PaulB
New member
I'm struggling to put my new-to-me 2013 C650 onto the centre stand. I'm getting on a bit (64) but 6' tall and fairly fit. Is there a knack to it?
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Putting C650GT on centre stand
- Thread starter PaulB
- Start date
Delray
Well-known member
Below is a thread with lots of helpful suggestions.
Apologies if I'm stating the bleeding obvious, but the sidestand has to be in the up position to put the bike on the centerstand. If it's down, you've locked the parking brake and would need the strength of Hercules to move the bike backwards. On the other hand, I always put the side stand down when I'm pushing the bike forward off the center stand. It provides a convenient goal -- push forward off the center stand, guide it left to settle on the side stand.
Generally, make sure the bike is balanced on the two sides of the center stand and with your left hand on the left handlebar, pull back as you step down on the center stand with your right foot and lift UP with your right hand on the left guard rail. To visualize, the center stand stays in the same place as the body of the bike moves toward the rear. Just takes a little repetition and this becomes second nature.
www.bmw-scooters.com
Apologies if I'm stating the bleeding obvious, but the sidestand has to be in the up position to put the bike on the centerstand. If it's down, you've locked the parking brake and would need the strength of Hercules to move the bike backwards. On the other hand, I always put the side stand down when I'm pushing the bike forward off the center stand. It provides a convenient goal -- push forward off the center stand, guide it left to settle on the side stand.
Generally, make sure the bike is balanced on the two sides of the center stand and with your left hand on the left handlebar, pull back as you step down on the center stand with your right foot and lift UP with your right hand on the left guard rail. To visualize, the center stand stays in the same place as the body of the bike moves toward the rear. Just takes a little repetition and this becomes second nature.
How do you lift a C650GT onto the centerstand?
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...
- Thread starter
- #3
PaulB
New member
Thanks for the help Delray. It feels as if the stand is too far back? With other bikes I've had, it was more a question of pressing down with your foot than trying to lift.
I'll keep practising till I get it right.
I'll keep practising till I get it right.
Delray
Well-known member
"It feels as if the stand is too far back?"
Your perception is right on the money. The center stand was modified in the 2.0 version, 2016+ models. I also have a 2013 (platinum), so I guess you and I just have to work a little harder. With this bike, I find the backward motion is the key to success.
Your perception is right on the money. The center stand was modified in the 2.0 version, 2016+ models. I also have a 2013 (platinum), so I guess you and I just have to work a little harder. With this bike, I find the backward motion is the key to success.
- Thread starter
- #5
PaulB
New member
Thanks Delray, I thought so.
Trying to put one hand on the bars and the other on the passenger grip means I'm out of position to press down with my foot as I would usually do. Somehow I need to get closer to the back of the bike without it toppling over.
I'll experiment, without hopefully pulling my back again.
Trying to put one hand on the bars and the other on the passenger grip means I'm out of position to press down with my foot as I would usually do. Somehow I need to get closer to the back of the bike without it toppling over.
I'll experiment, without hopefully pulling my back again.
Delray
Well-known member
"Somehow I need to get closer to the back of the bike without it toppling over."
Exactly. Because the side stand needs to be up, there are a few seconds of "no man's land" when you balance the bike without the comfort of a side stand to fall back on. I don't like that about the bike (although I do like the side stand engaging the parking brake when it's down).
Photo shows my position, slightly behind the buttrest. My position has my right foot going straight down on the center stand. I use more arm strength than leg, but I know some believe standing fully on the center stand and using body weight is the way to go. I'm not comfortable doing that without a side stand backup.
First thing I do is pick up the bike a little so the side stand can be kicked back -- I lean the bike against my right thigh for this. After kicking up the side stand, I push the bike out so it's balanced on the two legs of the center stand, with my right foot resting on the stand. At that point, I do a little hop or two with my left leg to get closer to the bike for better balance and leverage. The whole thing is a bit of an awkward dance.
I just moved to a condo where I need to put the bike up on the center stand each time. Previously, I had it in a one-car garage with my Prius. There wasn't enough room with the two vehicles in the garage to use the center stand or the side stand, so I found two paving stones as a pad or bed for the side stand. They kept the bike leaning slightly left, around 85 degrees, planted solidly with no danger of falling to the right. Voila. I created the narrowest possible profile for the bike so both vehicles fit in the garage (and no need to use the cursed center stand).
Exactly. Because the side stand needs to be up, there are a few seconds of "no man's land" when you balance the bike without the comfort of a side stand to fall back on. I don't like that about the bike (although I do like the side stand engaging the parking brake when it's down).
Photo shows my position, slightly behind the buttrest. My position has my right foot going straight down on the center stand. I use more arm strength than leg, but I know some believe standing fully on the center stand and using body weight is the way to go. I'm not comfortable doing that without a side stand backup.
First thing I do is pick up the bike a little so the side stand can be kicked back -- I lean the bike against my right thigh for this. After kicking up the side stand, I push the bike out so it's balanced on the two legs of the center stand, with my right foot resting on the stand. At that point, I do a little hop or two with my left leg to get closer to the bike for better balance and leverage. The whole thing is a bit of an awkward dance.
I just moved to a condo where I need to put the bike up on the center stand each time. Previously, I had it in a one-car garage with my Prius. There wasn't enough room with the two vehicles in the garage to use the center stand or the side stand, so I found two paving stones as a pad or bed for the side stand. They kept the bike leaning slightly left, around 85 degrees, planted solidly with no danger of falling to the right. Voila. I created the narrowest possible profile for the bike so both vehicles fit in the garage (and no need to use the cursed center stand).
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- Thread starter
- #7
PaulB
New member
My thanks once again Delray - I'm glad it's not just me!
I had read that one hand on the bars and one on the passenger grab-rail was the recommended technigue - but that puts me out of position and unable to exert the leverage needed.
I share a small garage and so space is tight; if it wasn't I'd probably just leave the bike on the side stand for an easy life.
I'm going to persevere with the "awkward dance" until I get the hang of this
I had read that one hand on the bars and one on the passenger grab-rail was the recommended technigue - but that puts me out of position and unable to exert the leverage needed.
I share a small garage and so space is tight; if it wasn't I'd probably just leave the bike on the side stand for an easy life.
I'm going to persevere with the "awkward dance" until I get the hang of this
- Thread starter
- #8
PaulB
New member
It worked!!
OK, it was a bit awkward kicking up the side-stand and shuffling towards the back of the bike, but once I'd got both hands on the passenger grabrail it was much easier to lift the bike onto the centre-stand than before.
Lots more practice is needed before it becomes "fluid" but I'll get there.
Thanks again Delray.
OK, it was a bit awkward kicking up the side-stand and shuffling towards the back of the bike, but once I'd got both hands on the passenger grabrail it was much easier to lift the bike onto the centre-stand than before.
Lots more practice is needed before it becomes "fluid" but I'll get there.
Thanks again Delray.
slant911
Active member
Technique that works for me is to get the bike balanced and handlebar facing straight ahead then I use both hands on rear grab bar as I press down on center stand. Not for the faint of heart in that you have to be sure you have the bike balanced letting go of the handlebar. But works much better for me. YMMV.
Emlyn
New member
Hi everyone. Center stand problem fixed. Put a flat piece of wood on the floor, 3"x 3 " and approximately 20mm or 3/4" thick, this raises the back wheel and so reducing the arc of the center stand. I put my 650 onto a Motor Mover to allow easy movement around the garage, for this I have to use a 1" thick piece of wood under the back wheel to get the Scooter onto the Mover, this allows for the extra height of the mover off the floor
I have had my scoot now since August 21 and have had no problems, not fell over once.
I have had my scoot now since August 21 and have had no problems, not fell over once.
Emlyn
New member
Hi Delray. I have looked at your post and feel I have to address the "not feeling comfotable " without the side stand down. I suggest that you stand on the center stand lever (leave side stand down if you must) and try rocking the Scoot from side to side, it will not fall over as long as you keep the weight on the center stand. I know it will not go on the stand as the brake is on, but you will feel the weight is carried by the stand. I know I am new at the Beemer scooter but I have ridden bikes for over 60 years and still going and all bikes if you keep the weght on the center stand it is quite stable.
Emlyn
Emlyn
LongRanger
New member
Interesting discussion. My ‘19 goes on the center stand relatively easily, but getting it off the stand is another thing entirely. On my smooth concrete garage floor, the bike skids forward on the center stand when I try to rock it off. It takes a real effort to retract the stand on that surface.
Delray
Well-known member
"... feel I have to address the "not feeling comfortable" without the side stand down."
Emlyn, thanks for your thoughts. Physically, the GT is a breeze to put on the center stand. It's easier than a Silver Wing and ten times easier than a Burgman 650, which has all the grace of a giant cement bag (but ohhhh, that transmission is to die for).
What spooks me about the GT is that "no man's land" I mentioned, before the bike settles on the center stand legs. It's floating until you ground it. The few seconds of float is always slightly unnerving. With the Silver Wing and Burgman, the side stand down is a failsafe. If you lose your balance or tip the bike too far away, you just pull it back on the side stand and start again.
I did perform a Stupid Human Trick with a side stand once. Got off my Burgman 650 and forgot to put the side stand down, which is always the #1 thing I do after dismounting. As I let the bike drift toward the side stand, I realized I had spaced out and not put it down! I was watching 650 lbs. of expensive plastic heading for the ground, seemingly in slow motion. I was able to cushion the fall and -- still not sure where I got the strength -- dead-lifted the bike straight back up as soon as it touched the ground. Luckily, there wasn't a scratch on it, although my ego may have been bruised.
Emlyn, thanks for your thoughts. Physically, the GT is a breeze to put on the center stand. It's easier than a Silver Wing and ten times easier than a Burgman 650, which has all the grace of a giant cement bag (but ohhhh, that transmission is to die for).
What spooks me about the GT is that "no man's land" I mentioned, before the bike settles on the center stand legs. It's floating until you ground it. The few seconds of float is always slightly unnerving. With the Silver Wing and Burgman, the side stand down is a failsafe. If you lose your balance or tip the bike too far away, you just pull it back on the side stand and start again.
I did perform a Stupid Human Trick with a side stand once. Got off my Burgman 650 and forgot to put the side stand down, which is always the #1 thing I do after dismounting. As I let the bike drift toward the side stand, I realized I had spaced out and not put it down! I was watching 650 lbs. of expensive plastic heading for the ground, seemingly in slow motion. I was able to cushion the fall and -- still not sure where I got the strength -- dead-lifted the bike straight back up as soon as it touched the ground. Luckily, there wasn't a scratch on it, although my ego may have been bruised.
chummy
Member
I have a 2016 and what I do is put the side stand down and then hold the scooter upright I then start to put the centre stand down ,when it touches the ground I rock the scooter gently to make sure that both feet on the centre stand are touching the ground evenly then holding the passenger grip and steering to balance the bike I press down on the centre stand with my foot and up it goes.I am 5'6"
Delray
Well-known member
"I have a 2016 and what I do is put the side stand down and then hold the scooter upright ...."
If you have the side stand down you shouldn't be able to move that bike a centimeter, certainly not far enough to roll it up on to the center stand. When the side stand is down, in the park position, the rear wheel should be locked.
The rear wheel CAN move if the parking brake is out of adjustment. I just had that happen. I noticed a little roll yesterday when the side stand was down and I was sitting on the bike. Adjusted the parking brake and it's solid as a rock again.
If you have the side stand down you shouldn't be able to move that bike a centimeter, certainly not far enough to roll it up on to the center stand. When the side stand is down, in the park position, the rear wheel should be locked.
The rear wheel CAN move if the parking brake is out of adjustment. I just had that happen. I noticed a little roll yesterday when the side stand was down and I was sitting on the bike. Adjusted the parking brake and it's solid as a rock again.