Some people put their bikes on the centerstand every time, even just while parking to run an errand or something. Its usually a bit more stable than the sidestand, ESPECIALLY on hot asphalt or gravel etc, where a side stand can sink into the pavement over time, resulting in a bike tipover.
I use mine for maintenance as well as if I have to park the bike for awhile so I dont get a flat spot on the tire.
dont laugh
Using the centerstand is a technique thing. Here's the written instructions that worked for virtually every buyer of Honda and Kawasaki so equipped back in the olden days who brought the bike in for repairs after dumping it trying to get it on the center stand.
Set the bike on the side stand. Move to the left side of the bike. Stand on the left side of the bike facing the front of the bike, the bike will be at your right hip. Hold the left hand grip with the left hand to keep the wheel straight. Reach down and behind your right hip with the right hand and grasp something firmly attached to the frame. Some heavier bikes even have a handle just for this purpose. If you need to bend over a little to reach a secure object, bend forward at the knees and keep your upper body pointing forward. DO NOT turn toward the bike or lean sideways and bend over the bike. Place the heel of the right foot directly on the "handle" of the center stand and push the stand to the ground.
The rest needs to be done in one fluid series of motions.
GENTLY lean into the bike with your hip, NOT your upper body, until the right side foot of the center stand touches the ground. At the same time, stand on your right heel and lift HARD with the right hand, and the bike will rise up and back on the center stand easy as pie.
Common problems using center stands:
1) Leaning over the bike to stand it upright off the side stand. When you do this, you end up with your CG over the bike, and over both you and the bike go.
2) Front tire turned. The front tire needs to roll straight back toward the center stand, or else the bike will try to turn on the stand and it will slide instead of pivot down. The geometry goes to whack, and the bike falls.
3) Pushing on the center stand instead of standing on it. STAND on that right heel. If your left foot is touching the ground, you are not standing hard enough. If you look closely, the little handle on the center stand where your foot goes gives a good lever action to raise the bike. USE THAT LEVER.
4) Simply holding the bike with the right hand. LIFT hard with the right hand, straight up. This doesn't actually lift the bike, it puts more force on your right heel, which is working the lever that lifts the bike on the center stand. Also, lifting hard keeps your body stiff and vertical over the right heel, less wobble and sway means more force straight down on the center stand lever. The bike goes partway up, down, up, down, sideways, and falls.
5) Toe on the center stand handle. Too much give in the ankle does not transfer the force of your body weight as when standing on the heel. The bike goes partway up, down, up, down, sideways, and falls.
Good luck. Use a spotter to practice.
Set the bike on the side stand. Move to the left side of the bike. Stand on the left side of the bike facing the front of the bike, the bike will be at your right hip. Hold the left hand grip with the left hand to keep the wheel straight. Reach down and behind your right hip with the right hand and grasp something firmly attached to the frame. Some heavier bikes even have a handle just for this purpose. If you need to bend over a little to reach a secure object, bend forward at the knees and keep your upper body pointing forward. DO NOT turn toward the bike or lean sideways and bend over the bike. Place the heel of the right foot directly on the "handle" of the center stand and push the stand to the ground.
The rest needs to be done in one fluid series of motions.
GENTLY lean into the bike with your hip, NOT your upper body, until the right side foot of the center stand touches the ground. At the same time, stand on your right heel and lift HARD with the right hand, and the bike will rise up and back on the center stand easy as pie.
Common problems using center stands:
1) Leaning over the bike to stand it upright off the side stand. When you do this, you end up with your CG over the bike, and over both you and the bike go.
2) Front tire turned. The front tire needs to roll straight back toward the center stand, or else the bike will try to turn on the stand and it will slide instead of pivot down. The geometry goes to whack, and the bike falls.
3) Pushing on the center stand instead of standing on it. STAND on that right heel. If your left foot is touching the ground, you are not standing hard enough. If you look closely, the little handle on the center stand where your foot goes gives a good lever action to raise the bike. USE THAT LEVER.
4) Simply holding the bike with the right hand. LIFT hard with the right hand, straight up. This doesn't actually lift the bike, it puts more force on your right heel, which is working the lever that lifts the bike on the center stand. Also, lifting hard keeps your body stiff and vertical over the right heel, less wobble and sway means more force straight down on the center stand lever. The bike goes partway up, down, up, down, sideways, and falls.
5) Toe on the center stand handle. Too much give in the ankle does not transfer the force of your body weight as when standing on the heel. The bike goes partway up, down, up, down, sideways, and falls.
Good luck. Use a spotter to practice.
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