Balanced on Center Stand?!

[curtis]

As a new Boxer owner(05/1150r)and a re-entry motorcyclist, I am getting back in the hang of things. So far so good.
The center stand has me perplexed. I read some of the previous conversation on the center stand in regards to stabilizing the bike when removing one of the wheels, etc. but still a little unclear....
Both wheels are elevated off the ground when on the centerstand. Is this normal? Things seem a little unstable to say the least. Should I strap the centerstand to the exhaust crossover when storing in my garage for 7-10 days at a time?
So far I have only had it on the centerstand for a very short period as it makes me nervous.

[gregor]

Err interesting. My bike sits with the rear on the ground as it has hard luggage loading the rear. If I take the luggage off, as far as I recall, the front wheel then touches the ground. It is unlikely that the turning moments from either end could balance out- there will be a net force at either end causing one wheel to drop. I suppose if the pivots were stiff enough, lacking lubrication, then the three point contact of the stand could stabilise the bike.

[Buckster]

Mine stays balanced without the system cases. I chalk it up to German Engineering! I do strap the front wheel to the centerstand when removing the rear wheel.

[gregor]

Considering the amount of effort to put it on the centre stand it's not likely to roll spontaneously off it. Assuming you are on a sound and reasonably level surface.

[towerworker]

I used to watch my first R (03) bobble back and forth in strong wind (no cases) while parked on center stand. I would only use centerstand on stable level ground. Bike is actually more stable in gear and on side stand. But the CS does make service so much easier.

[R100CS]

What CS ?

[gregor]

I rarely use my side stand. Memories of bikes gradually tipping over when parked on soft grass or or the side stand folding up on steep cambers haunt the darker corners of my mind.
As I said, I always have the rear wheel on the deck and the bike is unmoving even on a 'brisk' day.

[riceburner]

Yes, the standad bike is perfectly balanced on the center-stand, no it wont fall off it 'naturally', as long as its on a properly flat surface and no other forces act upon it.

See how much effort it takes to take the bike OFF the CS - is that likely to happen where you park it up?

[curtis]

Thanks for the replies guys.
I strapped the front wheel to the stand(for stability & also to keep the bars/wheel facing straight), and placed a 10lb weight on the luggage rack(on a shop rag). She seems very stable. It sounds like neither is really necessary but it makes me more comfortable for now.

[pacantre]

I believe the amount of gas could also have an effect on how it sits on centerstand

[ekyang]

Just took delivery of my '04 R1150R 2 weeks ago and noticed the centerstand balance item you described. It is kinda odd to notice that but the way I see it it's a testament to perfect 50/50 balance at the centerstand.

[frkn_toaster]

That sounds normal. Mine tends to rest on the rear wheel but a light weight touch on the front wheel will tip it onto the front.

Pretty handy when you need to take a wheel off.

[gregor]

Even with the 3 piece hard luggage and seat removed mine still sits on the rear wheel. Tried releasing the pre-load on the rear towards soft but no change.
Has someone filled my rear tyre with very heavy air?

[Oilhead]

Without a shadow of a doubt, BMWs have the best centerstands of any bike manufacturer!

[chibbert]

Fear not - your bike is stable and won't fall.

[Boxer]

When I had mine fully loaded and traveling around on it, I used that feature to easily climb onto a freshly fueled bike, put it in gear, sit back and just ride off the centerstand with both feet on the pegs. It never fell over when on the centerstand. Once I was drunk and fell over while the bike was on the centerstand at a camping spot.