Easy park.

[Dirt-flirt]

Hi
With limited space in my garage and having to turn my heavy Gsa around before i can ride it away, I have been considering buying one of those easy park garage trolleys/dolleys.
The type that the centre stand sits on.
Do any of you use these? And how easy are they to put the bike on and take off?
Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[jbj]

Hi,

I made one of these myself and its the best thing for tight awkward spaces, getting the bike up can be a bit difficult as the plate is obviously raised slightly from the ground so the center stand is not at the same angle as it would be if it was on the ground (if you follow me!) but its really just technique.
I have used relatively small (50mm?) nylon castors and the only issue is they sometimes wont roll over small bits of gravel on the garage floor.

Hope this helps

John.

 

[alastiarmuir]

I use a rotating disc to turn the bike. If you have the room it's fine and has the benefit of being very low to the ground so the effort in getting the bike on the centre stand remains very similar. There are metal ones or plastic one both priced around 60.00 or so. Never used the trolley ones but if you have a flat surface that type might be easier.

 

[littleade]

This is the one I use on my GS. if you buy a different one be careful it is rated to take the weight as some are not sturdy enough. I can get it up against the end wall in my garage in front of my car quite easily

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Motorcycle-...DTFVE/ref=aag_m_pw_dp?ie=UTF8&m=API83S0VKJH6Z

I find it quite easy to use providing you have a decent flat garage floor and I can get my GS into a tight corner that would otherwise be impossible.

Things to watch out for are

When changing direction you need to use a bit more force to overcome the inertia and change the direction of the castors. The bike will crab a bit too as the front wheel stays put on the ground so it tends to pivot round that when moving it sidewards, but a bit of practice soon sorts that out.

Due to the extra height it takes more effort to get it o the stand using the dolly than without so again care needs to be taken depending on how big and strong you are. I'm 5'7" and 11 stone and don't have any problems providing I make sure it's sat squarely under the bike and I make sure the bike is upright on both legs of the stand before lifting. I've put a marker on the base to show me where the centre stand needs to be before lifting so it sits square and there's no chance of it tipping off which it could do if not lined up correctly.

when taking it off the centre stand it's best to do this slowly using the front brake to let the bike down as gently as possible as when the bike moves forward off the centre stand it shoots the dolly out the back, even with the brake on the dolly on. This then hits the rear tyre and if done without letting the bike down slowly can shoot out from underneath the bike and either damage you or the bike.

Would I buy another? yes without hesitation as with care it's benefits far outweigh the negatives.

HTH

 

[Nutty]

I use this, as it's small and very easy to use. It'll take the weight of the GSA, and sometimes I just leave the bike parked on there for a few days.

http://www.movetechuk.com/domestic.html

I had to spray some WD40 in there about 3 years ago, as I left it on its side and some water got between the two plates, but other than that, it's still going strong.

 

[neenaw]

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/417811-Bike-turntable

 

[Nutty]

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/417811-Bike-turntable

True. But a large number here, me included, are mechanically retarded, so want to buy something to do the job!

 

[Dirt-flirt]

Hi
Yes I've seen the turn table solution, but would like to be able to position the bike out of the way easily when not in use.
Thanks for all your comments.
Keep them coming.

 

[peterh]

I used the Becker Technik Rangier and front arm to move a K1600 about. Heavy duty well made kit - see http://www.becker-technik.de/Rangier-As_fur_Haupt_und_Seite/rangier-as_fur_haupt_und_seite.html The K is a big lump to get on the dolly, but once over the initial anxiety, using this was a doddle.

Sportouring in S Wales sell them http://www.sportouring.co.uk/product-category/serivce-maintenance/bike-lifters-and-movers/page/2/ although the sportouring site doesn't show the front arm, they can get it.

 

[Colin1958]

I bought the trolley suggested by littleade and have a problem with it. (Clearly the problem must be me).

If I put it onto the trolley with the trolley brake lever nearest to me, then once up the centre stand lever is directly over the brake lever of the trolley and I can't get the brake off. (Photo 2)

If I turn the trolley around so that the trolley brake lever is on the opposite side to me, then I can,t get the rear wheel in close enough to the trolley to centre the stand on the platform and the bike, once raised, is dangerously unstable. (Photo 1)

Sorry about the photo sequencing - I can't seem to do anything right today.

Am I missing the point? With the trolley the correct way round and the rear wheel in the trolley cut-out I simply can't get the bike up on the trolley without blocking the brake lever. All help gratefully received.

 

[diver1]

Hi,

I made one of these myself and its the best thing for tight awkward spaces, getting the bike up can be a bit difficult as the plate is obviously raised slightly from the ground so the center stand is not at the same angle as it would be if it was on the ground (if you follow me!) but its really just technique.
I have used relatively small (50mm?) nylon castors and the only issue is they sometimes wont roll over small bits of gravel on the garage floor.

Hope this helps

John.

HI,

Try a small plank of wood about 3/4" to an 1" thick under the back wheel. i.e. Roll the bike back on to the plank and then put the bike on the main stand..........................you will find it much easier...........................!

 

[Rockred]

I did what Neenaw did ,after reading his thread. Its easy to make and it works. fank you Neenaw .

 

[matchbox]

Colin- I have same problem with mine but doubt if you actually need to use the brake. Also, if you manage to get bike on trolly and have brake applied, it is almost impossible to release the brake, the bike being so heavy.
Another point with these trolleys is you need very smooth floor to be able to move bike around since the whhels are fairly small and dig into any ruts or ripples.

 

[GS_or_bust]

Colin- I have same problem with mine but doubt if you actually need to use the brake. Also, if you manage to get bike on trolly and have brake applied, it is almost impossible to release the brake, the bike being so heavy.
Another point with these trolleys is you need very smooth floor to be able to move bike around since the whhels are fairly small and dig into any ruts or ripples.

Can you just bend the brake lever out to 45 degrees so it is outside the stand?

 

[Colin1958]

Can you just bend the brake lever out to 45 degrees so it is outside the stand?

No, the bend itself is still behind the lever. I had thought of cutting it and welding an extension in, but it is a new unit that's supposed to work straight out of the box.

I am extremely impressed with BS-Motoparts in Germany though - I emailed them the photos and a description of the problem and they passed it on to a technician who agreed it won't work with the R1200GSA. They have offered free return shipping and a full refund. I have accepted and will look for an alternative solution.

Very good service & well done BS-Motoparts.

 

[littleade]

Hi Colin. Sorry to hear you're having problems. Maybe the GSA centre stand is diffetent to my GS? Here's a photo of how mine sits on the dolly. It needs to be in the right place otherwise it snags the brake arm. HTH Ade

 

[Kritou]

Hi Colin. Sorry to hear you're having problems. Maybe the GSA centre stand is diffetent to my GS? Here's a photo of how mine sits on the dolly. It needs to be in the right place otherwise it snags the brake arm. HTH Ade

Errm ..... why not turn the dolly through 180 degrees?

 

[luke scott]

I used the Becker Technik Rangier and front arm to move a K1600 about. Heavy duty well made kit - see http://www.becker-technik.de/Rangier-As_fur_Haupt_und_Seite/rangier-as_fur_haupt_und_seite.html The K is a big lump to get on the dolly, but once over the initial anxiety, using this was a doddle.

Sportouring in S Wales sell them http://www.sportouring.co.uk/product-category/serivce-maintenance/bike-lifters-and-movers/page/2/ although the sportouring site doesn't show the front arm, they can get it.

I've been using a Becker for many years every day and its fantastic.

 

[Colin1958]

Errm ..... why not turn the dolly through 180 degrees?

The cut-out isn't deep enough and it forces the centre-stand to an unsafe position.

 

[Kritou]

The cut-out isn't deep enough and it forces the centre-stand to an unsafe position.

OK ... It worked just fine with my RT