An easier way to get the GT off the center stand

[Bobnoxous]

The pavement at work is some cheap blend that the side stand tends to sink into through the course of the day. So, I always put my bike on the center stand.

The problem I have is getting the bike off the center stand. I'm straddling the bike and rocking it forward, but I cannot get that much motion going while straddling the GT. In my efforts, various unprofessional looking things can happen, like bonking my helmet on the windshield, or simply rocking on the bike for a couple minutes.

Yesterday, I had an idea. Instead of standing on the ground, I stood on the pegs, and rocked it forward. This allowed me to rock the bike with a lot less effort. Of course, once the bike pivots forward, you need to put your feet down, but this was no problem.

Maybe this is obvious to everyone, or there's some better way to get the bike off the center stand, but this is news to me. I haven't used center stands before this bike. Just thought I'd share, in case anyone else is bonking their helmet on the windshield.

[Nodakgus]

I stand on the left side, grab the handle bar with my left hand and the rear passenger grab bar with my right hand and "heave-ho" leftward. Comes off the stand nice and easy. I then slowly guide the bike down onto the kick stand.

[meese]

Well obviously you need to dump that crappy old GT and get a shiny new LT with the electro-hydraulic center stand. Oh wait, that only allows you to go up. [Emily Litella]Never mind[/Emily Litella].

I was having a lot of trouble getting my GT up on the center stand, and then back off of it. Up until the center stand actually broke, and the bike fell over. :eek: You can see details and pics in this link (http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27859), but I'd check the center stand stops to make sure they're not bent.

[bonafidebob]

I stand on the left side, grab the handle bar with my left hand and the rear passenger grab bar with my right hand and "heave-ho" leftward. Comes off the stand nice and easy. I then slowly guide the bike down onto the kick stand.
I used to sit on mine, but then I read a bunch of reports of earlier GTs having center stand problems, and I think there's something in the K1200GT owners manual about not sitting on the bike when taking it off the center stand.

Now I do the same thing as above, just lever it off while standing next to it, though I usually grab both handlebars and just give it a shove forward, comes right off.

When I sat on it and tried to get it off it would sometimes just slide forward on the center stand but not come down. (My garage floor is pretty smooth.) This was a PITA because I usually put it pretty close to the wall, and if it slid forward enough then it'd be real hard to get down. Never happened, but it was a concern. The sliding forward thing never happens when I'm standing next to it.

[meese]

When I sat on it and tried to get it off it would sometimes just slide forward on the center stand but not come down. (My garage floor is pretty smooth.)Some guys have put stick-on grip tape on the center stand feet. Apparently it does help, but it also wears out and needs to be redone occasionally.

You can get grip tape at the hardware store (used for stairs), or at a sporting goods shop in the skateboard section.

[slparry]

The pavement at work is some cheap blend that the side stand tends to sink into through the course of the day. So, I always put my bike on the center stand.

The problem I have is getting the bike off the center stand. I'm straddling the bike and rocking it forward, but I cannot get that much motion going while straddling the GT. In my efforts, various unprofessional looking things can happen, like bonking my helmet on the windshield, or simply rocking on the bike for a couple minutes.

Yesterday, I had an idea. Instead of standing on the ground, I stood on the pegs, and rocked it forward. This allowed me to rock the bike with a lot less effort. Of course, once the bike pivots forward, you need to put your feet down, but this was no problem.

Maybe this is obvious to everyone, or there's some better way to get the bike off the center stand, but this is news to me. I haven't used center stands before this bike. Just thought I'd share, in case anyone else is bonking their helmet on the windshield.

Doing this is a guaranteed way of eventually bending the main stand

[Big_E]

If the side stand is sinking into the pavement, the last thing you want to do is use the center stand. If the center stand sinks you'll be stuck. Just put something under the side stand.

[RTs4me]

IMHO, it's a very bad idea to sit on any bike with any stand deployed. It overloads the pivot bearings and may bend or snap the stand.

If the bike is parked on the centrestand, when you want to move it, stand at the left side of the bike and put the sidestand down first, then put the tip of your left foot at the front of the centrestand leg and push the bike forwards and tip it towards you and rest it down on the sidestand.

Mount the bike and pull it upright, fold the sidestand up when the bike is vertical with you astride it. Now (and only now!) lower your weight onto the seat.

On soft ground, do not use the centrestand, only the sidestand. If the centrestand sinks in, you'll never move the bike! If the ground is soft, use a 'bigfoot' or similar bolt-on device, or place a crushed beercan or similar under the sidestand foot to increase its' area.

[Bobnoxous]

Thanks for all the input. Like I said, I haven't had a bike with a center stand before. I clearly don't know what I'm doing. I'll stand on the side of the bike from now on.

Maybe it's best to put a block under the side stand instead of using the center stand anyway, as was suggested. Thanks guys.

[meese]

If the side stand is sinking into the pavement, the last thing you want to do is use the center stand. If the center stand sinks you'll be stuck. Just put something under the side stand.If you're lucky the center stand will just be stuck. If not, the single leg will sink in while the leg with the footpad arm won't, thus allowing the bike to tip over to the right. :eek: I came awfully close to dumping my LT that way, but caught it before it had gone too far over.

[dwillie]

The side stand allows the weight of the bike to be transferred to 3 points, while the center stand only two. The two points of contact on the center stand will never sink into the parking surface equally. When one (or both) sink in, you're in trouble. The bike could easily fall over. Say you're parked near another car. Damage to your bike, and someone's car too. If the side stands sinks into the parking surface, get a Big Foot plate for the side stand or put something under the side stand to lift the bike up an inch or so. This will transfer more of the weight to the tires and even things out a bit. dwillie.

[XMagnaRider]

Here are hints that work for me. They may work for you:

Position your right foot in front of the center stand. When the bike comes off the stand, your body will be closer to the center of the bike, compared with the left-foot stance.

--> Point the front wheel very slightly to the right before taking the bike off the stand. Very slightly. In the event that the bike isn't perfectly balanced as it comes off the center stand, it will tend to lean toward you as it moves forward. (I assume that you are standing on the left side of the bike.)

It is much easier to regain control and balance the bike if it starts to lean toward you. If the bike leans away from you, you are in trouble. The bike is more likely to fall over, and you could injure your back trying to prevent the fall, even if you succeed.

[lvmar123]

I've found that putting the side of my boot right in front of the center stand and then rocking it works well. Otherwise it slides on my garage floor. Stand on the left side of the bike. Hold the handlebars and back holder and push forward with your foot just in front.

Works every time, and no, your foot doesn't look like Wiley Coyotes- stand goes right up! :bmw:

[lord_helmet]

The first add-on I bought for my GT was the 'bigfoot' side stand adapter.
The only negative about it is that it'll set you back by about $38.-
I invested in it for two reasons: I have the same concern about the factory side stand sinking into asphalt, sand, gravel, or whatever due to its small footprint, and I also have trouble getting the bike off of center stand, so I'm relying heavily on the side stand.

[Lee510]

I've seen BMW branded sidestand pads in use at the dealership. I don't know if they sell them. I went by a H-D dealership and for $6.00, bought one of their "hockey pucks". My LT doesn't mind that it says H-D and I can spend my workday thinking of places to ride to, rather than wondering if "Big Kitty" has tipped over in the parking lot.

I've used a can and a thin piece of wood in the past. I liked the idea of the hockey puck better.

[Uzirider]

Thanks for all the input. Like I said, I haven't had a bike with a center stand before. I clearly don't know what I'm doing. I'll stand on the side of the bike from now on.

Maybe it's best to put a block under the side stand instead of using the center stand anyway, as was suggested. Thanks guys.
For real cheap money, you can go to Home Depot / Lowe's and get an electrical junction box cover. WORKS GREAT!

[Florian]

I've seen BMW branded sidestand pads in use at the dealership. I don't know if they sell them. I went by a H-D dealership and for $6.00, bought one of their "hockey pucks". My LT doesn't mind that it says H-D and I can spend my workday thinking of places to ride to, rather than wondering if "Big Kitty" has tipped over in the parking lot.

I've used a can and a thin piece of wood in the past. I liked the idea of the hockey puck better.

why not just use a hockey puck?? About 2 bux each at any sporting goods store

F