How To Centerstand Your Motorcycle 

Well let me tell you. Iam 63 year old and for most of that time I have rode bikes. I have never known how to get a bike on its centre stand, always used kick stand. After recently discovered the smartphone l watched this video. So I tried this on my bike, and to my amazement it gracefully popped up on the stand. I stood there staring at my new achievement. This a major achievement in my life, no messing. This is up there with my wedding day and watching the birth of my children. What else don't I know that I don't know.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!! You have no idea how much I struggled!! I'm average size and thought "am I too small?!?" YOU ARE A LIFE SAVER THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!

oh my god, i’ve been struggling to get my old 750 on the center stand forever and after watching this video i got it up on the first try. thank you!!

My dad showed me how and told me it was easy when I was just a lad (I never doubted it). He said it was better because the oil didn't pull to one side. I have no clue if that's true, but I never doubted it. I think that's the key; I never knew it was supposed to be difficult so it never was. Thanks dad! You will be missed but your wisdom will live on forever...

Before I saw this video, I used a crane, sometimes a chain block, to put my scooter on center stand. Now even my wife can do it. Thanks man!!!

I’m a smaller guy (170lbs and 5’ 8) and I’ve got a 2016 gold wing. The bike is obviously a bit large for me but this video really helped! I’ve never been able to get it on the center stand until now. I just did it 3 times!

Simple tutorial video but extremely important. I’ve been doing it wrong since 1969!

Thank you Cody, I'm 73 and have a gammy left leg after surgery left me weak and with poor balance. I could not change up the gears because my foot is compromised with a condition called equine foot. Changing down was fine , unless I missed neutral and had the find it from first gear. An aneurism in my popliteal artery silted up all the arteries in my lower leg , not a biking incident you'll be pleased to hear. I had a Sprint RS which I traded for an Aprilia Mano 850 ABS www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/aprilia/2014-aprilia-mana-850-gt-abs-review.html Yesterday I tried to lube the chain, but it is so inaccessible it meant repeatedly rolling the bike to expose another bit of the sprocket. Not ideal. I then remembered it has a centre stand and proceeded to commit every error you highlight! I put the side stand up so it couldn't hurt my leg. Then I tried to grab both handgrips to pull the bike back. Impossible in my state of health whilst trying to tread on the centre stand. I knew I wouldn't be to lift it if I dropped it , so I gave up and found you on here. Can't wait to put your tutorial to the test, I might even go for spin ionce I have lubed the chain. Thank you so much. btw Demonstrating on different models of bike was inspired. How often do videos show the easiest task which is impossible on anything different. If it works for me, I might just avoid scratching my left mirror on the side of the house - side stands are good for that.

I'm so glad to live in the RU-vid era. Got my first bike with a center stand and couldn't figure it out on my own. So thanks for the help.

I felt like an idiot trying and failing to do this, until I read the comments. Most of the bikes I have owned didn't have center stands, but a few have. Never been able to do it until yesterday. Thanks

best tutorial on RU-vid i have watched many but your video is the best

Pure physics and made so much sense. I will try this on Goldwing 1800 later this morning.

Watching this video proves that knowledge is power.

Thanks for the video. I have a 1985 Honda 650sc Nighthawk. When on the centerstand, the rear wheel is approx 3" off the ground. (warning, I'm a left hander) What I do is use my left foot to push the centerstand down, position the bike (with the kickstand down, just in case) up until both legs are in contact with the ground, then pull hard and steadily back and up using my right hand on the rail behind the seat while holding the left handlebar. Works for me, but since it takes a lot of force to be put on the centerstand lever, I sometimes put a 1/2" inch board underneath the rear wheel to lesson the left and wear my boots. (btw, I'm 6'1" and 195 lbs. To get the bike off the centerstand, I sit on the bike and simply rock it forward until the centerstand over centers. Simpler than putting it the centerstand.

This is so much better than the other tutorials I've seen. Explains exactly where people go wrong, which was exactly where I was going wrong! Having a heavy bike means really needing the proper technique.

I like how you specifically referenced my bike as being possibly harder than the gl1800. St1100.

Where have you been!? I have been doing it all wrong!! I am a 60s+ old girl with a Honda XMax, small and light, but have a horrendous time getting it on the center stand (I also have a bad back). Thank you for this, you saved me!

I hurt my hand a lot in my driving school yesterday because i'm doing it wrong, thank you for this meaningful video 😢

well..I thought I was getting weak at 72, but I see I have been doing it all wrong! Thanks for the education. I have the exact same bike.

Tnks alot man,u really have no idea how much i owe u, I'm struggling with this for years and also make myself joke infront of many hu r weaker than me.tnx bdy

I don't normally use the phrase, but *OH EM GEE !!!* I *have* been doing it wrong and I just now learned how to do it right! It was easy! I have a Honda Pan European ST1100 and I almost never put it on the center stand because there's one or two vertebrae urging me to get a lighter bike, or just take up knitting instead of heavy lifting. I just put it on center stand three times in a row, just to make sure it wasn't beginner's luck. Thank you so much!

I think this is the best tutorial that I have ever seen and makes so much sense.

BRO!!! I LOVE YOU!!! Dude you have no idea how scared i was to do this on an FZ6....watched the first four minutes, walked outside and did it in 2 mins! Thanks so much man! now i gotta figure out why i have oil in my coolant >:(

Yours is the third video I have watched about this subject, center stand. Yours is by far the best.

Just had my first lift off today with my 800lb ‘08 Connie 🙌🏼 I’m very light so I had to get someone to help pull up with me 😂 but it worked like a charm and I did my oil in 5 mins ty!

I've owned a motorbike since 2016 and still could't do it, watched this video half way and I finally put my bike on the centerstand today. ❤❤

omg so easy when you know how to do it properly, my bike's relatively light but i was still groaning when pulling the bars and luggage rack backwards lol. I'm pretty much a newbie rider but dont feel so bad now i read that more experienced people had problems as well, so thanks

You are a genius... i have been riding my scooter for 2yrs and i could never put my scooter on double stand. After I watched this i tried to put my scooter on double stand and it worked in the first time.. 😊 Thankyou so much for your tutorial.

Dude - thank you. I am not a small guy and was really having trouble putting my new BMW F 850GS on its center stand - just did it with ease thanks to you

Tried putting my new bike on the center stand before watching this video and nearly strained my lower back. This video really helps :) Thanks a lot!

ThankYou! After watching other videos all advising R hand tries to pull backwards (fail), this Works 😉☑️

I can't do this till Yesterday, But Now I can do This😀😀Thanks A Lot Bro😍😍

Thanks for this video. I was struggling with my bike. It helped

Thanks mate, from the bottom of my heart! After watching this video I was able to put my bike effortlessly on its center stand - something that i struggled with all my life! THANK YOU!!

Thanks man! I was struggling to lift my VFR800 and this technique made it easy breezy

Bought an XS750 for my first bike. almost 600lbs wet. 2 people and it was still a helluvuhtime getting it up there. after a long time of going through the bike and fixing things here and there, it was finally time to drop it down. Your technique help greatly. I then said screw it, I'm going to put it back up and had no problem. Thanks a million

Im 5 11 275 and can deadlift 565 pounds and squat 465. And the neighbor was laughing at me watching me trying to put the old goldwing I bought on its centerstand and when I bought it the 60 year old guy laughed when I tried to get it off. Its definitely a skill/knowing what to do so dont feel bad lol

I use to use the center stand when younger. I have the same CB750 Anniversary Edition you did the carb sync on. At 71, id like to see how you get it up on its center stand. When I was 28 , no problem. But had it in storage since 88 while raising my family, made her road worthy during shelter in place: and wondered how did I ever get it up on its center stand back when? -

Makes a great deal of sense now. Cheers!

Hello MD, Thanks for this video. I'm 70 now and with my BMW K1200rs I've been having trouble getting it on the center stand. Great tips, Thanks!

Thanks man... struggled for an hour then watched your video and the bike was on its stand on the first try no problems

Thank you! Just put after market center stand on my bike, now comes learning how to utilize it.

Awesome that made it so easy to get on stand

Thanks MD! Life saver.

My problem now is putting a center stand on my bike. My old CB 750 and even my VMAX had center stands, but the 2005 Triumph bonneville I just bought, doesn't. Can't believe it. Now I have to put one on. But you're right . The honda had a grab bar specific for getting it on the stand. The VMAX i used to seat grab bar. Not sure yet about the Triumph. Thanks for giving people the knowledge. I know the honda weighed about 4 something and the Max about 6 and they both pulled right up. Not sure the bike's u were pulling up. But yes the stands are designed to be doable. Thanks again. Happy holidays.

brilliant video mate, really easy with your technique 😃👍 many thanks from andy in the uk

One really important thing to have in main is the shoos you are wearing. It have to be flat and strong to take the weight out of you foot. Thanks Cody.

Your awesome Cody! Keep up the videos man! We know your a hard working mechanic as well as our favorite mechanical RU-vidr.

3:50 didn't need to watch further. You're the best! I was struggling with this for over a year of active attempts and now got it with minimal effort and it took 3 seconds

Wow the first video that actually helped me 👍

Centerstanding my "light" 100kg scooter has been something i thought I'd never do since I'm merely 165cm and just 40kg. But this video changed that. Out of all the countless videos that I've watched about how to centerstand a motorcycle, this one really helped! Thanks man

Wow. Thanks man. Subscribed all the way. You don’t understand how much I’ve struggled and still couldn’t get it done. Had to keep bugging my wife to help me. Just went outside with sandals and got it up on the stand. Really great full

4:50 so true and relatable for beginners 😂😂😂🏍️

Awesome video..❤ jt is advisable to.put on first gear and side stand open for safety while removing from center stand especially when bike is heavy and you are not very familiar

Thanks for that. Watched other videos and couldn’t get it on the stand. Watched yours and got it on the first try!

So THAT is what the handle on the left side of my bike (ZZR-600) is for! The more you know! I thought I was just a weakling, but it turns out I just didn't know how to put it on the centerstand correctly :D Thanks for an informative and concise video!

Thank you sooooo much for this video! I dreaded putting my Burgman on its center stand because it was so difficult for me. I thought the problem was me being weak or the bike being too heavy. Thanks to your video, this last oil change went a lot quicker than last time because I didn't spend 30 minutes fighting with it, lol!

Thanks for your excellent video clearing up the mystery of how to put a big bike on its center stand.

I'm very interesting in these little thing because it's very important

Thanks dude. I have a Concours, and it's a total pain for me. I got ill, had surgery, lost a butt load of weight and thought I would never get that bike up on it's stand again. I think I am pulling with the left arm like you say not to, so I just push down and lift with the right leg and right arm at the same time. Damn, it used to be so easy.. Peace out bro...

Awsome. You solved a huge mystery for me. 👌

Hey man I thank you! You just save me a second time dropping my bike and me fallling down with it! 😂

This helped me so much. Was able to get it up no problem after watching . Thanks for your help!

Very helpful tutorial, thank you for the time in explaining the easy way on how to, properly pull a heavier bike onto the center stand.

I was definitely doing this wrong. I got away with it a bit because the bike I have is so light (Suzuki GS 425) but this is much better thanks!

Life saver m8. Got my first cruiser (st1100) and couldn't figure how to get the beast on the stand. Super easy with your technique.

Great advice man. I struggled a lot to put my vfr1200 on the central stand. After I watched this video I managed to do it nice and much easier. And I tested it a few times, works great.

Another brilliantly explained video Cody. A happy new year to you.

Thank You!!! I'm 120lbs and my bike weighs 120kg. After watching your video I can actually get it on the kickstand!!

Awesome! Your technique really works I am able to lift my bike on the center stand now. I was about to give up using the center stand till I saw your video.Thank you so much!

Wow! Went out and tried it,,worked first try,just like I knew what I was doing!! Thanks for the help,no more dragging out the cherry picker !

Thanks! Finally I know how to do it properly. Greetings from Poland (EU)

Massive thanks Cody. I have a 230kg VFR. Thought it was just hard. Did it when I got back from a ride and was shocked how it just came up

Cheers dude, been struggling with that. Knowing that the stand is a lever, really helped.

Awesome, my varadero 1000 wasnt East first time but this helped alot!

My first bike was a 400 and I had a real hard time getting it up onto the centre stand until someone showed by the rhythm of it. Great video!

I had an ST1100 and as you said a pain to get up, Blackbird no probs🤘

Thank you so much, I've been struggling with my Nmax V2 since I only have a weight of 48kg. Your tip is very useful it really work!

Thanks so much I never understood it til now and thought it was more brawn than mechanics! Great detail and emphasis on all the mistakes I was making trying to stand up my Burgman 400 👏

Thanks! I just made my first center stand after n times of trying of doing it wrong. Lol. The explanation really helped me understand the process 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

Thank you so much for making this video. I added a center stand to a bike that originally did not come with one; and, after being unable to get the bike up on the stand, I thought my idea of adding a center stand was not going to work. After watching your video; however, I realized that I was doing it all wrong. Using the correct method of lifting the rear worked like a charm. Again, thank you very much...

this was dope. I don't have a center stand but now I feel I definitely know I can do it, and with confidence ;)

Awesome video, it worked for me 1st try! Ive given up trying to do this on my mulstistrada 1200s and it was so easy with your technique, thanks a lot!!!! Cheers from 🇨🇦 ⚡️

really helpful! thank you and God bless

Follow exactly and it will work the first time .. I couldn’t get my fj1200 up .. No matter how I tried .. this tutorial works.

Great video. I almost popped an o ring trying to get a bike up on a centre stand the first time I tried and is was a 125cc. Certainly all in the technique.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! I used this method on my wife's Honda Silver Wing scooter n it worked. This guy in Canada (MSG) did a lousey job of explaining it, but your method was so frickn simple n it worked. Thank you sir

Hi there Cody,thank you so so much,I'm due soon to receive my motorbike Honda cbr1000 & the weight does terrify me,I couldn't believe how you put the Goldwing & the 1800 cc , Excellent technique & thank you friend,you cover apsolutely everything 🙂🙂🙂

Thanks for this video. Good stuff!

Excellent! Thank you!

I must say it looks so easy how you do it. I bought a gsx 750 f and i struggle to put it on the center stand and i weight about 65 kg so maybe its to heavy for me and afraid i'll drop it but i will keep trying thank you for youre tips greetings from holland

watched this AFTER spending half an hour trying to put my xs750 on a center stand by pulling on the handlebar. i'll give it a try tomorrow

Wow, you made it look so easy, especially with that big bike. I just bought a Suzuki, Bergman scooter and couldn;t do it. It is almost 600lbs. That Goldwing must be twice that. Thanks man.

Taking it off the stand works well for me if i hold the handlebar at both grips, while standing with my right foot on the stand lever. When pushing forward, i use the front brake to slowly let the bike down in a controlled way, then pull her towards me and the side stand. You did well to emphasize that the lifting is done with the leg, not with the back. Mine is only a 1200GS, but my back is problematic and i have no bother with the centre stand at all. Nice video.

watched 3 or 4 other centerstand tutorials, and tried it after watching each one, but none worked for me, I still couldn't do it, then I watched yours and bingo, up on the center stand she went, and I did it 4 or 5 more times just for fun... thanks

Amazing technique. Thanks 👍. I had never used a bike with a centre stand until I got my super 10. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't do it. A couple friends tried pulling the bike and lifting the bike while I was pushing the stand down. We dropped the bike hard :(. The reason was that the bike was lowered by 30mm with a different dog bone. Once I got something with 30mm height, I put it on the floor, got the real wheel on it and then tried the stand.... It got on the first try. So for bikes that are lowered, try changing your stand or try getting the rear wheel a bit higher before you try .

Been pulling like craaazzyy then i watched this video. First try first successful pull💯

Thanks so much, I have been practicing on my CB Honda which is a Bear as you call it :)

SO 👏🏻 HELPFUL, thank you

Dude I been watching every tutorial but this one works. VFR and CB 400 Hyper VETEC. Pig up on the centre stand. Tiss up now and did.not drop.