RT center stand

[missusfinz]

Hi,
I am still waiting for my new RT...hmph!! End of August...
I do have a concern. I am tall at 5'9" but I am pretty slim and don't have a lot of strength.
Is there a trick to getting the bike on the center stand or is just brute force.
Can someone suggest a method that won't throw out my back?
Thanks,
Elaine

[Atomicman]

Hi,
I am still waiting for my new RT...hmph!! End of August...
I do have a concern. I am tall at 5'9" but I am pretty slim and don't have a lot of strength.
Is there a trick to getting the bike on the center stand or is just brute force.
Can someone suggest a method that won't throw out my back?
Thanks,
ElaineIt is really easy.. When you first move the center stand down to the ground, you must have both of the center stand feet touching the ground evenly. In other words the bike is very level side to side. . You then just simply stand using your your full body weight on the center stand foot pedal and it pops right up! It helps to have shoes on with a hard sole.

to explain a bit further. you must have the handlebars straight ahead and hold the bike by the left handlebar grip and the left passenger hand grip.I always put the side stand up! You must balance the bike (it is very easy) and then follow my directions above.

t

[ridesmith]

I'm shorter than you are, and never have any trouble, but what I do find is that it is much easier with my riding boots on.

[Keith_H]

As already stated, you have to get the bike upright. Then it's just leverage and some back motion to bring her up.

[Gaby]

I was also a bit worried about putting the bike on the center stand since it lacks the handle that my K75Rt had.
Now I know why the handle isn't there, as already explained it is very easy to put the the R1200RT on the center stand :)
Gaby

[Moot]

Here's a tip that will make a huge difference until you get the hang of it and gain confidence. Ride the rear wheel onto a 1" thick piece of wood and stop with tire resting solidly on the wood. Follow the other directions already given in this thread. You will be amazed how easily it goes up with a 1" headstart.

[Gaby]

This hint reminds me of something similar, although in the other direction.
I once learned the hard way that a motorcycle with a flat rear tire can be almost impossible to lift on it's center stand, while it may almost tip over on the jiffy,
leaving the driver in an impossible situation.
The lesson I learned is that the first thing to do if you think the rear tire could be losing pressure is to put the bike on the center stand as quickly as possible.
Gaby

[hopz]

You ask if there is a trick... there is.

You ask about brute force- do not try that.

The Trick is leverage not force, as he said. Get both feet of the stand on the ground and then just stand on the foot-place while holding the left grip with the left hand (but not pulling with it- all you are doing is holding your body up and the wheel straight forward) and with the right- hold the passenger grab rail. Again you are not pulling the bike up, what you are doing is standing on the foot place... and pressing straight down. You can think of it as pulling the right hand straight upward and not toward the rear.

When I was new guy to RTs I had the same concern... I weigh 150 lbs and lack height for leverage. I learned it was a trick question... leverage not strength.

When you take delivery have the sales person demonstrate for you and you practice a couple of times with him spotting you on the right side.

You will also soon learn to notice the level-ness of your parking spots. If you are going to park on the center stand try to avoid any uphill slant, and for that matter not much of a downhill either. Downhill is bad because it might roll off the stand and also because if you have to back it up- it can get a little heavy.

Plan ahead. FWIW I have been known to circle parking lots looking for the "right" spot. Some may laugh or kid me, but I seldom have to ask for a push out of a spot.

[loboheritage]

with the bike on the side stand, stand with your
right hip against the seat, your left hand on the left
handlebar grip and your right hand on the left
passenger grip. use your right foot to put the
center stand down in contact with the ground.
with your hip, push the bike up until you feel
both feet of the center stand come in contact
with the ground. stand on the center stand
with all your weight. I always leave the side
stand down, so when I move the bike off the
center stand, I can ease it down to the side
stand.

[missusfinz]

You guys are great. Thanks.
How about taking it off the stand?

[Atomicman]

You guys are great. Thanks.
How about taking it off the stand?

just hop on & make sure it is in neutral and rock it forward hard! It comes right off and settles comfortably on it's suspension!

You might have to rock a couple of times at your size to get enough momentum to get there! :D

[johnnyray]

one other tip (originally from Rich at Rich's Custom Seats in Kingston, WA) -- turn the RT "off" by putting down the kick stand with it in first gear, rather than with the kill switch or key, and leave it in gear as you get off. That way, when it is just on the kickstand, it will be much less likely to accidentally get rolled forward off the kickstand and crash to the ground (because the rear tire won't roll). Rich also suggests that the kickstand is simply a device to hold the bike up until you put it on the centerstand, which is how it should always be kept when not running. I had the sense he's seen a couple go down in the shop. Have fun.

[Atomicman]

You should always park your bike in 1st gear. But I've got to say, with the sidestand down, the forks locked full left and it first gear, the bike is extremely stable!

[loboheritage]

I'm sure everyone has their way of getting it
off the center stand. I always leave the side
stand down when on the center stand. I stand
in the same place with my hands in the same
position as when putting it up on the center stand.
I rock it forward and lower it to the side stand slowly.
I never "ride off the center stand". I am sure there
are many acceptable ways to do these actions and
none is any better than the others....just personal
preference.......

[Atomicman]

Seems to me leaving the side stand dwon while getting the bike on or off the centerstand is a really bad idea. I always afraid i might get a pant leg caught or trip over the side stand. I always put the side stand up and out of the way unless I am on the bike or it is parked.

If it is going on or coming off the center stand, the side stand is always up!

[loboheritage]

it's not a bad idea. it works great. seems like
any idea that isn't yours is a bad idea.

[Stixx]

interesting. I was shown at purchase how to do all these things and over time I've picked up on a couple of caviots.

I find if the bike is in gear it is sometimes harder to get on the centerstand depending on how much luggage is on board for example.

Two things I figured out. Make sure the front wheel is strait and the centerstand has both feet down even then with the left hand on the handle bar grip , pull with the right hand on the passenger grab rail while pushing down with your right foot. Someone said, leverage is key, I agree with that. Done right it is effortless EXCEPT when I am trying to put it on the rollaround dolly. That damn thing can be really hard to get it raised on for some reason. LOL

Getting off for me is simply sit on it and rock it forward leaving down the kick stand. Then get off the thing the kickstand keeps it from falling over and go about your business or just kick up the kickstand and drive off. Seems simple enough to me .

Caviot being the dolly . Nothing easy about that one and I never try to get it off the centerstand without being on the thing. Too easy to drop it in my opinion

[missusfinz]

With all the fancy dancy stuff on the bike, you would think BMW would engineer the center stand to be fairly easy to use? Gotta love those crazy Germans:)
Thanks for the help.
Ellie

[Atomicman]

it's not a bad idea. it works great. seems like
any idea that isn't yours is a bad idea.


I always have the bike in neutral getting on the center stand and off the stand also!



I assume you were addressing me about the sidestand. if not, then my apologies for this outburst, but if you were................

No, this has absolutely nothing to do with WHO'S idea anything is. I just think it is a big mistake to have the side stand down except when parking the bike on it. It is an additional hazard that is easy to get tangled up with down around your feet when trying to use the centerstand.

think about it here LOBO, when you are putting the bike on the centerstand, what side of the bike are you on??? Yeah, the left, where the side stand is. Chances are if it is going over when you try to center it on the center stand feet it s going right, If it tries to fall right you can brace it with your full body weigt. if it falls to the left you have 600 lbs pulling you over forward and off balance. If it goes left no damage to bike will occur because you will be under it to cushion the blow. Not a good thing ;)

When taking it off the center stand, you are in the same position as riding it or standing at a stop with both feet down. Why do you need the centerstand down then? Do you put it down everytime you come to a stop, of course not!

Also if you are rocking the bike forward to get it off the centerstand, i don't believe the centerstand is going to help you if you veer off to the left anyway because whenthe side stand it hits the ground with forward movement, there is a damn good chance it will fold up just when you would need it most.

I think by not having it down you are going to be a lot more diligent in keeping everything aligned knowing the bike is going to hit the deck if you screw it up. One';s attitude may be a bit more cavalier if they think there is a safety net to catch the bike , but may be sorely disappointed when they find it didn't work!

I stand by only ONE stand at a time!!!! :D

[05hexhead]

With all the fancy dancy stuff on the bike, you would think BMW would engineer the center stand to be fairly easy to use? Gotta love those crazy Germans:)
Thanks for the help.
Ellie

These are the easiest BMW models I ever had for getting on and off the center stand. Other than my '81 R100 which had an aftermarket ride off stand, loved that.

My '84 R100RT is a pain, you are lifting engine weight as the back wheel takes some of the weight along with the center stand.

The '97 R100RSL you were lifting the weight of the whole bike, as the bike would balance on the center stand basically alone.

Now, the R1200 RT uses the front wheel as a weight point, so you are lifting mainly the rear of the bike.

So you see the Germans are making progress, and that is not taking into consideration the LT with its launch control.

I agree with what Stixx said in his reply.

I don't no if anyone mentioned it, but I like to get in a habit of always putting down the side stand first when I am going to dismount. Before taking off gloves, unplugging vests, etc.

[Gaby]

I admit that I don't really know why, but when I want to put the bike on the centerstand, I always put it on the sidestand while still mounted,
then get off and put it on the centerstand. While doing so, I always leave the sidestand down and put it up afterwards. I never gave the matter
much thought, but the sidestand never got in the way of putting the bike on the centerstand. I suppose that it makes me feel more secure to
have the sidestand as a backup should the bike tip over (at least to the left). It is just a habit, nothing more :o
Gaby

[Bob1200rtc1]

I leave the side stand down when putting the bike on the centerstand. Once it's on the center stand I put the side stand up. I always sit on the bike and push off the centerstand. One thing I have found out, don't park where the center stand is in a depression/dip. It can be very difficult to get the bike off the center stand if you do.

[Atomicman]

I don't no if anyone mentioned it, but I like to get in a habit of always putting down the side stand first when I am going to dismount. Before taking off gloves, unplugging vests, etc.I agree wiht this wholeheartedly!

Except when the bike is on the centerstand. :bmw:

[Tom_K]

[QUOTE=loboheritage]I'm sure everyone has their way of getting it
off the center stand. I always leave the side
stand down when on the center stand. I stand
in the same place with my hands in the same
position as when putting it up on the center stand.
I rock it forward and lower it to the side stand slowly.
[QUOTE]
I use a similar technique, but as this is generally done in my crowded garage, I keep my hands on the bars with the right hand extended to immediately apply the brake. Even though the boost isn't available with the motor off ('06 model), the brakes still easily stabilize the bike which can then be rested on the side stand or mounted to ride.
My only issue with first mounting the bike on the centerstand has to do with a lumbar disc problem which is aggravated by this procedure.

As others have suggested, I also kill the motor by deploying the sidestand while in first - but only if planning to (generally briefly) park on the sidestand.

And yes, the RT is simple to put on the centerstand as long as one remembers to guide and not lift with the right hand.
Tom

[Tracus]

More to the mix - Absolutely right about having both feet of the center stand making contact before hoisting the bike. It's also a good idea to check the surface where the contact is being made. The center of a parking spot can be notorious for an oil spill left by the previous occupant. You do not want your bike skidding while you're trying to rock it upright. I disagree with the brute strength method. Use the leverage to your advantage. As the man said, "Give me a point in space as a fulcrum and a long enough lever and I will move the universe."

I do tend to leave the sidestand down. In fact, that's how I kill the engine. Then there's no forgetting to deploy the sidestand as you start to walk away and hear that sickening sound of a bike going over. I also leave the bike in first gear so there's no chence it'll roll away.

Now here's another reason for leaving it in gear. (I'm only 5'10") You're rolling the bike forward to get it off the center stand. You have the sidestand down, but you're in neutral and there's a slight downhill. The bike rolls forward and keeps rolling. Since it is tipped toward you the sidestand scrapes and retracts. You instinctively reach across and try to grab the brake lever. Even if you do manage to grab the brake, the engine's off and you don't have forearms like Popeye. I suppose you could run along beside the bike and hop on like a cowboy, but that's probably not going to happen. You're probably going to smack into whoever's parked in front of you and then the bike will tip over.

Keeping the bike in first gear, pull the clutch in and roll the bike forward off the center stand and let it settle onto the sidestand. If it starts to roll forward get away from you, let the clutch out. Voila! You're stopped.

Good luck out there!

[Atomicman]

the bike comes off the center stand so easily by sitting on it and rocking forward. the bike does not roll forward, it basically stays in palce and drops straight donw on it's suspension. and you have the brake lever in your hand. i will never take it off the center stand unless i am sitting on it! Period!

the bike is damn stable on the side stand and if the ground is soft you should have a sidestand puck in your bag with you!

I only use the center stand in my garage.