Center Stand Trick for new riders or new to center stands

I'm 5'7'' and even with flat tires and extra material was able to put my 550 on its center stand. It was all technique, but I was lucky, my neighbors sons father inlaw is an instructor, so I asked him....

 

I knew this 5'0" lady. Saw her put a fully dressed Goldwing on the center stand (not an electic stand). She was 72 years old.
Yes, it's all technique.

 

What I would like to see is a video on how to pick your bike off the ground easy, I know there is a technique for that too, I missed seeing a guy in his late 70's early 80's pickup a massive Honda Goldwing that was blown over after a storm, by the time I pulled over, got my seat belt off, and got out to help him the bike was back up on it's stand.

 

Goldies have many useful sticking out bits - engine bars, luggage racks, etc, which are handy leverage points to roll the whale over on and lift it from, too.
My GSs have similar - even a nicely positioned set of engine cases don't have to stick out too far to be useful, but they're also put further out by the more prominent cases on the 'Zuks than the slimline XJs have.
When I dropped the XJ9 in the workshop, it was a bitch to get back up - the engine bars hugged the sides very closely, and while they protect the cases well, they lack the projection needed to roll very effectively on the ground when you're trying to heave it up. I resorted to using a floor jack with wood packing under the side of the cyl head to raise it enough for me to get a good grip and heave. The XJ9 is a good bit lighter than the GS850, too.

 

hmmm... will have to think about that....I have some 1 and a 1/2 " chrome tubes in the back shed, wonder how hard it would be to bend them.....lol

 

Hint. Your back whould be next to the bike, not your belly.
Grab the frame where you would to use the center stand, and the left grip.
Lift with your legs, pushing against the seat with your posterior.
Deploy the sidestand with your right foot.

If you have to lift from the right side deploy the kickstand before you lift and prepare for the weird feeling you'll get in your tummy when the bike rolls back over center.

WIth practice you'll be able to balance the bike as you reposition your body to face the bike.

 

Thank you I just printed this off, I'll give a copy to my son as well.

 

Well then....I feel stupid because it takes me and 1 other person to get my bike up. And multiple experienced bikers have tried...they just can't do it alone

 

Are you running your xj650 stock or have you changed the ride height in any way, ie smaller tire in front or lowered suspension? If I put something under my bike to raise it and extra inch for the center stand It's near impossible to raise properly. Put my 750 on its center stand with a lot of difficulty with two flat tires. height makes a difference.

 

Ignore the absolutism in that post (meaning the one that you responded to).
When putting the bike on the center stand I find that it's easiest to act as if you are stretching a huge rubber band. Set the center stand feet flat on the floor, then push down with your left foot on the stand, and simultaniously pull up with your right arm on the frame. Your right foot should be lifted up during the process to help you keep your effort focued between the stand and the frame. All your effort should be spent on extending your left leg and pulling up with you right arm to "stretch that rubber band."
The stand mounts may be worn or corroded, which will make it more difficult to put the bike up on the stand.

 

excellent discription on how to do it .
I am thinking that KShockney may not be able to stand close enough ( or isnt standing close enough) to the bike with the saddle bags

 

Could be. I have my right thigh almost touching the seat edge when I begin.

 

No that's all stock

 

before i had my grab bar it was quite the feat to pull the bike onto centerstand now after pratcing a little its 2 fingers on the grab bar push down like on centerstand like you were kick starting the bike and lift at same time it almost jumps up by it self. its just timing

 

IF your Center stand is stock too then it's gotta be either what K-moe was saying or XJ550H and practice. Before I got good at it I used to lift the back of the bike and have my kids put the center stand down for me at home. I'm no weakling and I had difficulty until I was shown by my neighbor who also rides. and lots of practice.

 

You needn't have modified the suspension - time did it. Springs sag with age. It's amazing the difference a half inch or inch makes when you put new springs in. The bike is back to being what the centrestand was designed for and it all becomes much, much easier.

 

That's it! That is the excuse I am going to use.

 

I use the excuse I'm sagging from old age anytime someone needs a sofa or appliance moved...

 

Should have thought of that, that is why I have my trailer on blocks so the suspension doesn't sag, dumb, dumb dumb, dumb....lol nice catch Dave in Ireland...

 

Lots of suggestions and funny comments in this old post so I thought I'd throw out how I do it. With luck I'll have added this link properly and you will see a short video. If not I'll have to come back and fiddle with the link.

 

The video linked fine, but you have youtube viewing permissions for it set to private.

 

That's weird, I have every box on every page selected as public. Oh well, got to be at work in a few hours. Guess I'll just have to sort it out then.

 

So, I went back into Youtube and figured out that I didn't click on "PUBLISH".
I hope this link works, if not then I will delete my posts.
Link:

 

All good, except you spelled center funny.

I'll have to try that on my Seca when I get back home. Weight isn't usually as much of a hindernace as the geometry of the center stand and suspension.

 

...and here I thought that the original poster had made a typo!

 

i don't have the grab handle on my seca to pick up with but a rag looped around the top of the shock works well

 

OK, the secret to the center stand is .... practice until you figure out the motion. I tried and tried, with miserable results. Hogfiddles even showed me how to put it on the stand in person. However, it wasn't until I finally got it on the center stand that it clicked. Once you get it there, it will become incredibly easy. I recommend having a second person on the other side of the bike to give you a bit more confidence in the process.