Getting Up on Center Stand ??

It is important for me to focus energy on the right leg with confidence that I will be succesful .
 
LOL.. funny, the only time I've ever dropped my wing getting if off the center stand was when I was on it.. bike on.. rocked it a little and just before it rolled off the center stand I touched the throttle but I was still in neutral... lol... doh!..
Back in the day when my bikes were smaller (750 size, back in the 80s) I used to love to rev it up and drop it in gear as I was coming down off the center stand. I felt like the cowboy who lept to the back of his horse and charged off.

Can't quite get the same effect with the ST or with the Wing. Bikes are just too heavy anymore and I have to rock them a lot more to get them down. Takes all the fun out of it.
 
WOW! 7 pages on this subject! My ST1300 is by far the heaviest bike I have ever owned and for the life of me I don't understand all this hullabaloo over the up/down center-stand issue. It is just learning proper technique over the years I guess, as I have no problem at all going up or down, It is no harder than my old Interceptor.
 
I think this subject has been pretty much beaten to death but I have a couple of notes I didn't see addressed.

1. You guys using a piece of plywood, a depression in the garage floor or some other assist to center stand your bike could end up in a messy situation out on the road if you ever have a flat or some other problem. Most of the time, the combination of road crown and a flat tire will exclude the use of the side stand. You'll be stuck holding your bike up until help arrives. I think it's pretty important to learn how to center stand your bike under a variety of conditions and situations. It isn't going to be easy to get the bike up on the stand with a flat tire but you're going to have to in order to let go of the bike or be able to plug the tire or remove the wheel. Done correctly you do not have to be big and strong to accomplish this - perfect your technique instead.

2. I think the bike can be safely rolled off the stand when standing beside it. There are certain situations I've been in where I didn't realize there was an up hill slope when I parked and rocking the bike wouldn't get it off the stand. In other cases a loose surface and a slightly too short inseam will prevent pushing the bike off the stand whilst astride it. I've also had the stand sink a little into a soft surface. Sooner or later, you'll come up on a situation where you have no choice but to dismount and try it from beside the bike. The best tip I can give here is to make sure you have as solid footing as possible and steer the handle bar slightly to the right (assuming you are on the left) as the bike comes off of the stand. This will direct any tipping motion toward you instead of away from you where you have a good chance of controlling it.
 
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I'm about 140 pounds of angry rider when I try to "get it up". My solution?

Take off the saddlebags....and the tank bag. When you carry them to the other side of the shop you'll know why !! That and a kind of rocking technique that is hard to explain but once you have it, you won't forget it. Good Luck !

Bruce
 
Please check my post on the subject. You will note it's not a matter of lifting, but pulling back. There is a specific design and a specific technique, though it's hard to describe it verbally with sufficient detail. Read through the responses and you'll find several ways of describing the same thing. Don't try to lift your bike at all. It's very easy once you have the knack.

I'll admit I'm a newbie, and I guess I'm a wimp too. Can anyone tell me the secret for getting the bike (04 ST1300) up on the center stand? Both my wife and I together wrestled with this until we were exhausted.

I know this sets me up for quite a bit of grief, but I really want to have some good answers.

Thanks!
 
I just bought my ST1100 today, and the guy I bought it from said that the trick to getting it up on the center stand is to drive the front wheel up on a board (he has an old 2x6) to raise the front wheel up 1 1/2" before you start.

Good Luck, Mike W.
 
I just bought my ST1100 today, and the guy I bought it from said that the trick to getting it up on the center stand is to drive the front wheel up on a board (he has an old 2x6) to raise the front wheel up 1 1/2" before you start.

Good Luck, Mike W.

Sounds like he is trying to increase the starting angle of the centerstand relative to the floor to gain leverage. While that would make it easier to get the centerstand down, it's going to be harder to dismount the bike if you are shortlegged (after elevating the front wheel two inches.)
 
I just bought my ST1100 today, and the guy I bought it from said that the trick to getting it up on the center stand is to drive the front wheel up on a board (he has an old 2x6) to raise the front wheel up 1 1/2" before you start.

Good Luck, Mike W.

I can see how using a 2x6 would help. Once the bike is on the centerstand, the block should come out easily as the weight on the front wheel is minimal. I suppose one could attach a handle to the end of the 2x6 to ease the removal.
 
Success guys!!!

Most of your posts are saying essentially the same thing, which is good. Rolando said it very well. It's more back than up, and it's like you are trying to pull the bike apart with your right leg and right arm, like was also said.

Plus I'll note that initially I was trying to LIFT with my right arm - useless. It's a straight back and right arm, and do the work with your legs (especially the right).

Ride safe!!!
 
ANYBODY HAVE A 5 SECOND VIDEO TO SHOW THE TECHNIQUE?
I am 6-2/220lbs and the side handle is so low for me that I can only pull it up and I can't figure out how to push/pull it back. I need to learn so I can install Bygdawg's rear tip-over crash bars. It is a expensive waste to have them sitting in a box when I just know that I will need them when Spring Break comes around.
Help is appreciated. VIDEO PLEASE!!
 
ANYBODY HAVE A 5 SECOND VIDEO TO SHOW THE TECHNIQUE?
I am 6-2/220lbs and the side handle is so low for me that I can only pull it up and I can't figure out how to push/pull it back. I need to learn so I can install Bygdawg's rear tip-over crash bars. It is a expensive waste to have them sitting in a box when I just know that I will need them when Spring Break comes around.
Help is appreciated. VIDEO PLEASE!!
As previous posts state about this, it is actually more important to put all your weight and push down on the center stand with your foot. Lifting with the arms will not help much, you need to pull the bike towards the rear. If you have a hard time getting the hang of it, try having a friend push or pull the bike backwards while you press down on the center stand and you will see/feel how it works.
 
Thats a good video... I've thought about making one myself, I'm not a big guy, about 150lbs, me putting the ST on it's C stand could inspire some confidence lol.

Here's what I would add:

1) make sure the bike is on level ground, and assuming it is, you don't really need to use the front brake when bringing the bike up to a balance position.

2) Squeeze in the clutch. In the video I dont believe the guy ever mentioned being in gear or neutral etc. And this wont matter if you just squeeze in the clutch.

3) Leave the side stand down. It's really not in the way and it should help to inspire confidence that if the bike does tip, at least in one direction it wont hit the deck.

4) I think the thing that messes people up is that they dont get both "feet" of the center stand touching the ground before they try to get it on the stand. Why? because they're afraid it will tip over; "fall away" from them.

(that's why I dont like the way he said "rock it back and forth". I wouldn't do that at my size with an ST).

So, level ground, clutch in, other hand on position to lift onto center stand. Leave side stand down when you straighten up the bike. Foot on center stand, now straighten up the bike that little bit more so that both CS feet touch, only then do you just put all yer weight on the stand and pull up and back a bit with both hands).

Just my .02, that was a good vid, hope my addition is helpful.

Regards,
 
Yes. I would suggest the main items are to get both feet of the center stand on the pavement. Then push with you right foot. That is were the lift is coming from. You hands really just add a little guidence and backwards motion.

Thanks
Randy The X Man
www.motonorthwest.com
 
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