooth side however they have a minimum order requirement.

[90GTVert]

I know there are PVC sheets and things like that, but I have no idea if they could handle a scoot. You can get garage floor tiles, but you may have to buy a case.

www.homedepot.com/s/garage%20floor%20tiles?NCNI-5

[snaker]

Feb 2, 2024 15:27:13 GMT -5 90GTVert said:

How about pavers? I just looked online and they're about $2 for a 12"x12" basic paver. Wouldn't be that expensive to turn a flat spot into a full parking spot with them.

A chunk of thick aluminum large enough for the stand would likely stabilize the bike and keep it from sinking, but I think the pavers would be even better. Plywood, steel or similar could work for some time, but they'll rot or rust eventually.

I've typically had stacks of cinder blocks and red bricks laying around and have done similar "temporary" layouts.
Atv parking pad for a time
A motorcycle wash pad instead of just using the grass lawn.
A couple other equipment parking pads while I was building a pole shed


I found that the bricks tended to move around a bit but the cinder blocks stayed put.
I would dig out the sod and pack the dirt for a smooth and level base.
The blocks sat a little above ground but low enough so I could still run the riding mower up and over the edge.
When done with, I dug up the blocks and dirt filled the holes.

[aeroxbud]

Feb 3, 2024 17:41:38 GMT -5 xsylus said:

I was thinking something along the lines of this but maybe without the diamond plate pattern.




The site does have options for these with a smooth side however they have a minimum order requirement.

Without the diamond pattern it will be very slippery when wet. That's why they use the pattern.

[FrankenMech]

Since long term solutions are not an option just buy a small sheet of OSB or plywood from a home improvement store. If needed some long landscape spikes can secure it in place. The OSB or plywood should last long enough. The store may even have pressure treated plywood available which will last a long time. Make sure you check the clearance rack for damaged sections of plywood or lumber on the cheap. A platform can be constructed from lumber, even crooked pieces lose some of their crookedness when cut into shorter pieces.

[xsylus]

Feb 4, 2024 13:42:13 GMT -5 FrankenMech said:

Since long term solutions are not an option just buy a small sheet of OSB or plywood from a home improvement store. If needed some long landscape spikes can secure it in place. The OSB or plywood should last long enough. The store may even have pressure treated plywood available which will last a long time. Make sure you check the clearance rack for damaged sections of plywood or lumber on the cheap. A platform can be constructed from lumber, even crooked pieces lose some of their crookedness when cut into shorter pieces.

I was considering trying that and applying that spray-on truckbed liner to make it look more aesthetic as well as add some texture to it.

I was able to find other sites that sell those AlturnaMATS, but from what I've seen those are more for contruction workers to help keep those large CAT vehicles from getting stuck in the mud or deal with uneven terrain.   Also the size I was looking at was 3' by 6' and it's just over $200 per panel plus shipping.  

In my mind I'm picturing something similar to what a baseball plate is made out of, but in a larger format.

I am currently using individual tiles but the weeds like to grow up in between them and I'm always mindful of whether both ends of the center kickstand are in the middle of the tiles rather than on the edge.    Thus, I would rather just have one large piece instead of tiles.

The reason I would like something portable is that depending on the time of year I might be parking the bike in different areas around my property.


I really appreciate all the suggestions.  

[aeroxbud]

You can get black weed membrane from any garden supply centre. If you lay it down before the tiles. You won't get weeds.

[scooterpimp]

4x8 sheet a Dura deck and sheets used to protect & keep heavy machinery from sinking bin soil , it’s abut 1/2- or so thick

[FrankenMech]

A partial sheet of plywood is portable. I usually buy a full sheet and have it cut down to what I need. I keep the scraps for other 'projects'.

[kevino]

A couple pavers for the kickstand makes sense. The ground is mostly rock here. To have a garden my wife had to bring in several tons of topsoil.

[FrankenMech]

A couple pavers will not reduce mud splatter.

[kevino]

No, I was thinking about a stable surface. The rocky ground here would drain rinse water from washing the scooter.