So in an attempt to get my bike on my center stand alone, I've damn near dropped my bike to the right side three times. Still thinking about it ways to do it...guess I'm just too weak... =[
But do you guys have tricks? Or is having a second person helping you absolutely. I've never done it with/without help successfully. Maybe once I get it once, I'll figure out the trick...
Thanks in advance!
Edit: Note, I debated about 5 minutes where to put this post. Sorry if it's in the wrong section. I couldn't find anything by searching "center stand" to clued me in to what I was looking for. Thanks again.
Edit 2: Gonna go try it. Thanks for everyone's responses!
The trick is to transfer as much body weight as you can onto the stand paddle. That way your hands will not have to do much work at all other than guide the bike into position.
So, stand on the paddle with all your weight and hold the left handlebar with your left hand and something metallic right under the rear cowl with your right hand.
Rock gently once and the bike will do the rest.
[image: View Post]Rice, on 18 December 2009 - 09:26 AM, said:
The trick is to transfer as much body weight as you can onto the stand paddle. That way your hands will not have to do much work at all other than guide the bike into position.
So, stand on the paddle with all your weight and hold the left handlebar with your left hand and something metallic right under the rear cowl with your right hand.
Rock gently once and the bike will do the rest.
Like above, I was making the mistake of trying to use my rear grab handle until I learned to start gripping the aluminum forged part below the rear cowl/seat. This makes is very easy with good down pressure on the centerstand tab. It also helps to wear good shoes with fairly stiff shanks because more down pressure on the center stands helps a lot. It's so easy once you master this you will want to use the center stand more often.
instead of thinking about lifting the bike up, step on the centre stand a think about trying to put as much distance between the rear grab handle and your foot (that is on the stand). when done correctly, you will see that it takes minimal effort.
also remember to keep it straight up , so your foot on the stand will prevent it from going anywhere to the side.
I would definitely have another person standing on the opposites side -- just in case. Once you get the hang of it, it is rather straightforward. Just make sure you are on level ground or if there is a slight incline, that your bike is parallel to the incline. I also grab the rear footpeg mount when lifting to give me more leverage.
You're not too weak. This is all leverage. Once you get it down, you'll be able to do it with no worries.
Having someone on the other side just in case isn't a bad idea the first few times you do it until you get more comfortable.
Seems like I remember a really detailed thread on this a while back? If anyone can confirm and find it that'd be great. Or, I could have totally imagined it.
hi there,all above are right but a bend in the legs helps using the strong leg muscles with the left leg on the stand bar moving to the left in a smooth action.i used to teach new riders this proceedure young women dont have the same strength as lads but once the technique is mastered no probs.hope this info helps.rob :wheel:
[image: View Post]robwalmsley, on 18 December 2009 - 11:49 AM, said:
hi there,all above are right but a bend in the legs helps using the strong leg muscles with the left leg on the stand bar moving to the left in a smooth action.i used to teach new riders this proceedure young women dont have the same strength as lads but once the technique is mastered no probs.hope this info helps.rob :wheel:
Left leg on the stand? That would put you too far back i think.
I have never had a problem with anything other than a lowered bike, and I use the same method each time:
Hold bike upright with left hand on handlebar, and right hand on frame.
Step on the center stand with my right foot to touch it to the ground, and verify that both sides of the stand are touching (so not leaned to the left or right
Apply more weight to the center stand, while continuing to hold the handlebar straight
Use right hand to pull slightly upward on the bike...not to lift it but to maintain a constant pressure.
In one motion apply full weight to right foot, and more pressure to the right hand. Some backward pressure on the bar is also exerted, but only minimally.
I am 5'8", 175-180 pounds...so not big but not small.
Thanks everyone! Tightwad put it best by stating his stature. I'm just about the same.
Just got to work and was pleasantly surprised to see how many answers I've amassed.
Like Choco, I tried using the rear grab handles too.
Think I'm gonna go back down to the parking garage and try it right now. =]
[image: View Post]PolarBear, on 18 December 2009 - 10:36 AM, said:
Hello,
I'll stand against everybody else here and say that you are too weak! :biggrin:
Just kidding. Like they all said, it's all leverage. There are a number of videos on Youtube, and here's one with a VFR: linky here
Good luck!
C
I feel like such a tard. I have no idea why I didn't bother with Youtube. *palm to face* The video depicted a really big dude, but I'm sure I got the gist now. =]
It took me a long time to figure out how to Center stand my bike. I had a difficult time getting past the idea of LIFTING the bike onto the center stand. All you really do is push the bike back (towards the rear tire), away from you - it's just applied physics. Make sure that you have both legs of the center stand on the ground - if you are pulling the bike towards you it is a lot harder.
One thing that helped me a lot was having someone spot the bike on the opposite side - I kept on pulling the bike towards me because I was scared of dropping it - pulling it onto only one leg of the centerstand. With someone standing on the opposite side of the bike, I didn't have to worry about dropping it.
When you finally get the hang of it, you will wonder how you ever had a problem with it. There is nothing like the feel of putting the bike on the stand by yourself when you stop because you can - not because you need to.
Keep at it - you will master it!
(I'm female, 5'8" and lighter than Tightwad - you don't need a lot of muscle to centerstand the bike).
I use a couple pieces of wood to lift up the rear tire a few inches. I just lay them on the ground, and roll the rear tire on top. Then put the stand down and it goes right up with hardly any effort.
[image: View Post]xxparanormalxx, on 18 December 2009 - 10:50 AM, said:
[image: View Post]PolarBear, on 18 December 2009 - 10:36 AM, said:
Hello,
I'll stand against everybody else here and say that you are too weak! :biggrin:
Just kidding. Like they all said, it's all leverage. There are a number of videos on Youtube, and here's one with a VFR: linky here
Good luck!
C
I feel like such a tard. I have no idea why I didn't bother with Youtube. *palm to face* The video depicted a really big dude, but I'm sure I got the gist now. =]
Not to worry, I've had a friend show me cause it IS a bit tricky at first.
This forum and the people who participate in it are always trying to help, so keep asking.
cheers,
C
[image: View Post]pserve, on 18 December 2009 - 01:08 PM, said:
I use a couple pieces of wood to lift up the rear tire a few inches. I just lay them on the ground, and roll the rear tire on top. Then put the stand down and it goes right up with hardly any effort.
+1 this is a great idea for newbies. Leverage and effort wise, the centerstand will "think" the wheel is all ready off the ground.
Also, wear boots. Thin soled shoes cause more foot discomfort which will subconsciously cause you to not use as much downward force as you are comfortably capable of.
[image: View Post]pserve, on 18 December 2009 - 02:08 PM, said:
I use a couple pieces of wood to lift up the rear tire a few inches. I just lay them on the ground, and roll the rear tire on top. Then put the stand down and it goes right up with hardly any effort.
FYI - "a few inches" would probably lift a stock bike up too much for the stand. Start with 1" and see how that works out first.
Can't remember where it was posted, but VFRD member Oyama posted a great 'how-to' video of centerstand technique once, including a one-handed version.
Having dropped my VFR once in my garage while attempting to put my bike up on its c-stand, I'm still nervous sometimes when doing it, but the right technique does make it much easier and (almost) foolproof. Just make sure your shoe/boot is dry and clean for the pad/lever, so there's no chance of it slipping off the pad.
[image: View Post]xxparanormalxx, on 18 December 2009 - 03:55 PM, said:
SOOOOOOOOO, I was on lunch break and guess what I did?
That's right: put my bike on the c-stand. It is pretty much summed up in one-motion to get the momentum right.
Thanks guys....
Now, to turn my bike on the sidestand...had some tips. still practicing. taking more tips if any. But first, i'll check YouTube.
Even though the ST rotation is easy enough to do, I wouldn't want to get in the habbit, I don't think it was built to handle that kind of stress, IMHO....
[image: View Post]xxparanormalxx, on 18 December 2009 - 03:55 PM, said:
SOOOOOOOOO, I was on lunch break and guess what I did?
That's right: put my bike on the c-stand. It is pretty much summed up in one-motion to get the momentum right.
Thanks guys....
Now, to turn my bike on the sidestand...had some tips. still practicing. taking more tips if any. But first, i'll check YouTube.
Congratulations.
Now, before you go turning that bike on the side stand, do yourself a favor and install some frame sliders.
It isn't a CBR600, so I wouldn't recommend it. Especially given your oh-so-recent acquaintance with the center stand. :rolleyes:
Everything above is good. One more thing I do ....I always lock my handlebars forward to be a steady grip. It is just a clean and jerk ....making sure you keep the momentum. When you get your diploma come on down for the post graduate offering.
getting it up on the center stand is kind of an all or nothing movement, i get the stand down and lean the bike level so both legs of the center stand are firmly on the ground. then I put all of my weight (200lbs) on the center stand foot pedal and grab the handles and pull back. just make sure the bulk of bike/you weight is on the side that your on so if you do start to loose it it will fall to you rather than away. I'd say the VFR is easier than my '78 CB750 by a mile but the fairings make it harder to hold onto. after you get that down you can practice spinning the bike on the kickstand! (youtube it!) a good trick when the parking spot is downhill a little and you can't back it out, it also makes you look wicked strong! :goofy: for the ladies :goofy:
all centre stands are not created equal. My Guzzi 1000sp used to fall off the centre stand at every oppertunity. Some are designed with better leverage too. I used to be able to put my RZ350 on the centre stand while sitting on it by just using my left foot.
[image: View Post]fastbroshi, on 18 December 2009 - 05:44 PM, said:
[image: View Post]V4 Rosso, on 18 December 2009 - 11:32 AM, said:
:+1:
Is your bike lowered? That would make it a lot harder.
Stand on the left hand side of the bike.
Put the bike in gear, so if you slip and goof up while moving the bike it's not going anywhere.
Stand the bike up off the sidestand.
Grab left handlebar with your left hand and under the passneger peg/ seat lock area with your right.
Stand on the centerstand.
Lock your arms in position, bend your knees and lift the bike with your legs while pulling backward a bit with your arms.
Remember, this is all legs. Women can do it just fine, so it's not like you have to be He-Man.
Uhmmmm.......keeping the bike in gear will make it harder to get the bike on the centerstand because the rear tire has to roll a little bit as it lifts up on the stand.
I say you keep it in neutral when you get the bike on the centerstand.
Otherwise, keep the bike in gear when you use the side stand.
[image: View Post]Tightwad, on 18 December 2009 - 01:29 PM, said:
Step on the center stand with my right foot to touch it to the ground, and verify that both sides of the stand are touching (so not leaned to the left or right
This is huge. I've seen guys herniate themselves trying this if the bike was only on one leg of the center stand. Push the stand down and rock the bike slightly to ensure that both feet are touching the ground.
[image: View Post]pserve, on 18 December 2009 - 01:08 PM, said:
I use a couple pieces of wood to lift up the rear tire a few inches. I just lay them on the ground, and roll the rear tire on top. Then put the stand down and it goes right up with hardly any effort.
I like to put a 2x4 flat on the ground and then put the center stand on top of it.....makes it A LOT tougher, less technique, more brut strength! :cool: But will get the back wheel farther off the ground when washing..
I'm 5'6" 135# and started out using a piece of 1 x 4 under the rear tire 'till I got used to the 'feel' of getting my '97 up on the centerstand. To repeat all the good previous info: Left hand on left handlebar-right hand on frame in front of seat lock-right foot on ground left foot on centerstand peg. Push centerstand down lightly until BOTH sides of it contact the ground. Push down with left foot AND lift a bit UP AND back with right hand-guiding with left hand. If you use the 1x4 under the rear tire trick don't go to hard because it'll go up so quick you can overpower it. You can 'help' it by pushing on your right hand with your right leg while you're doing the 'up and back' move. Having a spotter to start out is a good idea. I didn't have one so I tacked a furniture pad up on the garage wall and parked the bike up against that. If it got away from me it had about 4 inches to go before it stopped. :fing02:
My 04 VFR is actully more difficult to put up than my dad's 96 Kaw Concours, an 04 Goldwing that I got to put a few thousand miles on and my brother in laws Harley ( which was the easiest of any bike I've ever done) I guess it should have been since the Harley CS was a $300+ option!
You always want to pull the bike slightly toward you, i roll it backwards to get alittle momentum, then stand on the foot thing pushing down , while holding the handle bar and lift the buddy peg area. comes right up. push down hard