Sad day yesterday

MidLife said:
Start by raising the bike as high as you can, by cranking up the preload to max (release it once on the stand if going to hibernate). Same with tire pressure, Also remove box/panniers or any weight you might have on the bike.

With an aftermarket shock and proper sag, this bike will "roll" into the centerstand with minimum effort.

Tires can make a difference though. Easier to jack on the stand with new "pointy" type tires than old worn rounded ones.

It's not all because of age.
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+1 on cranking up the preload. Works for me as I run my Tracer soft. 20 some clicks to the firm and the bike goes right up on the center-stand.
 
st11ray said:
I have no problems getting my ST on the center stand. My Yamaha Super Tenere is a different story! I just got it in August and I still haven't figured out the trick to getting that beast on the center stand.
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Grats on your Tenere. Didn't know you had gotten one.

I usually put the suspension on the GSA in 2-up w/ luggage mode, while the bike is running, and that preload setting makes it pretty easy. I used to be able to get it in the center stand no matter where the suspension was. Not any more :biggrin:.
 
Tor said:
Grats on your Tenere. Didn't know you had gotten one.

I usually put the suspension on the GSA in 2-up w/ luggage mode, while the bike is running, and that preload setting makes it pretty easy. I used to be able to get it in the center stand no matter where the suspension was. Not any more :biggrin:.
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I did a fly and ride to Long Island NY back in August to pick it up. I'm liking it so far.

I tried putting the suspension on full hard and still couldn't get it on the centerstand.

Since I changed the dog bones at the bottom of the shock, I can now get it on the stand even with the suspension on my regular setting.
 
As others have said I am also having trouble getting my ST 1300 up on its center stand. Now keep in mind I've never owned a motorcycle with a center stand, and the only thing I've ever used temprarily with one was a little 50 cc moped / scooter --which I could just pick up and set on a stool if I wanted to !
So using the center stand for that was as easy as pie.
The ST-1300 is a different task entirely.

So far I've only tried it while sitting astride the bike, pushing the center stand down with my left foot but having my right foot both propelling me backwards and being ready to catch the bike if it were to tip to the right side.
(Of course i'm also pulling backwards on the handlebars at the same time this method has never been successful for me.)

People have told me I should use the center stand by rolling the bike backward while standing next to it on its left side and pushing the center stand down
with one foot while maintaining my own balance with my other foot .

My only problem with this method is if the bike were to tip away from me I don't know if I could stop it from falling. But if it were to tip on my side (left) it's no big deal and I certainly keep it from falling with my body right there.
 
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gunsmoker said:
People have told me I should use the center stand by rolling the bike backward while standing next to it on its left side and pushing the center stand down
with one foot while maintaining my own balance with my other foot .
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Here is the way it works.

It helps also to have the preload cranked-in all the way and tires well inflated (to keep the bike as high as possible, less lifting for you to do).

 
gunsmoker said:
As others have said I am also having trouble getting my ST 1300 up on its center stand. Now keep in mind I've never owned a motorcycle with a center stand, and the only thing I've ever used temprarily with one was a little 50 cc moped / scooter --which I could just pick up and set on a stool if I wanted to !
So using the center stand for that was as easy as pie.
The ST-1300 is a different task entirely.

So far I've only tried it while sitting astride the bike, pushing the center stand down with my left foot but having my right foot both propelling me backwards and being ready to catch the bike if it were to tip to the right side.
(Of course i'm also pulling backwards on the handlebars at the same time this method has never been successful for me.)

People have told me I should use the center stand by rolling the bike backward while standing next to it on its left side and pushing the center stand down
with one foot while maintaining my own balance with my other foot .

My only problem with this method is if the bike were to tip away from me I don't know if I could stop it from falling. But if it were to tip on my side (left) it's no big deal and I certainly keep it from falling with my body right there.
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It's very easy once you try Dave's method as per the video. The explanation of "just try to put your foot through the floor", is great and it works easily for me and I'm only 165lbs.
Try to separate the distance between your right foot and your right hand (holding the lever) with your leg.
 
I have yet to see anyone, on any bike, at any time, in any place, successfully deploy the centerstand whilst astride the bike.
That's not to say it can't be done, but I'd sure like to witness it when (if) it ever is.
In my case, the ST1300 is easy to get on the center rocker, but if the GSA is fully fueled and I have soft-soled shoes on, I can't. It's well balanced, but needs more force (for me) than the ST.
I've never owned a bike without one, and ordered one shipped to Texas where I bought my first f650gs on a fly-and-ride trip, and installed it before I left for home.

<EDIT> and I'm 155lbs wet.
 
st11ray said:
I did a fly and ride to Long Island NY back in August to pick it up. I'm liking it so far.

I tried putting the suspension on full hard and still couldn't get it on the centerstand.

Since I changed the dog bones at the bottom of the shock, I can now get it on the stand even with the suspension on my regular setting.
Click to expand...
Not sure how the suspension works on the Tenere. As for the GSA, I can adjust the preload electronically as well, not just the valving. I just set the preload in the menu to rider + passenger and luggage, and the preload on both ends lift about 1 1/2 inches or so.
 
Sadlsor said:
In my case, the ST1300 is easy to get on the center rocker, but if the GSA is fully fueled and I have soft-soled shoes on, I can't. It's well balanced, but needs more force (for me) than the ST.
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This is the key…if I’m wearing Sketchers or the like, I can’t ’put the foot through the floor’. I just about always make sure I have my MC boots on (with a hard rubber sole) to get the bikes on the center stand. With the scooter, I don’t need to do this as it goes up much more easily.
 
Tor said:
Not sure how the suspension works on the Tenere. As for the GSA, I can adjust the preload electronically as well, not just the valving. I just set the preload in the menu to rider + passenger and luggage, and the preload on both ends lift about 1 1/2 inches or so.
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Same here.
 
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The other day in my garage on a nice flat level concrete floor, while wearing boots, I stood next to the bike on its left side and tried to hop it up onto the center stand.

It didn't go, and it wanted to tip away from me to the right side.

I had to use a lot of strength to catch it and keep it upright.


THEN TODAY-- today parking it at work I once again tried to put it on the center stand but this time while I was sitting in the saddle. I can flat-foot the bike normally, but as the center stand engaged it lifted up a little bit, tipped to the right, and I was unable to keep it upright.

It went down on the right side, and took me with it. The good news is I wasn't hurt and I don't think the bike is damaged, although I didn't have a chance to examine it in the dark and I was late for work anyway.

LIFTING IT, SOLO: on the clean dry concrete surface at work I was able to lift it. I did so facing the bike using a combination of legs back and shoulder muscles. And I lifted it despite the fact that I did not have anything to tie the hand brake down with, and I did not take the time to put it in gear and to flip out the side stand from the left side instead I lifted it immediately from its right side and when it was upright I had to lay on my belly on the seat and fold down the side stand with my hand. (that would've made a pretty picture-- somebody could've blackmailed me by threatening to post that image on the Internet!!!)

It DID start to roll (in neutral) just an inch or two while I was wrestling the bike upward. I should've taken the time to engage the brakes & transmission.
 
I discovered early [and grategully] that the ST is a bike that suffers fools not so good. But hey, you gotta love how it angle parks. I didn't then, nor would I attempt it now to pick it up. It's heavy and I'm old. It's not a bike for everyone.
To get it on the sidestand I wait until I have someone [fit] on the other side and get them to keep their hands on it and get comfortable moving it back and forth with where the bike will just balance. At that point I don't have any trouble with the procedure [at least not yet]. Otherwise, it remains on the sidestand against a wall tethered to an anchor just in case.
I'll sit on it to roll if off the center stand. Works for me.

IMG_0168.JPG
 
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gunsmoker said:
It DID start to roll (in neutral) just an inch or two while I was wrestling the bike upward. I should've taken the time to engage the brakes & transmission.
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AND SIDE STAND.
At least when it falls on the right side.
Once more, I'll state that I've never - EVER - seen anyone put a bike on the center stand while seated ON the bike. Not saying it can't be done, only that I've yet to see it.
Everything is impossible. Until it's not.
 
gunsmoker said:
It didn't go, and it wanted to tip away from me to the right side.
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This doesn't sound right, and it happened twice. You should be able to hold the motorcycle upright without touching it other than having your foot resting lightly on the centre-stand tab keeping the feet resting against the ground. Have another look at dduelin's video, he clearly shows this. Something doesn't seem right.

If I remember correctly you posted that you are a big guy on the heavy side. You should be able to easily pop it up on to the centre-stand. Have another look at dduelin's video. Something doesn't seem right at all.
 
Quick story: One day in the garage (and the floor is flat). I had the ST on the side stand and wanted it on the center to roll the back wheel to check my rear tire pressure, so I was on the left side of the bike and put it on the center (well, lined it up), stepped on the center stand tab, and while going up, away it went over on its right side (unfortunately, right into my driver’s door of the 300ZX convertible I have). The right handlebar end made a nice dent in the door and I cursed a blue streak. I had to wedge myself between the car and the bike and was able to get it back on the side stand that day, then called a paintless dent repair guy to ‘pull to paint’, then had the whole side of the car professionally painted. The whole event sucked but I suspect as I was going up on the center, I likely inadvertently pushed the bike over to the right (and was wearing just sneakers) and it got past that ‘50% point’ when it fell. This is why I now: A) make sure I’m no where near the cars in the garage if I’m putting the bike on the center, and B) make sure I have a shoe on with a very solid sole, like a boot. I never want to go through that again. In all my time riding, I’ve only had 2 drop overs…the one above and one long ago when the Mrs (we weren’t married then) told me to be careful going home - I was in her driveway, propped up the bike, my 1/2 shell helmet (don’t wear those any longer) fell off the right side of the backrest, I went to retrieve same with the side stand already up, and well, you can guess the rest. Since then, I have always told Mrs never to tell me to be careful- it’s a bad omen!
 
When I put the bike on the center stand:
I leave the side stand down​
I extend the center stand and lightly rock the back back and forth to make sure each foot of the center stand is solidly touching the ground​
Only then do I place all my weight on the lever arm and pull up with the lift handle with my right hand while holding the handlebar straight with my left.​
Once on the center stand, I raise the side stand. This is important since the side stand might hit the ground while coming off the center stand​
I sit on the bike and rock forward to come off the center stand ready to grab the front brake if needed​
​
Whenever I get gas I use the center stand since the gas cap is in the center so I'm very accustomed to using the center stand. It's not the easiest bike to get up, but it's not very difficult either
 
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