Trick to get Bike on Center Stand

I've only had to deal with two bikes with centerstands, my 1100GK and a freinds goldwing. The goldwing was more comfortable by far and maybe 150 pounds heavier.

Dpep has the right of it. Suspension and stand geometry are paramount, technique will only get you there if the setup is within specs.

In other words, if proper (or even mildly flawed) technique isn't doing it, check into your setup. Maybe an adjustment would do the bike good overall?

^^ So did I. Don't ever leave it that way in serious wind. Plastics ain't cheap.

Well, with my bike you move it forward to put it on the stand, but the key is that you push down on the centerstand so that it digs or catches the ground then push or pull the bike forward or back ward, with very little lifting involved, you are using the centerstand as a lever.
I had a bike with no sidestand and had to put it up everytime I parked it.

Lifting

I asked the guys at the shop how they got the bike up on the center stand so easy. It took two of them to do it. Then again it is one of those dreaded 850Gs that so many of you have complained about lifting. I showed them the technique in the YouTube video with the little BMW. They were amazed.
I also taught my son how to get his '82 SilverWing on it's center stand. The baby wing is much lighter and really pops up.
A buddy has an '84 Kaw V'ger. The center stand is hydrolic. Cheater. But the simplest center stand activation has to be the BMW K1200. Push a button and it does all the work. Lazy Germans.
I've also tried the righting the bike techniques the BMW fellows advocate. I wasn't as lucky getting the Dragon back on her feet as I was in getting her to sit on her center stand.
Bill

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Easiest thing is to get a piece of wood approx' 1" thick. Easy to roll the rear tire up on it. The centerstand will now contact the ground later in it's downward arc and with any kind of proper technique the lifting force needed is cut in half. Pull straight up and a little rearward with your back straight. The bike will naturally rock back as the stand locks in.
A 2" thick piece makes it almost childs play but is a tad more difficult to get the tire up on.

I disagree with those vids. I has a GS1100 and I put it up with ease
HERE I mad a video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnHcwcC5pqE

Recipe for back trouble, lifting from a bent over position, but good demo otherwise. 610 pounds? I thought the 1100's were lighter than the 850s

[wacky941]

I disagree with those vids. I has a GS1100 and I put it up with ease
HERE I mad a video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnHcwcC5pqE

Doesn't your bike have the lifting bar under the seat on the left hand side?

I can honestly say that I've never seen anyone lift it using the rear footpeg, looks like an easy way to get yourself hurt by leaning over too far, you could easily strain your back muscles.

I agree with your video up to that point.

No disrespect intended, just my opinion.

I disagree with those vids. I has a GS1100 and I put it up with ease
HERE I mad a video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnHcwcC5pqE

putting bike on centre stand... easy..

hi guys i took a few guys advice from resources,,, and there are some great pics on u tube,, punch up yhe google and then watch the several u tube pics .. you will find it easy... and if worse comes to worse ... throw a 6x2 about a metre long behind the rear wheel and a brick under the end of the plank then back the bike up the plack the just lower the centre stand... i,ve got a gs1000e and its reasonably easy to put on centre stand regards david

Remember, practice makes perfect ;D

- boingk

Actually "perfect practise" makes perfect. If you practise the wrong way its still wrong.

My 76 Wing was the easiest when you get it you'll wonder why you had so much trouble.

I once had a '79 CX500 Custom, Dark Candy Apple Blue, I bought brand new, really nice bike until I totaled it out but that was by far the easiest bike I ever had to put onto the center stand, just step onto the stand and it jumped up onto the center stand.
Which year/model did you have?

I've had 3 over the years: an '80 Deluxe, an '81 Custom (same dark blue / medium blue two-tone factory color) and an '82 Custom (factory dark maroon / lighter maroon two-tone). It was the '82 that was so awkward.

The easiest two ever were/are my Mom's '74 Honda CB200 and my son's '82 Honda FT500 Ascot. Must be their super light weight. You only have to use yer toes of one foot to pop either of 'em up on their stands.

Here's a good one, my 1979 GS850 is way easier to get on the center stand than my 1979 GS550, a much lighter bike! Not that the 550 is difficult, but the 850 almost seems to want to get on the center stand. Go figure

Wish mine was so eager. Must be that 16 inch rear wheel and cruiserlike stance the L models have.

[wacky941]

Although I DID have a Honda CX500 once that was the most awkward. I think one of the centerstand legs was bent somehow...

I once had a '79 CX500 Custom, Dark Candy Apple Blue, I bought brand new, really nice bike until I totaled it out but that was by far the easiest bike I ever had to put onto the center stand, just step onto the stand and it jumped up onto the center stand.
Which year/model did you have?

Here's a good one, my 1979 GS850 is way easier to get on the center stand than my 1979 GS550, a much lighter bike! Not that the 550 is difficult, but the 850 almost seems to want to get on the center stand. Go figure