Centre stand

[everoily]

I have had my GS for about a month now. The bike is very basic (no fuel gauge, no oil level sight glass) but generally I am quite pleased with it. The one thing that spoils it is the centre stand, which is badly designed and difficult to operate. With the bike on the stand the back wheel is a full 2.5 inches off the ground. In addition there are no curved leading edges where the stand strikes the ground which would improve the "roll on" effect. I wondered if any members had successfully modified their stands to make them more user friendly. I have spoken to three other GS owners who only use their side stands because of this problem. 

[tcmia]

I don't really have a problem with mine. Kinda got used to it. I'm not a really big guy but can get it on centerstand just fine. Used to have a 71 cb750. That was a totally different ball game.

[yamahonkawazuki]

myself as well. my first gs, sure trouble. course i was learning.  anyhoo later on, i would put left foot on centrestand pedal, and make use of grab handle pulling up and back. my legs were never strong enough to do a roll on

[robfriedenberger]

After learning to put a gold wing on a center stand you can put any thing on a center stand.

[yamahonkawazuki]

After learning to put a gold wing on a center stand you can put any thing on a center stand.

very true. ( or picking one up lol)

[gsJack]

Could be your bike has lowering links on it, the more it's lowered the harder it gets to lift onto the stand.  The rear tire being 2.5" off the ground is more than it should be with standard links.  Check the links, holes should be 7 1/16 inches center to center.

If you have a piece of 2x6 wood or something like that put it in front of the rear tire and push the bike up on it and then see how easy it is to lift.  A change in links or a larger rear tire then would be a solution.   The GS should be easy enough for an average size person in good health to put up on the stand.

I'm 81 and have a bad back and can still throw mine up on the stand and my rear is lowered about 1".  Maybe you just need some work on your technique. 

[yamahonkawazuki]

Could be your bike has lowering links on it, the more it's lowered the harder it gets to lift onto the stand.  The rear tire being 2.5" off the ground is more than it should be with standard links.  Check the links, holes should be 7 1/16 inches center to center.

If you have a piece of 2x6 wood or something like that put it in front of the rear tire and push the bike up on it and then see how easy it is to lift.  A change in links or a larger rear tire then would be a solution.   The GS should be easy enough for an average size person in good health to put up on the stand.

I'm 81 and have a bad back and can still throw mine up on the stand and my rear is lowered about 1".  Maybe you just need some work on your technique.

^^^ listen to jack here. he knows. im a tad younger than him, but bad back and all, can do it. ( and pick up a downed wing. )

[adidasguy]

How to get the bike on Center-Stand:

[yamahonkawazuki]

Indeed sir. that is the technique i put into use. ( a sli9ght variation, but more or less identical to it.

[åsaka]

Yes 100% best all over!
Even Swedish viking is weak but this youtube from the best motorcycle expert

[everoily]

I would like to make the following observations.

1) Dogbones are standard and straight. (Thanks for the measurements), suspension is set on 4, tyre is standard size Sport Demon, ground clearance 2.5 inches.

2) after many bikes and too many years I think my technique is probably ok

3)if a problem with the stand did not exist there would be no reason for people to post  videos of alternative methods of getting the damn bike on to it, like the kind person who replied.

Thanks to all for your input, but it's still a lousy stand.   

[TheOzTurkish]

I would like to make the following observations.

1) Dogbones are standard and straight. (Thanks for the measurements), suspension is set on 4, tyre is standard size Sport Demon, ground clearance 2.5 inches.

2) after many bikes and too many years I think my technique is probably ok

3)if a problem with the stand did not exist there would be no reason for people to post  videos of alternative methods of getting the damn bike on to it, like the kind person who replied.

Thanks to all for your input, but it's still a lousy stand. 

I haven't had a problem putting mine on its center stand............. in fact it always kept on the center stand except when parking on an incline.

maybe hit the gym for a couple weeks?

Or just take it off I herd you can get up to a 20hp gain

[Twisted]

Your legs are stronger than your arms. Make sure you push down with your leg as you pull up with your arms.

[sledge]

The one thing that spoils it is the centre stand, which is badly designed and difficult to operate. With the bike on the stand the back wheel is a full 2.5 inches off the ground. In addition there are no curved leading edges where the stand strikes the ground which would improve the "roll on" effect.

Centre stands can be very difficult for some people to cope with and this comment suggests to me you have the technique completely wrong  Bikers are generally friendly people, is there someone you know locally who can help and show you in person how its done. My father taught me when I was young and I believe there is no substitute for one on one. Once you do get it right it becomes second nature and takes very little effort.......like riding a pushbike!

I think if there was an issue relating to the design of the stand more owners would be talking about it, especially when you consider the bike has been around for well over 20 years and sold in tens of thousands.

At the risk of sounding condescending I have a 12 year old nephew who weighs about 8 stone pi55 wet through! He has no problem getting any of my stock on and off the centre-stand including a BMW R650. True to say it took a bit of instruction and some practice in the same way I leant but he got there in the end and if he can do it I am sure anyone can 

[The Buddha]

I hold the left passenger foot peg with my hand and pull back on it while stomping down on the center stand.
Cool.
Buddha.

[everoily]

quote from Sledge
"Centre stands can be very difficult for some people to cope with and this comment suggests to me you have the technique completely wrong  Bikers are generally friendly people, is there someone you know locally who can help and show you in person how its done. My father taught me when I was young and I believe there is no substitute for one on one. Once you do get it right it becomes second nature and takes very little effort.......like riding a pushbike!

I think if there was an issue relating to the design of the stand more owners would be talking about it, especially when you consider the bike has been around for well over 20 years and sold in tens of thousands.

At the risk of sounding condescending I have a 12 year old nephew who weighs about 8 stone pi55 wet through! He has no problem getting any of my stock on and off the centre-stand including a BMW R650. True to say it took a bit of instruction and some practice in the same way I leant but he got there in the end and if he can do it I am sure anyone can  "




You obviously haven't read my post of this morning. I would draw your attention to items 2 and 3. If you think that this is about how big, heavy and awkward a bike you can manage to haul up onto the stand you are totally missing the point.

[yamahonkawazuki]

just about all of us however dont seem to share the same opinion my friend, that it is badly designed. i have little arm strength yet can centrestand a gs, easily. i dont consider it poorly designed, i dont see many of us here thinking this, am sorry youre having issue with it.

[everoily]

O.K. I have now tried and practiced Adidas guy's method and I have to admit that the bike comes up quite easily, so I'll leave the matter there before I upset everybody. I do fondly remember the bikes of my youth, some of which you could roll back onto the stand whilst sitting astride them. Funny how things change.

[gsJack]

In this day and age when it's hard to even find a new small bike that comes with a centerstand of any kind I have to think the GS centerstand is a great one since it does work and most of all it does exist.   

Interesting the different workable techniques that have come out in this thread.  Addy grabs the frame at the lower exposed area and faces forward for the lift, Buddha grabs the passenger peg, and I face the bike, grab it with my right hand under the side cover between the peg holder and forward bungee pin, hold left grip with left hand, and place my right foot on the stand lever and lift.  I use to lift with my leg pressing down while standing up on it but my balance on my feet leaves a bit to be desired now so I just muscle it up with my mighty right arm and it flies up and back so quickly the front wheel lifts as stops on the stand.

I see everoily has posted again and has mastered Addy's technique while I was typing but I'll post this anyway.  And as far as getting my GS back to earth I just stand beside it with hands on grips and push it forward squeezing the brake as it lands.  Climbing back on to push it off is OK for a kid his age but that's a long high climb for me with the bike up, I'm already 4" shorter than I was when I bought my first GS 14 years and 180,000 GS500 miles ago.   

[sledge]

O.K. I have now tried and practiced Adidas guy's method and I have to admit that the bike comes up quite easily, so I'll leave the matter there before I upset everybody. I do fondly remember the bikes of my youth, some of which you could roll back onto the stand whilst sitting astride them. Funny how things change.

If you look in the area underneath the seat-lock you will find a rudimentary handle fixed to the frame, it also has a couple of bungee tags attached to it. Rather than reaching down and grabbing the frame you may find it easier to lift the bike using this handle as it does not involve bending your back.......and as my H&S officer keeps telling me "Keep your back straight when lifting"

This is the method Suzuki recommend in the owners (not service) manual......but hey....its whatever works for you