Is there some trick I am missing? I am pretty big and strong and I've had plenty of bikes with centerstands. This 2000 with it's Ohlins rear suspension is really really hard to get up on the centerstand. I threw my back out a few days ago trying. I've been going at it this way: I stand beside the bike on the left and lower the stand to the ground with my left foot. I keep hold of the left bar and take hold of the bike on the frame just ahead of the rear footpeg (left side). Then, I step up onto the stand, almost, while lifting at the frame and also pulling the bike back with the left hand on the bar...
It takes all my strength....6'1" carpenter, fit and 175lbs..and I must get everything just right to maybe make it go up. I gotta be missing something. I did crank my preload on the Ohlins...and that helps, but I can't ride the bike with that much pre load in the rear. The forks are dropped at the triples, is that it?
anybody have any idea what is going on here? This is my first VFR, but I think I'd have heard or read about center stand effort like mine needs if they all are like this one...
Well I'm 5-4 about 144lbs...The trick to get the center stand down is when you stand on the lever of the centerstand push hard and pull up at the same time, Your a big guy, maybe you could even rock it down. Any one else?
Your not alone. it took me a long time to figure it out..
Jim
Not that they're easy but you're doing it right......... I'm thinking the bike has been lowered.......... Are you saying the fork tubes are coming out of the triple-tree high or low ? ........... I think 41mm at the top is stock(6gen anyway)........
My forks are at 45mm (which makes it turn in like it lost 50 lbs.) and it does make it a little harder to lift, but like Tincan says, kind of rock the wt. on the CS before lifting.
The dropped front will certainly make it more difficult. If you want to save your back don't use the frame area below the seat, and don't attempt to lift the bike on the stand. Left hand on the grip, right hand on the passenger grab handles. put all your energy into pressing the stand foot lever down, lifting a bit on the grab handles. The stand should raise the bike for the most part.
If it is lowered in the rear it willl make it nearly impossible to get on the stand. I think the tire will touch the ground while on the stand sitting still.
I wont tell you how because you have had several centerstand bikes. It more leverage than pure strength.
I think your technique needs just a little adjusting so you are using leverage NOT strength. It sounds like you are standing to far to the rear of the bike. Using your description as a guide, here's what I do:
I stand beside the bike on the left and lower the center stand to the ground with my RIGHT foot. I keep hold of the left bar with the left hand and take hold of the bike on the frame just ahead of the rear footpeg with the right hand (left side). Then, I push DOWNon the stand, while lifting and pulling the bike back with the right hand on the FRAME...I don't do anything with the left hand on the bar but steady the bike. I probably do this 4-6 times a week because I always put it on the centerstand in my garage. I'm 5'6" 135#. The other thing you can do to make it easier until you get the hang of it is back the bike up on to a piece of 1x4 lumber about 18" long. This minimizes the swing the centerstand needs to go through to raise the bike.
My wifes 6th gen is lowered 1.5" and it is hard to get on the center stand. I usually roll it up on two scrap pieces of 2x6 (under the front & rear tires) before I attemp to lower the center stand. I found it hard until I figured out I was going about it the wrong way, now I do most of the work with my leg. (and right foot)
I have to admit, the center stand on the VFR is not a great design, although I'm getting used to it. The way they are supposed to work is once you hold the stand down & pull the bike back, then inertia makes the stand lift the bike. I grab onto the bar at the top of the left pillion rail. I've tried using the pillion grab rail, but it's not confidence inspiring. I think that confidence is the key, holding a 200 + kilo. $14000 (AUS) bike off its side stand, pushing down on the center stand & then leaning it back the other way so it balances is enough to put the wind up any one.
Like everyone else said - straighten your back and right arm and push down with your foot. Don't lift the bike up, push the stand down. You must also ensure the bike is NOT in gear - if it's in gear it's almost impossible to get up because the bike has to move backwards and the rear wheel needs to spin for that to happen.
You've got to put your ENTIRE WEIGHT on the center stand lever. You'll want to be wearing shoes with good solid soles, cuz that lever is gonna dig into the ball of your (right) foot pretty good. Synchronize the lever push with a slight backward rock and the bike will jump onto that stand.
Well, it sounds like I am doing it "right". I tried a bunch of different ways when I first got the bike and settled on the way I described as the 'most likely'....and I have been able to get the big thing up on there....until the other day when my back went "sproing!" on about the third rockin/reefing try....I used the side stand and went back inside to lay down....with my back all twisted now for a few days...
I think I may have been a little impatient and none too careful, thinking I could just "muscle it"....maybe I just have not realized yet that you don't "just muscle" a five hundred pound bike...never owned a bike this heavy before....even my big old 900 triumph triple was 'lighter' if I recall correctly...
.Of course, after that painful failure, now I am really leary of it...and the center stand process needs a 'committed effort' to succede on most bikes I've owned with a stand....this one just seems excessively difficult...
I do like having the centerstand...never left one on my bikes before now. It is handy to oil the chain, and to park the bike on soft footing without it tipping over...But if this back-thing had happened on a highway trip, I'd be in big trouble..
The fork legs are extended a measured 50.39mm above the top surface of the triple clamp...measured to the underside of the fork cap/seam. This was set from the previous owner. That may be lower at the front than most... Seems to turn properly. I have the fork preload at 6 turns out from full hard...just two scribes showing above the fork nut...this give me the 'least bad' front suspension behavior, for now till I can revise the front end...
OK, after all the helpful answers, I just went out and put it up on the center stand...even with my still sore back...I did kinda 'rock it' a few times. And since I knew I was going about it the right way now, it did go up without a huge muscle effort...more of a 'finesse' move, for sure. Thanks everyone, moral support.....
Make sure the front is STRAIGHT - trying to do it with it off-center may be part of the problem. It's like Arai shields - it's not about strength but rather technique.
superfunkomatic, on 05 December 2011 - 07:15 PM, said:
This video might help.
It's just technique. It's a heavy bike but if you do the lift just right it'll pop right up on the stand for you.
Aha! That did help. It's all about the leg, not the lift. I was more trying to 'pull' the bike back over the center stand. After watching the video (s) I can see it is all about the leverage provided by the leg and the 'lever' that is on the stand itself. That guy in the video, he makes it look really easy...there are a few more videos related to that one where the process looks a little 'less' easy, but all the bikes seem similar in technique. I guess I should have learned how before now....but as I said, I've never left the center stand on a bike...and my SO's Zuma, you can just muscle that one right up, no problemo....
gnarly928, on 05 December 2011 - 07:40 PM, said:
superfunkomatic, on 05 December 2011 - 07:15 PM, said:
This video might help.
It's just technique. It's a heavy bike but if you do the lift just right it'll pop right up on the stand for you.
Aha! That did help. It's all about the leg, not the lift. I was more trying to 'pull' the bike back over the center stand. After watching the video (s) I can see it is all about the leverage provided by the leg and the 'lever' that is on the stand itself. That guy in the video, he makes it look really easy...there are a few more videos related to that one where the process looks a little 'less' easy, but all the bikes seem similar in technique. I guess I should have learned how before now....but as I said, I've never left the center stand on a bike...and my SO's Zuma, you can just muscle that one right up, no problemo....
I use the technique in the video and have been known to do it barefoot. (Not recommended, but I'm usually barefoot in the summer when I wash it.)
No bike is ever perfect for stands, best was my old R65 Beemer, stand did all work, put down, pull it back, done. In saying that though, it had a bloody self retracting side stand, slightest tilt could throw your bike on the road. Had a Beemer K100, put it up the stand one day & watched as the bike turned right & collapsed (center stand snapped, common fault). My Guzzi's side stand leaned so far over the bike was almost on the ground. Price you pay for having 2 wheels
That video is pretty good, but I don't grab the frame I grab the rear peg mount. I couldn't grab the frame in that spot if I wanted to with my Beetle Bags. I push down with my right foot on the stand while lifting the bike up and BACK with my right hand. I can do it with the bike in gear even though it's been lifted nearly an inch in back. I leave the sidestand down as insurance against a tip-over, but so far haven't needed it. It gets really interesting when it's on the lift table. Not much margin for error there.
I think the trick for the VFR is moving the bike back as much as up.
I don't have too much of a hard time getting mine up on the stand, unless I'm on soft ground in my gravel driveway. But that video makes it look very easy, almost too easy.
Yup its easiest to keep your back strait, make sure the bike is upright and that both feet of the stand are contacting the ground at the same time, use your wieght and not your muscles as much to lift the bike, the right arm sort of levers the body down onto the stand rather then to try to lift the back up the bike up, it is mostly a transfer of your weight to the bike like a lever.
[image: View Post]RollinAgain, on 05 December 2011 - 04:41 PM, said:
I too find it difficult to put the bike on the centerstand while holding a beer and wearing flip flops. What am I doing wrong?
Rollin
Change which hand the beer is in.
Yep. Easiest way to lift it is using the lever on the center stand. Before I learned this, I used to try putting it on by rocking it a bit and pulling back on the handlebars while pushing down on the centerstand lever.
Umm that guy in the video is a giant! Well I am a munchkin though. I generally push hard down and get the centerstand steady then just push down and pull up. It generally comes right up. ( Did try the flip flop technique. Did not go very well. Sneakers are ok as long as they have a stiff sole. Beer is generally put down...don't want spillage...DOH!
Keep trying! You'll get the centerstand technique!
You don't really "push" down on the stand. Let your weight do of the work. Do not be afraid of lifting you right foot off the ground a lttle bit whiile putting all your weight on the center stand lever. Use the right handlebar and rour hand on the handle onder the seaton the left side of the rear of the bike to steady/balance you during to lift. By using your body weight on the stand lever, you really do not have to lift too hard on the handle under the seat. There's a little bit of effort but half of it is just to stabilze and balance yourself during the motion to get the bike on the stand.
At a normalish 175 pounds and 6'-1", you should still be able to do this with no problem. I think it's at around 110 and lighter pounds is when you might have to exert more lifting effort to get the bike up on the stand.
Have an "assistant" cover you when you are first attempting this method in case things go our of control during the attempt. The trick is to lower the stand feet first to the ground with your right foot then tilt the bike up away from you slowly till both feet of the stand are firmly touching the pavement, steady and balance yourself as I noted then balance and put all your weight over the stand lever end, letting your left foot leave the ground for a bit. The bike should rock up and over on to the center stand. Once you do it a couple of times, it becomes a natural motion for most bikes that your body will always remember
[image: View Post]Max1, on 05 December 2011 - 08:26 PM, said:
No bike is ever perfect for stands, best was my old R65 Beemer, stand did all work, put down, pull it back, done. In saying that though, it had a bloody self retracting side stand, slightest tilt could throw your bike on the road. Had a Beemer K100, put it up the stand one day & watched as the bike turned right & collapsed (center stand snapped, common fault). My Guzzi's side stand leaned so far over the bike was almost on the ground. Price you pay for having 2 wheels
if I remember correctly the K bikes had a lever / handle that folded out of the frame to assist in the lift because they were pretty hefty too, did yours have that?
[image: View Post]NakedViffer, on 06 December 2011 - 02:22 PM, said:
if I remember correctly the K bikes had a lever / handle that folded out of the frame to assist in the lift because they were pretty hefty too, did yours have that?
My ST1100 had one.
It seems that most of the responders to this post are using a very similar technique, Much the same as I do.
Stand on the Left Hand Side of the bike.
Leave the side stand down, (it at least gives you a bit of reassurance in case you overbalance towards yourself. (no help if you go the other way 'thou)
Make sure the front wheel is straight and not turned to one side. (If it is, as the bike goes backward, the turned wheel will try to skew the bike to one side, which will try to skid one side of the side stand around, which is effort that is taken away from what you are attempting to do)
Hold the left hand grip in your left hand, and the frame under the seat, or the Left Hand pillions Grip with your right hand.
Put the ball of your right foot on the centre stand lever and gently press down till some part of it touches the ground. Most likely it will be the left hand foot that will touch the ground first as you will naturally be leaning the bike towards yourself.
Gently push the bike away from yourself while maintaining the gentle downward pressure, until you feel the other foot of the centre stand touch the ground.
Squeeze in the clutch lever with your left hand. This allows the bike to roll back freely. (I always stop the bike in gear, to prevent it rolling off the side stand).
Press down on the Center stand lever with your right foot, while gently lifting the bike with both your hands, (remember to keep the front wheel straight at this stage) I normally end up standing on the toes of my left foot at the same time, to allow me to transfer most of my weight to my right foot.
THe bike should almost lift itself up, when doing this,
Once it is up remember to kick the side stand up, as it will do a great job of barking your shins, when stuck out the side lie that
I am not all that massive and really do not have a great amount of trouble lifting the bike up like this, even bare footed, although it does hurt enough to make me not to want to do it like that all that often :o)
Perhaps there should be a sticky with this helpful video, and maybe others.
Putting the bike on the centerstand seems to be a frequent question area.
Also maybe video of the proper technique for picking it up off it's side without farkling your back.
Once again, it's leverage, not strength. Especially with a heavier bike. :biggrin:
[image: View Post]gnarly928, on 05 December 2011 - 04:10 PM, said:
It takes all my strength....6'1" carpenter, fit and 175lbs..and I must get everything just right to maybe make it go up.
My first attempt at putting a VFR on the center stand was my brother's bike and I almost dropped it! Luckily his car broke it's fall!
Since I got my bike home the first attempt was done with a bit of grunting and puffing, the second attempt was easier and today I just steadied the frame front (handle bar) and rear (grab handle), left foot back inline with left hand and right foot on stand facing aft...then just took a step/walked towards the back of the bike...no grunting or sweating, I was amazed at how easy it was. I read the posts and then watched the movie...6' 3" and 220# so maybe that has something to do with it?? Thanks everyone for the info anyway...me like this group!
I too am a munchkin, and my 5th gen is lowered the usual ways, flipped triangles, dropped tubes.
The only time I've had difficulty getter her up on the centerstand is...when I've left her in 1st gear! Yikes.
I'm sure I'm not the first to have done that, but it sure gets your attention...D'Oh.
ChrisR in SF
[image: View Post]NakedViffer, on 06 December 2011 - 02:22 PM, said:
[image: View Post]Max1, on 05 December 2011 - 08:26 PM, said:
No bike is ever perfect for stands, best was my old R65 Beemer, stand did all work, put down, pull it back, done. In saying that though, it had a bloody self retracting side stand, slightest tilt could throw your bike on the road. Had a Beemer K100, put it up the stand one day & watched as the bike turned right & collapsed (center stand snapped, common fault). My Guzzi's side stand leaned so far over the bike was almost on the ground. Price you pay for having 2 wheels
if I remember correctly the K bikes had a lever / handle that folded out of the frame to assist in the lift because they were pretty hefty too, did yours have that?
Yeah, I vaguely remember that it did. Mine was an 83 R model (Flying Brick), should have waited till they ironed the gremlins out., it had many, Fuel reg, center stand, electrical gremlins galore (black box, speedo/tacho working half the time), when it fell over, got it repaired & traded it in on a Guzzi. [image: Posted Image]
End of thread · 36 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 28 Jul 2012
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