another tip: if you do that, watch it doesn't land on yer foot
Ooh bet that hurt you, or should that be, hurt the person you saw it happen to
Wildcat
Guest
early models are a more difficult to get onto the stand, later ones are real easy but the same technique applies to both. Mine's an early model so if loaded I just use the side stand, it's more secure anyway, esp on ferry etc.
You've got lots of "its easy" replies. It isnt always easy and particularly not if you have one of the earlier GSs - they altered the centre stand in 2005 I seem to remember.
Its usually more a confidence issue than anything else. You worry that it can easily get away from you, but it cant.
Its usually more a confidence issue than anything else. You worry that it can easily get away from you, but it cant.
Spot on. What is so difficult about it?
I suspect lots of people are simply fighting the bike, trying to lift the thing right up and onto the stand. Let the center stand do the work, it's just a simple lever.
Northants Rob
Registered user
When I got my GS a week ago it was the first bike I'd had with a centre stand. At first I was fighting the bike onto the stand - it was taking me 4-5 goes and leaving me knackered!
Think I was pulling up/back too hard, neglecting to put any real effort through the stand .....
Now, I realise that if I push all the effort down through the tang of the stand, I hardly need to pull/lift at all. The hands are just for balance - nothing else. Gooid point as has been said several times though, make sure both sides of the stand are touching the floor or you're just making it harder for yourself.
Think I was pulling up/back too hard, neglecting to put any real effort through the stand .....
Now, I realise that if I push all the effort down through the tang of the stand, I hardly need to pull/lift at all. The hands are just for balance - nothing else. Gooid point as has been said several times though, make sure both sides of the stand are touching the floor or you're just making it harder for yourself.
I damaged my back in a helicopter accident years ago so am always wary of damaging it again. I don't remember having any difficulty getting any of my BMW bikes onto their stand despite being only 5"7" high and medium frame. I do belive that confidence must have something to do with but have used a similar technique to that posted by the majority of users here, with all my bikes.
However for my 2007 GS with panniers awlays fitted I do the following
left hand on left grip
left foot flat on floor
right foot holding down the centre stand tang
balance the centre stand onto both legs
right hand grips the LEFT HAND FRONT PORTION of the REAR CARRIER (where the pillion would hold onto)
The above pre-lifting position is comfortable and easy to get into and dosn't involve bending back due to having to place right hand down to frame infront of silencer which many people do, and which I have tried.
Then its just a matter of pushing all of your weight down through your right foot onto the stand while keeping the bike straight with both hands (no lifting required by either hand). As i find it easy enough I nearly always place my bike on its centre stand, even if only stopping for a short while.
I also lift the bike off the stand using a similar technique. I Just face the side of my Bike with body opposite rider's seat. Left hand on grip, right hand on pillion handle on rear carrier, right foot lined up with rear pillion footrest and then put left foot under centre stand and pull bike gently till it rolls off stand and as it does move left foot out and foward to balance bike/body and bring the bike to a halt just using my body weight (not a lot of it either).
I find if I use both hands on the handlebars, as was demonstrated to me at the dealers, to bring the bike down I don't feel as well balanced though you do I suppose have a hand on the front brake if needed. I do seem to recall bring one BMW bike I had down of its centre stand using both my hands on the grips and losing my blaance and the bike tipped over to the right hand side and I held on thinking I might stop it. It just flung me right over the bike
However for my 2007 GS with panniers awlays fitted I do the following
left hand on left grip
left foot flat on floor
right foot holding down the centre stand tang
balance the centre stand onto both legs
right hand grips the LEFT HAND FRONT PORTION of the REAR CARRIER (where the pillion would hold onto)
The above pre-lifting position is comfortable and easy to get into and dosn't involve bending back due to having to place right hand down to frame infront of silencer which many people do, and which I have tried.
Then its just a matter of pushing all of your weight down through your right foot onto the stand while keeping the bike straight with both hands (no lifting required by either hand). As i find it easy enough I nearly always place my bike on its centre stand, even if only stopping for a short while.
I also lift the bike off the stand using a similar technique. I Just face the side of my Bike with body opposite rider's seat. Left hand on grip, right hand on pillion handle on rear carrier, right foot lined up with rear pillion footrest and then put left foot under centre stand and pull bike gently till it rolls off stand and as it does move left foot out and foward to balance bike/body and bring the bike to a halt just using my body weight (not a lot of it either).
I find if I use both hands on the handlebars, as was demonstrated to me at the dealers, to bring the bike down I don't feel as well balanced though you do I suppose have a hand on the front brake if needed. I do seem to recall bring one BMW bike I had down of its centre stand using both my hands on the grips and losing my blaance and the bike tipped over to the right hand side and I held on thinking I might stop it. It just flung me right over the bike
Plenty if it's an early model, mine's a 2004. Even with full weight on the tang and both feet off the ground it is still reluctant to come up. I moved a friend's 2007 GS the other day, did the same thing and it flew up and back so fast it quite shocked/worried me for a second
I only use the centre stand for parking up overnight as every attempt to use the centre stand risks a strained back as it still needs a pull as well as my weight. Solution=eat more pies
Yes, that is true
As a matter of interest I heard the foreman at the dealers telling off a new salesman for wheeling a bike around with both hands on the bars - it seems that the correct method is (as above) with left hand on the bars and right hand on the frame. The bike cannot fall away from you then (in theory) -again it is a question of practice and I amamazed how easily the little mechanics wheel the bikes around.
It does work without too much effort - but there is a knack in it and it is worth practicing on a level surface. It came as a bit of a shock after the 1150 GS - but that was more liable to roll off the stand on an incline.
As a matter of interest I heard the foreman at the dealers telling off a new salesman for wheeling a bike around with both hands on the bars - it seems that the correct method is (as above) with left hand on the bars and right hand on the frame. The bike cannot fall away from you then (in theory) -again it is a question of practice and I amamazed how easily the little mechanics wheel the bikes around.
Da Da Da Da
Boom
Da Da Da Da
Boom
Da Da Da Da
When you're parked on the level
Da Da Da Da
Put your foot on the Tang
Da Da Da Da
Hold the bars and frame
Da Da Da Da
With a steadying hand
Da Da Da Da
Now you push down with your foot
Da Da Da Da
Pulling the frame at the same time
Da Da Da Da
The bike will lift steadily
Da Da Da Da
Now everything's fine
Da Da Da Da
You'll find with some practise
Da Da Da Da Da
It's the method to choose
Da Da Da Da
It ain't no trick or secret
Da Da Da Da
Just The Centrestand Blues
Da Da, Da Da, Da Da, Da Da,Da, Oh Yeah !
Boom
Da Da Da Da
Boom
Da Da Da Da
When you're parked on the level
Da Da Da Da
Put your foot on the Tang
Da Da Da Da
Hold the bars and frame
Da Da Da Da
With a steadying hand
Da Da Da Da
Now you push down with your foot
Da Da Da Da
Pulling the frame at the same time
Da Da Da Da
The bike will lift steadily
Da Da Da Da
Now everything's fine
Da Da Da Da
You'll find with some practise
Da Da Da Da Da
It's the method to choose
Da Da Da Da
It ain't no trick or secret
Da Da Da Da
Just The Centrestand Blues
Da Da, Da Da, Da Da, Da Da,Da, Oh Yeah !
terayon
Registered user
Someone's been snorting the snow early
Mine is the early stand, not the revised one - and yes I was a bit nervous the first time I tried it, but really, follow the manual and it's easy - just need a bit of confidence. Once you have got the hang of it then the main problem is that it becomes so easy that it feels like you are going to fire the whole thing through the back wall of the garage!
wirewheel
Guest
Thanks all, beefed up with positive vibes and a bit of technique it slocked up onto the stand sweet as nut. Just need to try fully loaded, I mean loaded, she needs a few essentials when travelling !!!!
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