Racedeck sample and my Vespa

[Vintage Veloce]

The other day I did an online quote for Racedeck for my garage. And guess what... a sample arrived in the mail today!
I'm a motorcycle person, and I have more than a couple. I know I could get a few metal Racedeck panels, but I need to put my bikes anywhere in the garage.
So... I immediately took the sample outside and parked my 150cc Vespa on it. Vespa's don't have sidestands, only a center stand. And well... it immediately scarred the Racedeck panel.
So, I no Racedeck tiles for me. And in general, I'd say these aren't a good choice for a motorcycle owner.
C

 

[MDSPHOTO]

I park 2 motorcycles with a combined weight of 1750 lbs on their side stands with no issues on Race Deck tiles.

 

[HotRodKush]

I've never had a problem with my motorcycle either, but I guess if your stand is very sharp then it would do some damage. Most kickstands are smooth enough where it won't dig in too much. Racedeck withstands alot of abuse, but they're still going to get damaged if you scrape something sharp enough against them.

 

[Jinks]

The rust on the bottom of that center stand will mark any floor it's put on. That being said, Racedeck style floors are fine for motorcycles if you use the side stand. Center stands are rough on all surfaces. It's best to use some sacrificial covering under a center stand.

 

[VintageVeloce]

Mdsphoto , that looks like a pad under your Sidestand in that photo?
I can imagine carefully placed sidestands might be fine. But I think for me, it would be scarred up in short order. I use my center stands on a at least 4 bikes and I use swing arm stands on others. I'm not just parking a bike occasionally, my bikes get moved around... So using pads would be a real hassle.
When I popped the Vespa up on the stand it was in the sun with the air temperature about 90. I could see the tile compress under the stand's pressure and knew it wasn't going to come out clean.

 

[James-W]

If your center stand has sharp edges, it will potentially cause damage to any floor covering you have.

 

[Jinks]

Mdsphoto , that looks like a pad under your Sidestand in that photo?
I can imagine carefully placed sidestands might be fine. But I think for me, it would be scarred up in short order. I use my center stands on a at least 4 bikes and I use swing arm stands on others. I'm not just parking a bike occasionally, my bikes get moved around... So using pads would be a real hassle.
When I popped the Vespa up on the stand it was in the sun with the air temperature about 90. I could see the tile compress under the stand's pressure and knew it wasn't going to come out clean.

It's not a contest. Both MDSPHOTO & I pointed out our experience with Racedeck style floor tiles. That type of flooring won't work for you, no problem. When you find a flooring material that isn't marred by rusty, sharp, center stands please get back to us. I'm sure others would be interested in the information.

 

[Firebird 1]

You must have vintage bikes if your using swing arm stands. I have a few myself.

 

[Vintage Veloce]

Sorry Jinks & MDS Photo, I didn't mean to be too aggressive.
Firebird, yes I have some old bikes, and as I mentioned in the first post, the Vespa doesn't come with a side stand, only a center stand.
I also have a bike lift, and it has relatively small steel wheels... I think those might not work on the tiles either.
I've always used plain cement floors, so these alternatives are all new to me.

 

[Zeke]

So buy another floor. There is no solution here.

 

[crab]

I have a concrete floor and it's going to stay that way. Between welding and grinding and cutting I don't think anything would last and I don't need to spend money to be aggravated. Not to mention the work it would take to do the floor. Tile like the shotgun garage has would probably be the best choice, maybe someday. You guys with the nice floors, looks fantastic, makes me envious.

 

[Cave Creek Ray]

I tried my wife's Vespa on my new porcelain tiles. It just scrapes the rust off the center stand and the mark wipes off with a finger -and only if you yank it up hard against the stop. Same with my 500 lb Suzuki Burgman on the center stand. The Burgman usually rests on the side stand but, as you said, the Vespa only has one stand.

 

[dubber]

The rusty sharp stand is definitely the issue.

 

[PeterN]

I also thought about Racedeck for my motorcycle garage but have decided against it due the the sidestand/centerstand damage and the stories of buckling/heaving tiles. I think the installs look great that I have seen, but I don't park my bike in exactly the same spot and putting a pad down to keep the tiles from getting damaged isn't for me. I also have wheeled lifts that are concerning. Most non-cruiser bikes have relatively small feet on the side stand which concentrates the force in a small area. If a Vespa can do that kind of marring, I can't imagine what would happen with a heavy touring bike up on the centerstand which happens on my bikes when I lube the chain. The big advantage (besides the look)that I see to Racedeck type flooring is the ease with which you can replace a damaged tile.

My local shop has porcelain tiles on the floor which I have been keeping track of. It's been looking great over the last 2 years and I'm sure they don't baby the floor when they put the side/center stands down. My only concern is staining of the grout lines, but there are solutions to this too. Sliding a steel wheel sideways is also a concern.

Seems like it comes back to how you use your garage will determine your choice of flooring.

 

[bdamico]

When you find a flooring material that isn't marred by rusty, sharp, center stands please get back to us. I'm sure others would be interested in the information.

That would be porcelain tile.

 

[azula]

Did you get any other color samples? I like the tiles.

 

[mikeyr]

15 years on racedeck with more motorcycles than most people will ever have, still no damage from a motorcycle. That reminds me, I need to go buy a new bike, I am down to only 2.

 

[Gotcha640]

Would you be able to put some kind of boot or tip on the stand? HDPE, or rubber, or something else that would protect the floor?

 

[Jinks]

That would be porcelain tile.

Well there's Mr. Vintage Veloce's answer! Me, the bikes I've owned, the ones I've stored for friends, & the dozen or so that show up for Bike Week & Biketoberfest are happy with my cheap plastic tile floor. I wonder if Mr. Veloce will test a sample of porcelain for us.........

 

[pearltsi]

I have my racedeck sample here too, Now only if I can get them to send me 1500 more. Im ok with it being delivered one at a time.

 

[Vintage Veloce]

Hey, I just wanted to post my experience. I didn't really have a question.
On other people's experience, well, your mileage may vary.
I actually really like plain concrete, but would like to try and keep the dust down in this garage since it will be my office too.
C

 

[James-W]

Hey, I just wanted to post my experience. I didn't really have a question.
On other people's experience, well, your mileage may vary.
I actually really like plain concrete, but would like to try and keep the dust down in this garage since it will be my office too.
C

If you find that Racedeck doesn't work for you, then it doesn't work. No one type of flooring is good for everyone. Since you like the look of the concrete and it seems to work out the best for you, may I suggest you put down a sealer of some type and let it go at that.

 

[Vintage Veloce]

That was my original plan, until the contractor's bozos dribbled joint compound and stuff on the cement. I may clean that up and go that route, or I may get it coated. We will see.

Since you like the look of the concrete and it seems to work out the best for you, may I suggest you put down a sealer of some type and let it go at that.

 

[Zeke]

That was my original plan, until the contractor's bozos dribbled joint compound and stuff on the cement. I may clean that up and go that route, or I may get it coated. We will see.

Scrub the hell out of it and seal it. No dust. You don't need to grind concrete to get mud and paint off. A screen of a rotary buffer will do it. Actually, it will be clean as race deck.

 

[PeterN]

Just out of curiosity, is the damage to the tile that I saw in the original post a warranty replacement item? Or is it seen as normal wear and tear?

 

[Garage Flooring]

One of the great things about the Modular design of the RaceDeck tile is you can interlock various patterns and products. What about putting some RaceDeck PRO with the real diamond plate where you set your bike?


Another option might be to set a small piece of PVC flooring below it.

 

[MisterMike]

I've received a sample of RaceDeck and I had similar concerns. No surface is going to resist all assaults, but it struck me as kind of plasticky and the glossy surface does seem prone to scratches. I've been using TechFloor from WeatherTech (http://www.techfloor.com/) as a pad for my motorcycle for a little over a year and I haven't seen any evidence of damage from the centerstand or sidestand. I also have a fairly good sized pad of TechFloor in my basement workroom and it looks great. However, this area does not get nearly the amount of abuse that a floor in a garage or workshop would receive.

I haven't done a cost comparison between the two, but, with all due respect to the RaceDeck users and vendors here, I think that the TechFloor tiles are superior in quality. At a minimum, I'd suggest ordering a sample from them and deciding for yourself.

 

[azula]

I've received a sample of RaceDeck and I had similar concerns. No surface is going to resist all assaults, but it struck me as kind of plasticky and the glossy surface does seem prone to scratches. I've been using TechFloor from WeatherTech (http://www.techfloor.com/) as a pad for my motorcycle for a little over a year and I haven't seen any evidence of damage from the centerstand or sidestand. I also have a fairly good sized pad of TechFloor in my basement workroom and it looks great. However, this area does not get nearly the amount of abuse that a floor in a garage or workshop would receive.

I haven't done a cost comparison between the two, but, with all due respect to the RaceDeck users and vendors here, I think that the TechFloor tiles are superior in quality. At a minimum, I'd suggest ordering a sample from them and deciding for yourself.

Are techfloor samples free, if not what is the cost?

 

[RaceDeck1]

Are techfloor samples free, if not what is the cost?

If you can get a sample of techfloor, I would suggest you do and compare to not only RaceDeck but others as well. It is a very different type of flooring ( flexible, non suspension, cosmetically, etc. )

 

[Garage Flooring]

If you can get a sample of techfloor, I would suggest you do and compare to not only RaceDeck but others as well. It is a very different type of flooring ( flexible, non suspension, cosmetically, etc. )

Funny we had brought on that product and made the same suggestions.... I don't think we ever sold a single tile. When you compare it to others, side by side.... tough sell

 

[MisterMike]

Are techfloor samples free, if not what is the cost?

I don't really know, but you could call them at 1.800.441.6287 and ask. They're generally very helpful. As someone mentioned elsewhere, though, their sample tiles are quite small--around 3-4"--but you could likely get more than one color.

 

[azula]

I don't really know, but you could call them at 1.800.441.6287 and ask. They're generally very helpful. As someone mentioned elsewhere, though, their sample tiles are quite small--around 3-4"--but you could likely get more than one color.

Thanks for this, I will look into it. If I get any, I will post here.