Driving off the centre stand

[Jumblemo]

I recall reading on here a while back that a few folk have mastered the technique of riding from the position of being seated on the bike with the centre stand down.

Do you do this with your LC? What's the technique?

 

[Delboy777]

I recall reading on here a while back that a few folk have mastered the technique of riding from the position of being seated on the bike with the centre stand down.

Do you do this with your LC? What's the technique?

Question is why would you want too ?

 

[rivercatch]

Question is why would you want too ?

Cos in some central london parking you don't have the option to use the side stand - nor room to stand by the bike.

Hands on bars (make sure lock is off), feet on ground behind pegs and push forward. Don't bother trying to lift up.

I could put my R on the centre stand whilst seated - that's much more useful. But I can't do it on the GS - not tall enough and I'm 6'1".

 

[Delboy777]

Cos in some central london parking you don't have the option to use the side stand - nor room to stand by the bike.

Hands on bars (make sure lock is off), feet on ground behind pegs and push forward. Don't bother trying to lift up.

I could put my R on the centre stand whilst seated - that's much more useful. But I can't do it on the GS - not tall enough and I'm 6'1".

Ok that answers that. Just one more advantage of living in Gods country, we have plenty room

 

[Mr K]

We had a bit of a craze doing this when we were younger: My mate thought it looked dead cool so gave it a go outside the newsagent on his way to work. Engine running and in gear, tried to lurch it forward off the stand, but the back wheel was spinning as it hit the ground, causing to wheelie across the road and land in a heap, much to the amusement of compulsory bus queue....

 

[Myke Rocks]

Not as yet having seen, never mind being on a toilet, I can only offer the following comments:
First of all, it depends on the stand geometry.
Thus. for example, on an 1100RT or 1150RT, it is very easy, because the stand is perfectly positioned and leaves the bike like a rocking horse. You can stand on the pegs, and, with bike on stand, bike will be neutral to front wheel on ground. Sit down and rear wheel rests on ground.
So, to ride off, just sit you arse down and hit the go button.
Since either of these 2 bikes can also be put on the mainstand without dismounting, ( I am a shortarse)
I used regularly to stop with friends, put bike onto mainstand without dismounting, and when time came
to go, just ride off.
Bought a 1200 RT. in 39 years of riding, I have never encountered a worse positioned mainstand.
The geometry is poor, with stand positioned too far back. As a consequence, the bike is very difficult to get onto mainstand, requiring rider to dismount and heave till his nuts drop. Yes I know all about putting weight on stand peg etc, but it does not work on this bike.
Riding off stand is impossible unless you have circa 20 kg in top box. This is because the rear wheel will not touch the ground even with rider seated fully in pillion position. That's how far the stand is away from balance point.
If you have a suitable bike and wish to do it: Technique required: None. Just keep feet on footrests and take off as normal.
Myke

 

[The Grey One]

I recall reading on here a while back that a few folk have mastered the technique of riding from the position of being seated on the bike with the centre stand down.

Do you do this with your LC? What's the technique?

I do it a lot on my ancient 1150, sit back a little, feed in the clutch and away you go! I try (failing miserably) to balance there for a second or two before moving off. Actually being ancient myself I find it easier to mount up with the bike on the main stand anyway. And I get a childish pleasure from the reaction of others, what more reason do you need? If the latest bike is balanced in the same way I see no reason why it can't be done.

John

 

[Wapping]

In London...

Stand in front of the bike and pull it towards you, off its center stand.

Manhandling the bike by standing in front of it is a useful skill to learn.

You can also perfect the trick of lifting the bike onto its center stand, whilst standing behind it, putting your left foot forward.

PS Not having bloody great boxes on the bike creates more space for everyone.

 

[Packer]

Just ride into the gap and lean your bike on the one beside it, saves wearing out the stands. The owner of the other bike will never be able to lift a mans bike like the GS so you don't need to worry about it being left on the floor.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Question is why would you want too ?

A lot of guys in the US do this especially when loaded on GS's. It's just a lot easier than getting it of it's main stand on to the side stand, getting aboard and then departing for Wallmart. Easy once you master it

 

[Jumblemo]

A lot of guys in the US do this especially when loaded on GS's. It's just a lot easier than getting it of it's main stand on to the side stand, getting aboard and then departing for Wallmart. Easy once you master it

That's my reason for wanting to learn this. My foot catches my luggage so I want to use the peg to mount the bike and then pull away. I don't like trusting the side stand for this.

 

[(RIP) Miff]

I don't have an LC but with the engine running, in gear with the clutch lever held IN, I just stand up, rock the bike forwards. As soon as it rolls off the stand, I let the clutch out and ride away all nonchalant like.

That's my reason for wanting to learn this. My foot catches my luggage so I want to use the peg to mount the bike and then pull away. I don't like trusting the side stand for this.

Or you could find a different way of mounting the bike, or just do it on the side stand. The stand is more than strong enough on the 1200GS Classic, so should be more than up to the job on the LC..

PS. We RIDE bikes, we do NOT drive them

 

[Wapping]

Then OP sit on the bike and practice it, probably best in a nice flat empty car park, unloaded.

The first bit you'll need to master is rocking backwards so that the rear wheel's tire meets the road. Or you'll have no drive.

Then, don't panic when the bike rises up at it rides over the 'cam' of the stand, nor when it thumps down and the stand bangs up. Panic and you will very probably fall off.

You'll probably need more revs than you might otherwise use, too. It's a noisy process, particularly if you have an open can.... But it will enhance your street cred biker look.

Learning the forward stance pull-push may well be easier.

 

[JayC]

In London...

Stand in front of the bike and pull it towards you, off its center stand.

Manhandling the bike by standing in front of it is a useful skill to learn.

You can also perfect the trick of lifting the bike onto its center stand, whilst standing behind it, putting your left foot forward.

PS Not having bloody great boxes on the bike creates more space for everyone.

Indeed it is , and is the only means for placing as many bikes as possible in as small a space as possible, one next to the other, for bike showrooms.

 

[Little-Brit]

A lot of guys in the US do this especially when loaded on GS's. It's just a lot easier than getting it of it's main stand on to the side stand, getting aboard and then departing for Wallmart. Easy once you master it

I can't think of a better way of fucking up a motorcycle stand!

 

[Wapping]

Indeed it is , and is the only means for placing as many bikes as possible in as small a space as possible, one next to the other, for bike showrooms.

Or moving them about in my garage. Fraught with danger.

The trick is to flick the side stand down BEFORE you start the ballet dance, or you'll be juggling around in a comedy like way.... Sometimes followed by CRASH! But the OP will probably get that riding off his center stand, so what the hell.

 

[(RIP) Tunneruk]

I used to rock my 12GSA off it's centre stand and ride away all in one move while standing on the pegs.

It's all well and good when it all goes smoothly, get it wrong and one of the cylinders is going into the tarmac!

 

[Wapping]

Tunneruk has set the scene.

A crowded motorcycle bay in Central London, probably with a downhill camber by the rear wheel to allow drainage. Loud revving, up she goes.... Whoa! Down she comes, sideways. I hope he leaves a nice note giving his insurance details to the bikes on either side that he's demolished.

It strikes me that if he has enough room to slide in, climb on and ride it out off the main stand, there's probably enough room to stand alongside and rock it off its main stand as normal, though it is less exciting.

Sensibly, the stand at the front push-pull method is probably easiest and a lot less noisy.

 

[The Grey One]

I can't think of a better way of fucking up a motorcycle stand!

I've been doing it for years with no problems. Please explain how it this would lead to the "fucking up" of a motorcycle stand as you so eloquently put it.

John

 

[Wingless]

Perhaps because of the extra weight there is additional and unnecessary wear to the pivot points !