I plan on ordering a set of Black Widow rear/front stands. I'm getting the spooled rear stand, but not sure whether to get the pin or pad front stand. What do you guy's feel is more stable and a better bet, a pin front stand or a pad front stand? Thanks for any help.

This type of "pin" stand?

Those damage the holes @ the bottom of the forks that the pins go into.
Have one and hate it.

Get the "pads"

I like the pin, enables you to take the front wheel off if needed
It seems stable and durable it held up my blade for the entire winter
And didn't flinch once when I removed and installed the front wheel

I like this style of pin stand, as it allows you to remove your forks:

But for basic maintenance, storage, and front wheel removal, I use this:

* Last updated by: DogoZX on 4/26/2012 @ 5:13 PM *

If it is a steering stem pin you are talking about, Get a Pit Bull Fork Lift Stand (Pads under fork bottoms)and also get the Forklift Converter (pin in the bottom of steering stem). Looks like Pit Bull also has some other similar stand called the Hybrid that does the sam thin + is adjustable in height.

http://www.pit-bull.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=PBMSA&Category_Code=front_stands

If I was only going to have one, I'd go with the pin. That will allow you to do everything you need to do with a front stand. The under fork pads are a lot easier to position to do the lift and they allow open access to the brake calipers and they hold the forks more firmly so you can wrench with a little bit of force (although i usually caution people about doing heavy torquing while a bike's on stands). You will not be able to remove or loosen the forks on a stand that lifts under the forks.

If you are really on a budget. It is possible to lift the bike with your fork stand and then strap under the air box to float the front for fork removal.

http://www.zx14ninjaforum.com/messages.cfm?threadid=44F2EE8E-D56B-84E2-1BA7F40F0997C0E5

* Last updated by: Rook on 4/26/2012 @ 7:19 PM *

I also use the Pit Bull stands. Spooled one on rear and steering stem one on front. I agree with Rook, if you only buy one front, get the one with the steering stem pin. I usually do most things with just the rear stand, but the front is handy for front tire changes and for service.

I ve got the headlift stand from Pit bull, just be aware that it is a tight fit...you're going to scratch the lower headlight fairing a little.

Thanks for the replies fellas. When I said "pin", I was refering to the pins that go into the holes at the bottom of the front forks, as depicted in the picture DogoZX posted. Sounds like this type of pin front stand may damage the front forks, so I think I'm leaning toward the pads.

.you're going to scratch the lower headlight fairing a little.

I have some marks on the soft plastic roof over the front fender from dragging the pin while finding the hole

...but if woulda kept my thumb over it, I'm sure that would not have happened.

It seems to work much better to position the pin under there going in from the side and then finding the hole with your thumb.