center stand...trick to get it up on it...

[Sam 78 GS750]

I've done it in flip flops before. Seems like you've figured it out, but definitely get yourself the grab handle. Makes it a lot easier...

[Boriqua]

as the others mentioned .. its more about the downward pressure than the lift. Now I havent been 160 lbs since my junior year of high school but went out for a couple rides last week and I had tweaked my back a bit a week prior. If I depended on the lift ... well the bike wasn't getting on its centerstand. So long as I give a good push down once the centerstand is balanced the lifting part is almost just to keep it steady.

[Wingsconsin]

My GS850GL 1983 is way more difficult to get onto the center stand than my GOLDWING !

This is the hardest bike I have eveer had to get up onto that center stand -- ever !

5 different Goldwings- 1100,1200, 1500, 1500, 1800
3 - CX500s
1 Magna
1 GS650GL
1- GS850GL (now)

It's the design -- missed the pivot point by that much -->| |<--

[Houndawg76]

It also helps if you were some kind a boot with a strong arch support in it. I can't raise mine up on the center stand while wearing sneakers.

[Guest]

I do pretty much what Steve does.. One trick I use along with that is leaning a bit forward and bounce on the centerstand lever while holding the front brake. At the highest point I get to, I apply the front brake to keep it from rolling forward, as the front tire grips I rock back on the center stand. Usually takes me two bounces and I'm up. Took me a few times to perfect that move.

[eddypeck]

I was watching my lad on the weekend, he's 17 and only has a little Yamaha 125 but I was impressed on how easy he was moving the bike around and putting it up on to the centre stand based on how he was a couple months back when he first got it. Granted it's a tiny bike that weighs nothing compared to our old tanks, but still it goes to show how it's just about getting the nack.

[jsandidge]

I do pretty much what Steve does.. One trick I use along with that is leaning a bit forward and bounce on the centerstand lever while holding the front brake. At the highest point I get to, I apply the front brake to keep it from rolling forward, as the front tire grips I rock back on the center stand. Usually takes me two bounces and I'm up. Took me a few times to perfect that move.

Are you sitting on the bike when you do that? The center stand foot lever is on the left, and the brake lever is on the right. I don't see how you do that.

[Cipher]

how the hell does holding the front brake help? Overcoming friction and skidding add to the mystique?

[jsandidge]

Yeah, I hit the brake just after coming off of the center stand to keep the bike from rolling forward. But getting on the stand? I don't get it.

[Redman]

Are you sitting on the bike when you do that? The center stand foot lever is on the left, and the brake lever is on the right. I don't see how you do that.

No! No! Not sitting on bike. Steve did say something about "lean over bike", but no, not sitting on bike. Stand next to bike. Steve does it facing the bike (but he is a tall guy).
I suggest facing forward, but I am concerned about keeping back straight-vertical.

And nothing to do with either brake.

.

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Here's a pretty good video of the technique. Not a GS but it is a vintage Japanese 4 cylinder similar enough to what most of us have.

[jsandidge]

One trick I use along with that is leaning a bit forward and bounce on the centerstand lever while holding the front brake. At the highest point I get to, I apply the front brake to keep it from rolling forward, as the front tire grips I rock back on the center stand.

My comment about the brake is referring to this quote. I do it exactly like the guy in the video. Pretty easy even in tennis shoes.

[Cipher]

the guy in the vid is doing it wrong

[Wingsconsin]

Following the video --
Not a bad show of technique --
But FOR ME -- I use my LEFT FOOT not the right ..
And then as you PUSH DOWN (stand on the center stand lever) Pull Up and BACK with your right hand (shoulder)
The idea is to create distance between your LEFT FOOT and your RIGHT HAND (which is on the seat grab rail)
A simple shoulder shrug will take the bike up - By using the left foot - you get a lot of YOUR WEIGHT behind the pivot point.
Once my bike is back together -- I will video me doing it with the saddlebags ON - it is a bit more difficult but I can still do it.

[Redman]

Minor point, but I make it a habit to retract the sidestand before using the center stand, for two reasons;
1) so the side stand not hit your leg when bike goes back, (guess how/why I say that)
2) its not down when take bike off the centerstand and then take off. (guess how/why I say that)