Does anyone know if there are centre stands of different heights. I have used centre stands on a daily basis with previous bikes, but I'm finding the GS very difficult to get on the stand unless I place plywood under the rear wheel - and this with height assist activated with gearbox in neutral. Gap between rear tyre and ground 40mm. I read people stating it is very easy, and there are plenty of YouTube videos showing people doing little more than standing on the lever. Any advice welcome.
R1300GS Centre stand height
- Thread starter turbinia
- Start date
Doubt you'd be able to get a different height one, but the plywood trick isn't a bad idea.
I'd only use the centre stand at home anyway, as the bike is more stable on the side stand.
As to technique, left hand on the left handlebar, right foot on the centre stand tine, right hand palm up pulling on the passenger grab rail. All your weight goes up onto your right foot (the step) at the same time pull up with your right hand. It's these two forces together (push down and pull up) that do the job.
I'd only use the centre stand at home anyway, as the bike is more stable on the side stand.
As to technique, left hand on the left handlebar, right foot on the centre stand tine, right hand palm up pulling on the passenger grab rail. All your weight goes up onto your right foot (the step) at the same time pull up with your right hand. It's these two forces together (push down and pull up) that do the job.
Something I hadn't noticed till yesterday is that the assist works in 2 phases with a small gap in timing, lifting the rear first then the front a few seconds later. I was at home with a quiet background so the motor operation was more obvious vs a noisy garage forecourt which is where I normally use the centre stand to get the bike level when fueling. I wonder if it is possible to be "too quick" in pulling the bike onto the stand such that the bike is still a bit "nose down" which won't help with leverage angles. I need to experiment because there has been a couple of times it has felt harder than others and generally I find the 13' easier than the 1250 to put onto the centre stand.
Mine didn't come with a centre stand so I can't comment on effort. But standing beside the bike with it running, when you lower the stand do you notice the bike raising before lifting it up on the stand?
Yes. Rear then front, and then attempting to put it onto the stand.
I guess with the auto lift working that's the best you're going to get. Apparently they make at least 4 different height stands (rather than one adjustable one) for the different versions, then with and without auto height. I guess it's possible they mistakenly fitted a taller one.
To avoid any confusion, the 4 different height stands are side stands, rather than centre stands.
Martin GSA UK
Registered user
OP, do you have the 'Comfort' version of the adaptive ride height? If so, even after the suspension raises, you're 20mm lower than the standard suspension.
According to the fiche it appears they're showing 4 different side and 7 different centre stands. There are what, 3 different height suspensions low, normal and high, and each with or without auto lowering. When I priced a centre stand it took the parts man a while to figure out which one I needed, he had to look up my actual bike, and none of the stands are sold as a complete kit. He had to price the correct stand plus every individual screw, nut, washer, spacer, spring, etc. The total came to over $600 so I am doing without one.
It has the Adaptive Vehicle Height Control and the comfort seat and is standard chassis. I'm not familiar with 'Comfort Adaptive Height Control'?
Martin GSA UK
Registered user
" Adaptive Height Control Comfort" has a lowered suspension (by 20mm) on which the "Adaptive" magic works. I expect it's the GS's (not Adventure) suspension components, as it has reduced suspension travel, just like the GS.
It's just like the previous 1250s, where it was possible to buy GSAs and GSs with a lowered suspension. However, for the 1300s, you can't get it in lowered form without also having the Adaptive system. I would double check yours. In my experience, the dealer's sales guys did not know which version their own demo bikes had.
That's very interesting, and certainly was never discussed during the viewing and ordering process.
Is it possible to determine which system is fitted by sight or is it all internal magic?
Martin GSA UK
Registered user
Your bike should have a spec sheet in the delivery pack you were given. It will say on that. Alternatively, ring your dealer, give them your chassis number and they can check.
With the 1250GSA it was fairly apparent. It looked a bit squat and lower. My dealer had a lowered 1300GSA demo ("Comfort" version), it wasn't noticeable to me.
The back story is; I rode that demo, really liked the bend in my knees when flat footing and ordered the Adaptive ride height. When mine arrived and I sat on it, we realised it wasn't as low as the demo bike. It was then the sales guy checked and found the demo was a "Comfort" version. I can still flat foot mine, so I stuck with it, but the extra knee bend was nice.
With the 1250GSA it was fairly apparent. It looked a bit squat and lower. My dealer had a lowered 1300GSA demo ("Comfort" version), it wasn't noticeable to me.
The back story is; I rode that demo, really liked the bend in my knees when flat footing and ordered the Adaptive ride height. When mine arrived and I sat on it, we realised it wasn't as low as the demo bike. It was then the sales guy checked and found the demo was a "Comfort" version. I can still flat foot mine, so I stuck with it, but the extra knee bend was nice.
Thank you. I very much appreciate the information.
Beerman
Registered user
I am pretty sure the comfort version us only on the GSA. It's different to adaptive suspension and a lowered seat.
Martin GSA UK
Registered user
From Google AI search:
"Yes, the BMW R1300GS offers two versions of the Adaptive Vehicle Height control system: the standard version and the Comfort version.
How the system works:
Automatic Lowering: When you come to a stop or slow down (around 15-16 mph), the suspension lowers by either 30 mm (Standard) or 50 mm (Comfort) to make it easier to plant your feet on the ground.
Automatic Raising: As you accelerate and reach approximately 31-33 mph, the suspension raises back to its normal riding height.
Jacking Aid: When the ignition is on, the system helps lift the motorcycle so you can deploy the center stand with significantly less effort.
Key Details: The Comfort option provides an even lower resting seat height (permanently lowering the chassis by an additional \(20\) mm over the standard setup and offering a total height reduction of up to \(50\) mm).The adaptive ride height feature requires the Dynamic Suspension Adjustment (DSA) package as a prerequisite.You can configure the bike and explore these chassis options on the BMW Motorrad UK website or by consulting a local dealer to arrange a demo.
"Yes, the BMW R1300GS offers two versions of the Adaptive Vehicle Height control system: the standard version and the Comfort version.
How the system works:
Automatic Lowering: When you come to a stop or slow down (around 15-16 mph), the suspension lowers by either 30 mm (Standard) or 50 mm (Comfort) to make it easier to plant your feet on the ground.
Automatic Raising: As you accelerate and reach approximately 31-33 mph, the suspension raises back to its normal riding height.
Jacking Aid: When the ignition is on, the system helps lift the motorcycle so you can deploy the center stand with significantly less effort.
Key Details: The Comfort option provides an even lower resting seat height (permanently lowering the chassis by an additional \(20\) mm over the standard setup and offering a total height reduction of up to \(50\) mm).The adaptive ride height feature requires the Dynamic Suspension Adjustment (DSA) package as a prerequisite.You can configure the bike and explore these chassis options on the BMW Motorrad UK website or by consulting a local dealer to arrange a demo.
Also from Google AI:
The Adaptive Vehicle Height Control Comfort system is exclusively available as a factory option on the R 1300 GS Adventure. It is not offered on the standard R 1300 GS, which only features the standard Adaptive Vehicle Height Control system.
Beerman
Registered user
Google AI is not accurate on this (it's GSA only).
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