Helpful Tips for Centre Stand???

First topic message reminder :

Hi All,
Looking for helpful tips to get the bike on its centre stand. This is something I have been "struggling" with since I got my bike a few weeks ago. I'm not a big guy but not that little either. At 5'7" and 160 lbs I should be able to do it but it is a real struggle and I have even (embarassingly) had to ask my wife to help. Even then it's tough. Is there a secret??
Thanks for the help

Meldrew wrote:

I can and do use the side stand with the plastic side stand puck I carry on the scooter under the foot of the extended side stand. I also have a 5" square of scrap alloy checker plate I've had for donkey's years and use for the same job.

I also have a plate that I made for this purpose so would use the sidestand in soft stuff.

+ one more for the sidestand with a puck.

Me too.
I have a long piece of string attached to it so I don't have to reach down to retrieve it - idea pinched from ColinB.

MikeO wrote:

Me too.
I have a long piece of string attached to it so I don't have to reach down to retrieve it - idea pinched from ColinB.

I did this also! works slick too.

The solution that I have posted in several places in one variation or another and applicable to just about any bike that uses a center stand should do the trick.  No welding onto or cutting off of the bike's parts is necessary.

Ride the rear wheel up onto a 4 to 5" dia. X 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick puck that one uses for the side stand. With the rear wheel setting surely atop the puck, perform the rest of the procedure as normal. Once the bike is on the stand, slide the puck out from under the wheel and stow it.

Rolling just the bike's rear wheel atop just about any 1/2 inch or so thick piece of wood or whatever is simple enough because the bike can do that work under its own power. Rolling it up manually is easy too.  One only needs to make sure that the center stand is not impeded by the device used under the wheel. The rear wheel sitting on top of the puck or piece of wood is like having the bike already lifted the first 1/2 inch.
Getting it the rest of the way onto the center stand is far easier then. Try it and see   

I have only just seen this topic today. I thought it was only me who found it tricky to put the bike on the stand. I was also having problems pushing the bike back and moving it about. It nearly fell over couple of times so I decided to make a new centre stand fitted with wheels and a longer foot lever.
I can now get it on the stand to full height very easy and move it about in the shed. I am also making a 30mm thick block that will fit under the side stand it will be clamped on with one bolt.
There are some photos in my gallery of the main stand. I haven't finished the side stand block yet.
Derek

Cosmic_Jumper wrote:

MikeO wrote:

>>I put down the side stand, lean the bike on to it, dismount, deploy the centre stand and heave the bike up then flip up the side stand to finish off with.

I cant imagine how you could possibly put the scoot up on the center stand without first having it resting on the side stand as you dismount.

But perhaps there is some Cirque du Soleil approved method for contorting your body so that you could raise the center stand as you dismount --all in one swashbuckling flourish.

Tim

Putting my BMW 650GT on the center stand was a bit nervous for me at first. The bike has a parking brake that is operated whenever the side stand is out. So you can't put the bike on the center stand when the side stand is down. That means I have to get off the bike with the side stand down, push the side stand back up and then put the bike up on the center stand. It's easy now, but the first few times felt shaky. As with my Goldwings and Silverwings before this BMW the most important thing about getting it up on the center stand is to make sure both feet of the center stand are on the ground before raising the bike. I just put a light pressure on the center stand arm and then rock the bike gently to feel when both feet of the stand are on the ground and then push down on the arm and pull up on the passenger grab rail a bit. Inevitably if you don't feel for the ground by rocking the bike it will be leaning a bit and the bike will be nearly impossible to put up on the stand. That goes double for the Goldwing with it's 900lbs weight.

Just bringing this topic up again due to so many "new members" who might want to review it.    The "centre" stand and "center" stand are the same.

What does one do to put bike on side stand if she can't reach the handle bar and hold the passenger handrail?

I know. Use a jack!

I only use side stand and carry a 4x4 quarter inch piece of plywood to put under it when extra stability is needed.

Can't reach the passenger handrail?

MikeO wrote:

Can't reach the passenger handrail?

Perhaps a wee Osprey.

Are you tall enough to 'flat foot' when stopped at a traffic light, etc? If you are one-foot tippy toeing when stopped and also unable to grasp the handlebar & grab rail when attempting the center stand then perhaps the Silverwing is too much for your physical stature.

That said, someone here mentioned using a section of iron pipe to slip over the center stand foot lever to gain additional leverage to raise the scoot. Even with that a certain amount of dexterity and body mass would be required to balance the scoot when doing this.

Tim

Thanks for the concern about my small stature compatibility.  The bike felt a bit much at first.  I considered going back to my original plan of buying a 300cc motorcycle.  But the price was so right!

I can put both feet firmly on the ground.  My torso is more compact, making a long reach difficult.  In fact, I adjusted handlebars as close as possible.

I'm happy with my growing abilities for handling the Swing.  Figuring out the center of balance and practicing the Ride Like a Pro exercises are doing the trick.  I'm about half way through the course and plan to finish by adjusting course to the motorcycle police standards. Let the games begin after that.  I'm challenging my neighbor to a dual!

Back to moving bike onto center stand.  A full grip on the passenger rail requires me to turn the handle bars to for a grip on the left side.  Hence, no easy way up with front wheel no longer straight.

I can push the bike from the side, even up an incline for a bit.  That's with me putting the emphais on the front handle bar with the use of three fingers gripping the passenger rail.

We have a vinyl floor over the cement in our barn "garage."  I used it to practice picking the bike up.  So, I can do that.

Definitely will always need help or try one of the tricks mentioned above to put it up on the stand.

As always, thanks for your thoughts and comments.

exavid wrote:

Cosmic_Jumper wrote:

MikeO wrote:

>>I put down the side stand, lean the bike on to it, dismount, deploy the centre stand and heave the bike up then flip up the side stand to finish off with.

I cant imagine how you could possibly put the scoot up on the center stand without first having it resting on the side stand as you dismount.

But perhaps there is some Cirque du Soleil approved method for contorting your body so that you could raise the center stand as you dismount --all in one swashbuckling flourish.

Tim

Putting my BMW 650GT on the center stand was a bit nervous for me at first. The bike has a parking brake that is operated whenever the side stand is out. So you can't put the bike on the center stand when the side stand is down. That means I have to get off the bike with the side stand down, push the side stand back up and then put the bike up on the center stand. It's easy now, but the first few times felt shaky. As with my Goldwings and Silverwings before this BMW the most important thing about getting it up on the center stand is to make sure both feet of the center stand are on the ground before raising the bike. I just put a light pressure on the center stand arm and then rock the bike gently to feel when both feet of the stand are on the ground and then push down on the arm and pull up on the passenger grab rail a bit. Inevitably if you don't feel for the ground by rocking the bike it will be leaning a bit and the bike will be nearly impossible to put up on the stand. That goes double for the Goldwing with it's 900lbs weight.

Thanks, exavid, that's an additional piece of advice that might help to ease my stress about center stand lifting.

Osprey wrote:

Thanks for the concern about my small stature compatibility.  The bike felt a bit much at first.  I considered going back to my original plan of buying a 300cc motorcycle.  But the price was so right!

I can put both feet firmly on the ground.  My torso is more compact, making a long reach difficult.  In fact, I adjusted handlebars as close as possible.

I'm happy with my growing abilities for handling the Swing.  Figuring out the center of balance and practicing the Ride Like a Pro exercises are doing the trick.  I'm about half way through the course and plan to finish by adjusting course to the motorcycle police standards. Let the games begin after that.  I'm challenging my neighbor to a dual!

Back to moving bike onto center stand.  A full grip on the passenger rail requires me to turn the handle bars to for a grip on the left side.  Hence, no easy way up with front wheel no longer straight.

I can push the bike from the side, even up an incline for a bit.  That's with me putting the emphais on the front handle bar with the use of three fingers gripping the passenger rail.

We have a vinyl floor over the cement in our barn "garage."  I used it to practice picking the bike up.  So, I can do that.

Definitely will always need help or try one of the tricks mentioned above to put it up on the stand.

As always, thanks for your thoughts and comments.

I think we all would get better at lifting up on center stand with practice. I observed the mechanics at my Honda/BMW dealer who, when bringing the bikes back and parking them for the customers to ride home, lift them up with such ease, that it appears as easy as backing up a bicycle on a center stand. And many of these mechanics are smaller and lighter than my average frame. So, yes, it's good to practice a little.

bandito2 wrote:

The solution that I have posted in several places in one variation or another and applicable to just about any bike that uses a center stand should do the trick.  No welding onto or cutting off of the bike's parts is necessary.

Ride the rear wheel up onto a 4 to 5" dia. X 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick puck that one uses for the side stand. With the rear wheel setting surely atop the puck, perform the rest of the procedure as normal. Once the bike is on the stand, slide the puck out from under the wheel and stow it.

Rolling just the bike's rear wheel atop just about any 1/2 inch or so thick piece of wood or whatever is simple enough because the bike can do that work under its own power. Rolling it up manually is easy too.  One only needs to make sure that the center stand is not impeded by the device used under the wheel. The rear wheel sitting on top of the puck or piece of wood is like having the bike already lifted the first 1/2 inch.
Getting it the rest of the way onto the center stand is far easier then. Try it and see   

Thanks, Bandito, good idea. Will try.

I agree practice should be the key word here. I'm guilty of foregoing the center stand because I haven't put enough value on doing so. Really, all aspects of the bike should be important.

I like bandito2's suggestion. I'm going to start with his technique and then move toward bringing it up without an aid. Although, it may be having the aid is the best I can do. I accept that too.

Thanks for good exchanges on this subject.

Surprise it! Don't plan the manoeuvre, just do it, much as a weight-lifter does the Clean & Jerk.

Howdy all,

It's finally warm enough up here in the White Mountains to Ride!!!!
I'm changing oil and filter today and was able to put the bike up on its center stand without asking for help.
Thanks to Chris' instruction, using a 1/4" board and wearing my hefty chainsaw boots.  Two rocks and it was up.
Go Judy (my name) 140 lb woman vs 500 lb bike.   Thanks gang!

I am 5'5" and at first it was a bugger to put on center stand, but now have a pattern.........
I attempt to do it once but stop when bike feels heavy, then do it again straight away & up she comes, no real effort (may have something to do with forward & backward motion, not sure as not a scientist), just a newly retired F/Fighter

It's quite simple:
1. find a level solid surface.
2.Rear brake on, grab passenger rail,
3.push down on the centerstand till nearside foot touches the ground.
4.push bike gently away from your body until you feel the other foot of the centerstand hit the ground.
5.Stop pushing, release rear brake,
6.step hard and lift with passenger rail.
Sounds complicated, but keep the steps fluid and practice. You have to release the rear brake handle because the front wheel ( linked brakes !) has to move to allow the backward motion. If you don't release the rear brake at the right time, you'll never get the bike on the centerstand.
I am 5'3" and 150 lbs.

Jay.

Better have something better than slippers on your feet, or face the consequences !

Also what I do is to push down on the passenger rail so the shocks are compressed a bit then pull up. It sort of gives that little extra umph to get the bike on the center stand a bit easier. For me anyway.

cotetoi wrote:

It's quite simple:
1. find a level solid surface.
2.Rear brake on, grab passenger rail,
3.push down on the centerstand till nearside foot touches the ground.
4.push bike gently away from your body until you feel the other foot of the centerstand hit the ground.
5.Stop pushing, release rear brake,
6.step hard and lift with passenger rail.
Sounds complicated, but keep the steps fluid and practice. You have to release the rear brake handle because the front wheel ( linked brakes !) has to move to allow the backward motion. If you don't release the rear brake at the right time, you'll never get the bike on the centerstand.
I am 5'3" and 150 lbs.

Jay.

Better have something better than slippers on your feet, or face the consequences !

Good instructions! I don't mess with the rear brake unless I am on an incline but then I am 6'0 and a bit (lol) heavier. The important thing is to use YOUR weight to push the scoot on the stand. I use the centerstand probably 90% of the time as it is simply more stable.

I did the same with my GL1800; and you haven't lived until you wrestle 900 pounds up on the stand. Once you have the routine down it becomes easy. Good luck.

My 1994 Kawasaki Voyager had a two stage center stand which made it a lot easier to get an 800+ lb bike up and on ( easier than my Swing) . Maybe the swing doesn't allow such a large unit to be mounted but would help those who are not using the right technique .

If all else fails, lay down a piece of 1/4 inch plywood. Drive over it until your rear tire is at the forward edge of the plywood. Now do all the steps as Cotetoi listed. Had to do this when both thumbs were broken in an accident and needed to repair my Swing. You can even fashion a small piece of wood, attach a cord to it and carry it in the glovebox.

Keep it well lubricated, you would be suprised how much friction a small amount of rust makes.

This guy explain very cleary, how to put Goldwing on the center stand.

arskal wrote:

This guy explain very cleary, how to put Goldwing on the center stand.

Excellent video thanks for sharing.

Brilliant tips and looks so easy that way

The Bern wrote:

Keep it well lubricated, you would be suprised how much friction a small amount of rust makes.

We are still discussing centre stands here aren't we ??

Don't pay no 'tension, Bern... I understand... They're all a bunch of bullies...

The video offered some great instructions on using the center stand.....Thank You for showing it!

DickO wrote:

Don't pay no 'tension, Bern... I understand... They're all a bunch of bullies...

They're all being mean to me Dick, just plain mean

I shall go sit in a darkened room & read a book

Never had a problem getting it on the centre stand.

But I did devise a sure fire way of getting my scoot OFF the centre stand.

Start the engine, rev it up and rock back....

No, really, don't.... I managed to mono a Chinese 50cc scoot by accident doing just that. Completely forgot engine revs equal rear wheel going round...

That's like revving the SW at traffic lights when the HD's show up !!!!!

Jay

Thanks! I kept facing the bike as I tried to get it on the centre stand. Facing forward did the trick

As I get older, I find that I'm putting my full body weight onto the centre stand footpiece as I roll the bike backwards lifting slightly with the sissy bar and holding the left handlebar. Seems to work.

The first time I saw a BMW K1200LT go up on its electric center stand I was terribly jealous. Just a bit of a hum and up she comes. Talk about a luxury.