Is a lifting handle any good?

[dave hendy]

I am after some feed back on the lifting handle to help put the GS on the centre stand. I have seen either the one from Nippy Norman or the one from Wunderlich, does anyone know how they compare? Being only 5ft 8in and 11.5 stone I am a bit worried about putting the bike on the centre stand on my up coming trip to Spain when it will have loaded panniers and Givi E52 top box. I usually find it more difficult to take the bike off the stand than put it on it for some strange reason!

Dave

 

[Droopy Dick]

I am after some feed back on the lifting handle to help put the GS on the centre stand. I have seen either the one from Nippy Norman or the one from Wunderlich, does anyone know how they compare? Being only 5ft 8in and 11.5 stone I am a bit worried about putting the bike on the centre stand on my up coming trip to Spain when it will have loaded panniers and Givi E52 top box. I usually find it more difficult to take the bike off the stand than put it on it for some strange reason!

Dave

FWIW, I put an Wunderlich one on my 1150.

And it DOES help enormously, not least because it seems to enable my hand to sit at more natural angle than if I were gripping part of the bike's frame.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

TBH I have found the GS12 one of the easiest (big) bikes to get on (and off) it's centre stand, even when fully loaded.

Perhaps it's a question of technique?

The knack is to push down with your foot hard onto the centre stand and grab the pillion footrest hanger in order to pull the bike back. All the work is done by your leg, pushing your weight through it. Your hand is there more for balance rather than 'lifting'.

Not sure if that will help and hopefully not teaching you ' to suck eggs'.

Andres

 

[Emoto]

I put the Wunderlich handle on my R1200GS and it is definitely a good improvement. I am a pretty big guy, but still found it difficult to put the fully loaded bike up on the stand. Now it is relatively easy again.

 

[Gas'd Off]

I usually find it more difficult to take the bike off the stand

Use the engine and ride off the stand, much much easier than trying to push when loaded to the Gunoles

 

[cordroy]

Lifting Handle

Bought mine on the day I collected the bike. Fitted it as soon as I got home and I think I've used it twice
I find that I have to bend my knees too much to lift the bike onto the stand when using the handle and that strains my back more than I like
I now use my right foot to push down on the centre stand and pull up with my right hand on the left side pillion grab - that way my back stays straight and most of the work is done by the right foot which is pushing down on the stand - I put almost all of my weight on the stand and even fully loaded she pops onto the centre stand a treat
I also push the left bar away from me so as not to knock the mirror out of position
All a question of choice and technique really, but I wouldn't bother again

 

[GSmonkey]

I avoid the mainstand when fully loaded....can't see an issue with just using the sidestand. At the end of the journey when the bike is unloaded, put on the mainstand to check/fill oil. Just an idea.

 

[Droopy Dick]

when loaded to the Gunoles

Ahem ... gunwhales.

 

[Yellow Peril]

FWIW I am a short ass and have no problem getting her up on to the centre stand fully loaded, I will admit I do actually stand full weight on the centre stand but she goes up nice and easy.

 

[gfspencer]

I put the Wunderlich handle on my R1200GS and didn't like it. I tried to use it once and took it off! I found that I can grab the frame easier than I could grab the Wunderlich handle.

 

[Eddy802]

I have to agree. It's never a problem, although I have removed the grab rail which makes it only marginally more difficult.

 

[dave hendy]

Lifting handle

I may wait and see how I cope with the bike loaded before I decide about the handle as I don’t think I really need it the rest of the time. If I do get one I will probably go for the Wunderlich one as I think it suits the bike best although it is more expensive than the one from ‘NN’. I will work on my technique and eat more ‘shredded wheat’ in the mean time. Thanks for all your comments.

Dave

 

[cookie]

Ahem ... gunwhales.

ahem ... gunwales

 

[sparkplug]

ahem ... gunwale noun {C} (ALSO gunnel)

and to answer the original question - technique, practice and confidence is all you need

 

[MotorcyclingJim]

HI,
I have the Wunderlich and it works great. Screw the attaching bolt on tightly and it doesn't move on you. I am travelling fully loaded, and I found it difficult lifting the bike befofe I got it. (I know, there's technique, but after a long day of hot riding, I just want to get it on the stand). Someone posed why one would not just leave it on the sidestand? I find the sidestand precarious when my bike is fully loaded; I feel like it's going to tip over with the weight, plus when loading up the bike and cinching the straps, once, I pulled the bike over and tipped it on its side. I felt stupid, but hey, it wouldn't have happened on the centre stand!

BTW, I also bought the Wunderlich sidestand foot enlarger, and that thing is fabulous. Much more stable in all conditions and it is good for putting on grass or gravel instead of carrying a piece of wood.

Cheers

 

[The Machine Cat]

I have one and I use it... but... I should not.
One of my friend showed me how to lift the GS1200, and if you do it properly, you do not need anything else. You have to really STAND on the centre stand, and the bike gets lifted like by magic...

 

[Fanum]

Yup, what they said.


Being a fat bastard helps too

 

[Miriam]

Not the most graceful way of introducing myself on this forum... but I registered because I really wanted to ask French Frog & others who have responded to this OP a question:

Y’all say just STAND on the center stand with all you weight and up she pops. I'll be picking up my new GS next week and am a bit worried about getting it on the CS. I'm 5.5 and 127#. In anticipation I've already ordered the Wunderlich handle.

Does it come down to this: How much weight do you need to pop her up, no luggage? Will my 127# be sufficient? Do I need to gain weight? (Hope not…) Any and all tips welcome, because I do want to be able to handle this bike on my own. Previously I owned a 1150RT w/o any problems re CS on or off.

Thanks!

 

[VAL. H.]

Not the most graceful way of introducing myself on this forum...
Does it come down to this: How much weight do you need to pop her up, no luggage? Will my 127# be sufficient? Do I need to gain weight? (Hope not…) Any and all tips welcome, because I do want to be able to handle this bike on my own. Previously I owned a 1150RT w/o any problems re CS on or off.

Thanks!

Hi Miriam Welcome aboard.
Getting a bike 'any bike' on the centre stand is about technique and practice. If you managed to put a 1150 RT on its stand you aint going to be beaten by the 1200GS cos it's much lighter.
Your hight suggests that you will benefit from fitting a lifting handle, as to use the grab rail nessesetates longer arms than I imagine you at 5'5" have (none meant).
I always get off the bike using the side stand. Then I put it on the centre stand with less risck of dropping it. With the bike upright push the c'stand down with the ball of your right foot, rock the bike till both feet of the stand are touching the grownd, centralise your waight over the seat and stand up on your right foot, (if your waight is central over the bike and your foot on the stand the bike should be now ballenced and holding it's self upright) now holding the chosen hand hold (idealy one close to your right hip) press your waight down on to the stand and lift slightly with your right hand straightening your leg and back at the same time (some times it is easyer to get the bike to rock on the stand ie a couple of half lifts first to get the momentom going) and the bike will be on its stand. job done, bosh!
If you want some help with this pop in to your lokal bike training school and I'm sure they will gladly help.

 

[dave hendy]

Lifting handle

After my 9 day Mci trip to Barcellona I have decided not to bother with the lifting handle. I managed to lift the bike fully loaded, panniers givi 52L topbox and tankbag without any real problems. Although I did get my wife to stand on the oposite side just incase it started to go over.

Dave