new (old) biker and owner

[mailee]

I do hope this is in the right section as I couldn't find the introductions section....if not sorry. I am a new convert biker at the ripe old age of 57. Two mates got me into it again as I haven't ridden a bike since the 70's. I have passed my CBT and theory tests and am well on my way to the MOD1. I am with a riding school using one of their Suzuki 500's for my lessons. I have just bought my own bike but can't ride it yet as it is a 750 Virago, I couldn't let it slip away at the price as it was a snip and in brilliant condition. Here she is in all her glory:
https://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r375/mailee66/T2eC16JQE9s3HEE8GBQgUThnMEQ60_12.jpg
i am hoping to get my licence for the summer (If we get one next year) and am a little humble in saying I will be a fair weather rider, (Well it's my age and the fact that I am only 8 stone wet through) which brings me on to my first question, I can put the Virago onto it's centre stand after practising it but am having problems getting it off! At the moment I sit on the bike and nudge it forward. I can't seem to pluck up the nerve to stand aside of it and push it off it's stand for fear of it tipping to the right. Can anyone give me any hints or tips. Sorry for the long post.

[noobRider]

Welcome and nice bike. I am also a new old biker so I can't advise much about the stand. I would imagine it's something that will come with a bit of practise and it's worth asking your instructors about it and practising on their bike. Ask someone to stand on the other side while you try it out?
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Licence: Nov 2012, Bikes: Suzuki GN125, Moto Guzzi Strada 750, Triumph Sprint ST 955i x 2
AnPhonEh: I need plans, I need contingency plans also, I need back up contingency plans

[J.M.]

Welcome

I don't see why sitting on the bike to bump it off of the centre stand is an issue, it's the way that I've always done the task. The way I see it is that it's easier, safer and I don't need to take the bike off of the stand until I want to ride it, at which point I need to be sitting on it!
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[mailee]

Thanks for the fast response guys. J M I have been led to believe that 'bumping the bike off it's stand was frowned upon and they wouldn't accept it on the test? I use the side stand on the school machine as they said this is fine.

[noobRider]

My Mod 1 seems like a long time ago now but the moving the bike about bit only requires that you put the bike on a side stand. My instructor walked me through it exactly as I should do it on the test. The examiner doesn't need to know about your centre stand technique
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Licence: Nov 2012, Bikes: Suzuki GN125, Moto Guzzi Strada 750, Triumph Sprint ST 955i x 2
AnPhonEh: I need plans, I need contingency plans also, I need back up contingency plans

[J.M.]

You won't be using your bike for the test though, so do whatever you like with that within reason. My entire riding style would probably be frowned upon in a test, but so long as I'm not putting others in danger I really couldn't care less!

On the test, simply use the side-stand like you are doing. It's much easier and there's less room for mistake.
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[barrkel]

[mailee]

Thanks Barrkel, now that IS my kind of woman.

[Ja7]

I agree with barrkel, keeping your foot on the centre stand peg will stop the bike from tipping over, and one hand on the brake to stop rolling forward, if you need practise on your bike get someone to stand opersite you just in case the bike leans over for a few times, you can push it off the centre stand while your on it, but like you said it's frowned apon, once your test is over do what you want.

[barrkel]

[Ja7]

Yep your right sorry, bad advise from me, I don't really think about it these days,

[DottyDuck]

im not sure if this applies to all bikes but the dealer i bought my bike off said i shouldn't sit on it while using the main stand as it can twist them... but im not sure if this applies to all bikes lol

and when i take it off the main stand i give it a nudge back.(pillion way) then using that momentum tip it forward and it goes off the stand.. i sometimes have my side stand down so i can lean it on that and adjust myself before launching myself on the bike lol

[J.M.]

[DottyDuck]

[Polarbear]

Keep the side stand down when you role the bike off the centre stand. Then you can just let it settle on the side stand without having to try and balance it first. The bike won't fall away from you as your natural instinct is to pull it towards you onto the side stand.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Ja7]

I heard the same thing, when I was 16 ped, days, only applied to mopeds thou

[Cyclingbiker]

I heard the same thing when I was doing the centre stand part of my CBT. It was more along the lines of bending the pegs apart so much that both wheels touch the ground with the stand down. I did see one of the learner bikes there which had that issue, might've just been the cheap Chinese steel on the "Hartford" bikes that were being used

And did have an embarrassing moment when I was asked to place my bike on it's stand. Cue loads of struggling trying to lift it with my body and not pressing down on the peg
Got it in the end though and is now a cinch on the CG
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Honda CB500s (1999) - Honda CG 125 BR-J (1991)

Mod 1 - Passed - 12/11/12 --- Mod 2 - Passed - 26/11/12

[J.M.]

But if your centre stand isn't strong enough to support a person sitting on the bike without it bending, do you really trust it to support your bike?

For what it's worth I'll often sit on mine when it's on its centre stand, or side stand.
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[Efes123]

[JohanR]

Offtopic, but I couldn't let it pass.

mailee from The Wood Haven?
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[mailee]

Yes John, that's me.

[P.]

and Router forums, and ukworkshop.. and getwoodworking

[mailee]

Hell yes! looks like I'm infamous then.

[P.]

Nah, I'm just creepy.

[JohanR]

'tis a small world indeed!
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