If you did do any maintenance, you'd understand the value of having a center stand. I like it just for checking tire pressures and washing and cleaning the bike.
Getting the NT on the Centerstand
- Thread starter tawilke46
- Start date
Perhaps this isn't an issue with the NT but my main fear with leaving the side stand down while taking the bike off the center stand is that the suspension would sag enough (especially if leaning a bit left) to drive the side stand into the ground and send the bike over to the right.
I guess the side stand is short enough that this isn't a problem?
I've taken the bike off the center stand both while on it and beside it. I prefer while on it as I feel I have more control but the center stand lifts the rear so little that it is difficult to get a good forward "rocking" motion to collapse the stand. I also think the stand actually angles a bit more forward than other bikes I've had and therefore has a tendency to actually skid across the ground instead of collapsing.
I couldn't get the NT off my park n' move without a push from behind. I think a little grip tape is in order to keep the stand from skidding.
I guess the side stand is short enough that this isn't a problem?
I've taken the bike off the center stand both while on it and beside it. I prefer while on it as I feel I have more control but the center stand lifts the rear so little that it is difficult to get a good forward "rocking" motion to collapse the stand. I also think the stand actually angles a bit more forward than other bikes I've had and therefore has a tendency to actually skid across the ground instead of collapsing.
I couldn't get the NT off my park n' move without a push from behind. I think a little grip tape is in order to keep the stand from skidding.
I think the only time I've had the sidestand touch anything when I've rocked the bike off the centerstand (from the side, not while sitting on it) was the time it came down on my foot. As graceful as I am, I'd probably drop the bike toward me when I tried to put the sidestand down if I were to leave it up.
I like to put the bike on the center stand when I fuel it up, but I always start by putting down the side stand to get off. Then, after I raise it on the center stand, I put the side stand up.
A few times I have forgotten to put the side stand up, and then when I rock it forward to get off the center stand, the side stand strikes the ground and propels the bike to the right. I have never dropped it that way, but it is still a hazard.
A few times I have forgotten to put the side stand up, and then when I rock it forward to get off the center stand, the side stand strikes the ground and propels the bike to the right. I have never dropped it that way, but it is still a hazard.
taldric
Guest
Personaly I always put the side stand up before taking the bike off the center stand. I'm always worried about the side stand catching or hitting something and throwing the bike to the right side. But the again, I'm always straddling the bike when I take it off the center stand so I have a foot on each side to catch it no matter which way it wants to fall. Oh yeah - and a hand on the brake in case it decides to try to roll away!
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2011
- Messages
- 47
- Bike
- Red 2014 FJR
I've posted before telling about the problem I was having getting it up on the center stand. I resorted to building up a small block to run the rear wheel up on then I could get it on the stand with no problem.
Well miracles do happen. A friend was over the other night who has been giving me a hard time for months now about not being to "get it up". He said let's go try it again. He watched me and in about 2 minutes of trying he showed me what I've been doing wrong. He corrected my technique and up it went. It didn't take brute force after all, just doing it correctly. Now I know a lot of you veteran MC riders are smiling as you read this and you have a right to. It really isn't hard once you've figured it out.
It just takes me a lot longer than most!
Well miracles do happen. A friend was over the other night who has been giving me a hard time for months now about not being to "get it up". He said let's go try it again. He watched me and in about 2 minutes of trying he showed me what I've been doing wrong. He corrected my technique and up it went. It didn't take brute force after all, just doing it correctly. Now I know a lot of you veteran MC riders are smiling as you read this and you have a right to. It really isn't hard once you've figured it out.
It just takes me a lot longer than most!
Don't feel bad, rain. I had a Kawasaki Concours from '99 till '10 and everybody said all it took was technique to get it up on the centerstand. Well, if that was so, I never mastered the technique. I could get it onto the centerstand but it was never easy. For me the NT has been way, waaaaaayyy easier than the Connie.
Glad you mastered it!
Glad you mastered it!
junglejim
Site Supporter
The Marines would just lift the rear up and then, with the left foot, lower the center stand and set the bike back down.
Loaded up or empty - even a Concours or ST - using only 2 fingers to lift with.
Hmm, any chance you were a Marine, Jim?
junglejim
Site Supporter
And the Navy would just submerge it to increase bouyancy to make it easier to lift.
The Air Force would have an electro-hydralulc lifting device to handle it. Just like a BMW only wieghing 100# more and costing 10X more.
No, Phil, I was an Army Sgt. but worked with the Marines in Viet Nam.
jackgermain
Guest
Well - I am 5' 9" and weigh 142lb - putting it up on the center stand seems pretty easy to me. Guess it's all in the technique. Keep practicing and you'll get it.
Folks, it is all leverage. Do not try to lift the bike with your arms. Push the stand straight down with your thigh. I am 193 lbs now, ( down from 245lb.) and my bikes still almost jump up on there own stands. Make sure both feet of the stand is making good contact with the ground first.
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This works for me too, but I agree with others that it is not as easy as getting the PC800 up in its centerstand.
Dave
And your body weight does figure in. If I stand on my NT sidestand that's not enough to do it. I have to pull up on the grab rail somewhat to get it up on the stand. (ST's have a retractable handle on the left side for this purpose, BTW).
Some planning is in order for placing either on the centerstand or sidestand if the surface is not level AND flat or if you've got a flat tire. Think it through. In addition to bike weight, lengths of the various components of the stand make it easier or harder and either more or less stable, depending on how all the angles work out. And those angles are affected by whether the stand is going, for example, into a depression or bulge in the surface relative to the wheel contact points.
Some planning is in order for placing either on the centerstand or sidestand if the surface is not level AND flat or if you've got a flat tire. Think it through. In addition to bike weight, lengths of the various components of the stand make it easier or harder and either more or less stable, depending on how all the angles work out. And those angles are affected by whether the stand is going, for example, into a depression or bulge in the surface relative to the wheel contact points.
The dealer told me (when I bought my VFR) to lower the stand until both sides touch the solid surface and
then push down on the stand as if you were trying to shove it into the concrete (or whatever the surface
that you are parking on). My VFR use to lift right up onto the stand. I suspect that the NT will do the same
thing. I am gonna practive Wednesday.
Joe
then push down on the stand as if you were trying to shove it into the concrete (or whatever the surface
that you are parking on). My VFR use to lift right up onto the stand. I suspect that the NT will do the same
thing. I am gonna practive Wednesday.
Joe
Way to go! Folks can type a 15 page description of how to put the bike on the center stand but having someone there to show you is always the best option. Some bikes are definitely easier than others. I helped a buddy get his C14 on the center stand a few weeks back. He had not been placing both feet of the stand on the ground (he felt like the bike might fall over). With me spotting for him and both feet of the stand on the ground, the bike popped right up! "Wow! That was easy!" he said. 
skiper
Guest
getting NT off centerstand. I was sitting with my left elbow on tank - chin in left hand - watching blue moon go down over catskill mtns. dozed off and woke quickly to the thought - there's coffee brewing back in camp by now. hurriedly rocked forward - stll half asleep and my left leg just gave out. don't know why- brand new boots with much higher heel ? foot just didn't place correctly and bike began slowly tipping. gave it more than i had to save my sweet thing and ripping hamstring pain took over. slow motion gravel kiss - no damage to nt - only my leg. most severe pain i ever had in leg. could not ride bike. samaritan drove past - harley chap - came over and helped me out. thanks again chuck -if yur out there buzz me - short story is giving myself acupuncture and resting two days made it possible to ride . oh and going with larry fieroguy and his wife to a bhuddist monastery for a fifty year celebration gave me more ability to heal up.by the way during the chanting i felt a funny swirling tickle at gb-30 which is in the glute. thought someone was behind me doing something stupid ! but larry wasn't behind me anymore just a little old chinese woman. pain and stiffnes really began dropping then. thanks buddist temple or little old lady... any way - guys is it a bad idea to rock off the centerstand ? i'm done doing that for a while cause don't know what happened. ralph
skiper
Guest
next macaraina ?
skiper
Guest
Thank You Kathrine... real useful stuff for new riders, sound s smart and practical..., ralph