OK here's another one...

Is there any point in the bike test when you HAVE TO put the bike on the centre stand? (If it's got one). In all honesty "my friend" sometimes really struggles and might make a complete hames of it before he even gets out on the road.

And before anyone says HTFU I've seen bigger lads than me my friend struggle with Shadows or Beemers and it's not always pretty.

If you do, the stands coming off for the duration.

Just asking for a friend loike...........

bb

Don't think so,but some of them seem to make it up as they go along,I know of a lad they refused to let do it because of non-display of L plates totally ignoring the fact he was doing it on an GL1800,go figure!!

Nah - sidestand is plenty (or at least was)

There's a trick to centre-stands ... get someone to show you one of the days, makes life quite easy once you know it !

P

If the tester see's the bike fitted with a centre stand, they are allowed ask your mate to demonstrate his ability to place the bike on same. The logic is that if the bike is fitted a centre stand, then the user must be able to use it in case of breakdown/emergency.

Again, this is all at the discretion of the tester so your friend is better off knowing how to do it.

Kaos

proinnsias, on Feb 9 2010, 10:36 AM, said:

Sounds stupid but I agree there really is a knack to it, im not small and i used to wrestle the VFR on to it until someone showed me, now I can do it in my slippers

Here's a good U-Tube video showing the proper way.

Left hand on the LH side of the handlebar & Right hand on the handle under the saddle (or there abouts depending on manufacturer and model) with Right foot, bring the stand to the ground, gently rock bike to make sure the two feet of the stand are touching the ground squarely.
now without bending the back or pulling with your arms step your weight onto the stand lever and straighten your leg you will find the bike will step up onto the centre stand with minimum effort.

if this doesn't work for you try this explaination

http://www.intrudera..._stand_help.htm

also practice will make it easier over time.
when taking it off the centre stand, if a heavy machine some like to put the bike in gear first to stop it rolling away on them as they may loss grip of the front brake.
Best of luck and also you can get a dealer to show you as they would know the bike best.


PS as per Kaos, yes if it's there the tester will be able to include it in the test.

For the test, if your bike has only a sidestand, then you will not have that problem.
If it does have a centrestand, you WILL have to demonstrate its use.

swedger, on Feb 9 2010, 01:14 PM, said:

I did my test on a Bandit and the instructor never asked me to put it on the main stand, I asked him did he want to see it done and he said the side stand was sufficient.

Aussie, on Feb 9 2010, 10:55 AM, said:

I had same problem as Aussie. Someone kindly went through it with me and I had a problem lifting it as I had the bike lowered. But with the Viffer I ALWAYs place it on the centre stand.

I would tell your mate to get someone to help them. There is NO SHORTAGE of individuals on here that would love to help him/her.

Jeebus Lads!!!

I woops , My friend just followed your advice and she flew up no bother at all!!! I've been assuming I need to use a bit of muscle but it's all technique. (OK, I'll come clean its only a CB250 but then I'm only a titch).

I think the winning tip was doing it in my slippers as Aussie suggested or did i read that wrong?

It'll save taking the stand off. (A pain in the butt as when you unpin the pivot rod it won't clear the nearside exhaust!).

Cheers folks.

bb

PS I'm having to do the test because when I moved from the UK I had to start from scratch. PAIN!!!!!

Best of luck in the test.

I've been struggling with this technique - I know the theory but still fail to "lift" the bike myself totally. (It's a Bandit and I'm 60kg and tall - with the typical lack of upper body strength for wimin!)

I'm partially afraid to drop the bike and partially afraid to do in my back!

Maybe I'll try to practice on a lighter bike first - I hate to let this beat me!

No problem getting it off the centre stand tho'.

Hope test goes well for you.

somedayisnow, on Feb 9 2010, 09:37 PM, said:

I'm 60kgs and short - with the typical lack of upper body strength for wimin!....Except I'm not a wimins !!!!

Seriously though, it's all technique. I'd forgotten how easy it was, like the lads said, once you know how. "Macho doen't always mean mucho".

bb

somedayisnow, on Feb 9 2010, 09:37 PM, said:

Bend the legs and push down and it doesn't matter how light you are the leg muscles do all the work if any not the upper body because you can hurt the back...
BTW Best of luck with the test Babyblade56

somedayisnow, on Feb 9 2010, 09:37 PM, said:

Try doing it with your LEFT leg on the stand lug - that way your centre of gravity is further towards the rear of the bike. And pull the bike up and back, rather than just up. HTH

ridertraining, on Feb 10 2010, 02:41 PM, said:

I don't mean to question your experience but just a thought and maybe I have it wrong though Awkward balancing can cause someone to lose their footing or the bike may not get onto the stand first go and if you should then come back onto the right foot, your body will move in the opposite direction to the bike causing you to lose balance and control of the machine and end up dropping it away from you??