Getting it up (onto the centre stand)

Neil A

Neil A

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Is there an aftermarket handle or something to assist with getting a 2004 GS onto the centre stand? I am sure it's giving me lower back pain as I have to reach down too low to raise the bike onto its stand. Plus it's an awkward twist for me (6ft tall). I'm not normally given to a bad back.
Had plenty of other bikes without the same issue, so it's not basic technique - I'm putting my full weight down onto the lever bit of the stand itself. It's the pulling up at the same time that's the problem.
All the best
Neil
 
I am 5'7" 10.5 stone and can normally get it up on the centre stand by keeping the bike/handlebars straight, pushing my weight down through my left foot on the centrestand while pulling up slightly with my left hand (on left hand grip) and right hand on rear pillion grab. Nearly always put it on the centre stand when I stop while out on a run and no real problems (panniers always fitted).

Most of the effort is through my foot as I found out today when I could not get it up while wearing a pair of lightweight trainers and with a full tank of petrol. Once I put on a pair of decent boots I was able to get it up okay, not that easy though.
 
Centrestand problems.

Neil A said:
Is there an aftermarket handle or something to assist with getting a 2004 GS onto the centre stand? I am sure it's giving me lower back pain as I have to reach down too low to raise the bike onto its stand. Plus it's an awkward twist for me (6ft tall). I'm not normally given to a bad back.
Had plenty of other bikes without the same issue, so it's not basic technique - I'm putting my full weight down onto the lever bit of the stand itself. It's the pulling up at the same time that's the problem.
All the best
Neil
Click to expand...

You are suffering from the redesign which took place on earlier r1200 models.
On the 1100/1150 models, I could put them onto the centre stand without getting off the bike.

This is not possible with earlier 1200 models.
they have since put the stand geometry back to where it was, and later bikes are, once again, easy to get onto stand.
A handle will not help. I have tried.
Nippy Norman sells.
Myke
 
Don El Eee said:
Wunderlich do one...

Never needed one myself.
Click to expand...

In all honesty I bought one of these - but it didn't help at all...

I found a more secure grasp and better leverage came from using a solid part of the bike. I ended up chucking the handle away after a few scary moments with it...

practice makes perfect... and save a few quid and buy some Voltarol maybe ??
 
There's a technique to it - it's not lifting up, it's more pulling back kinda thing. Once you get it figured out it's actually easy, even fully loaded!
 
agree with skyenet on hand positions and footwear. My fear is taking it off stand, either getting clouted in the leg by the stand springing up or the bike rolling too far forward.
 
seanb said:
agree with skyenet on hand positions and footwear. My fear is taking it off stand, either getting clouted in the leg by the stand springing up or the bike rolling too far forward.
Click to expand...

I normally have the sidestand out, even if the bike is on the centre stand, 1st gear in, clutch pulled. Should it beginn to roll uncontrollably, I just release the clutch. And the side stand gives me the little extra portion of safety.

Alexander
 
I've got one of the early rounded stands and it's really not an issue for me - yes it's harder work then my old R1100R but I expected that. Just stand on it and grab the handle on the luggage rack push back - let your weight do the work, although if you're not consuming enough pies you may have to work at it a bit :P
 
krautsalat said:
I normally have the sidestand out, even if the bike is on the centre stand, 1st gear in, clutch pulled. Should it beginn to roll uncontrollably, I just release the clutch. And the side stand gives me the little extra portion of safety.

Alexander
Click to expand...

That wouldnt be funny at all if it bump started whilst carrying out that maneuver!
visions of norman wisdom being dragged behind an evil lawn mower spring to mind :bounce1
 
smartbear said:
That wouldnt be funny at all if it bump started whilst carrying out that maneuver!
visions of norman wisdom being dragged behind an evil lawn mower spring to mind :bounce1
Click to expand...

the ignition is OFF, of course ;-) Did I forget to mention that?:pullface
 
One thing I do like about my RS (I know it's not a GS) it has a hand hole to grab hole of when putting the bike on the centre stand.


The real question is how to get the bike off the centre stand, when you have short legs so can't hop on the bike and push it off when sat on it..
 
I've just bought a 2006 model GS with only 3000 miles on the clock. My other bike is a 2008 model Varadero and believe you me putting a fully laden Varadero on its centre stand is an effort, to put it mildly.

The GS is a lightweight compared to a Vara and comes up on its stand with a gentle but firm pull on the left handlebar and right side of luggage rack.

I'm 6'7" but weigh only 13 stone. If you weigh more so much better as it will help you when you put your weight on the centre stand with your right foot.

Some words of wisdom: always have your side stand out when trying to put your bike on the main stand - its an insurance should your right foot slip and the bike starts going all over the place. Before pulling the bike on its centre stand push the stand down until both its two feet touch the ground to ensure the bike is level, then go all the way and pull the bike on its centre stand. Its down to practice and confidence really, no big deal once you've mastered the technique.

My bike came with a low seat unfortunately. Any pointers where I can find a decent HIGH seat in light gray?

See you beemers around.

Brian
 
5'8, 78kg here and have no problems getting my GSA onto its stand.

Agree that it's far more to do with technique than lift strength.

Left hand on left grip, all your weight through a single weighted foot on the stand, then as it lifts, just guiding it lightly by gripping the subframe or luggage rack with your right hand and pulling up and right.
 
skyenet said:
I am 5'7" 10.5 stone and can normally get it up on the centre stand by keeping the bike/handlebars straight, pushing my weight down through my left foot on the centrestand while pulling up slightly with my left hand (on left hand grip) and right hand on rear pillion grab.
Click to expand...

Have to agree - before I bought my GSA I worried I wouldn't be able to get the thing on the centrestand and was already contemplating buying the wunderlich handle to help - No Need! It really is all in the technique......I tend to put as much weight through my foot as possible and use my right hand on the pillion grab (purely for control.....not to try and lift the thing :eek:).
 
Get it balanced on the centre stand, then just put all your weight on the lever and up she pops. Probably one of the easier bikes I've owned re. getting it on the stand.

Getting it off is just as easy. Pop out the sidestand, push it off the centre stand and lay it onto the sidestand.
 
Maybe it is not technique

Many correspondents to this thread are obviously on later R1200 version, which is so easy to put on & off stand it is unreal.
One person asked how to get it safely off stand.
Do as I used to do on 1100. (Not so easy on early 1200 without lots of luggage)
Just put bike in gear & ride it off stand.
On the 1200 One has to "Bump" one's arse on the seat as well because of the poor balance point, but it works.
Did it for 2 years on 1100, gave up on 1200 becaue it is too dificult to get onto stand in first place.
Myke
 
I'm 5'7" also and have always struggled with getting bikes on the centre stand, I rarely did it on the R1150R. However I can pop up the 1200 without too much trouble, and can just manage it with full panniers. I agree with the comments about technique and using significant pressure through the foot. I use the TT pannier frames as a grip point. But I do believe the later bikes, mine is a 2008, have also made it easier with a better balance point, than earlier 1200s.

One word of warning though about leaving the side stand down while taking it off the centre stand. I left the side stand down by mistake once while popping it off the centre, while astride the bike with my partner on the pillion(not something I do often but there were reasons). As it came of the centre and the suspension compressed it hit the side stand and just chucked the bike and us over to the right on the concrete drive. Not fun.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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