Center Stand, Rear Stand or Lift?

[usdtmcs1]

Ok, what is the general concensus on which of these is best/easiest for a person working solo on their bike in the garage on a level surface?  My PO took off the center stand (came with the bike when I bought it) but haven't installed it yet.  I realize that the center stand allows for easier repairs in the field, but is having a rear stand of even lift worth it in the long run versus a center stand?  Harbor Freight sells a rear stand for $49 and a 1500 pound lift for $99. 

[reload]

i've been able to do all the repair for my gs with just the center stand and a small jackstand (for front end work). stuff i had already so free.

[jp]

I have the HF lift, and while it's nice for some work, it isn't really necessary. With the lift, you'll need to fabricate an adapter to clear the exhaust pipes and lift on the frame. Just cut down a 2x4 to make the adapter. You also need to tie the bike down to the lift when it's raised. If you don't, and you pull either wheel, the center of gravity will shift enough allow the bike to fall. I was lucky to learn that lesson from a friend who found out when he pulled the front wheel off of his Harley. I rarely use my lift anymore, and am currently making a lift table that I can use the lift to raise the whole bike up so I don't have to bend over so much when working on it. I find that the center stand, along with a bottle jack and a couple of short pieces of 2x4, are the most practical way to do most any job. Lifts are best suited to use on winter projects that take longer than a day to complete.

[usdtmcs1]

Yeah, the lift is last in line for consideration because I already don't have enough room in my garage!  Good points though...thank you. 

[ryott52]

My Yoshi Exhaust gets in the way of the center stand so I have to use a lift to work on my bike. I use a craftsman motorcycle jack I got used for $50, and I have not had any issues. The lift surface is wide enough that center-of-gravity issues when removing wheels are not a problem. I have found that it is easier to just remove the exhaust and lift directly off the frame rather than building an adapter.

[Twism86]

i've been able to do all the repair for my gs with just the center stand and a small jackstand (for front end work). stuff i had already so free.

Yup, center stand and jack it onto the back wheel for working on the front. I had the whole FE removed this winter that way.

[mike__R]

The PO put on an aftermarket exhaust that forced the centerstand off.  I wish I had the centerstand because that would make it so much easier.  That being said, I have a swingarm stand (Harbor Freight) and a M/C lift (Craftsman) and use them both depending on which bike and what needs to be accessed.  Most things the swingarm stand is good enough, but I'm going to change the lowering links on the GS500 so I'll have to use the lift then since I'll need the swingarm free, for example.

Basic maintenance (chain, oil change, etc.) I'd love to have the centerstand.

[ryott52]

So it seems the consensus is that a center stand is all you need and is the simplest of the three options. However, if for whatever reason you can't use yours or don't have one then a lift is the way to go.

[gsJack]

I've used the centerstand and some wood blocks on all six of my bikes including the two GS500s to do all maintenance and service work for the past 27 yrs and 390k miles I've been riding.  On the GSs for example I just slide 2 of the 4x4x18 blocks stacked under the front of the pipes and lift the front with one hand and slip a 1x2 piece in with the other and both wheels are off the ground.  Have pulled both wheels at once to go for tires this way on the 4 previous Hondas as well as the 2 naked GSs.

Pulled 2 of the Honda front ends this way to replace steering head brgs and just put the 02 GS on the centerstand only to change suspension links without even pulling the rear wheel.  Easy enough for an old man to do so should be a piece of cake for others.  Check back next summer and I'll tell you how easy it is for a 80 yr old to do it all this way.  

[DeeJRedE]

I keep my center stand off the bike, and just slide it under the bike and hand thread in the bolts when I need to do some work.

[cbrfxr67]

I keep my center stand off the bike, and just slide it under the bike and hand thread in the bolts when I need to do some work.

^^Good idea here.  I did a chain, sprocket swap in minutes on the gs with center stand compared to how long it took on my F2.  I kept asking myself, 'why is this so easy compared to my other bike.?'  

[Tombstones81]

I keep my center stand off the bike, and just slide it under the bike and hand thread in the bolts when I need to do some work.

damm, didnt know it would be that easy to take off.
tho I never bothered to look.

think i'll do that after I get finished tweakin and fixin the carb + petcock problems.

because im pretty sure my center stand got slightly bent to the left side of the bike when i wiped on the right.
as the dang thing is ANNOYINGLY right behind my heel now. (the lever u push down on with ur foot to put the bike on the stand)
it wasnt prior to the wipe I know that.