Trouble Using the Center-Stand

[Mtbjay]

This is my first big bike, and first bike with center-stand; I can't get 'er up! Any tips?

My technique: I was facing the kickstand side of the bike, left hand near the handle bar clamp, right hand on the passenger grab rail. In neutral, I get a slight roll going backwards, then step down hard on the stand. I can feel it pivoting up, but usually feels I still have a ways to go to reach the tipping point.

I can't seem to get enough momentum doing it alone, and fear of losing control and dropping the beast. Maybe I'm just to wimpy?

(Changing the final drive oil was… interesting w/o use of the center stand. )

 

[TXTenere]

Stand perpendicular to the bike. Left hand on left grip. Right hand on grab rail. Right foot on the center stand and press down until both legs of the center stand are on the ground. Once that happens, just step down onto the stand, trying to straighten your leg. The bike will pop right up. I have found that this bike is very very easy to get on the stand, but it's all technique.

 

[Curt]

Left hand on handlebar, right hand on grab rail, put some weight onto your right foot on the center stand. Make sure both sides of the stand gain contact with the ground so that the bike will balance on the stand. This is an intermediate stable position (you could even briefly let go with either or both hands to see that it's stable). Next, step completely up onto the stand, leaning over the bike. This position is also stable and you can practice it. Your full weight is probably still not enough, but at this point, pull up a little with your arms and it will pop right up.

 

[squarebore]

Yeah this isn't the easiest bike to get on a centre stand and if you haven't done it before I can see why you would be careful. You just need to do it confidently, it can't go anywhere.

 

[tomatocity]

What they said but... I lift UP with my right hand. The centerstand will move the Tenere back.

 

[Swagger]

It's a confidence thing is all. When you've done it a few times and have become familiar with how the bike behaves during the manoeuvre it all becomes clear. Be careful though the bike being relatively tall and weighty can catch you unawares if you're not concentrating. Also, check your footwear. I lifted mine wearing sneakers once and did something nasty to the underside of my foot.

 

[XtreemLee]

It was harder to get my 12' up than my 14'.

 

[Tippo]

What they said plus pick a level spot. If there is a slight slope to the back of the bike it will go on the stand easily but may be difficult get down. Too much downward slope make it impossible (for me).

Jeff

 

[Geekay]

It does come with practice though - don't worry it will come!

I was in the same position last summer with my v-strom. First adventure bike first centre stand. I was nervous - at 5'9" and 175lbs I'm not a big guy - but it is all about technique and practise.

It'll come.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[cochise325]

I can get mine up on the center stand when it is unloaded. But when I am loaded for extended travels, the extra weight is too much for me to put it on the center stand alone.

 

[Ramseybella]

Wow no Male enhancement comments yet!! 8)

Never the less I have the big woody's Wheel's on my bike and it's to easy to pop this thing on the center stand, in fact the rear wheel is touching the ground to the point that if I use the center stand on a slightly pitched surface it will fall over.
This happened to me in Alamogordo with a full tank a few months back. I need to get extensions welded on the legs.

 

[Big Blu]

It was harder to get my 12' up than my 14'.

Whoa.... you da man!

Paul

 

[Karson]

Whoa.... you da man!

Paul

Must be that lighter sidestand

 

[AVGeek]

Plenty of help on youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=center+stand+motorcycle

This bike is much easier for me to center stand than the FJR was, so much so that I tend to put in on the center stand more often than not. It's also really easy for me to rock it down off of it. And for the record, I'm 5'9" and about 220# (but working on making that last number lower!)

 

[rotortech71]

When you're learning to put a bike on it's center stand, I think there is a tendency to lean the bike too far toward you, for fear of it getting away from you and falling over on it's right side. When you do this, then only the left leg of the center stand is touching the ground at first, making it much harder to lift the bike onto the stand. Make sure the bike is truly centered and balanced, with both legs of the stand touching, before you step down on the pedal to raise it. We probably only live a few blocks from each other, since I'm in Sherwood. Lets meet up sometime and I'll help you.

 

[Dallara]

~



All great advice here... And though it has essentially already been said, I'll mention the one most important thing here again the way it was taught to me...

"It's a lot more important to *STAND DOWN* on the centerstand lever than it is to lift up on the bike."

That lever and footpad is there, and at the angle and length it is, to help you get the bike up onto the stand. Use it as they intended. Once you get the hang of using it correctly you can almost put the bike on the centerstand hands-free... Just light pressure on the left hand grip and the passenger grab rail to steady and align things. Granted, at first you will need to use your hands and arms more, but as you get more proficient it will get really easy.

Don't give up! You'll get it! ::008::


Dallara




~

 

[TXTenere]

When you're learning to put a bike on it's center stand, I think there is a tendency to lean the bike too far toward you, for fear of it getting away from you and falling over on it's right side. When you do this, then only the left leg of the center stand is touching the ground at first, making it much harder to lift the bike onto the stand. Make sure the bike is truly centered and balanced, with both legs of the stand touching, before you step down on the pedal to raise it. We probably only live a few blocks from each other, since I'm in Sherwood. Lets meet up sometime and I'll help you.

Nice offer. Saves me a day; I was going to offer to fly up from San Diego to help the original poster.

 

[Andyb43]

Try right hand on the passengers foot rest. Pulling up as you push down on the center stand.

 

[rem]

One thing that I have noticed, at least for me, is that it is noticeably easier to pop the bike on the centerstand if the bike is warm. If the bike is cold, I find it much more difficult. So maybe practice your technique right after riding, when the bike is warm. My Honda ST1300 was almost impossible to get on centerstand when cold, but not bad at all when warm. Might be worth a try. R. ::008::

 

[Mtbjay]

Hey thanks for all those quick replies, guys! I'll warm it up and give the correct technique a try! I've been checking oil and filling the final drive with the bike balanced on it's two-wheels! Maybe that chunk-o-metal will become worthwhile now! O0


P.S. Thanks Rotortech! Lemme take another crack at it first with armed with the new knowledge!