Hi All: just did a post in the tip-over thread....so this is timely.
My last bike (25 years ago) was a 1979 Suzuki GS850G - which, at the time was one of the most top-heavy big bikes and generally judged to be THE most difficult motorcycle of the day to put on and take off the centre stand. Having said that, I never dropped my GS....and having owned an ST for all of 3 weeks, I do not claim expertise, but I know my applied mechanics and I do have a few observations (FWIW):
1) this thing (the Honda ST) is a big heavy machine with a high centre of gravity - so don't do anything involving the centre stand unless you have your stuff together and you've eaten your Wheaties (Shreddies for us members of the Chosen Frozen).
2) that fold-out handle thingy on the left side under the seat is absolutely the cats-*** for centre stand work - wow, thanks Soichiro!!!
3) the video for putting the ST ON the centre stand is perfecto. It's all about planning and leverage - NOT brute strength or the robustness of your footwear. Think about it people - can YOU really pick something that weighs 730lb up?
4) taking it OFF the centre stand - with respect, I disagree with the video.
I STRONGLY advocate that you do it while sitting ON the motorcycle with your right hand on the front brake lever. That way, it is about 97.895% LESS likely that this big bad girl will get away from you and you'll drop it. Also, always put the side stand DOWN before ANY centre stand operations. That way, you have a 50% chance of a graceful recovery in case you have a bad day and mess up.
The point is that Mr. Newton is always in charge and like gravity and friction, he ain't necessarily your friend either.
...just sayin'.....
With no Disrespect intended, I may have to disagree with #1, #2, #3 and #4 (with an explanation)
#1 While I agree its a big heavy machine with a high center of gravity, technique wins over brute strength.
#2 My spine surgeon freaked out when he saw the position of this lever, and the position that it puts your spine/neck/shoulder in and said its the worst thing you could possibly use! (I trust this guy, he rebuilt my spine)
#3 No planning really, and yes, with proper technique, you can right a fallen bike without injury.
#4 I agree 100% with you on sitting on the bike when you push it off the centerstand, with your hand on the front brake, what I STRONGLY disagree with, is having your side stand deployed in the down position before you push it off the centerstand!
Depending on the weight of the rider, condition of the suspension, the surface of the ground, the weight of the bike, etc. the front forks/rear shock can compress enough to jam the sidestand into the ground and pitch your :butt1: and the
bike violently to the right!
I guess I'll have to keep up with the Jones's and make a video of putting the bike up on the center stand
This can be done with two fingers on the left rear passenger grab handle, and your index finger and thumb on the left hand grip, and yes, I can even do it barefoot.
I believe the reason most folks have difficulty doing this is because they try to use strength, or jerk, or try to lift it up, instead of guiding the bike in the direction you want it to go, by the position of your body (stance) and very slight movement rearward.
This does not mean lift and jerk the bike to the rear.
I've had folks in the garage that swear I use some kind of ZEN to put the bikes up so effortlessly.
Its really nothing more than a simple Aikido motion. Something like this: Make sure bike is straight, handbars are centered, push the centerstand downward until you feel the left foot touching the ground firmly, then place right knee
into side of bike near the STUPID grab handle, push bike upward, push centerstand downward until you FEEL both feet touching
the ground. Now STOP. Instead of facing your bike (hips and shoulders square towards bike) turn your head to the right (about two o-clock) or towards the right rear saddlebag, now re-position your right foot (on the centerstand tab) towards the same place you are
looking, move your left foot closer to the bike, turn your body/hips/shoulders towards the target area, draw back ever so slightly, then shift your body in the direction everything is pointing. While you shift your weight, your foot tried to walk over the centerstand tab,
and your leg/knee will bend as if doing a lunge, and your right hand palm will be resting underneath the passenger grab handle, and simply guide the bike rearward and up on the stand.
This sounds like alot of body movement, but it is not, it is very slight and almost un-noticed unless you know what to look for.
I will say that at my age, and weak hands due to surgery, a spine that's on borrowed time, this technique will allow me to "throw my bike" if you will, up on the stand with enough force to slide it backwards a few inches in the garage.
I've shown this technique to very small women who were about 115-125lbs, and approximately 5'2 - 5'5 feet tall, and after a few attempts, once they figured out the FLOW they have no trouble with the center stand at all now.