Center Kick Stand Problems

[JRider]

I just got my 06 GS500 today. I can't figure out how to use the center kick stand. My parking space is an uneven surface. I almost dropped my bike trying to use that dang center kick stand. How do you work this thing.

[skoozi12]

This linky should help you out:

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=14212.0

There are plenty of other ones, just search for "center stand how to".

Good luck.

-Anna-

[ninja_steve]

with the bike on the kickstand go as follows.  get a firm grip on your left handlebar (w/ left hand) grip and your rear passenger grab (w/ right hand).  level out your bike off of the kickstand, and push down on the centerstand as you pull up on the passenger grab.  shoudl come up easily. 

[Alphamazing]

I dropped my '04 trying to put it up on the centerstand. Our bikes aren't nearly as graceful going up as others I have seen, such as the Yamaha FZ1. Practice practice practice. Get somebody to catch it if it drops while you practice.

[John Bates]

....................My parking space is an uneven surface. ....................

There are several methods for using the center stand. They have been explained in previous threads, however in my judgment, I wouldn't use the center stand on an uneven surface.  Better to use the side stand with the bike pointing slightly uphill and the side stand pointing slightly down hill.

[Alphamazing]

....................My parking space is an uneven surface. ....................

There are several methods for using the center stand. They have been explained in previous threads, however in my judgment, I wouldn't use the center stand on an uneven surface.  Better to use the side stand with the bike pointing slightly uphill and the side stand pointing slightly down hill.

I think he means that the surface is uneven perpendicular to the bike, so that when he puts the kickstand down it leans too far over and runs a more serious risk of falling.

[ajgs500]

Ummmm make the surface even??

[rangerbrown]

with the bike on the kickstand go as follows.  get a firm grip on your left handlebar (w/ left hand) grip and your rear passenger grab (w/ right hand).  level out your bike off of the kickstand, and push down on the centerstand as you pull up on the passenger grab.  shoudl come up easily. 

sssshhhhhiiittttt. that has never worked for me. i do the same but back it up as fast as possable then kick it down and let the bike do the work for me   its a little harder after a long right as i am wore out so i have almost droped it a few times so if you do it that way then be very carefull

[Wrecent_Wryder]

3d

[Admiral Crunch]

with the bike on the kickstand go as follows.  get a firm grip on your left handlebar (w/ left hand) grip and your rear passenger grab (w/ right hand).  level out your bike off of the kickstand, and push down on the centerstand as you pull up on the passenger grab.  shoudl come up easily. 

If I'm holding onto the handlebar and the passenger grab and I pull on the passenger grab, I'm going to be pulling up and forward.  The bike has to go up and back to go up on the centerstand.  How could this work?  Maybe I'm missing something, as I've always had a time getting the bike up on the centerstand.  The method I've found that works the best is to start moving the bike backwards and then slam the centerstand down with my foot while the bike's moving, letting the bike's momentum carry it up and back onto the stand.  It doesn't work great, but it works.  If there's a better way, I'd love to know.

The "passenger grab" is that low bar right behind the seat, right?

[john]

I have grabbed the passenger peg bracket to help lift as I am putting it on the side stand.  It does seem weird but practice does help.  It gets easier as you get the knack of it.

[h8r]

I put it up while sitting on the bike. First, I stand on the kickstand with my left foot. At this point, if the ground is uneven the bike will lean over when you put your weight on the stand. If that happens I rotate the bike until the bike is up straight. Then I grab the front brake, push forward and down to compress the forks, then release the brake and pull back using my body. It comes right up on the stand easily and there's never a chance of dropping it with both feet on the ground the whole time. You have to be tall enough to straddle the bike when it's on the stand, however.

[Slowe30]

i always stand toward the left rear of the bike, put my left foot on the stand "lever" with as much of my weight as i stable-ly can, and pull up and back with both hands on the passenger grab rail/sissy bar/whatever.  works for me.  i practiced this on a sidewalk with grass on the other (right) side, so if i dropped the bike, it would probably land on the grass

[snowey]

i grab the left handgrip with my left hand and with my right hand the left side passenger footpeg.  IT IS NIIIICE

[NightRyder]

Hmm, I always figured everyone did it the way I did it. Seeing as I didn't see a better way to do it. I haven't tried any of these other ways.. but..

The way I have always done it was, sit on bike. Grab both grips and levers (clutch/front brake). Stand on centerstand foot lever. Pull up on bars as pushing down on foot lever. Sometimes it takes me two or three goes. But, by using the front brake, you don't have to repeat any distance. The front wheel always seemes to hold it for me. (atleast untill i get close) I would think heavier people would have this easier then me.

*hmm that came out way longer then I thought it should.
-> short version -> Pull up on handle bars as you push down on the lever, while straddling the bike. use front brake.

[John Bates]

....................My parking space is an uneven surface. ....................

There are several methods for using the center stand. They have been explained in previous threads, however in my judgment, I wouldn't use the center stand on an uneven surface.  Better to use the side stand with the bike pointing slightly uphill and the side stand pointing slightly down hill.

I think he means that the surface is uneven perpendicular to the bike, so that when he puts the kickstand down it leans too far over and runs a more serious risk of falling.

I agree, just didn't say it as well as you. 

Thanks for the clarification.

[melloGS]

hit the gym...