How do you lift a C650GT onto the centerstand?

DrCohen

Active member
I just traded my Burgman 650 for a 2020 C650GT, and I can't figure out how to centerstand the new scooter.
The Burgman was very easy, and over the years I've been OK with my 3 GoldWings and a whole bunch of other bikes.
When I put my right foot on the C650GT centerstand, the grab rail is so far behind me that I cannot lift.
What is the correct technique?
 

Pappy13

Active member
I point my toes to the back of the bike (right foot) place most of my weight on the right foot and pull up on the grab rail. I really feel it's mostly foot pressure o-n the stand, and make sure you have the side stand up., (it applies the rear brake).
 

DrCohen

Active member
I point my toes to the back of the bike (right foot) place most of my weight on the right foot and pull up on the grab rail. I really feel it's mostly foot pressure o-n the stand, and make sure you have the side stand up., (it applies the rear brake).
Thanks for your help. The one time I was successful, I was facing the rear. I must say, this is not a great design. But I suppose I'll get used to it.
 

Pappy13

Active member
It's actually easier on the 2016 and later, the center stand was relocated a little closer to the rear tire.
 

EvilTwin

Active member
I find it easier then my previous scoot, a Silverwing and R1200RT. What I dont care for is having to make sure the sidestand is up so the rear wheel isnt locked. That said, I have one hand on the handlebar and one on the rear grabrail. Balance the bike on both of the centerstand feet and push down with your foot and pull up on the bar. Most of it is the push down with the foot. Coming off the stand if you arent sitting on the bike then by all means put the side stand down so the bike wont roll and it has a place to land. As Pappy mentioned, the center stand was re-engineered in 2016 to be easier to use;
 

DrCohen

Active member
I just traded my Burgman 650 for a 2020 C650GT, and I can't figure out how to centerstand the new scooter.
The Burgman was very easy, and over the years I've been OK with my 3 GoldWings and a whole bunch of other bikes.
When I put my right foot on the C650GT centerstand, the grab rail is so far behind me that I cannot lift.
What is the correct technique?
Today I visited the dealer (https://www.crosscountrycycle.net/ -- fine folks!) and got a brief tutorial. Their technique is essentially the same as EvilTwin's. Left hand on handlebar, right on grab rail, sidestand up, *ball* of right foot on centerstand stalk, push foot (mostly) and pull grab rail. Body and toes face approximately toward throttle grip. I must have been trying to centerstand the bike with the sidestand down, and the parking brake makes it nearly impossible. I really don't like doing the lift with the sidestand up, as it leaves you holding 600 pounds if you're stung by a bee, or sneeze, etc. I wish there was a way to disable the parking brake. For taking the bike off the centerstand, as EvilTwin says, the sidestand with parking brake is nifty.
 

George

New member
I just ran across this article and I have to admit I find putting my 2013 model up on the center stand very intimidating. First you are standing holding the bike up and raise the side stand while on one foot, then you have to raise the other foot onto the center stand peg again holding the bike up while on one foot, all of this done by touch because it is out of sight when that close to bike. This is even before actually lifting the bike. I would lopve to see away to leave the side stand down when engaging the center stand. Sorry about the whine.
 

DrCohen

Active member
I just ran across this article and I have to admit I find putting my 2013 model up on the center stand very intimidating. First you are standing holding the bike up and raise the side stand while on one foot, then you have to raise the other foot onto the center stand peg again holding the bike up while on one foot, all of this done by touch because it is out of sight when that close to bike. This is even before actually lifting the bike. I would lopve to see away to leave the side stand down when engaging the center stand. Sorry about the whine.
When I have time, I'm going to find out how much work is required to disable the connection between sidestand and parking brake.
 

EvilTwin

Active member
When I have time, I'm going to find out how much work is required to disable the connection between sidestand and parking brake.
I'm not sure I would do that unless you have some other way to activate the parking brake. If you park on an incline the bike will roll. I'm not a fan of it either, but I dont see a way around it without some serious fabrication.
 

slant911

Active member
I do it a little different but works for me. I steady the bike bars and get my foot on the centerstand making sure both feet are on the ground and bike is resting on them then use both hands on rear grab handle and it pulls right up. I found trying to hold the bars and one hand on the grab handle to be a little weird on this bike. On my others I do one hand on handlebar and one on grab handle.
 

DrCohen

Active member
When I have time, I'm going to find out how much work is required to disable the connection between sidestand and parking brake.
It's not too difficult to disable the connection between the sidestand and parking brake. The cable that connects them has an adjuster nut at the rear wheel. Back it off a turn at a time until the rear wheel can rotate, and keep count of the turns on the adjuster nut. If you only need to centerstand the bike occasionally, you can use this technique and then turn the adjuster nut back afterward.
 
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DrCohen

Active member
I'm not sure I would do that unless you have some other way to activate the parking brake. If you park on an incline the bike will roll. I'm not a fan of it either, but I dont see a way around it without some serious fabrication.
In my experience, a bike is unlikely to roll if parked on the sidestand and facing uphill. I try very hard to avoid parking on an incline facing downhill, because that might involve the need to push the bike backwards uphill.
 
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