Center stands. Are they worth it, and how easy are they to use?

[Guest 05RSMVTEXAN]

I was going to purchase a center stand for my Venture. 4 questions. 1) Are they really worth it? 2) How easy are they to put on? 3) Can you still use a motorcycle lift with the stand? 4) I've heard rumors that they are hard to use? Thanks.

[Tartan Terror]

They are a little tough to use but you can and its all in technique. I have one on mine and it makes things like changing oil easier. In order to use the stand you dont need to remove it if you are using wood blocks but if you use the lift adapter that Larry makes( Carbon One and BTW I strongly suggest it) you will need to remove the stand. Not too bad to remove though. I think really the question you want to ask is how often would you plan to put the bike up on a jack. Every time you change the oil or just to do bigger work. I for one dont yut it up often but when its up it is in the air for a while. I like to use the center stand for quick maintainance and to store the bike in winter.

 

Scotty

[BOO]

I was going to purchase a center stand for my Venture. 4 questions. 1) Are they really worth it? 2) How easy are they to put on? 3) Can you still use a motorcycle lift with the stand? 4) I've heard rumors that they are hard to use? Thanks.

 

Scott pretty well answered the questions.

Is it worth it? the one I have is 300 bucks, it's nice but the one Freebird makes is more reasonable but I really like having one.

Took about 15 minutes to install the one I have.

I use the lift with mine and I use hockey pucks.

Every one I have had is a little hard to use, the bikes are heavy. But like Scott said it's all in the technique. I've seen some pretty small people use them.

I really like it for changing the oil and I too store my bike on the centerstand in the winter.

A little side note, a friend of mine has a Venture and he would really like to have a centerstand but he's to cheap to buy one so I usually put my bike up on the stand every time we stop when I am with him.

Jerry

[KiteSquid]

I miss the days when all street drivable motorcycles had center stands.

 

It makes routine maintenance much easier!!!!!

 

Fixing a flat tire on the roadside is MUCH easier also!!!!!!

[Guest KitCarson]

I was going to purchase a center stand for my Venture. 4 questions. 1) Are they really worth it? 2) How easy are they to put on? 3) Can you still use a motorcycle lift with the stand? 4) I've heard rumors that they are hard to use? Thanks.

As for the cost of a factory center stand, they are a little over 300 bucks. As for using a lift with one installed......there are lifts and there are jacks. You can install a dozen stands on a bike and still use a lift, the lift is the big platform with the front wheel lock and rear chock. No you cannot use a normal bike jack with a center stand installed, unless you stack hockey pucks up about 4 high. As heavy as the venture is , I never use just a bike jack, it will always go on the lift and be firmly secured, if I wish to take the rear wheel and drive apart, I plan to purchase a secondary small jack that you place on the lift and has screw out adapters to hit the frame with. If you shop around you can get a lift and secondary jack for 600 dollars or so, never can find one used when you want one, Roadside repairs.....depends on the road, I carry a small piece of plywood in my trunk, in case I have to put the bike on the stand in dirt or sand, center stand needs a firm base also, in dirt or sand it just sinks. Kit

[Vance]

I got one from Freebird - fantastic. Installed in about 15 minutes. The hardest part of installation was stretching the spring - in other words - very simple. Use mine often. When in the garage, the bike takes up less space if it is standing upright versus leaning over on side stand. You can check oil level, change oil, wash bike, etc. much easier with center stand. Don't know why the bike didn't come with one. My Goldwing had one, and I used it all the time. As for use, it is easier to get the bike on the centerstand than take it off. But neither is a problem. If I want to use the lift, I have to take the center stand off, but that is easy enough for as often as I will do it. Except for changing the back tire, I don't really need the lift.

Bottom line, go for it, and hope Freebird has one for sale.

[Freebird]

Well folks, I do not have any more at this time. I am undecided if I will make any more or not. The problem is that I have to have the brackets fabricated in lots of 30 and don't think that I can find 30 first gen stands to use all those brackets.

 

I will also warn you. There have been a couple of reports here of the Rivco stands breaking and people dropping their bikes. I don't know if Rivco has corrected that problem or not.

 

Diamond R used to make a stand and may still have a few left if you are interested. You will have to contact Allen to find out. He is also considering a new design based somewhat on the one that I build. Nothing firm at this time though. I really think that the one I made was the best out there in regards to strength.

[Tartan Terror]

If you are interested in a center stand by Freebird I think Eck still has one listed in the classifieds for sale.

[bugfish69]

I don't have experience with one, but when I have the money I intend to get one. I don't have jack to worry about. I just want putting air in and cleaning the tires to be easier!

[Eck]

 

If you are interested in a center stand by Freebird I think Eck still has one listed in the classifieds for sale.

 

Yuor right Tarton Terror (and thanks).......!!

I still have the centerstand I purchased from Freebird.

Used it two weeks and took it off because I always use my large floor jack

and dont need the centerstand.

Anyone who wants it can have it for $100.00 plus shipping (in the states).

All attaching hardware comes with it including the spring.

[spear]

 

If you are interested in a center stand by Freebird I think Eck still has one listed in the classifieds for sale.

 

Yuor right Tarton Terror (and thanks).......!!

 

I still have the centerstand I purchased from Freebird.

Used it two weeks and took it off because I always use my large floor jack

and dont need the centerstand.

 

Anyone who wants it can have it for $100.00 plus shipping (in the states).

 

All attaching hardware comes with it including the spring.

Does that cover any of the states of Australia?

[Guest JGorom]

I have a question...

 

Do the center stands work if you have put on the Diamond R leveling links...or does the higher rear end negate their use?

[Tartan Terror]

I have a question...

 

Do the center stands work if you have put on the Diamond R leveling links...or does the higher rear end negate their use?

Yes it does! Actually easier as the bike is already higher and will go up easier. The tire doest always come off the ground so you might have to let the air out of the rear shock or put a flat piece or 1/2 in wood under it to totally clear the tire.

[Guest JGorom]

Thanks Scott...I knew someone would have the answer!

[Uturn]

If you wanted to make your own, is there a design or set of specs to build your own available?

 

MIKE aka Uturn