If all else was pretty equal, would you choose/recommend an LT with or without the powered center stand?

I'm putting the RT up for sale, and looking for an LT, '03 to '06. How important is the powered center stand to have or not have?

Thanks for feedback


Allred
Old, Slow but not likely to quit riding right away!

I have no power center stand on my '02.

I don't need one, as I am fortunate in being able to hoist it up OK by myself.

I don't think that I would want one.

I've owned both the RT and the LT. At 853 pounds, the center stand is a requirement to me.

Another thing is for sure; when I pull into a gas station and touch that button, and I am lifted into a standing position, people mutter "cool".

Yesterday a guy, after witnessing the stand in action, asked about my station-keeping thrusters.

Allred,
I have '06lt with powerstand. I don't know what I'd do without it especially 2-up. Some on this site have had trouble with the stands, but they're rebuildible and simple??? . . . to top of fluid. I haven't had any trouble with anything.

Dan

I do not have the power stand and I never had any problem to lift the bike on its central stand. Actually I find it easier to put the LT on the central stand than my Honda Magna which is much less heavy. For me not having the power central stand is one less concern I have about something that may stop working.

It is a great feature in my opinion. Wouldn't get an LT without it.
It's cool too, and as you know, image is everything!

I've had few motorcycles with centerstands that were easy to use. My '06 has a powered centerstand and I will not buy another LT without one. No ifs ands or buts about it. Both myself and my passenger want the centerstand up when getting off the motorcycle. They often prefer it on the stand getting on as well. Stability is a wonderful thing.

Very nice but not worth scraping over speed bumps and reduced cornering clearance.

I had an 03 without and now have 05 with. There is no compairison. As has been mentioned, being able to lift two up is great. I think the most outstanding feature is stradling the bike as it comes up. You get a much better sense of the job that the center stand is doing under different circumstances. You can feel the grade, the angle, and the security of the surface beneath you. There have been times when I didn't like the feel and either used the side stand or moved the bike. My opinion is that you would love it.

I love the power center stand on the LT. Its a hit at the gas station as mentioned above, saves lifting the 800 lbs by hand (and foot).

On the dark side, its a real scraper for traffic bumps in parking lots, and lowers the ground clearance to 3.5 inches. The low ground clearance plus the interlock which prevents using the centerstand wile the sidestand is deployed make it imossible to use the legal speeding Park-n-move which I have heard can be used on K1200LT's with the manual centerstand.

I have been meaning to try cutting off the bolts and welding the screws of the caster wheels to see if I can get it to fit, but its still pretty tight there. Park-n-Move works fine with GW and most other BMWs, just not the power cenerstand equipped LT's.

Before I added after market Shocks & Springs, an electric stand would have been VERY welcome.
But now that bike sags less (Sits taller) have no need or desire for it.

I will take bets that the new GW will have one.

Had the 00 without. Have an 08 with. Never had/ have problems hoisting it. Just like the power stand. And I never activate it with passenger on! I drop the sidestand- make her get off, then put up the centerstand while I am standing up, not sitting on the seat. Just me, why put the additional stress on the motor.

I would be willing to bet none of the above responders have floorboards. I have them, love them, and wouldn't consider riding the LT without them. That said, the power stand is a must. To use the side stand, requires a LOT of dexterity, and focus.

Finally, the power stand make the bike much more accessible, if, like me, your knees are showing signs of wear...

Hi Bob,

I had an '03 without power stand and now have an '07 with the power stand.
I use the center stand every time I park the bike unless the terrain prohibits doing so.

I originally thought the power stand idea was just excessive flash developed by BMW which didn't really provide any value. Once one gets used to the technique involved with getting the LT on the centerstand it is not such a big deal. So why would anyone think this power stand with no means of manual deployment is a good idea. In a word for me it is "Wife". She no longer has to get off the bike every time I decide to stop for something. She no longer has to sit leaned over on the sidestand when she decides not to get off the bike when I stop for something ( and whine about it ). All we do is use the button and the LT lifts us both up to a stable platform and she stays put if she want to and I go about my business (Stephanie understands that not rocking the bike off the stand is her priority at this point).

Pros of the power stand - ease of use, use on slope angle which previously caused more strain to do manually, passenger can stay on bike comfortably (with proper instruction) when you are off, and of course the Cool factor.

Cons of the power stand - no means of manual deployment available, added cost of bike, more potential components to develop problems and repair which can add to the expense of owning the bike after warranty expires.

If it had been an option when I got the '07 I probably would not have spent the money for it. Now that I have it I am glad it wasn't an option. I love it.

Hi Bill,

Not sure what you are pointing to with floorboards and power stand. I am actually thinking of adding Darius boards soon. Is there a problem with the hydraulic stand and floorboards?

Thanks
Scott

Well , my '02 does not have a power center stand . But then , I only use my center stand once a year or so . I use it when I am changing the rear tire . It isn't the easiest thing to get it up on , but with the 300 pound wart on the side , it is still doable ...Also , I never use the side stand (;-»)

I'm not so sure I'd make that bet. Remember, the GW still doesn't have a power windshield.


As for my opinion...
I had an '02 LT, and not once did I wish that it had a powered-centerstand. And I use the centerstand every time I park. But, thank heavens, I don't "need" a powered-centerstand. Some folks do need it, and I'm glad that they are being accommodated. I look at a powered-centerstand and just another point-of-failure. If BMW had engineered it so you could disable the stand and use it manually (in case of an emergency), I'd be a lot more for it.

Con: Prior to selling my last LT. (2005) I was on my third power center stand in a little over 2 years. Used centerstand daily. Great idea but the item itself is not built for long term durability. At $995 dollar replacement price, not including labor if dealer installs, you would think it would last longer. My first LT (2003) had manual center stand and never had problem using it.


May we never find the end of the road!

oknplm

Scott,

Local wisdom ... on our local VERY twisty roads you will be dragging floor boards far too easy.

One riding buddy put them on his 06 LT and cannot even remotely ride at a modestly swift pace without major dragging.

Will also take bets that the new GW will have a power windshield !.

I absolutely agree!!!

On my 3rd LT had a flat on the 02 no way I could put it up on center stand
had to roll forward look for nail again and again and again finally found nail
plugged tire on my way out of curosity removed valve core from rear tire
on my 05 ( in the garage ) power stand picked the bike up NO problem

Like it you bet

Sorry, but I just don't see it....side stand hard to use?? I have a power center stand and have only used it once, when I put the bike up last winter. I use side stand all the time, no problems. I have tried the center stand a couple of times in my driveway and it felt like it was going to push it off sideways, perhaps I wasn't on a perfectly level spot, but it looked fine, certainly as good as you would find on the road. I also have bed knees, ankles, short legs and aging muscles, but still prefer the sidestand...just personal preference and what I am used to I guess. On the other hand, it is nice to have that power stand when and if I want it.

I've got an 02, live in, as Dave says, Flatorida, so my opinion is one sided - Personally, I hardly ever use the center stand except for maintenance. I weigh 150 and when I need to use the center stand, it is not a problem. There is a technique to it though.

Knowing what I know (one sided) and if I had the choice, I'd order it without the power assist. Just something to get in the way, break and add weight.

Thanks for the heads up. I commute on 49 to Ione daily. Some of those slow tight twisties nail the centerstand easily.

If you are likely to buy high-end shocks (Wilbers, Ohlins) you won't need the PCS. Wilbers Made a HUGE difference on my '00.

I use my power center stand every day in my garage. I park in a single garage stall with steeply sloping driveway with cars parked on it that I don't want to try backing down every day. I have a "Turn-A-Bike" turntable in the center of the garage floor. I drive in and stop the bike over it. Push the button on the PCS and up she goes. Dismount and put a little pressure on the back end to lift the front wheel and walk the bike around facing out.

Way easier than walking back and forth to turn it around in the garage.

Its also great fun to pull in with a group of HDs and push the button.

Bruce Buchner

Thanks to all for the replies. Power center stand seems to sum up about even pro or con. Seems like a "nice to have, but not essential" for my intended use.

So....what ever the best bike for the price I find, happens to be, powered or non-powered, I suppose I can live with it.

I'm leaning a bit toward a pre-'05 model, not for the lack of a power stand, but for the easier to read instruments! Digital displays are hard for me to read in sunlight (especially with dark glasses on) and we get a lot of that out here in the desert west!

I rode a Kaw Voyager XII for 17 years and it had a manual center stand, but it was a two-stage design that worked really well once you got the hang of it. Once you set the first stage the second stage, which actually lifted the bike, had a long throw and lots of leverage so it was easy to get the bike on the stand. I figured the LT electric stand was just anothe gimic, but my 07 only came that way so it wasn't a choice.

After a year on the LT, I really appreciate the electric stand and use it all the time. And it is a great attention getter at gas stations! I find I use the stand and the electrically adjustable windshield a lot. The only thing I seldom use is the reverse. I've used it only 2-3 times and can't even remember now the last time I used it. Probably nice to have in the right circumstance (kind of like 4WD on my truck), but not something I use very often.

Bob,

Power steering, air conditioning, ABS, linked brakes and a multitude of other innovations that now come as standard on vehicles are not "essential" but definitely make life and driving more enjoyable.

I think the same applies to the power centre stand.

Simon

Hey Bob,

in your original post you only concentrated on the one little difference (power centerstand) that the old model and post ´05 model have.

But I hope you understand that with newer model bike you get also some other improvements like more powerful engine, somewhat improved lights, improved electricals, different gear ratios, possible power lock system, improved slow speed handling, new dash, new (but not necessarily improved) saddle etc.

Before making up your mind you should make another poll and ask forum's opinions on the overall differences between the old vs. facelift models.

Regards

Mongo;

The floorboards are on pivots, and have never been a problem for me. The side stand "post" resides RIGHT BEHIND the tailing edge of the boards, to deploy, you must raise the left board, while pushing down on the stand-post with your heel.

Generally, the only time I use the side stand is at the gas station, and hasn't been a real issue. However, if you had to use it in a hurry - forget it.

After riding my LT with boards, I'd never ride one without one - and in two years of riding it on the back roads of the West (US & Canada), rarely on interstates, I have yet to scrape the boards. But, then again, I think lane splitting, or riding 1,000 miles a day is stupid too.... my $0.02

We love our center stand and use it constantly when parking it in the garage. The wife thinks I should use it every time we stop, but it's kinda show off-y to me.....lol. It does have the WOW factor whenever someone see's it lift. I think it's a great feature on a great bike!

Exactly as I do and I would not be without it! Love it, love it, LOVE IT!!!!

Two good points mentioned here, 1) No way to use the electric stand manually (correct me if I'm getting this wrong), and 2) No method of deployment. Both very important I feel.

I have a 00, no electric back then, but, because I do use my manual about 1/2 the time and it does come in handy when servicing or even washing the bike, having an electic would be nice.

The only problem I've had with the manual is when I first puchased the bike (used) in 5/05, I was attempting to lift her up on the CS, and for some reason, thinking after 8 some years of not riding consistantly, I was weak at performing this feat.

Upon having a head to toe service perfomed on the bike, shortly before the 05CCR (was still new to the bike), it was found that the cross-member on the CS was cracked with little to no remaining attached metal.

What I was experiencing is as I pulled her up, it would feel like she wanted to go over in the oppisite direction. In actuallity, the two legs were twisting (like if you were to walk to fingers upright on the table) and sure enough, could have very well gone over if things were posistion incorrectly.

Since I don't see myself getting a newer LT anytime soon, I plan on working on an adaptive electric center stand that works in both directions. The concept can be done using the jack-screw method, its just taking the time to sit down and design it so it fits in snug and uses no more ground clearance then the current manual one. If possible, less.

My LT is from 03 and in my garage I have no space to put the center stand correctly, so when I'm 2 or 3 days without using, the bike smokes a lot inside the garage.
If I have hydraulic stand it would be better.
Improvements are always better for us.

... I plan on working on an adaptive electric center stand that works in both directions. The concept can be done using the jack-screw method, its just taking the time to sit down and design it so it fits in snug and uses no more ground clearance then the current manual one. If possible, less.[/QUOTE]


Wow! wouldn't that be something. Let me know if you get a workable design or plan

I have and I love it. This is one of the most frequently used features (except the power windshield that I use even more) and the one that's implemented in an awesome way. Just because of that, I hardly ever use the side stand.