Putting bike on center stand - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

BOSS750 · 05-24-2006, 04:01 PM

This is more scary than I thought it would be. I don't want to drop my bike but I'm not sure if it's a one man job or a two man job to put the bike on the center stand. Should I have help doing this or can it be done by one person?

Kaikias · 05-24-2006, 04:20 PM

All I have is a center stand, haven't dropped the bike yet.

92Notch · 05-24-2006, 04:25 PM

Just lean it against a tree, lightpost, or someone's car ... I don't ever use the stand.

J/K ... yeah, I don't have a center stand ... but i see lots of people use theirs by themselves ... I believe its a one man job (or 2.5 women .... lol J/K )

tlwisner · 05-24-2006, 05:57 PM

I was able to pull my 700 pound Concours up on it's centerstand pretty easily. It's a matter of grabbing the bike in the right places and pulling up and back while your foot presses down on the centerstand kick bar.

You can do it!

blackie1491 · 05-24-2006, 06:35 PM

Left hand on the bar, right foot on centerstand and right hand under seat and grunt. The grunt is the most important part.

If you post a sound bite we will correct.

**Clint** · 05-24-2006, 10:10 PM

It's very difficult for most people at first, but as Tim said you just have to find the right places to pull and lift. I can do mine fully loaded with luggage.

**inspiron** · 05-25-2006, 02:29 AM

My 550 lb bike is no problem, once you know how it's done.

A couple of things to remember:
1) Make sure the bike is standing straight. Push the center stand down so that it touches the ground, then gently lean the bike away from you until you feel that it is standing on both "feet" of the center stand. About 99% percent of the time, I *think* that the bike is straight, but I have to lean it about an inch farther away from me to get it "flat" on the center stand.
2) Make sure the bike is in neutral so you don't have to pull the clutch to roll it up onto the stand.
3) Hold the bars straight. Use your right arm (under the seat) to pull the bike back and up. The left arm (on the bar) is just there to keep it straight.

After practicing a few times, you'll get the hang of it.

Rickster · 05-26-2006, 09:50 AM

It's a push, pull kind of thing. You push with your leg, and pull with your right arm. Done in one quick motion, it's easy!

**Louis** · 05-26-2006, 10:06 AM

Check this thread:

http://www.motorcycle-journal.com/fo...ead.php?t=2416

Nico · 09-24-2006, 12:50 AM

The only time I dropped my Virago (~540lbs) was when I tried to put it up on the center stand alone in front of my wife. It just pissed me off that I couldn't manage to do it alone and I got angry at it...
I've finally gottent he hang of it, I do while on the bike, with the bike off. I stand on the centerstand with my left leg, and pull back hard, using the front brake to keep the bike from moving forward if I miss. It's still tricky, My next bike isn't going to have one (should be an M50) so I can stop stressing over it!

**inspiron** · 09-24-2006, 05:01 AM

The center stand is not evil - it just takes a bit of practice to get the hang of it.

Nico, you live in Virginia, right? That means you will winterize your bike and park it for a few months during the winter. In that case, the center stand is VERY useful - the rear tire is off the ground so there is less chance of "flat-spotting" it over the winter. Plus, those of us who have chains need the center stand in order to do the maintenance - the rear wheel needs to be in the air so that the entire chain can be cleaned and greased.

Nico · 09-25-2006, 11:48 PM

Actually Inspiron I rode my bike at least one day a week (for about 100mi) all through the winter last year. I agree with you 100% about getting it off of the wheels however if you are putting it up. I was prepared to prop the front up while it was on the center stand to get it off both wheels, I just never got around to it!

Virgina is kinda funny, we tend to have nice polite southern snowstorms. ~5" one day and 2 days later it's 60 degrees F and all the snow is gone.

texrider · 09-30-2006, 11:47 PM

Always be sure your bike is equipped with a center stand, before attempting to use it...

Rickster · 10-01-2006, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texrider

Always be sure your bike is equipped with a center stand, before attempting to use it...

Sounds like you might be speaking from experience

"Hijack alert" I just picked up my birthday present to myself, a new model Ruger Vaquero in 45 Colt, it's the 4 1/2 inch stainless model. I haven't shot it yet, but it sure feels slick in my hand. My old model Vaquero is 12 years old, and well broken in, and still doesn't feel as slick as the new one does right out of the box. If it shoots as good as it feels, we are going to be good friends

"end of hijack"

texrider · 10-01-2006, 02:46 PM

My comment was strictly a "what if" postulation! Funny to think about, though...
The Vaqueros sure are nice. I just went for a Uberti Cattleman 4-3/4" .45LC, in the Millenium grade. Can't wait to break it in...

**inspiron** · 10-03-2006, 03:46 AM

How did we go from putting the bike on the center stand to talking about firearms?

Please try to keep it on (or at least near) topic, guys.

Thanks.

05-24-2006, 04:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
BOSS750 Clunked into first gear Joined: Apr 2006 Bike: 07 GIXXER 750 Location: Va by way of Arkansas/Florida Posts: 219	Putting bike on center stand This is more scary than I thought it would be. I don't want to drop my bike but I'm not sure if it's a one man job or a two man job to put the bike on the center stand. Should I have help doing this or can it be done by one person? __________________ I live by the "I wish a Mutha would creed"

05-24-2006, 04:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
92Notch Birthday Boy Joined: Aug 2005 Bike: '05½ C50 Limited Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 860	Just lean it against a tree, lightpost, or someone's car ... I don't ever use the stand. J/K ... yeah, I don't have a center stand ... but i see lots of people use theirs by themselves ... I believe its a one man job (or 2.5 women .... lol J/K ) __________________

05-24-2006, 05:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
tlwisner Throttle Jockey Joined: Apr 2004 Bike: '05 Boulevard C50 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 3,208	I was able to pull my 700 pound Concours up on it's centerstand pretty easily. It's a matter of grabbing the bike in the right places and pulling up and back while your foot presses down on the centerstand kick bar. You can do it! __________________ Tim Wisner AMA, SCRC Happiness is something we create

05-25-2006, 02:29 AM	#7 (permalink)
inspiron Muscle Biker Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003) Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536) Posts: 12,060	My 550 lb bike is no problem, once you know how it's done. A couple of things to remember: 1) Make sure the bike is standing straight. Push the center stand down so that it touches the ground, then gently lean the bike away from you until you feel that it is standing on both "feet" of the center stand. About 99% percent of the time, I think that the bike is straight, but I have to lean it about an inch farther away from me to get it "flat" on the center stand. 2) Make sure the bike is in neutral so you don't have to pull the clutch to roll it up onto the stand. 3) Hold the bars straight. Use your right arm (under the seat) to pull the bike back and up. The left arm (on the bar) is just there to keep it straight. After practicing a few times, you'll get the hang of it. __________________ There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400

05-26-2006, 10:06 AM	#9 (permalink)
Louis Administrator Joined: Sep 2003 Bike: SV650S '05 (Blue) Location: Gatineau, QC, Canada Posts: 10,657	Check this thread: http://www.motorcycle-journal.com/fo...ead.php?t=2416 __________________ Louis

05-24-2006, 04:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
Kaikias Ditch Magnet Joined: Feb 2006 Bike: 97 GSF1200 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 152	All I have is a center stand, haven't dropped the bike yet.

05-24-2006, 06:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
blackie1491 I took the All Bran Challenge Joined: Jun 2005 Bike: C50SE Location: Aldergrove, B.C., Canada Posts: 7,321	Left hand on the bar, right foot on centerstand and right hand under seat and grunt. The grunt is the most important part. If you post a sound bite we will correct.

09-24-2006, 12:50 AM	#10 (permalink)
Nico In Training Joined: Sep 2006 Location: NoVA Posts: 134	The only time I dropped my Virago (~540lbs) was when I tried to put it up on the center stand alone in front of my wife. It just pissed me off that I couldn't manage to do it alone and I got angry at it... I've finally gottent he hang of it, I do while on the bike, with the bike off. I stand on the centerstand with my left leg, and pull back hard, using the front brake to keep the bike from moving forward if I miss. It's still tricky, My next bike isn't going to have one (should be an M50) so I can stop stressing over it!

09-24-2006, 05:01 AM	#11 (permalink)
inspiron Muscle Biker Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003) Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536) Posts: 12,060	The center stand is not evil - it just takes a bit of practice to get the hang of it. Nico, you live in Virginia, right? That means you will winterize your bike and park it for a few months during the winter. In that case, the center stand is VERY useful - the rear tire is off the ground so there is less chance of "flat-spotting" it over the winter. Plus, those of us who have chains need the center stand in order to do the maintenance - the rear wheel needs to be in the air so that the entire chain can be cleaned and greased. __________________ There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400

09-25-2006, 11:48 PM	#12 (permalink)
Nico In Training Joined: Sep 2006 Location: NoVA Posts: 134	Actually Inspiron I rode my bike at least one day a week (for about 100mi) all through the winter last year. I agree with you 100% about getting it off of the wheels however if you are putting it up. I was prepared to prop the front up while it was on the center stand to get it off both wheels, I just never got around to it! Virgina is kinda funny, we tend to have nice polite southern snowstorms. ~5" one day and 2 days later it's 60 degrees F and all the snow is gone.

09-30-2006, 11:47 PM	#13 (permalink)
texrider Sprocket Pilot Joined: Mar 2006 Bike: '04 Vulcan 2000, '05 VTX1800 Location: Arlington, Texas Posts: 864	Always be sure your bike is equipped with a center stand, before attempting to use it... __________________ "Sprocket to me, baby!"

10-01-2006, 02:46 PM	#15 (permalink)
texrider Sprocket Pilot Joined: Mar 2006 Bike: '04 Vulcan 2000, '05 VTX1800 Location: Arlington, Texas Posts: 864	My comment was strictly a "what if" postulation! Funny to think about, though... The Vaqueros sure are nice. I just went for a Uberti Cattleman 4-3/4" .45LC, in the Millenium grade. Can't wait to break it in... __________________ "Sprocket to me, baby!"

10-03-2006, 03:46 AM	#16 (permalink)
inspiron Muscle Biker Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003) Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536) Posts: 12,060	How did we go from putting the bike on the center stand to talking about firearms? Please try to keep it on (or at least near) topic, guys. Thanks. __________________ There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400

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