Centre stand is hard to use or scrapes

Getting the bike onto the centre stand (main stand) takes a lot of effort, the bike rocks on the stand, or the folded stand scrapes the road when cornering. Often the cause is technique, a dry pivot, weak springs or a sagging rear suspension.

Is it safe to ride?

Yes, if the stand stays folded up. If it scrapes the road in corners or hangs down, fix it before riding: a stand that digs in can lift the rear wheel.

Quick checks first

• Are you using your foot on the stand tab and lifting by the frame or grab rail, not the seat?
• Fold the stand up: does it snap tight against its stop?
• Is the rubber stop pad there?
• Does the rear sit lower than normal, especially with a load?

Diagnose it step by step

1Is it hard to lift the bike onto the stand?

• Yes: go to step 2.
• No: go to step 4.

2Are you pressing down on the stand tab with your full weight on that foot, and pulling up and back by a solid frame part?

• No: use the technique on Check the centre stand. Most effort problems disappear.
• Yes: go to step 3.

3Is the stand pivot dry, rusty or tight?

• Yes: remove, clean and grease the pivot (Check the centre stand).
• No: check for bent legs or a rear tyre much larger than standard, which make lifting harder.

4Does the bike rock or lean when on the stand?

• Yes: the legs are bent or the feet worn. Replace the stand. Check the brackets for cracks.
• No: go to step 5.

5Does the folded stand scrape the road in corners or over bumps?

• Yes: go to step 6.
• No: go to step 7.

6Does the stand fold fully up and is the spring strong?

• No: fit new springs and a stop pad.
• Yes: the rear may be sitting too low. See Rear sits too low, Adjust rear spring preload, Check the rear shock absorbers.

7Does the stand rattle when riding?

• Yes: worn stop pad, weak spring or loose pivot. Fix as in step 6, and see Rattling from panels, mudguards or the seat.

Causes, most likely first