Bit ghey, but you don't know if you don't ask

[PatchGS1150]

OK, so as a fledgling gs'er got a question that could be conceived to be a bit ghey to ask!

Having just got the bike (yesterday) and already been caught out with the weight of the bloody thing (once past that point) upright. I am a bit dubious about putting it on the centre stand. I DO NOT want to drop the thing on the second day of ownership!

Any tips? How do you do it, I'm scared stiff! So it stays on the side stand for the mo.

 

[Bryn]

Right foot on the centerstand, level the bike holding the frame above the rear footrest hanger with your right hand...

push down on the centrestand with your right foot and wobble the bike slightly to feel both 'feet' or the centre stand are level on the ground, then push down with the right foot and at the same time lift up and back with the right hand..

Voila

 

[harryfire]

get missis to bring you a cup o tea out, and sit it on the rear seat while you attempt it. Once you have spilt it a few times youll get the knack, and its a good way of introudcing the missis to the bike,

 

[brassmonkey001]

Right foot on the centerstand, level the bike holding the frame above the rear footrest hanger with your right hand...

push down on the centrestand with your right foot and wobble the bike slightly to feel both 'feet' or the centre stand are level on the ground, then push down with the right foot and at the same time lift up and back with the right hand..

Voila

He lives in Malvern. There isn't a level bit of ground for miles around.


edit: Phil, don't worry about asking. As they say "There are no stupid questions". You may find there are plenty of stupid answers round here though.

 

[MMC]

He lives in Malvern. There isn't a level bit of ground for miles around.

What Bryn said, but first of all build yerself a flat piece of ground big enough for the bike to sit on.

In your case, it might be worth remembering you can park very neatly on hills with the sidestand down and the bike in gear.

The main thing is to avoid parking on slopes that face away from you. Don't ask me (or the local CTC section who helped me pick up the bike) how I know.

 

[davegs]

Centre stands

Make absolutly certain it's in neutral before starting other wise it will not go onto the satnd.
dave (I hate Christmas )GS

 

[oblertone]

Be resigned ...

... to the fact that they ALL get dropped at no MPH, no exceptions, you will do it, we all have. The joy of these bikes it that it causes little or no damage, except to your back trying to pick the damn things up again

 

[ianboydsnr]

... to the fact that they ALL get dropped at no MPH, no exceptions, you will do it, we all have. The joy of these bikes it that it causes little or no damage, except to your back trying to pick the damn things up again

Thats good advice, with crashbars fitted, most of the time nothing gets damaged, its actually a easy bike to get onto the centerstand

 

[motobiker]

Its pretty much essential to be able to centre stand the bike - to check the oil level. You really do need level ground though... and remember to put the bike in neutral.

My problem has always been the opposite.. getting it off the centre stand - I always do this astride the bike... yes I know I'm a coward.

leaving the bike on the side stand does no harm.. however you 'might' burn a little oil - so be aware of that.

btw - I have seen 'lift handles' advertised.. which might help.

 

[Loiq]

while I have the lighter black 1150 it's just a matter of practise, if you leave it in gear and use the clutch to control the bike it's easier I think. But that's open for debate. Also handy if your parked on slope to stop the bike from tipping off side stand if your using that instead of centre stand.

hope that offers some help.


if in any doubt take it slow and steady....

 

[PatchGS1150]

Guy's - Really helpful advice. I took the first (Bryn) and up she went, no problem!!

Thanks all

 

[araspitfire]

I'd say....

Got out to it right now and kick it over on it's side......

Get that over with and everything will fall into place much quicker.



Al....

 

[spot]

. I DO NOT want to drop the thing on the second day of ownership!
QUOTE]

Why not? most of us did

 

[buellzebub]

I read on here a while ago that if you have heated grips you should be careful not to pull too hard on the l/h grip when you put it on the centre stand as the internal wiring can be damaged.

Hope that helps.

Hope you have fun together!

All the best,

Mick

 

[roddy]

nobody's mentioned when you take it off the centre stand to make sure the bars are pointing to the right slightly, that way the weight of the bike falls in to you when it comes off the stand

 

[Dickieboy]

nobody's mentioned when you take it off the centre stand to make sure the bars are pointing to the right slightly, that way the weight of the bike falls in to you when it comes off the stand

It's a lot easier to just ride it off

 

[davegs]

Centre stand

When pulling ot off manually always put down the side stand and pul the bike
slightly towards you as you pull it off the stand then if it "goes wrong" it will go on the side stand>
dave (I hate christmas ) GS.

 

[Voyager]

When pulling ot off manually always put down the side stand and pul the bike
slightly towards you as you pull it off the stand then if it "goes wrong" it will go on the side stand>
dave (I hate christmas ) GS.

But mind the sidestand doesn't land on your foot - particularly when it's laden.

DAMHIK

 

[Mort]

It's a lot easier to just ride it off

Yeah, dead easy, put you weight forward to take the weight off the back wheel, put it into gear and rev upto about 5K as you let the clutch out, put your weight back to give the rear wheel a bit of traction and away you go

 

[Mort]

But mind the sidestand doesn't land on your foot - particularly when it's laden.

DAMHIK

I've done that, I didn't drop the bike but just stood there crying for 5 munutes