So I'll be doing some major mods on my bike over spring break like a new exhaust, air filter, oil change, and defairing.  I need the center stand down for the new exhaust and I was wondering what the best way to put it up on the stand was by myself??  I'm only 5' 7" so I don't have enough leverage with my legs.  You guys have any ideas on how I could do this by myself?  Thanks.

-Lucas

it's really not that hard to put it on the center stand, put your foot and weight on the little pedal on the left side!, pull back on the handlebar while lifting the back of the motorcycle. I'm 5'4 and it real easy once you get used to it

ok sweet thanks

-Lucas

If your suspension is shoot like mine was.I put a bag of play sand down behind it and an small block of wood in front of the bag.
Roll your bike backward,from about 6 feet.Hang on to it...keep it leaned toward you.When it rolls up on the bag it should stop on top,as the top will sink down.Just kick the center stand down.kick the block of wood out and pull the bag away.
I rebulit my front forks and opted for a Katana back shock this winter.I can now kick down the center stand with little effort.

I always have mine on the side stand first in Neutral.

Stand on the side stand side of the bike.
Put one hand on the handle bar, one under on the tie down bar under the rear cowl.

While pushing down with your foot on the centre stand, lift the bike upwards by the tie down bar. Helps the bike go up and over the self standing point of the centre stand.

Quote from: galahs on March 09, 2008, 05:21:17 AM
I always have mine on the side stand first in Neutral.

Stand on the side stand side of the bike.
Put one hand on the handle bar, one under on the tie down bar under the rear cowl.

While pushing down with your foot on the centre stand, lift the bike upwards by the tie down bar. Helps the bike go up and over the self standing point of the centre stand.

Just to add one thing to galahs method:
Before you raise it on the center stand, get it on balance (off the side stand) so that the center stand has both feet touching.  Then push the foot forward and push backwards and up with the hand.

Until you get the hang of it, it feels like the bike weighs a ton.  After you get it, you'll wonder what was so hard about it before!

ah nice addition. I always do that 

Stand on left side of bike.
Put kick stand down for safety.
Grab handle bars.
Place right foot on centerstand until it is resting on the ground.
Bend right knee so you are crouched a little bit.
Count the three then YANK backwards on the handle bars, at the same time push DOWN with you right knee and raise your left leg off the ground so all your weight is on the center stand.

Works everytime.

If you don't get the bike up then it will come up then ride forward, be prepared to grab the front brake. Cheers.

A picture is worth a thousand words, so how about a video? This should give you an idea on how to do it with the steps described above http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2s1EY9YDzQ

I never had enough umph to do it... I'd get it to the balance point and then it'd go back forward and then tip over.  So I took it off.

Thats' hard to do on soft or uneven ground.Plus that guy has a height advantage some of us short people don't have.I also have a short reach.

haha yea i can barely touch the handlebars and rear tie down!  nah, i kinda gave up on the solo method seeing as i dropped my bike in the process. i just had my fiance put the center stand down with her hands as i lift the rear end up.  seemed to work pretty well. Thanks for all the suggestions!

-Lucas

Yeah,

I have horrible issues with getting my center stand down as well. I've had two knee surgeries on the right knee and I just can't seem to get enough power. I'm a 5'8" is it normal for it to be this tough to get up I'm also a girl too

Mary S.

the mistake most people make is using your arm strength. 

put center stand down then blance the bike so both center stand feet are touching.  grab the handlbar and the grab rail.  KEEP YOUR ARMS STRAIGHT  and just stand up witht he leg that is on the center stand.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDNqCMNau9A

Well,

Now I don't feel like such a wimp. The muscle (ligament actually) you are pointing to has been cut on me. I wonder if I will be able to do it with any amount of physical therapy? Guess that is life!

Mary S.

Man, the youtube video makes so much sense. (I'm a guy, 5'10", so I should be able to get my gs onto the ridiculously high centre stand). I always tried to find a hill, and then just would kick down the stand and let gravity help me move it on. Definitely need to practice this new way.

center stands are good for one thing, jumping on while you are going down the road

YEHA bitches

I'm 125 lbs 5' 6" (a guy, no joke) and I have no trouble putting my GS on it's center stand as well as my buddy's 600lbs ZX-6E. It's all technique.

(1) Face bike, from left side, on kick-stand. Make sure it's in neutral, handlebars straight ahead. One hand on handlebar, one hand under rear seat.
(2) Push down on the center stand with the ball of your foot (gently, just enough to contact the ground), then gently raise the bike up until both feet of the stand touch down.
(3) Now, put ALL YOUR WEIGHT on the center stand and gently move the bike back. You should NOT yank, it is one smooth fluid motion. Should go up easy!

I remember watching my buddy (170lbs) trying to center-stand his bike, yank yank yank almost dropped it. "It's heavier than yours". Asked him to let me try, did it NO problem. It's all technique guys

Incidentally, be careful when taking it OFF the stand - AFTER getting it off the stand, make sure to put the kickstand down before you set the bike down. This was how I dropped my bike for the first time, on the first day of ownership But DON'T put the kickstand down BEFORE taking it off the stand, if you bottom the suspension and the kickstand contacts, the bike is on the ground.

Quote from: nazgulnarsil on March 14, 2008, 07:02:38 PM
the mistake most people make is using your arm strength. 

put center stand down then blance the bike so both center stand feet are touching.  grab the handlbar and the grab rail.  KEEP YOUR ARMS STRAIGHT  and just stand up witht he leg that is on the center stand.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDNqCMNau9A

HOLY CRAP!
I just went out and tried this. SOOOOO much easier then my method. 

Now granted I just spent three weeks in the hospital so for now I guess that will be my excuse. But, I tried yesterday for forty-five minutes I stood on the center stand tried everything just can't get it down or up whatever. Now, I have no problem taking it down why is that?

After having my bike knocked over at my apartment would like the little extra stability for the dumb cagers!

SOOOOO! I'll keep trying!

Mary S.