200 LB. Girlie-Man

[Bandit]

Well, I have put about 300 miles on my 2003 LT and simply LOVE it! Great bike. But, like our children there is always ONE THING that bothers us. I can't get this $$%^&# bike up on the center stand. The gentleman I bought it from performed this task several times in my presence and it looked relatively easy...however I have yet to have a successful attempt. I am 6 feet tall and weigh 200 pounds....I think I should be able to do this. I have researched several threads on this board that explain how to do this but I always have a fear that the bike will fall away from me.
Please respond with some creative name-calling to motivate me.
Ride Safe

[wkclark]

Dear Girlie-Man :)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I know what you mean -- for the first while I had Pamela I had to get my 6'4 195 lb son to help and the two of us struggled
It's ALL in the technique ..... your wife (assuming you have that flavour SO) could do it without any trouble.
If you stand facing the bike, with the side stand down, left hand on the hand grip (clutch side) and right hand on the handle or the side bag (passenger grip place) whichever is more comfortable -- put your right foot on the center stand and gently push it down until it touches the ground. Now tip the bike up off the side stand until you fell the other leg of the center stand hit the floor (now you're level). Now -- the timing part. As you step on (as in stand on it) the center stand (make sure it's in the center of your foot or it may hurt in a thin soled shoe), you give the hand grip a quick jerk backwards and VOILA -- she's rocking back on the center stand.
A word of caution --- don't do this with the front wheel locked in a turn -- like it is when you lock the steering column with the key. If you do, you may want to watch the video on picking up an LT
One other word of caution -- an obvious one -- make sure the ground under you is relatively level and a hard surface.
Bet it takes you not more than 2 tries and you'll have it -- for life !!
Best wishes.
Keir

[dgl57]

I bet because you have a fear of the bike falling away from you that you don't have both feet on the center stand touching the ground and if you don't you will not get it up.

The method is to push down on the center stand lever while holding onto the handle bars with the left hand and the grab bar with the right hand until the foot on the center stand touches the ground then straighten up the bike vertically until the 2nd foot touches the ground also you will feel the bike firm up and it will not fall over, when you feel that just push down hard on the lever and pull up and back on the seat bar and the bike will come right up.

It takes very little lifting with the right hand its more pushing down with the foot on the lever and you could have someone spot you on the other side of the bike for the 1st time or 2 until you get the feel of it and after you do get the feel of it you will be surprised how easy that big bike comes up

Good Luck
Dan

[axamax]

Hi, while I haven't had to do it on an LT,(I've only ridden electric stand models), I have used the following technique on all sorts of bikes including a GL1500. I weigh 210 lbs and am 5ft 5in.

Choose a level suface, free from gravel, oil etc.

For the first attempt have someone stand on the other side of the bike, just to ease your nerves.

Stand beside the bike with your left hand on the left handlebar grip and your right hand holding the lifting handle (or whatever you intend to use to lift the bike).

Make sure the handlebars are straight. If not it will be a LOT more difficult.

With your right foot lower the stand till you feel it touch the ground and hold it there. No effort at this point.

Now lean the bike away from you (while keeping the stand in contact with the ground). You should feel the other leg of the stand hit the ground.

Double check that the bars are straight and transfer your weight onto the right foot. The bike should go on to the stand.

You should not have to lift much with your back. Remember both legs of the stand and bars straight.
Good Luck

[jackd]

Dennis, Your a few inches taller than I am and 4 LBs lighter.. You should be able to do this relatively easily.

First thing is you must have substantial hard soled shoes.. No flip flops. :p

You cannot lift the LT with your right hand. If you could you would not have started this thread. You would have been out intimating others at your local watering hole.. :D

The concept is that you need to grasp is that you must transfer your weight to the center stand while you are pulling up with your right hand and pulling back with your left. This is why you need to have the wheel straight. Your 200 LBs of weight pushing down is supplemented by your right arm pulling up. The left arm pulling back creates a weight shift to the rear and allows the center stand to get traction and the weight of the LT adds to your weight and the bike lifts itself onto the stand. See.. It's easy!

Last thing you need is confidence that you will do it.. so try this...

Find a concrete surface that is pretty level (like a garage floor). However the garage floor is not usually level. It should be sloped to the door so water will drain.. The greater the slope the harder the LT will be to put up if the rear wheel is on the high side of that slope.

Make sure that when you are practicing 'your moves' you are in the center of the open area so if the LT goes offer you don't damage something or try to hurt yourself trying to stop it. Believe it or not, if the LT goes over and you don't hit anything the only thing that will be damaged will be your pride. (there is a video some where of a intentional drop of an LT).. Mainly because a smart person will ask someone for help.. or else make sure you have good health insurance. I have picked mine up myself from the tip over wings. If it is all the way over on it's side you need help.. DAMHIK.. :(

Try to put the LT on the center stand using a 'center stand aid'. I would suggest that you find a piece of 1/4 inch plywood. Back the LT onto it.. (only the tire) and try to muscle it up using any of the techniques described previously. The thicker the wood base the easier it will pop up. Just be sure that you remove the wood before you bring it down.

If you don't want to use the wood crank up your preload. Careful don't over tighten. Adding preload will raise your rear end and the LT will come up on the center stand easier (the more preload you have.. the quicker it will pop up).

The LT always pops up real easy for me with new tires.. At the EOL of my tires it sometimes takes me a few times.

Good luck!

[bghubr]

Hey Girlie Mon, :histerica I'm 5'10" and weight 165 lbs and find it easy to put the bike on the centerstand. Maybe you should by a 72 Honda CB750 and put it on the centerstand for a few years and then you will realize how easy the LT really is.
It's actually a piece of cake as long as you rock the bike, pull on the life handle next to the seat and push down with your boot on the stand all in sync. If this doesn't work try getting the bike on the stand and rock it a little and then it will fly right up on the stand.

[RonKMiller]

Dear Girlie-Man :)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I know what you mean -- for the first while I had Pamela I had to get my 6'4 195 lb son to help and the two of us struggled
It's ALL in the technique ..... your wife (assuming you have that flavour SO) could do it without any trouble.
If you stand facing the bike, with the side stand down, left hand on the hand grip (clutch side) and right hand on the handle or the side bag (passenger grip place) whichever is more comfortable -- put your right foot on the center stand and gently push it down until it touches the ground. Now tip the bike up off the side stand until you fell the other leg of the center stand hit the floor (now you're level). Now -- the timing part. As you step on (as in stand on it) the center stand (make sure it's in the center of your foot or it may hurt in a thin soled shoe), you give the hand grip a quick jerk backwards and VOILA -- she's rocking back on the center stand.
A word of caution --- don't do this with the front wheel locked in a turn -- like it is when you lock the steering column with the key. If you do, you may want to watch the video on picking up an LT
One other word of caution -- an obvious one -- make sure the ground under you is relatively level and a hard surface.
Bet it takes you not more than 2 tries and you'll have it -- for life !!
Best wishes.
Keir

A perfect example of how NOT to do it with a 99% chance you will injure yourself. Using your right foot and jerking it up is a recipe for disaster.

[RonKMiller]

Hi, while I haven't had to do it on an LT,(I've only ridden electric stand models), I have used the following technique on all sorts of bikes including a GL1500. I weigh 210 lbs and am 5ft 5in.

Choose a level suface, free from gravel, oil etc.

For the first attempt have someone stand on the other side of the bike, just to ease your nerves.

Stand beside the bike with your left hand on the left handlebar grip and your right hand holding the lifting handle (or whatever you intend to use to lift the bike).

Make sure the handlebars are straight. If not it will be a LOT more difficult.

With your right foot lower the stand till you feel it touch the ground and hold it there. No effort at this point.

Now lean the bike away from you (while keeping the stand in contact with the ground). You should feel the other leg of the stand hit the ground.

Double check that the bars are straight and transfer your weight onto the right foot. The bike should go on to the stand.

You should not have to lift much with your back. Remember both legs of the stand and bars straight.
Good Luck

Nope - not a chance! If you want to injure your back this is the technique!

I am now standing on my soap box. :p

[RonKMiller]

I bet because you have a fear of the bike falling away from you that you don't have both feet on the center stand touching the ground and if you don't you will not get it up.

The method is to push down on the center stand lever while holding onto the handle bars with the left hand and the grab bar with the right hand until the foot on the center stand touches the ground then straighten up the bike vertically until the 2nd foot touches the ground also you will feel the bike firm up and it will not fall over, when you feel that just push down hard on the lever and pull up and back on the seat bar and the bike will come right up.

It takes very little lifting with the right hand its more pushing down with the foot on the lever and you could have someone spot you on the other side of the bike for the 1st time or 2 until you get the feel of it and after you do get the feel of it you will be surprised how easy that big bike comes up

Good Luck
Dan


Ummm.... ;)

[RonKMiller]

So now that I've pretty much pissed off everyone who thinks they know how to put the LT on the centerstand here's HOW to do it: (which was posted a couple of years ago...)

Give it a try and if you don't agree this is 100% easier and safer then I'll EAT my centerstand! :p :D

"Over the past four years I've been pretty lucky not to wrench my back putting the beast on the center stand. I even posted that I did not understand what the big problem was..... well, a couple of weeks ago I finally messed up my back good doing exactly this - luckily it is nothing more than a muscle pull. Ibuprofen is my friend.

As part of the team that designs our seats we work with an ergonomics specialist, and I was complaining to her how badly I hurt myself. She asked me to demonstrate (kind of) how I put it up on the centerstand:

Grab the left handle bar grip with my left hand, put my right hand on the "grip" below the seat, face the bike and stand on the extension with my right foot. Then TRY to make one very smooth motion utililizing all three points for leverage.

This is exactly how I tweaked my back, and it is WRONG.

Her recommendation was to grab the left handle bar grip with my left hand, grab the luggage "grab rail" (passenger grab rail on top of the side hard case) with my right hand, (don't worry, it won't break) face the BACK of the bike, and stand on the extension with my LEFT foot, while standing up straight, back arched with my head level.

Not only could I get her up with my bad back, it was probably 50% of the effort. What I had done before was causing torsion (twisting) and is VERY bad for your bod - DUH. Fugghedabout the "grip" below the seat, it is dangerous since you need to reach to use it.

This is all new to me and I hope this helps out someone since I know it has been a "bone of contention" for years. http://www.bmwlt.net/ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif "

If you do this correctly you will have all of your weight on your left leg - and your right leg will be dangling in the air once it is fully on the stand. Keeping your left hip in contact with the bike assures that you are standing up straight.

One other thing that helps dramatically - make sure the pre-load on your rear shock is set toward max, and that the reservoir is completely filled with fluid. Almost all of them can use some and it's easy to fill.

[Lee510]

Howard Johnson...I mean...Ron Miller is right! :confused: (Blazing Saddle ?)

I read the above posts months ago. Since I had dropped my LT attempting to put it on the centerstand, and stretched a couple muscles several other times, I thought it wouldn't hurt to try it left footed. If I dropped it again, not big deal. It had been over before. Well, let me tell you. No more pushing forward, pulling back, and stepping on the lever. No more standing on the lever, trying to keep my balance, praying, sweating, cursing when/if it didn't go on the stand. Left footed is so much easier! It looks a heck of a lot more graceful, too. Hard-soled shoes are a must. The end of the lever isn't big enough for non-sturdy shoes.

Good luck. And let us know what you think.

[justlookin]

Now I can't remember which leg I've been using. Once you get it level on the center stand, put all your weight on the center stand arm, it just goes up so easy and fast. I'm riding today, and I always use the center stand. I'll try the left leg for sure, but I think I may have been using it..
Old age is tough..

[Bandit]

I went out to the garage last night and was determined to get this bike on the center stand or have the wife shoot me. After over 20 attampts I finally had success! I need to practice this many times to get a real rythym and get over my fear of dropping the bike away from me. I was surprised how far I need to lean the bike to the right side to get both sides of the center stand on the floor. It kinda creeps me out.
I appreciate all the feedback and will try the different methods mentioned. I actually didn't think I could use the passenger grip bar and that might help me out as well.
It is going to be a beautiful day in Lexington today and I plan on adding many miles.
Ride Safe.

[itspossible]

I'm 160 lb. and 5' 9", I ride her up on 3/4 " plywood (about 10" x 18") and have my SO spot the other side, the plywood makes it effortless and the wood pieces hang on a nail in the garage when not in use.

I'll have to try the left foot method.

Ron

[dive200_2]

I only put up on the center stand while still sitting stradle of the bike. Right foot on the ground , left foot on the stand, right hand on grip and left hand on grab bar. I am also 6' !" and 200 lb. Works fine for me.