Many people try to muscle a bike onto its center stand by lifting it. That's why they think it's hard. The technique below uses leverage - your weight on the stand, your arm pulling the bike up over it. A 200+ kg bike goes up with almost no effort.
The five moves
- Stand on the left side of the bike, facing it.
- Left hand: left handlebar (point 1).
- Right hand: a solid grab point behind the seat (point 2). On the DS900X the rear rack is perfect. On other bikes use the grab rail, subframe, or pillion handle - whatever's metal and bolted to the frame.
- Right foot on the center stand lever (point 3). Press it down until both feet of the stand touch the ground - centering the bike.
- Push down with your foot and pull up with your right hand. The bike rotates over the stand on its own.
Getting it off the stand
Reverse but easier - left hand on the left grip, right hand on the solid grab point and push the bike forward. Be sure to catch it as it moves forward off the center stand.