Years ago we used to ride far out into the desert on heavy, large displacement motorcycles. This was long before anybody had figured out a way to put electric starters on them. Sometimes we would stop to rest, and other times just fall down. Either way there came a time when the bike would get shut off or the motor got killed. Due to the large displacement of the motors when it came time to re-start the beasts we would deploy the kickstand and stand up on the pegs in order to be able to kick it hard enough to get the motor to light up. In soft dirt or sand we quickly learned the kickstands were useless. For a time we carried chunks of wood, crushed cans, heavy duty cardboard, or other pieces of trash to support the bike for the starting ritual. Often time these were left behind in our excitment when the scooter would finally re-start. BUMMER!
We started making S-N-B's out of necessity, but soon learned how invaluable they were not only on our dirt scooters but on streetbikes, enduros, and everything else out there that used any kind of a side or kick stand. They not only worked for starting bikes but made the kickstands work in areas where they were useless before due to the soft ground. They even work on centerstands by mounting two of the cruiser styles on the centerstand.(One on each leg.) This works great when you have a flat out in the middle of nowhere and the ground is to soft to support the weight of the bike on the centerstand.
Since then we have come a long way and learned quite a bit about testing, manufacturing, as well as a few tricks on installation. We decided a couple years ago to start selling them as this problem with kickstands sinking into soft terrain is not going away and nobody else seemed to be addressing it.
Side or Kickstands sinking into soft terrain is a problem that has been around since the advent of the motorcycle. It is and will be a problem far into the foreseeable future. Since nobody else seemed to be addressing the problem we decided to do our part to help out fellow riders by designing, manufacturing, and marketing a product that is long overdue.
We built our first S-N-B's back in the late 70's by cutting them out of reinforced rubber stock with tin snips. We always wondered why our hands were hurting so much the next day till we remembered what it was we had done the preceding day that had caused it.
We have since come a long way and learned quite a bit about manufacturing, installation, and testing. We now have quite a few different models available to fit almost every bike out there, with a few more under developement. We have gone through a host of different materials (mostly through trial and error) and have found what we believe to be the best in terms of manufacturing, ease of installation, and wear properties.
When we approched several of the big motorcycle dealers here in our hometown they told us they did not want to sell our products because every time a street bike punches through the asphalt and falls on its side they make from 1000-3000 dollars in repairs. It was then we knew we just had to get our product out on the market.
We applied for, and after a considerable amount of time, design and material changes, lawyers fees, and Patent Office delays, have finally been granted a patent for the Sink-No-Bobs.
