Been there done that, this is why I don't even mess with the kick stand anymore, only the center stand from now on. Hard and painful on the body lesson to learn.
I've got bad knees as well, but I don't find that the center stand is a problem. All you really do is stand on the lever with all your weight on that one foot and she goes right up. Occasionally, it takes two tries. It's all technique - problem is that no one teaches it before you leave the dealership!Majic12 said:I also put the parking brake on before I put the side stand down. I still haven't learned the trick to getting that center stand down, easily. Every once in a blue moon I can get it to work, but those occasions are rare, indeed. Maybe it's because I've had both knees replaced, and I'm afraid of the strain on them? Anyway, my right knee always gives me fits for a couple of hours after I try the center stand, so I've given up on it.
I know this reply is a bit late but I just recently joined..I also have a knee problem from too many bike getoffs parachute landings, & just plain old bones. I use a 1x4 piece of scrap wood under the tire. I just ride the bike up onto the wood, put the kick stand down, and the increased height of the bike allows the center stand to be activated with barely any effort. If necessary you could use a 2x4 instead. Since a 2x4 is actually only 1 1/2 inches thick compared to the 3/4 inch of the 1x4 the kick stand will still allow you to use it without the bike falling when you get off to use the center stand.Majic12 said:I also put the parking brake on before I put the side stand down. I still haven't learned the trick to getting that center stand down, easily. Every once in a blue moon I can get it to work, but those occasions are rare, indeed. Maybe it's because I've had both knees replaced, and I'm afraid of the strain on them? Anyway, my right knee always gives me fits for a couple of hours after I try the center stand, so I've given up on it.
Regarding your inability to use the center stand, I have had similar problems due to just worn out knees & the attendant arthritis. Blame it on too many parachute jumps & bike crashes, etc. I finally solved the problem with the use of a 1x6 piece of wood. Just run the bike's rear wheel up onto the wood, lower the kick stand, don't be alarmed at the extreme angle of the bike. After pressing the center stand lever down to where both of its feet are touching the ground ( you'll need to stand the bike up straight to do this),simply grasp the left bar & rear grab rail, then the least pressure on the center stand lever will pull the bike up onto the stand.gerald said:And ABSOLUTELY put the parking brake on when picking it up from a fall as it will just roll otherwise and you're trying to stop roll as well as gravity.
Gravel under my foot so it dropped at 0 mph very slowly. Hardly a scratch but, it's there.Needed help getting it up and glad I'd put the parking brake before getting it up on its feet.
I've had 2 knee surgeries and 3 back surgeries so I've never been able to put it on center stand. I always hold the rear (left) brake while applying the parking brake. For morning start ups I have it close enough to the garage wall that I can take off the side stand and lean against the wall warming up while I put on boots and helmet etc.