How to get this beast up on the center stand?

[Vanderwho]

My S-10 is considerably easier to get onto the center stand than my '10 FJR was. (I weigh about 160 pounds -- seems to be about the borderline between having enough weight for the bike to just "roll up" by itself when you stand on the tang, and for it to just kinda sit there.) I usually have to pull up a little bit, depending on the ambient slope.

One thing that makes the S-10 easier is the height of the grab rail. I can stand on the CS tang, and have a straight arm and back (important!) with my hand on the pillion grab rail. I hurt my back badly trying to get the FJR up, because it's so low, and I had to bend at the waist to reach its grab rail.

 

[shrekonwheels]

I dono why people think how much they weigh is relative to strength, it is not. Do not let that discourage you.

 

[VgnSTRider87]

I think it's less about weight being proportional to strength, I agree that it is not, and more that with sufficient weight you don't have to use a lot of strength to get the S10 up on the center stand. At 146, even with full gear, it's a pain to get the beast up on the stand, mainly because I have to rely mostly on strength since my weight alone is insufficient. It has been even worse since I added the Rumbux.

 

[iClint]

I'm gonna add my 2 cents and say it is purely technique and has nothing to do with strength or weight. I have a spinal injury and often put the bike on the stand in bare feet. It is all about technique.

Roll bike backwards push stand down with inertia the bike rolls up on to the stand. It like a pole vault.

 

[inglysh]

My big secret... I struggled getting the bike on the cs until one day I realized it was infinitely easier if I made sure the handlebars had the wheel pointed straight ahead. I dunno if this is common knowledge, but once I figured it out, it was like someone flipped a switch.

 

[Vanderwho]

I'm gonna add my 2 cents and say it is purely technique and has nothing to do with strength or weight. I have a spinal injury and often put the bike on the stand in bare feet. It is all about technique.

Roll bike backwards push stand down with inertia the bike rolls up on to the stand. It like a pole vault.

Wait... you use a "running start"?
???
I don't have room in my garage for that...

 

[gaps]

Not sure how your shock is set up but if you have it backed off try cranking the shock preload to max. This helps as you have less of a lift to perform

 

[iClint]

Wait... you use a "running start"?
???
I don't have room in my garage for that...

LOL not quite, its just a rocking motion. The bike MUST move backwards to lift onto the stand, Roughly about 6-8 inches.

I use about 8-10 inches.
- Left hand on left grip
- right hand on left grab rail (if the luggage is attached then the the front facing pannier handle)
- Front wheel straight.
- I then push the bike backwards 1-2 inches as i push down on the centre stand pedal
- The centre stand contacts the ground as the bike is moving backwards and inertia Rolls the bike up onto the stand

At no to time do I lift the bike or put all my weight on the centre stand, the only real effort is simply pushing the bike backwards a little. The 8-10 inches travel needed is mostly if not all the arc the centre stand travels to lift the bike.

If you get the bike 3/4's the way onto the stand but with luggage etc the blanche point is a bit further back and it doesn't quite want to go onto the stand, just hold the left grip and rear grab rail and and lean with your body to the rear of the bike any force used is pushing the bike backwards NOT lifting or trying to stand on the centre stand.

I've seen grown men struggle to get a 125cc yamaha BW/Zuma scooter on to the stand because they are trying to lift it rather than push it backwards. When you get this Rolling the bike up onto the stand technique sorted you can do it with just your fingers holding the bike.

 

[SilverBullet]

Lots of different techniques discussed here. I'm sure if someone was having a hard time setting their center stand then they can try each until they find the one that works best for them.

Here is a new technique but wont work for many, but it has worked for me on every bike I've owned with a center stand since 1973. I straddle the bike, left foot on center stand holding it to the ground, front brake on, compress forks, recoil forks and pull back quickly on the handlebars at the same time I transfer my weight to my left foot and pop it up onto the stand. Worked on my V-Strom 650, GS750, RD400, etc. I have yet to try it on the Tenere. I better try it soon before I install my raising link because I believe after that it might be too tall to do it especially with seat in the high position.

_

 

[Hungry Tiger]

Cranking the rear spring pre-load all the way up will give you a head start (lift to the apex point is reduced).

 

[chwhnd]

Wow,I am 5.9 160 lbs and have no issue at all in getting the bike on its center stand,odd..

 

[EricV]

Technique is important. Even with full farkles, Rumbux, fuel cell, fully loaded bags, a gallon of water on the fuel cell, etc, it still goes up ok. Yes, it's more difficult with fully loaded bags, but the Rumbux weight is only ~26 lbs and well distributed forward and low. I can do it bare foot, but usually am wearing riding boots.

One point, it really helps if you have a floor or ground surface that does not allow the center stand legs to slide. If they grip, it digs in and pops up. The 2x4 board trick mentioned is an excellent idea for anyone struggling. Pretty easy to toss down and just ride up on or push up, just be careful not to lose control while it's up there or the side stand will probably not help much.

 

[ExTriumphExp]

Lots of different techniques discussed here. I'm sure if someone was having a hard time setting their center stand then they can try each until they find the one that works best for them.

Here is a new technique but wont work for many, but it has worked for me on every bike I've owned with a center stand since 1973. I straddle the bike, left foot on center stand holding it to the ground, front brake on, compress forks, recoil forks and pull back quickly on the handlebars at the same time I transfer my weight to my left foot and pop it up onto the stand. Worked on my V-Strom 650, GS750, RD400, etc. I have yet to try it on the Tenere. I better try it soon before I install my raising link because I believe after that it might be too tall to do it especially with seat in the high position.

_

Any chance you can video this "new technique2 for us when you try it out???

 

[SilverBullet]

Any chance you can video this "new technique2 for us when you try it out???

Sure, just back from a few days on the road and returned to rain here so will video it first chance. I forgot and didn't try it before adding my 35mm Wasp raising link though.

_

 

[Luna]

After working for a Yamaha dealer for a number of years the gent taught me how to do the easy way. Stabilize the bike, put your left foot on the center stand pad, pull up on the seat handle with you right hand. Its awkward at first but it makes the task really easy. Good Luck

 

[SilverBullet]

Sure, just back from a few days on the road and returned to rain here so will video it first chance. I forgot and didn't try it before adding my 35mm Wasp raising link though.

_

Long overdue, had forgot about this thread. Just took the video for a local forum post and remembered.

https://youtu.be/EDXeE3Tzt2s

_

 

[Defekticon]

After working for a Yamaha dealer for a number of years the gent taught me how to do the easy way. Stabilize the bike, put your left foot on the center stand pad, pull up on the seat handle with you right hand. Its awkward at first but it makes the task really easy. Good Luck

When I bought my bike the Yamaha dealer went over how this is done. I felt like the instruction wasn't necessary, but my technique has gotten better. It's definitely easier when there isn't any luggage on the back of the bike and you're rolling the bike back with momentum as iClint says. What helps for me mostly is step 1, below as it takes some strain off my wrist if the palm is facing inward.

1. Right hand palm facing away from you grip the passenger grab handle.
2. Clutch in
3. Right foot on the centerstand foot jack
4. Step up and let the bike roll back.

Pay attention and be sure that you're not pulling the bike toward you has you step on the center stand jack.

 

[Wanderer]

Howdy,
What ever you do DON'T buy the lift handle. Very poorly designed. It mounts too low and too far forward to be of any use. I've thrown the packaging away, good luck on my part trying to return it to Wunderlich. :'(
Later,
Norm

 

[Cycledude]

My goldwing weighs a couple hundred pounds more but it's much easier to put on the center stand because it has a much lower center of gravity and the grab handle is in a much better location. But like others have said if you can get a little momentum going the Tenere pops up on the center stand pretty easy.

 

[CoastalGuy]

I am 5'11" and weigh about 135. The ST is much easier to get up on the center stand compared to my '87 FJ1200. Both bikes weigh about the same, but the ST just pops up on the center stand while getting the FJ up is a struggle. Haven't figured out why yet.