Center Stand

[rtcpenguin]

Whats the best way to get the bike on the center stand?

[raylarrabee]

http://gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10178&highlight=center+centre+stand

[dionysus]

Very carfully?
Without dropping it?
http://www.gstwins.com/forum/search.php

[Jake D]

I case you don't like links, I do the following:

Grab left hand grip with left hand.
Grab grab bar with right hand.
Put right foot on center stand.
Put all weight on right foot.
Pull gently backwards.

Don't be afraid to stand on that mofo.  It will come right up.

[My Name Is Dave]

When you put your right foot on the center stand, lightly lean the bike to each side until you can feel that both "feet" of the center stand are on the ground.

Also, I usually grab the frame under the front of the seat. But find a place that is comfy for you. It was weird and hard for me at first, but now it's cake. You just need to find a method that works for you.

Dave  

[dionysus]

And there's always http://www.oneidasuzuki.com/store/customer/home.php?cat=736 for when you drop it and crack the fairings...

[Thor S Magic Bathtub]

I stand behind the bike w/ left foot on stand. Pull on passenger grab bar and voila! I could never do it by standing on the side of the bike.

Side note, rtcpenguin, I always mix up the letters when reading your name and think of it as rctpenguin -- remote controlled penguin.

[Jake D]

I am weigh a lot, I suppose, so it has always been a no brainer for me.  
Maybe it would be easier behind the bike.  Never tried that, but it sounds odd, that.

[Badger]

It seems the trick to it is to use your weight on the centerstand arm, don't try to lift it as such, just put your weight on it (like you're trying to climb it) and it should pop right up.  Use whatever you find most comfortable to stabilize it with your right hand (left hand on left grip, though...wheels straight).  Some folks use the passenger grab handle, others use the underseat luggage tie bar.  I use the luggage bar because it lets me keep my arm fairly straight when I stand up the bike, and doesn't involve much pulling.

Another thing to note:

Make sure you've got the bike balanced upright, stable, and firmly held before you try to move anything.  This was my drop #1 where I stood it up and it got away from me before I got around to doing anything with the stand.  D'oh!

Interesting that there are a ton of questions about how to get it on the centerstand, but I haven't seen one regarding how to get it down.  Maybe folks are so happy that they got it up there that they just leave it that way.    I use the "two hands on the handlebar, clutch in, shove, brake"  or the "straddle, heave" techniques.

[My Name Is Dave]

How about standing over the seat with both feet on the ground and rocking it forward? Just grab the brake when it rolls forward and is on the ground again. Seems to be the easiest way for me.

Dave  

[Badger]

How about standing over the seat with both feet on the ground and rocking it forward? Just grab the brake when it rolls forward and is on the ground again. Seems to be the easiest way for me.

== Straddle, heave.

[My Name Is Dave]

How about standing over the seat with both feet on the ground and rocking it forward? Just grab the brake when it rolls forward and is on the ground again. Seems to be the easiest way for me.

== Straddle, heave.

Yeah. I didn't even think of trying anything but that.

[Alphamazing]

I wouldn't even CONSIDER putting the bike up on the centerstand while standing behind it. You don't have near enough leverage on it in case something goes wrong, and you have no means of keeping the front wheel stable while doing it.

The easiest and most effective way I've found is to set the kickstand down, dismount, then put your foot on the centerstand on the right. Hold the front wheel straight by holding the left grip with your left hand, and place your right handunder the tail cowling onto the frame. There should be a spot where your fingers can hook over there as well. Now, while keeping the front wheel steady, press the centerstand down until it is touching the ground firmly. Now tilt the bike towards the right while continuing to hold firm pressure on the centerstand. Make sure that the right foot of the centerstand is firmly planted on the ground and that your front wheel is still straight. Now stand up onto the centerstand while pulling up and back with your right hand, ever maintaining the front wheel's alignment.

That might sound complicated, but it's really not. It just ensures the centerstand is actually CENTERED and that your front wheel is also centered. It's essentially foolproof, you just have to make sure you follow through with your foot every time and make sure you do it with enough energy. Practice in your driveway or a parking lot. Bring a friend along to catch the bike in case it starts to fall while you're still getting the hang of it.

[Badger]

Bring a friend along to catch the bike in case it starts to fall while you're still getting the hang of it.

Aaaahhhhh...that's the part I forgot!  

[dionysus]

== Straddle, heave.

More likely:
== Straddle , heave, crash, damn! See previous link.

[rtcpenguin]

I tried all of the above methods (except alpha's, yet) and no luck. Almost dropped the bike too, it was falling to the left and I managed to somehow pull it up before anything (except the left footpeg) made contact with the asphalt.

I guess I'm just weak as hell for a 190lb man. Now I understand why most bikes dont have center-stands.

[natedawg120]

I weight 190 and I don't have a problem putting my GS onto her centerstand.  I use Jake D's method basically.  flip the footpet up to kind of get it out of the way of you heal/calf, place right heel on the tang to the centerstand and put weight down and get it so both off the centerstand feet are on the ground.  Then in one motion with left hand on handlebar and right on the grab bar rock the bike back and press with all you weight on your right heal and it will go right up.  Requires very little strength but a little balance, that is were your technique, once you develop it, will come in.  Just get a buddy to stand on the other side and play catch and try untill you get it.  After the first time it just gets easier.

Edit: put the bike in neutral, make it a lot easier.

[snowhownd]

I'm 155 and I do it from behind....     Wow, that didn't come out right!!!  Haha!  Seriously, I put my left foot on the stand standing behind it with both hands on the passenger grab bar.  You have to yank fast and hard or it will fall over.  Once you get the hang of it you won't have a problem with it falling over (first time I tried it did drop it in the grass)... haven't dropped it since... probably had it up 25 times.  Make the sure the handlebars are straight and are on reasonably level ground... since basically you are balancing it for a split second as you give it a yank.  
I'd say the best way to figure it out is to get a friend to stand with you and practice doing it yourself (only have your friend catch it if you start to drop it).    Good luck!

[natedawg120]

</snip>
I'd say the best way to figure it out is to get a friend to stand with you and practice doing it yourself (only have your friend catch it if you start to drop it).    Good luck!

I agree with AlphaFire X5 on that one.  With the method most recommended, there is a chance you will drop the bike but not as big as the stand behind method.  I never dropped mine learning.  I guarantee that you will drop it at least once if you try it that way.  PS: I put mine on the centerstand everytime i fill up and when someone wants so sit on her, if i let them.

[Alphamazing]

I'll make a little video this weekend to show how easy it is! That will be fun! There is one on the FZ1 board of a guy (sn of Desmo) showing how easy it is. Yay! Now I have a weekend project.