Driving off the centre stand
- Thread starter Jumblemo
- Start date
Wyreflyer
Registered user
Have sort of always done it on my 3 GS/GSA's when fully luggaged up. Was told never to use the side-stand to climb onto bike, which I have to with panniers and roll bag on back seat. Climb on, start engine, into gear with clutch in, stand on pegs and rock. Sometimes are easier than others to rock it off stand, but as bike starts to drop off stand, sit down quick and get legs out just in case! As it lands, let out clutch and you're away. Got to say I've never had even a wobble(there's a jinx!) although it's not using the rear wheel to drive the bike off the stand.
I'm not particlarly tall but I just sit on the bike on it's centre stand, slide 1 erse cheek slightly off the seat so 1 foot is completely planted, then roll the bike off it's centre stand.
It all seems easy enough to me (ish). Am I missing the point?
It all seems easy enough to me (ish). Am I missing the point?
Never had a problem getting either of my 12RT's on the centre stand. I struggle much more with the GSA.
The Grey One
Registered user
Maybe it would help to read the thread title!
Sit on bike on centre stand, start engine, pull in clutch and engage first gear. Move your weight backwards (how far depends on your size) ease in clutch and the bike will gently drive off the stand. Maybe practice where there is no audience until you get it right.
John
Mine is as good as new after 10 years of riding off the centre stand.
You push the bike into a tight bay from the front, balance it one the scooters (always scooters in london bays) next to it. Walk around the back of the bike, stretch your left leg forward and prod the centre stand down, then gentley pull the rear of the bike backward and the stand will stay on the floor, then heave on the rear rack and the bike goes onto it's stand.
Have you ever been fully loaded on your GS with the back wheel on the ground and can't rock the bike off the stand ? Simplest and easiest way to ride off is in gear clutch out and as gentle as you like the bike simply rolls off the stand, and you're ready to go. Works with a pillion on the back as well.
Only pointless if all you ever do is ride to
and limit your luggage to a Ib of root vegetables and parking on flat smooth asphalt.Remember there are arseholes in this world who'll happily give you their opinion on something they've never done .
Old Wobbly
Registered user
I'd end up in a heap if I sat down, but come to think of it I don't see how you'd get enough momentum sitting down to rock it off-centre. Good darts if you can as that would be quite cool!
Old Wobbly
Registered user
Leave the bike on the side stand and mount using the right hand footrest
No strain on the side stand that way, but does require some skill.
Now this I would like to see, but I just cannot get on a bike from the right - even when I've binned my enduro bike I still have to get on from the left - is that weird?
When is riding off the centre-stand actually really necessary?
When your bike is loaded, your legs are shorter than 32" inside leg, and you want to climb onto the bike using the peg, but don't want to put excess weight on the sidestand. One or more of these situations may not apply to you.
And if you can't get your foot down?
i have a 31" inside leg - i leave the bike on the side stand, then just push the bike upright, get on and and ride off. absolutely at a loss here to understand the difficulty
Paul Rochdale
Registered user
Riding a bike off it's centre stand (R80RTs) on a Kent Police Motorcycle Course was a complete no-no when I was on one. Why? Well if you need to ask, you'll never get it anyway. My R100GS-PD is always parked on it's Surefoot side stand. Because of the balance, it's almost impossible to lift onto it's centre stand. The pivots are properly lubricated and not worn out, but still a near impossibilty for me. And with panniers fitted a dead cert impossibility.
The Grey One
Registered user
Well it pisses off our V-strom riding barman (can't do it on his bike) so I need no other excuse.
John
Fair enough reason but there is actually never a good reason for doing it other than posing is there?
STUBBS
undead
its a lot easier and quicker
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when you parked the bike and it sunk and you cant bloody move it
also there is the time to really show off.
those that can........do
When i was fully loaded, including a spare tyre on the rear of the bike when on the first T.I.T.S ride you couldn't push/rock the bike off the main stand while sitting on it. Including one humorous episode after filling up in a Moroccan petrol station and two locals pushed from the rear to get it off the stand without warning me while i was sitting on it.
Easiest and safest method was riding it off the stand.
You've got to think of the bigger picture and not to your own obviously limited experience.
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