I watched a few videos about getting the bike on the Center stand. This is the first video that had me do it successfully. There were videos saying lift up and backwards. They caused me to fail and made my bad knee worse. Your explanation resulted in success.
Hi Mark and a big thank you. I watched your other (first) video: How to put your Goldwing onto its centerstand and immediately shared it with some club members. Then I saw this more recent one in which you did it with two buddies and boy, am I impressed! I want to go downstairs and try it myself!
Very good video, John. Thank you. I have learned from experience if your in an unfamiliar parking location, perform a visual check to see that there are no small divets where the center stand will approximately rest. I also "test" the center stand feet (as you mentioned) to make sure that they will not dive into a divet and upset the bike balance. Don't even try to put the bike on the center stand with the ground sloping away from you. I had never thought about the extra weight of the stand, but as you say they can be handy for changing oils and washing the bike. I once removed the rear wheel at a very big bike shop parking lot (Chapperal) , took the wheel in for a tire replacement. After replacing the rear wheel I then worked on the front wheel in a similar manner using the center stand. Some gathered around to watch.
Been wrestling with BMW GS’s for a long time. Body weight is key to putting a big BMW on a center stand. Once the bike is centered with both “feet” of the stand touching the ground, merely put your entire body weight on your right foot. No jerking. BMW’s are also designed very specifically for another purpose many folks don’t know about. They are balanced so that you can change either the front or the rear tire. If you are changing the front tire, leave the panniers and top box on and the front tire will be off the ground. If changing the rear, take off the boxes and the rear tire will be off the ground. Pretty ingenious really. Try it.
Most bikes with a center stand can be pivoted fore or aft with the application of a little weight. The center stand is typically designed to be at the center of weight distribution.
Just wanted to drop a comment saying a big thank you for this! First video out of a few that actually helped me to get my bike on it's center stand. I was struggling trying to lift up and pull backwards but your technique made it a lot easier. It was almost instant actually, especially once I tried extending my leg as you did. Bike just popped up after that 👍
Well, the wind and rain has finally stopped where I live in the UK so I tried to put my Mana on the centre stand! First attempt was a total failure, the bike never moved at all and I gaveup after one go (luckily!). Indoors I had a thought! How about releasing the HANDBRAKE? It is an automatic and has one for parking on a hill with the side stand. You cannot leave it in gear!!! With the handbrake off, I had no joy but I thought up this idea! 1. Place a ramp in front of the front wheel. 2. Lay a flat piece of wood on the ramp to stop the wheel nestling between the rungs. 3. Put another piece of wood where the side-stand will meet the ground. 4. Drive the bike onto the ramp a few inches, which raises both the side stand and the centre stand of course! 5. Put the handbrake on, turn off the ignition, and position the block under the side stand and have a coffee or whatever. 6. Follow Tinderbox instructions but the centre stand will go down further using this method!!!! 7. Release the handbrake , the bike will roll back under gravity and almost put itself on the stand for you!!! 8. If you don't have a handbrake (99.9% of you) then follow Tinder's instructions and use the front brake or you can leave the bike in gear and use the clutch of course. drive.google.com/file/d/15hi5wn9UixPjadSaMTgbjNycy5E5PBXn/view?usp=sharing You can see a damp bit of mdf has buckled so you only need to raise the front wheel a couple of inches. I have some lubing to do before the rain returns, and the chain needs tightening.
Thinking again, with a sensible piece of wood, you might be able to put the centre stand all the way down but getting off the bike safely might be difficult, and removing the ramp may cause problems too. I'll lube the centre stand in case that is what was needed.
Unless your bike has a lowered suspension (or a sagging suspension) and therefore the center stand is now too tall, you really shouldn't have to go through all of this. It should be set up so that a quick thrust with your leg as I showed in the video should pop the bike up on the stand.
Thank you very much, very useful. I am going to install a center stand in my Honda. For me the main reason is to be able to clean the chain often in a comfortable faster way. Chain maintenance I find it the key for smooth ride.
Glad it was helpful. Having a center stand does make chain maintenance much easier. Of course, it adds some weight, but the trade off is often worth it. Just make certain the center stand you are adding is the correct height for your bike.
First time Ive seen one of your videos, generally I like!! and will soon be back to see more, however, I must ask, Have you ever tried to put an NT650V onto the center stand? its hard work and definitely requires lots of lifting with the right arm.
There are bikes in which the center stand is poorly designed for the task, perhaps having the legs of the stand too long. However, you really shouldn't need to lift with your back or arms, and you could hurt yourself, even.
Thanks for this video, and all the ones concerning the 1200RT. I just purchased one and have watched a few of your videos so far. I'm very curious about the seat you have on there. Looks to be an extra low, is that correct? Trying to find one is like looking for a needle in a hay stack. Thanks.
When you see a one-piece seat like that it was a factory "low" model. Ironically, some riders find them too low and get rid of them for a taller one. They do come up on ebay and in forums from time to time. I also reshaped mine, which you can see here: th-cam.com/video/K1AQvrxjqAE/w-d-xo.html
Thanks, I was fighting with my 2008 R1200Rt to get it center standed, but after watching your video it’s a breeze now! Do you know if any place other than a BMW shop where I can purchase crash bars like yours?
Glad the centerstand is working for you now. Those crash bars I got from Ebay, believe it or not. They are knock-offs of the Wunderlich brand. Or, they may just be the same bars Wunderlich sells and made in the same factory! I'm not even sure, but they have worked well for me. I painted mine with "Ford Argent Silver" wheel paint so that they are easy to touch up if they get scratched. Check Ebay, I'm sure you can still buy them there.
A much easier method in the garage is to put a 1" piece of wood abt, 8" square, under the rear wheel and it alters the angle of the stand. Then you can lift the bike onto the stand very easily.
Some riders do feel the need for something to raise the bike higher, but I've never had a problem using the method in the video. The exception would be if the suspension has been modified to be shorter but the center stand was not shortened too.
@@tinderboxarts I suppose bikes differ. My Honda CB1100ex was very tough to lift my Guzzie much the same. . I use your method but at the age of 82 I feel I need every advantage I can get. I now have a BMW NineT and is in process of fitting a centre stand. Raising the rear is a tremendous help but you can't take a square foot of timber everywhere.
At the age of 82, you don't need to offer excuses for anything! The reality is that we all need to recognize how aging affects us physically and mentally if we are to keep riding, among other things. I'm about to turn 58, but I have already changed how I ride in some circumstances. As Clint Eastwood once said in a famous movie line: "a man has got to know his limitations."
You tore your meniscus putting your bike up on a center stand? With the right technique it really shouldn't be difficult to get the bike upright. I only weigh 140, and I can pop any bike up on it's stand without trying to yank it with my arms.
Technique. I'm 5'5" and 140. If you practice what I show in the video it will suddenly click. After you've done it once it will make more sense. The only time it can be a struggle for anybody is if the center stand itself is too tall for the bike. This can happen if the suspension is adjusted or changed, or you have a very heavy load, or the stand is a third party and not designed very well. My son has a Triumph Tiger with a center stand that's tougher than most to use. With all the luggage on and loaded the suspension can squash down.
In neutral, although it really doesn't matter getting it up on the stand since the back tire is coming off the ground. Putting the back back down, though, you don't want it in gear or else it will catch and jerk when the tire hits the ground.
@@bootz0409 Agreed. I watched several tutorials when i bought my motorcycle last year and none of them mentioned putting the clutch in or bike in neutral. And my bike never was in neutral because I would park it in gear. Maybe go back and put a caption on the video.
@doug ransom As I mentioned--even if you leave it in gear it will still go up on the stand because the back tire is immediately coming off the ground. Plus, when your bike is in gear there is also a certain amount of freeplay. The tire will roll back and forth several inches even when in gear because of this free play. So there is no issue getting the bike up on the center stand when in gear. However, when you push the bike back down off the stand you'll want to make sure it's in neutral so that it can roll and you don't unnecessarily drag the back tire.
I watched a few videos about getting the bike on the Center stand. This is the first video that had me do it successfully.
There were videos saying lift up and backwards. They caused me to fail and made my bad knee worse. Your explanation resulted in success.
That's great to hear, I'm glad it helped!
So helpful. The owners manual on my 2015 R1200RT was NOT instructive, it says “Fold out center stand and jack up motorcycle.” 🤪 your video was perfect
Hi Mark and a big thank you. I watched your other (first) video: How to put your Goldwing onto its centerstand and immediately shared it with some club members. Then I saw this more recent one in which you did it with two buddies and boy, am I impressed! I want to go downstairs and try it myself!
Very good video, John. Thank you.
I have learned from experience if your in an unfamiliar parking location, perform a visual check to see that there are no small divets where the center stand will approximately rest. I also "test" the center stand feet (as you mentioned) to make sure that they will not dive into a divet and upset the bike balance. Don't even try to put the bike on the center stand with the ground sloping away from you.
I had never thought about the extra weight of the stand, but as you say they can be handy for changing oils and washing the bike. I once removed the rear wheel at a very big bike shop parking lot (Chapperal) , took the wheel in for a tire replacement. After replacing the rear wheel I then worked on the front wheel in a similar manner using the center stand. Some gathered around to watch.
Yeah, once you have a center stand the convenience is obvious.
Been wrestling with BMW GS’s for a long time. Body weight is key to putting a big BMW on a center stand. Once the bike is centered with both “feet” of the stand touching the ground, merely put your entire body weight on your right foot. No jerking. BMW’s are also designed very specifically for another purpose many folks don’t know about. They are balanced so that you can change either the front or the rear tire. If you are changing the front tire, leave the panniers and top box on and the front tire will be off the ground. If changing the rear, take off the boxes and the rear tire will be off the ground. Pretty ingenious really. Try it.
Most bikes with a center stand can be pivoted fore or aft with the application of a little weight. The center stand is typically designed to be at the center of weight distribution.
Just wanted to drop a comment saying a big thank you for this! First video out of a few that actually helped me to get my bike on it's center stand. I was struggling trying to lift up and pull backwards but your technique made it a lot easier. It was almost instant actually, especially once I tried extending my leg as you did. Bike just popped up after that 👍
Yeah, once you experience a success it's easy from then on. Glad the video helped!
Well, the wind and rain has finally stopped where I live in the UK so I tried to put my Mana on the centre stand!
First attempt was a total failure, the bike never moved at all and I gaveup after one go (luckily!).
Indoors I had a thought! How about releasing the HANDBRAKE? It is an automatic and has one for parking on a hill with the side stand. You cannot leave it in gear!!!
With the handbrake off, I had no joy but I thought up this idea!
1. Place a ramp in front of the front wheel.
2. Lay a flat piece of wood on the ramp to stop the wheel nestling between the rungs.
3. Put another piece of wood where the side-stand will meet the ground.
4. Drive the bike onto the ramp a few inches, which raises both the side stand and the centre stand of course!
5. Put the handbrake on, turn off the ignition, and position the block under the side stand and have a coffee or whatever.
6. Follow Tinderbox instructions but the centre stand will go down further using this method!!!!
7. Release the handbrake , the bike will roll back under gravity and almost put itself on the stand for you!!!
8. If you don't have a handbrake (99.9% of you) then follow Tinder's instructions and use the front brake or you can leave the bike in gear and use the clutch of course.
drive.google.com/file/d/15hi5wn9UixPjadSaMTgbjNycy5E5PBXn/view?usp=sharing
You can see a damp bit of mdf has buckled so you only need to raise the front wheel a couple of inches. I have some lubing to do before the rain returns, and the chain needs tightening.
Thinking again, with a sensible piece of wood, you might be able to put the centre stand all the way down but getting off the bike safely might be difficult, and removing the ramp may cause problems too. I'll lube the centre stand in case that is what was needed.
Unless your bike has a lowered suspension (or a sagging suspension) and therefore the center stand is now too tall, you really shouldn't have to go through all of this. It should be set up so that a quick thrust with your leg as I showed in the video should pop the bike up on the stand.
Using the side stand is a very good insurance policy, should matters get a little more unstable than expected.
Thank you very much, very useful. I am going to install a center stand in my Honda. For me the main reason is to be able to clean the chain often in a comfortable faster way. Chain maintenance I find it the key for smooth ride.
Glad it was helpful. Having a center stand does make chain maintenance much easier. Of course, it adds some weight, but the trade off is often worth it. Just make certain the center stand you are adding is the correct height for your bike.
First time Ive seen one of your videos, generally I like!! and will soon be back to see more, however, I must ask, Have you ever tried to put an NT650V onto the center stand? its hard work and definitely requires lots of lifting with the right arm.
There are bikes in which the center stand is poorly designed for the task, perhaps having the legs of the stand too long. However, you really shouldn't need to lift with your back or arms, and you could hurt yourself, even.
Thanks for this video, and all the ones concerning the 1200RT. I just purchased one and have watched a few of your videos so far. I'm very curious about the seat you have on there. Looks to be an extra low, is that correct? Trying to find one is like looking for a needle in a hay stack. Thanks.
When you see a one-piece seat like that it was a factory "low" model. Ironically, some riders find them too low and get rid of them for a taller one. They do come up on ebay and in forums from time to time. I also reshaped mine, which you can see here: th-cam.com/video/K1AQvrxjqAE/w-d-xo.html
I think the first step to putting on the center stand is wearing some tough boots or if you must tough shoes....Stuff can go wrong!!!
Thanks, I was fighting with my 2008 R1200Rt to get it center standed, but after watching your video it’s a breeze now! Do you know if any place other than a BMW shop where I can purchase crash bars like yours?
Glad the centerstand is working for you now. Those crash bars I got from Ebay, believe it or not. They are knock-offs of the Wunderlich brand. Or, they may just be the same bars Wunderlich sells and made in the same factory! I'm not even sure, but they have worked well for me. I painted mine with "Ford Argent Silver" wheel paint so that they are easy to touch up if they get scratched. Check Ebay, I'm sure you can still buy them there.
A much easier method in the garage is to put a 1" piece of wood abt, 8" square, under the rear wheel and it alters the angle of the stand. Then you can lift the bike onto the stand very easily.
Some riders do feel the need for something to raise the bike higher, but I've never had a problem using the method in the video. The exception would be if the suspension has been modified to be shorter but the center stand was not shortened too.
@@tinderboxarts I suppose bikes differ. My Honda CB1100ex was very tough to lift my Guzzie much the same. . I use your method but at the age of 82 I feel I need every advantage I can get. I now have a BMW NineT and is in process of fitting a centre stand. Raising the rear is a tremendous help but you can't take a square foot of timber everywhere.
At the age of 82, you don't need to offer excuses for anything! The reality is that we all need to recognize how aging affects us physically and mentally if we are to keep riding, among other things. I'm about to turn 58, but I have already changed how I ride in some circumstances. As Clint Eastwood once said in a famous movie line: "a man has got to know his limitations."
@@tinderboxarts Body aged 82, feels like 60 and thinks like 18.
I tore my meniscus with this style. Need arm support as well.
You tore your meniscus putting your bike up on a center stand? With the right technique it really shouldn't be difficult to get the bike upright. I only weigh 140, and I can pop any bike up on it's stand without trying to yank it with my arms.
@@tinderboxarts What about if you're 5'7" and only 115lbs with a 400+lb bike very much like the Bonneville (is top heavy)? Is it still just technique?
Technique. I'm 5'5" and 140. If you practice what I show in the video it will suddenly click. After you've done it once it will make more sense. The only time it can be a struggle for anybody is if the center stand itself is too tall for the bike. This can happen if the suspension is adjusted or changed, or you have a very heavy load, or the stand is a third party and not designed very well. My son has a Triumph Tiger with a center stand that's tougher than most to use. With all the luggage on and loaded the suspension can squash down.
@@tinderboxarts many thanks for the reply and encouragement! I will keep trying, with a friend standing by on the offside, just in case lol
Bhaiya upper hi nhi aati jb tak kisi ko keechne ko nhi bulata
Is the bike in gear or in neutral?
In neutral, although it really doesn't matter getting it up on the stand since the back tire is coming off the ground. Putting the back back down, though, you don't want it in gear or else it will catch and jerk when the tire hits the ground.
Yeah... this is a critical piece of information that you would have done well to include in your vid. Good education though. Thankyou.
@@bootz0409 Agreed. I watched several tutorials when i bought my motorcycle last year and none of them mentioned putting the clutch in or bike in neutral. And my bike never was in neutral because I would park it in gear.
Maybe go back and put a caption on the video.
@@tinderboxarts Try it with the bike in gear.
@doug ransom As I mentioned--even if you leave it in gear it will still go up on the stand because the back tire is immediately coming off the ground. Plus, when your bike is in gear there is also a certain amount of freeplay. The tire will roll back and forth several inches even when in gear because of this free play. So there is no issue getting the bike up on the center stand when in gear. However, when you push the bike back down off the stand you'll want to make sure it's in neutral so that it can roll and you don't unnecessarily drag the back tire.