cant get it up!

[Guest]

its not what you think. Im talking about the center stand. I have a gs1100 ed. no matter how much I strain, I cannot get that up on the stand. I have to get help to do it. Nearly fell over trying to do it getting ready to change the fork seals. Used a jack to lift it high enough to bring down the stand. This bike is over 500lbs. Ive read the owners manual and Im not scrawney or weak but I am getting aches and pains with my advanced age (54). any tips?

[tkent02]

You're not doing it right.

[TheCafeKid]

Stand over the bike. Push down on the centerstand tang until you feel both feet touching the ground. Grab the grab bar and the left hand grip. Stand o the tang while lifting and pulling back. Should pop right up on it pretty easy. Some GSes are harder than others and the only thing I can attribute it to is center of gravity and location of the stand itself.

[Nessism]

Key point is to put all your weight on the center stand arm while pulling up at the same time.

[kdo58]

it is easy with hard soul boots, it all about putting weight on the center stand, not really much lifting involved.

[koolaid_kid]

At 560 pounds wet they are not lightweights. The key for me is getting both feet of the centerstand on the ground prior to starting to rock back, as TCK stated. They are also somewhat high, which adds to the thrill.

[SqDancerLynn1]

Is the suspension stock? Stock size tires ? If the bike is lowered any it will make it very hard. At home I use a piece of a 2x4- roll the rear tire up on it and it goes up on the center stand real easy..

[spyug]

As mentioned, the secret is to make sure both feet of the stand are down. If the bike is leaning in to you they won't be. You have to be a bit careful as the bike may seem like it will go over to the right but it does need to be perpendicular for both feet to touch.

Do it once or twice and you will have it down.

Good luck with it.

Cheers,
Spyug

[sedelen]

It does take a little effort, a little balance. I turn the handlebars all the way to the left, make sure both ends of the stand touch the ground, then push down on the stand while pulling up on the grab bar and back on the handlebar.
Actually it's easier to get the GS1100E on the centerstand than my
GS1000E, I either have to strain or rock it to get the momentum to pop it
up on the stand, not very easy but I can do it. It helps if I lean towards the back of the bike and keep my left arm straight.

Lot's of you tube video's on how to do it, here's one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3m8AAzaAsA&feature=related

[tom203]

Highway Glider said "I raise my bike with the kickstand out. (As a catchall if I should fail) "

Good advice; before dismounting, I always deploy kickstand, just in case my right leg gets hung up on something during my departure.

[1_v8_merc]

There is a bar you need to grab at the rear left of the bike(rider's left).

You grab That with your right hand, and knuckles pointed towards You.
Then bring yourself tight against the bike, with knuckles tucked against your Hip-area.
Then left hand on the left handle-bar.
Bring the center-stand down with Right foot and hold it there.

Now I crouch down until it feels right then Launch back up like I'm doing a Deadlift.


The other method I used to do was to walk the bike forward then start rolling the bike backwards really fast, then slam the center-stand down and just keep my foot locked on it. It was pretty dangerous, but that was the only way I knew at the time, lol.

[officerbill]

I found getting the 850 on the center stand harder than getting my Goldwing up. However the afore mentioned both feet of the stand down and lifting with your legs idea normally brings either bike up.

[1948man]

My last thought when I make the move to rock onto the stand is to contract my right quad and try to push the foot of the centerstand down right thru the concrete (or whatever the surface is.) Otherwise, just like everybody else. I think more about the push down than the lift. I'm 63 and can do my 1100gl easily although I have found some larger bikes easier.

[Glen]

I had problems with my 1100ED when I first got it. grabbing the shock with my right hand has helped a ton, now it's pretty easy

[850 Combat]

As posted earlier, it is much more difficult if the bike has been lowered. Rolling it backwards does help a bit. if you are moving it backwards and jump on the stand, momentum is on your side. Make sure the bike is vertical as well. If it is leaned, you have to lift it even higher.

I'm sure you will master the technique.