Episode 1 - 2002 Kawasaki Concours Center Stand

[@scottcates]

The zg1000 is legend. I have ridden thousands upon thousands of miles on several of them, including towing a trailer, moto camping, two-up multi-state touring and extensive 1052 build-ups. The centerstand is easily utilized by pressing down hard with the footr. You cannot go wrong with this model.

[@Porkyping243]

First try new technique: immediately up on the stand. Thank you, Tony. (I'm 155 lbs wet)

[@throttleup]

Great Video Tony, I also have a 2002 Concours. Even though I weigh 200 pounds I wouldn't feel confident taking Connie off the Center Stand the way you suggest. The best way to come down off the Center Stand is to sit on the bike, put both hands firmly on the grips and push forward with your feet until she rolls off the stand. It would also be a good idea to put the Side Stand up before taking the bike off the Center Stand.

[@brianjinx]

thanks for the video tony. i've struggled with the center stand of my cb750 for a while; i knew there had to be a trick to it. after about 6 tries, i got it. it was almost effortless. thanks for your help. happy riding.

[@flufanga]

Glad that you're addressing this. Allow me to add these suggestions: ALL of one's weight on the right foot, and the right hand always on the intended lift handle, never the seat.

[@ericpog87]

Gotta love the connie, but boy is she heavy!

[@100mrrisky]

my bike fell in the garage trying to use that damn center stand..

[@gerardmajax2365]

Hi Tony, thanks. Although I'm a bit taller than you and not a weak guy, I never managed to put mine on the center stand. So I don't think it's a myth ! First the raising handle is very badly designed, it should be perpendicular to the bike and not parallel: your hand will then have much more power to lift the bike. A folding handle would have been easy to design. Some suggest putting a board under the rear wheel, but even with that I can't put her up. Second if you need to put a board under the wheel it shows there's a problem with the center stand whose position is not correct. It should have been positioned a few inches fore to allow better mass distribution making the lift easier. The solution I found are rear tip over bars. You use the left one as a lever arm, and it works. I just don't understand why Kawasaki engineers designed the stand so badly ? It's just like the footpegs and brackets braking each time the bike tips over. As a result you are forced to grim the footpeg's axis to allow them going up enough vertically to avoid braking at each fall. Too bad because for the rest it's a great bike

[@robertrugg3581]

For the weaker ones or like me with a broken collarbone, I grabbed a 2x6 about 16" long and cut a 45 degree angle on it and rolled the rear tire up on it and put the centerstand down and back and with a little effort lifting with my left hand pulled it back. Tire was still on wood and had to be kicked away so max lift about 1/4" instead of 3".

[@nandordallos7297]

That is for the smart ones, I figured that out in the early 70's when I put shorter shocks on my first Z1 to lower it . I'm OLD and my concours goes up easy on the center stand from the 2x6 would try it any other way !

[@bradlbe]

I also keep in mind that I'm pulling up more than pushing down and it makes a difference if the wheels are slightly lower than normal, like in a rut or something, or maybe even if the tires are low on air or just made thinner than others. Probably even the added weight of stuff in the cases can make a difference too. I'm 6'2" and 240 lbs and I have to do it twice sometimes to get it on the centerstand.

[@OldGuy70s]

Some girl backed into and knocked mine right off the center stand just the other night... Broke & Cracked some right side fairing stuff.... Looked flawless b4... So i just let her off wth it!!! Oh well!

[@quadcam24v]

Skip to 3:17 to be shown how.

[@jazzfan30329]

Nice video, thanks for the tip. Planning to buy a 2002 Concours w/14K miles on it as my next bike. This has been helpful.

[@nedj10]

push as hard as you can ...pull as hard as you can....not something you have to do with most other bikes...not a myth, a bad design..love my C10 hate that center stand

[@jengadill]

Good tip. Although I've not had any problem center standing my Connie. I think it's all in the balance.

[@bradlbe]

Great job! It also helps to be in the right mindset to do this. If you think "I WILL do it" instead of "I hope I don't drop this thing".

[@throttleup]

Tony I neglected to mention that I always have my hand on the front brake lever and apply the front brake just as the bike starts to move forward.

[@mmaier2112]

Thanks for the video. It helped me immensely just now. It wasn't nearly as easy as my Ninja 250, but the "trick" works.

[@fixitmyself]

Tony, great job on the video. I know how hard it is to talk about something you know a lot about once that camera starts recording, but you did a great job. Thinking about doing the same with my Super Blackbird so potential buyers know what to watch for. Look forward to watching more about the Connie.

[@OldGuy70s]

Got the exact same one...haa And i ALso find it diff to center stand it! U cant easily feel when Both Stand Feet are touching the ground evenly is most likely why! And im 6 2" 225lbs...

[@KawaTony1964]

No, I wasn't really struggling. I don't have experience with any other motorcycles, though, so I can't really say how the Concours compares to other bikes as far as the center stand goes. But once you get those 2 feet on the ground, it pops up onto the stand quite easily.

[@timmee6420]

I Can Tell You Dont Have ANY Experience with Bikes...It Shows in Your Noob Video...These Bikes are Notoriously TOP-HEAVY And the Center stand Design After '94/96 Gen 2 Bikes Became Downright Dangerous.....I Know, Ive got One...& Nobody can Put it on it's Centerstand....without eith a Jack or Two Men....My BMW on the Other Hand ('96 R1100rs) Fairly Jumps onto its center stand with only -1- Foot On it.....KNOWN FACT....THE KAWASAKI ZG1000 Has a Poorly designed Centerstand after the GEN2 Models & Is IMPOSSIBLE to Get to work....Nuf Said...TMAlaska

[@KawaTony1964]

@bikenutt1000 Well, I'm not really all that knowledgable, but I'm learning. I just wanted to set the record straight on some points, and give people an idea of what the Conours is like.

[@TheLithGH]

I grab the rear handle just below the passenger seat. i have tried that handle that you use, but i have zero leverage. I'm 5'10, so to hunch down and grab that handle, it doesn't work. And getting the bike on the center stand with a full tank..... fa'get about it!

[@KawaTony1964]

I'm only 5' 7" and 185 lbs. Anyone shorter than me would have great difficulty putting both (biological) feet on the ground while sitting on the bike and probably shouldn't get one for that reason. I'm pretty darn sure it's technique more than anything else. If both (center stand) feet are firmly on the ground when you push down and lift, it goes up easy. If the outside (center stand) foot is not planted, say hovering above the pavement, the required effort is magnified 10 times on my bike.

[@masterofbikes2747]

Good job

[@bubblehead7680]

I've got the exact same bike. I've put mine up just wearing flip flops. Not hard. I also take the bike off the center stand by putting up the side stand and grabbing both handlebars and pushing it forward. I then just roll it into the driveway.

[@Jaminphotos]

I'm a previous goldwing owner. One thing you overlooked although you did was not lifting with your arms and back. Keep your arms straight like lifting a wheel barrow. Pushh down on the centers while tricking back and some back effort. Don't try on any hills and gravel or dirt make it easier but don't trust that the bike will be upright when you return.

[@KawaTony1964]

Hmm. The guy at Cycle World who showed me how to do it was over 6ft tall. It is a very heavy bike. You need a bit of muscle.

[@MrBikercat]

I have an 05 concours. somedays it takes just a little effort, other days no matter how hard I try I can't get her up. I think it helps when you're taller and have some weight besides technique.

[@markonitogen]

Thanks Tony...

[@doc1buc]

Thank you for the Video! Helped out immensely!

[@crowmagg1]

it looks the same as a 2nd gen

[@johnny970]

Thank you for this video

[@jamesmcfarland2648]

slick. thank you

[@ibuiltmineo1oo]

nice vid dude! dispel a dumb myth! Soemones gotta be stupid to not be able to put 1 on a centger stand.

[@RAVINFORONE]

I think the concours is a very nice ride. They walked away with the best reviews for years. But as I watched you use that center stand. It appears that you were struggling. Not the best feature by what I can see.

[@KawaTony1964]

I don't know if I can carry on living not that you have called me an idiot. My feelings are so hurt. Boo hoo. BTW, in response to your other message (which for some reason I can't respond to - maybe KZbin has figured you out as a trouble-maker), I did not block you. I had never heard of you until I got this and your other message wthin the last 2 hours. I think you should shut up and go back to whatever method you normally use to take drugs.

[@clarknawrocki3851]

If a person can't figure this out they shouldn't be riding motorcycles

[@geeflyboy]

First it took 5:50 to explain this. Second all center kickstands work similarly. If you are too stupid to figure it out, you should not have a drivers licence. Last I saw the fishing line going to pulleys above and over to people off the screen assisting you pull the bike up....... LOL! The new '08/'09 Kawa Concourse 14 puts the old models to shame.

[@Sjonne]

bruuuuummmmmm IDIOT