How To Use The CENTER STAND On A Motorcycle 

Man you helped me so much, I was embarrassed that I even had to google this. Your instruction is detailed and still solid and it stands out! 😅

Been riding 3 years and never liked taking bike off center stand. Dont know why i never though of putting it in gear before but that makes a lots of sense! Everyday is a school day..... Cheers

I have done this since day one and it’s never failed me. Another pro tip, if you’re wearing normal shoes or a shoe with less rigidity to its sole, use the heel to push off, not the middle or it’ll hurt a bit.

Wow -Thank you! This was a huge help. I was doing everything BUT actually standing on the center stand pedal. I was holding the center stand down and trying to pull+lift to pivot up and over center stand feet only to fail to get enough grip on the ground. I gave up on using my center stand, thinking it wasn’t a good fit for my bike. I went out to try this immediately after watching this vid and I popped the bike on to the center stand on first try. I now have a center stand.

Great tutorial, I got my bike on its center stand for the first time after almost a year of ownership. (21x)Thank you!

By far the best RU-vidr when it comes to motorcycles. This guy has talent in explaining things.

Thank you so very much for creating this CENTER STAND video. I had a Honda Center Stand installed on my 2024 Honda NC750X DCT yesterday, in addition to the initial 600-mile service appointment. Without your expert tutorial, I may never had used it. Since buying my very first motorcycle on Veterans Day 2017 through today, your instructional videos have proven to be a steady source of reliable and trustworthy information. Thanks again, Scott.

I’m new to this whole new world. Lovin it , but realized right away that there is a steep learning curve. This was just one more thing that I knew I didn’t know.. 20 times( shut up an practice, right?) even after 20 not as easy as you make it look .. but after 50 it will be. As a former teacher I really appreciate your approach. Straight forward, clear topic, easy to understand , remember., and implement instructions. Thank you for the wealth of information. I recommend you to everyone I talk to. The new riders ,who are asking me where to start, and the “experienced riders”, that are asking how I have as much knowledge as I do riding only a year now.( in the Seattle area so that equates to 4 months of actual dry riding ) Answer is always the same .. Moto Jitzu. I’m going to shut up now and go practice Cheers

Nice tutorial...when i got my center stand instaled (Honda nc750x) the "Honda dealer dude" gave me those exact tips...well done!!

Cheers so much brother! Recently moved up from a BMW K75RT to a KTM 950 and the geometry/weight/balance/everything is so different. Felt rather silly I was unable to comfortably move my monster 950 after years of easily flipped the RT up and down from either stand. I appreciate your clean delivery and kindness in education. Downloading your Training App today! All love from Reno!!

Great presentation! I'm a short guy and have a 83 Yamaha xj650 Maxim and love the old bike. It's all original and takes me back to my younger years. I was never comfortable trying the center stand, but after watching your video I can't wait to try it. The 20 times drill is a very thoural learning technique. You are a very good teacher, and I can tell a very disciplined rider. You are very well equipped with all the right riding gear. Thanks again, be safe.

FINALLY FIGURED IT OUT! Before I was standing too far forward of the bike, now I'm standing further back with my left arm somewhat straight when holding the left handlebar due to being further away from it. Puts me in a better position to get more weight down on the centre stand. Thanks a bunch Moto Sensei!

Man I used to struggle with this, got it on the first try after watching this videos, learning a ton from your entire series, thanks man!

really wish I would've looked this up before dropping my bike off the center stand the wrong way. Thanks for the tips!!

Greg (Fast Eddie), I really appreciate all of your videos. They are clear and thoughtful with absolute safety in mind. Your explanations tend to follow my train of thought. I take notes, practice, and learn. My bike is 4X my weight. Like you, I failed a center stand set up one time and was lucky to have someone else there. Personally, I thought it was just me as a lightweight and have not tried it since. I will try again with your steps after I get a guard mounted and in place to back me up. Thank you for all your great instruction.

I'm so happy to find this! I took my bike off its centerstand and it fell the opposite way breaking my brake lever and some scuffs. After that, I was hoping to find the right way to do it. I'm watching all your videos from oldest and found this. Thank you so much and keep that superb content coming!!!

Thanks for the great video! I think it's great that you have shown it a few times from different perspectives. Most of the time someone shows it only once and then it's over. With your video you get it into the brain.

I tend to sit on the bike to take it off the centre stand, rock it back until the rear tyre touches the tarmac, then rock it forward and it jumps off the stand. That way my feet are both landing on the floor either side of the bike at the same time, I squeeze the front brake with one finger to stop it rolling forward as it comes off the stand. If the engine is already running, then its straight into first gear and off I go - all in one movement! Give it a go Eddie! (Takes a bit of practice!)

I finally bought the adventure bike I’ve always wanted. Never had a bike with a center stand before and struggled getting it on it until this video. Thanks brother! Keep it up!

That helped! Plenty of body weight here. Once I put that to use it was pretty easy. The 20 times in a row was a good idea too. Nothing like muscle memory. Only difficulty I had was putting it up while in gear. Had to make sure it was rolled forward before I started.

Thanks for making this video! Recently got a Honda VFR with a center stand and this video made it really easy for me to get the bike on and off the stand.

I have a Triumph Bonnie with no center stand, but this is truly a helpful video! If I ever end up getting a center stand for my ride, I will now know to properly use it! Keep making these great videos! I will definitely be ordering your book to help improve my riding skills (practice, practice, practice!), and to help keep me alive to ride another day! 😁

I’ve just recently learned how to put the bike on center stand. I knew how to do it but I always had fear the bike fall over when I was pulling it back. I knew the two feet of the center stand had to be on the ground but I didn’t knew that you could feel the balance of the bike when the two feet are on the ground. And then a friend of mine explained it to me. He said: as long as the center stand’s two feet are touching the ground the bike is balanced; it won’t fall to the other side even if you push it to that side (gently of course, and with your feet applying a little force down). And that made all the difference. Nailed it at the first time after that: it just takes two fingers on the handlebar, the right hand on the passenger grab handle and pulling the bike back, not upwards. The bike almost feels light :) Your explanation is also great by the way 👍🏼

I finally did it! Watched many videos before. As a regular rider it was gnawing me that I couldn't use the centre stand and not for the lack of trying. After watching this video I'm proud to say I can now get the nearly 200kg RE350 on centre stand! Easy! Thanks mate! Now working on getting center stand on while on the bike. Do you have a video on this?

Teaching with a true Jitsu mindset. Thank you.

I am 73 years old and ride a GL 1800 Gold wing. I have never been able to get it up on the center stand until now. I have watched every video on RU-vid and not one of them explained about pulling the bike backwards and not upward until now. Thank you very much for your very informative video. My GW is now sitting on the center stand.

Love your videos. You always give clear, detailed instruction along with demonstrations on how to apply those instructions. Excellent learning tool for beginners and experienced riders. Great job sir.

Figured it out in one try after this video. Thank you it helped a short girl like me park my brother’s bike safely out of the way while he’s out of town

Great video, thanks! If I might add some experience... In the nervous moment of rolling it off the center stand, resist the instinct to pull the bike towards you, which might inadvertently pull the handlebars into a slight left turn just as the bike rolls onto both wheels, and it goes into a tilt over to the right. Disaster! I have learnt with my two GS-A's to point the handlebar slightly to the right before I roll it off the stand. Just a little bit! That way, the roll tilts the bike to the left and onto the deployed side stand, rather than 'high-siding' over to the right and toppling away from you. Several people below suggest that you sit on it and roll it off - not so easy to do with a GS or GS-A if you're less than 6'2 tall!

After 10 minutes of trying to do it I watch your video done in 30 seconds. Thank you!

I just got my first bike yesterday, a BMW F650GS with 1150 miles on it. I did a search hoping I would find a video that would show this. Thanks for providing the most useful content on motorcycling riding on the web. I'm going to shut up and practice now. Thanks again!

Man, you are really something. I am getting discouraged with every time i do some stupid mistake and drop the bike. Then i see that i am not the only one and i realise i should go easy on myself considering that i don't even have a full month of riding. Thanks!

Good information here on how to get a tall bike on and off the center stand. I have a R1200RT and to get it off the center stand I just get on the bike and use my legs to push forward its off the center stand. Unlike the GS, the RT if it goes over all the plastic covers will get scratched and damaged..

Never had a problem getting it off but getting on is a tip I'll surely try........my method has always be foot on stand and pulling back the bars with both hands which can be a struggle, it never occurred to me to just put my body weight on the stand

Thanks for taking the time to film this - tips for getting bike off the stand greatfully received - doing it in gear and rocking the bike will help me no end!

I just installed the center stand on my K 1200 R sport. I'm 57 years old this January so I don't have the muscle I used to. Tried rocking it back while seated on it, no luck. Your video is a great help straight to the point thank you.

I have got into the habit of hold the front brake lever to steady the bike off the stand, ,also mounting and dismounting the bike especially if it's on a gradient, your way is good too...

20 times in a row that's actually great advice. I've done that now and I'm much more confident. Thank you for a great video

Coming from sport bikes it's my first time owning a bike with a centre stand in 20 years of riding and this was great, gave me the confidence to get my Ducati Multistrada up and down with no dramas.

Thank you so much! No fluff just fantastic how-to. Like the dad I wish I had!

Lol i was struggling to use the center stand and now i know how to use it thx man

Thanks a lot! Very usefull to me...as a beginner!!! Bye.

Was having troubles with my "new" 1993 Virago 1100. This video helped. Worked perfectly! Thanks

As always, thank you. Moved to my first chain bike a month ago and needed bike up on center stand for chain maint. I huffed and puffed then I watched this video - boom, she's up.

My bike does not even have a center stand yet I still watched the whole thing. Great video!

I have a HD Softtail was hit broadside by a riceburner while I was stopped and leaned halfway over and NEVER let her hit the ground !

Brilliant tutorial thank you. My new bike on order is coming with a centre stand and although ive had around 8 bikes before non of them had one. ride safe and regards from UK.

Great video. I was leaning the bike towards me and trying to muscle it up. Your way works!

Why am I watching this when my bike doesn't even have a centre stand

It's funny how most manufacturers don't include Center Stand operating instructions in the User Op. Manual.

I did it! The lovely men at the dealership showed me but by the time I got the bike home I'd forgotten! Had my first drop in the driveway.... but, I feel so much better after watching this.

First time I rocked my GSA off the stand I had my right foot behind the center stand. Rocked forward, stepped forward with the bike and raked the crap out of my shin when it came off the center stand. (Shorts, flip flops in the garage). Now, and every time since, right foot between the center stand and the extended side stand and rock forward.

Thanks sir, I’ve learned my mistake- I was pulling up instead of up & backwards 🙏🏼

Can’t wait for how Turn blinkers on and off !

Just about to buy BMW GTL Haven’t dealt with centre stand since 1981 thank you for sharing. Kinda forgot how that went so thank you very much

You make it look so easy. I need to practice more. I seldom get it on the first attempt with my 1999 VFR800. Thanks for sharing!

Just watch where your left foot goes when you have the sidestand down and take the bike off the centrestand. As I have learnt, it is painful if it gets trapped!

Normal people come up with these tips just by using common sense. Next video: How to put your pants on without falling over.

Good explanation. Thanks for sharing. Might I add that in the UK we also support the centre stand with a right foot and guide it back to the stop. That way we don't get an insympathetic "clang" as the centre stand would otherwise smash against the bike frame . Good stuff...keep it coming.

2 years after this video made and it still makes lots of sense! Pity I didn"t hear the advice about letting it go before I put my shoulder out saving my beautiful GS a couple of months ago!.. Still, good advice, and ill know for next time!!

Good video. I’ve tried to do it a couple of times and given up. Now with this new info, I will try again. Thanks.

Great video, very well explained. I've been riding for a few years but never owned a bike with a center stand. Now I'm awaiting delivery of a bike that has one. Thanks for the tutorial.

This was exactly what I was looking for, this really helped. Cheers mate!! 😁👍🏻

Great Video ! I almost gave up trying to get my R1200RS up on the stand. Watched this video and went out and put it up like you showed and everything just clicked ! Thanks! BTW: I always bring it down from the seated position also. The main reason to place the bike on the center stand is that I ride on the WA State ferries a lot and the steel decks are a bastard to learn on. The ferries tilt quite a bit in foul wx so the kick stand is a no-go on the beemer, works on my shovel just fine tho.

Thank you!!! I bought Suzuki motorcycle and was not shure how to put it at central stand. After I watched your video I put it on its central stand by the first attempt. Regards!

I've only had my bike about two weeks (Royal Enfield Classic 350) and I've tried a few times to get it on the center stand and just couldn't do it. I gave up because I was afraid to drop the bike. The guy from the dealership made it look so easy when he did it that I figured I was just dumb or too weak to do it (I'm a 5'5" 44-year-old woman and this is my first bike, so I'm not super confident around it yet). This video gave me the confidence to go try it again. I think I didn't have the bike on the balance point before, and it hadn't occurred to me to let the bike take me with it as it went up. Thanks for this!

Dude I hang on to every word ,, I just got my first a bike a 03 R6 she's very slick so imma take it very easy getting into this helps a damn lot ,, Cheers from South carolina

Plucking up the courage to do this tomorrow on my week-old GS 1200 Rallye! Thanks for the video! :)

Finally, an explanation that makes sense to absolute beginners. Never seen that topic explained so well on youtube. BTW, the trickiest part imho is finding the balance point, especially on uneven grounds. Orientation matters here.

Thank you so much, I wasn't stepping fully on the stand and I was just trying to stomp it down I don't even know 😩 I can finally clean my bike way easier now lmao

well explained. I do not have a clutch anymore. Bike equiped with Honda DCT. My experience for tight U-turns: a bit throttle and rearbrake at the same time is pretty helpful. Other suggestions? will be welcome😎

I'm surprised there aren't any comments. But this is in fact one of the must-see videos. Good job!

This is great ! I just purchased a new(used ) 2017 Ducati multistrada. Thank you for this

Excellent video as usual. I did 20 in a row like you suggested. Here's a couple of things I learned during the 20 attempts. 1) Make sure to watch your feet so the kickstand doesn't crush them as you rock the bike forward off the stands. Ouch! 2) On my Africa Twin it was not possible to get it on the stand unless the bike was in Neutral. So to put up I put the transmission in Neutral, but before I put it back down I put the bike in gear as you suggested. 3) You may not want to do this inside your garage if you have nice epoxy or polished floors. Center stands dig into the floor underneath the bike pretty hard and you're sure to scuff the floor pretty badly. So maybe some sort of mat would help underneath.

Great video and very helpful, appreciate the time you take to explain each step....sharing with anyone who really wants to gain confidence and knowledge as I do. Thanks eddie ✌️

Many years ago I had a 1983 Suzuki GS650 GL which was kind of tall and heavy for my small stature. It took awhile to figure out how to use the center stand because I was intimidated by its size and weight. I had to figure out how to use it because the side stand was really too short and I had to be very careful where I parked it to keep it from falling over. Since it had the Japanese standard or "naked bike" frame, there was less to grab onto than your BMW GS style. Fortunately, it had a raised part on the front of the center stand extension and it was designed (leave it to the Japanese engineers) to PUSH DOWN on with my right foot while my right hand would LIFT the frame under the left side of the seat. My left hand was on the handlebar for stability. With my PUSH DOWN/PULL UP motions of my right foot and right hand, there was very little straining or actual lifting. It was all in a fulcrum type of movement and it was very easy to do. To get it off the center stand, I merely straddled the bike and rocked it forward; also very easy. I have since used that same technique on a BMW R 1100 RT and it worked perfectly and it is a much heavier bike than the Suzuki was. That Suzuki was a basic bike that came with shaft drive, a center stand, gear indicator, fuel gauge, tachometer and disc brakes front and rear as standard equipment. Today's basic bike has a side stand. But I digress....

This is how i've learned to put the bike on the center stand :) :) :) Always great advice from Fast Eddie !

Great video, I was struggling a lot to put my Versys300 on the center stand, no more trouble after watching your tutorial!

I am so grateful for the awesome information you share, i just finished my 3 day course to get my endorsement, and I will continue to learn more from you.

Great video. Really helped me figure this out in my garage. Didn't want to look silly out on the road.

Plantar Fasciitis happened to my right foot on one helmet setting with moccasins around the garage , sometimes with camping gear loaded and ready for a trip. My 63 year old tendons under my foot couldn't take the (stretch) force my leg could provide. Now use One Helmet +Luggage setting and only motorcycle (stiff sole) boots.

very practical instruction with excellent muscle memory tip (do it 20 times)! thanks. I am learning a lot from your concise videos.

Great guidance! One caveat: if you put the kickstand down to take the bike off the center, be extra careful of where you put your feet; getting caught under that side stand when 500lbs of bike comes down will do some damage.

I've had about 15 bikes so far in my life but never had a centre stand on any of them, and I have just acquired a 2015 VFR 800f had it for a week now and tried about 5-6 times to use the centre stand to no avail , gunna go get it out and try again thanks.

Great video; thank you. Excited to try this method. Currently it's so difficult and typically takes help to get it on center stand so I'm positive I've been doing it incorrectly.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I am a70yr old, 5'1", 145lb woman. After years of wanting a motorcycle again, kids, grandkids grown, no longer able to shift gears (arthritis in left ankle) I bought a 175cc Scooter. Standard kickstand really not secure, but I do not have the strength or height to get the Scooter on the center stand, the way salesperson demonstrated, without help. It really limited me to where I could ride. After watching your video, a few adaptations, I can do it!! WooHoo!! I grab the front bottom edge of seat and rock scoot up and back. Doesn't matter if I ride by myself or how many stops. I can so it!!

I didn't know how to use the center stand when I bought my bike and I learned it from you in other video, you were explaining something else while lifting the bike..I can't remember which video, but from that moment I started using the center stand.👍 thanks

thanks man! this is a million times better than upping my deadlifts and squats.

Good video ! After riding H D for 35 years , I had forgotten how to use the center stand !

Really like your videos. I was lucky to have a salesperson show me this when I bought my 750 gs. I would have been struggling otherwise.

Got my first bike this summer. RE continental gt 650. I installed a center stand myself today. I thought the hardest part was putting that center stand spring in place. But man was I wrong. I almost gave up trying to get my bike on that center stance. When I finally got it to stand now I'm scared I might drop it to the other side when I put the bike down. I think imma buy and install an engine guard first before getting this bike off the center stand. Lol

I currently only have a 125cc and have my direct access bike course and test next week on a 650cc. This has always been a concern for me Thx for the brilliant video and advice.

This video helped a lot. 1st time rider. Got the Navi

This video shows up at the right time. My previous bike was just over 400lbs and wasn’t a problem getting it on and off the main stand. But 2 days ago just got myself a 500lbs beast and feels like I’m doing a dead lift getting it on the centre stand. Hahaha. Thanks for the tip Eddie.

I'll have to give this a try. I've never had a problem getting my GS on the center stand, but I've always been leery of taking it off the stand without being on the bike.

I just got a scooter and I’ve been getting a work out trying to get it on the stand. This video showed all i need to do is step down.

I can't thank you enough you're becoming one of my FAVORITE channels!!

god this was so helpful, I am kinda embarrassed searching for this because i always ask for help to life my bike, i was trying but doing it the wrong way, Now i think i can do it myself watching this, Thanks! helped alot,

Fast Eddie - great video - never felt confident with the center stand before - this helped!! Many thanks.

I was dealifting my tiger 1200 xrt UPWARDS when trying to centrestand cos I'm pretty strong but always twisted my shoulder and back... never thought to pull the bike BACK at the same stone as standing DOWN...not cos I'm dumb...cos I daren't ask and LOOK dumb. Thanks Eddie 👍