Center Stand help.

[SirSeanSean]

So this is kinda embarrassing but I have the hardest time trying to get my bike on it's center stand. I weigh only 117 and with a 380lb. bike it gets a little difficult. I didn't know if there is any tricks that you guys might be able to share. Other than the obvious thing to add another 35lb. to my belt. haha. Any tips would be most appreciated.

[Bumblebee]

Leverage.
Handlebars straight. Left foot on the centerstand lever. Hands on the grab bar/luggage rack. Push the centerstand down and make ground contact with both centerstand feet. Push down on the lever while pulling up and aft with your hands. Don't be wishy washy, commit to the pull. It hops right up on the stand.
One day I taught an 8 year old girl <100lbs at a campground to centerstand my 450+lb CB650 one day and she popped it up on the stand without a problem. She can do it, anyone can.

And no, you can't do it while sitting on the seat except under a very few circumstances. (Just saying because someone else couldn't get theirs up on the stand and it took half a dozen posts before we figured out he was still sitting on the thing)

[LOKi]

Long thread on it here. Even some videos.

http://nighthawk-forums.com/index.php/topic,2781.0/highlight,center+stand+tricks.html

Don't be wishy washy, commit to the pull. It hops right up on the stand.

Stay standing on the stand lever until it settles down after hopping up. I almost dropped mine when I did this to fast and started to walk away before the bike fully stopped moving. It bounced back and started to roll right off the stand.

[Soupskin]

And watch out for gas pumps when you take it down off the center stand, they are like MAGNETS!

(I destroyed a gas pump at our Dragon rally because my bike fell over as I was taking it off of the center stand)

[cjbear11]

While standing on the left side of the bike: handlebars straight, left hand holding left grip, right hand holding bike right above the left rear shock, and right foot on center stand lever. At the same time you apply downward force on the center stand lever, pull up with the right hand. Like BB said, commit to the pull and the bike will hop right up. As a rule of thumb, I do this while the sidestand is down.   

[Tryvelcro]

I'm curious how to get it off the centerstand without dropping it...

[Soupskin]

I'm curious how to get it off the centerstand without dropping it...

I find it works best when no one is looking.  If there is a crowd of fellow NHF members and other bikers present, the chances of dropping it grow exponentially.

Seriously though...

Put the side stand down
Roll the bike forward with both hands on the bars, brakes at the ready.
It will drop down off the stand
Gently brake and lean it towards you to set on the side stand

[LOKi]

I'm curious how to get it off the center stand without dropping it...

Soup IS the one to ask about that.  I was on the other side of the pump he smashed. 

I usually just get on the bike first. Then rock forward and it will roll right off the stand. Then put your feet down if your not ready to take off yet. If your about to go why take it off the center stand first? Start it up while sitting on the bike (or before getting on....that part doesn't really matter). Make sure your gear is all set while the bike warms up a little. Put it in gear and rock forward. As the bike starts to move forward start to let out the clutch and your moving. No need to even put down a foot. Just ride away.

[Soupskin]

Soup IS the one to ask about that.  I was on the other side of the pump he smashed. 

That gas pump was saying bad, dirty things about you.

I was defending your honor.

[Burgi]

My Triumph is the only motorcycle/scooter I have haven't been able to get on it's center stand without some "help." I think the center stand design is just a POS. Found a way around it by riding the bike's rear wheel up onto a 2x4. Then I get off the bike and can roll it off the board and onto the center stand. Not pretty but at least it works.

[Brittles]

I ALWAYS (now) sit on my bike to take if off the centerstand. Tried doing it one time while standing on the left side and the bike fell to the right when it came off the stand.

[LOKi]

I ALWAYS (now) sit on my bike to take if off the centerstand. Tried doing it one time while standing on the left side and the bike fell to the right when it came off the stand.

That sounds familiar. Was there an old glass front gas pump to catch it?

[LOKi]

Could be worse Soup....You could be Canadian. 

[geemann]

I actually just use momentum, but then again I am a little (haha) above 115lbs.

[LOKi]

I was 115 once. I think it was the 80's.

[Brittles]

I ALWAYS (now) sit on my bike to take if off the centerstand. Tried doing it one time while standing on the left side and the bike fell to the right when it came off the stand.

That sounds familiar. Was there an old glass front gas pump to catch it?

No gas pump, luckily the wall of my shed stopped it from falling all the way over.

[Option13]

Soup IS the one to ask about that.  I was on the other side of the pump he smashed. 

That gas pump was saying bad, dirty things about you.

I was defending your honor.

Getting it on the centerstand is a challenge for me too. Would gluing a piece of rubber to the ends be a bad idea? I ask because the centerstand always slips on me, and I end up just pulling it back and leaving scrape marks on the ground.

[LOKi]

I ask because the centerstand always slips on me, and I end up just pulling it back and leaving scrape marks on the ground.

Then you are doing it wrong. 

But seriously you should not be pulling the bike back at all. As you push down on the lever of the center stand pull UP on the tie down rail in the back. The bike will rock back slightly but only after it is already being lifted on the stand and the back wheel is off the ground.

[cjbear11]

I always sit on the bike to take it off the center stand. I've done it successfully without being on the bike before, but it's really stressful. You have to be ready to lean it toward you when it comes off the stand, and it just not worth the risk of the bike tipping over. It's easier just to sit on it.

[Option13]

LOKi, I watched that video, it's perfect! Sometimes I just need to see it happen to understand it.

[LOKi]

I can even get it up on the center stand fully loaded while on the bike. Have to tug pretty hard on the bars because I can't throw my leg as far back because the bags get in the way. Can't dismount in the same motion anymore because the seat back and extra gas tank are in the way. Even then by the time I'm pulling back on the bike the center stand is firmly on the ground with no way to slide back.

[Munkey]

While standing on the left side of the bike: handlebars straight, left hand holding left grip, right hand holding bike right above the left rear shock, and right foot on center stand lever. At the same time you apply downward force on the center stand lever, pull up with the right hand. Like BB said, commit to the pull and the bike will hop right up. As a rule of thumb, I do this while the sidestand is down.   

This is the same way I've always done it.

[ariwhiteboy]

All the methods metioned above are the same for me. As for taking it down I also always sit on the bike since it feels like it's more of a controlled descent that way,  heck I've seen people put their bikes ON the center stand WHILE they were sitting on them, but I never would risk that.

Also, 115, 117lbs?  We seriously need to go ride and put some good food in you boys....

   I mean you must have a good windscreen to keep you from getting blown off the bike! 

[Tryvelcro]

Given my height/weight restrictions, I'm not sure sitting on the bike to get it off the center stand is going to be a great idea.

I haven't tried to get it on the centerstand because I'm afraid to try to get it off, lol.

Where's Jenn when I need to know how she does it?

[HawkFuzz]

Velcro,

I think it is a magic trick.  My buddy gets his BMW on and off it's stand in just a sec.  I always seem to have my back turned and never paid attention.  So thus, it's magic.    His BMW is a monster too. 1200 police version and he is not that tall.  I think he rides it to the ground like Loki.