Finally Took Delivery of '08

[Av8rider]

I purchased a new '08 about a week and a half ago and after a business trip and taking the motorcycle safety class I had the dealership deliver the bike yesterday. Unfortunately I have to wait until Friday to get the certificate for the training class to get insurance, so I can look but not ride yet. :angry2:

Whats the technique for "easily" getting this bike up on the center stand? The first time I tried it I almost bailed over the top of the bike nearly dropping it, scarring the crap out of myself. :blink:

I'm working out of the house today and desire to go and ride it is overwhelming :yahoo:

 

[TechJunkie]

I purchased a new '08 about a week and a half ago and after a business trip and taking the motorcycle safety class I had the dealership deliver the bike yesterday. Unfortunately I have to wait until Friday to get the certificate for the training class to get insurance, so I can look but not ride yet. :angry2:
Whats the technique for "easily" getting this bike up on the center stand? The first time I tried it I almost bailed over the top of the bike nearly dropping it, scarring the crap out of myself. :blink:

I'm working out of the house today and desire to go and ride it is overwhelming :yahoo:

New here myself but I will save you some grief and give you advice I have seen posted here many times.

Google: Center Stand site:fjrforum.com

You will find several different post on how to do this. I have read many of them and I am having better success. You really do have to "learn" the technique. Sometimes my Feejer just pops up and other times not so much. But I eventually get it and getting better all the time.

Enjoy your new bike. I have had my 08 for three weeks and already scheduled the 600mi maintenance.

 

[ngarider]

New rider?

 

[twowheelnut]

New rider?

Gunny!

OMG, please say it ain't so...

 

[SR-71]

Congrats on the new FJR! That's interesting your insurance is contingent upon your training certificate. What insurance company are you using? Most insurance companies just provide some discount for that training and can reimburse you, even if you already have the policy in effect. In any case..., on to the the center stand issue.

Standing on the left side of the bike. Put your right foot on the large lever sticking out of the left side of the center stand. (Your left foot is going to help maintain your balance.) Grip the left handle bar grip firmly with your left hand. Firmly grip the left side passenger grab bar with your right hand. Now you're ready. With your right foot, push down hard on the center stand lever while lifting up with your right hand, and steadying the bike with your left hand, and your bike should rock right up on the center stand. Obviously it's best to do this on level ground. Until you get the hang of it, (and especially if you're a light weight), it might be a good idea to have someone on the right side of the bike to catch it, just in case your loose your balance and it decides to lean over to the right.

SR-71

 

[odot]

....................and stop scarring yourself.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Had any bikes before this 145HP machine?

Take care out there.

 

[spinblue]

Where are you located?

 

[Av8rider]

Congrats on the new FJR! That's interesting your insurance is contingent upon your training certificate. What insurance company are you using? Most insurance companies just provide some discount for that training and can reimburse you, even if you already have the policy in effect. In any case..., on to the the center stand issue.
Standing on the left side of the bike. Put your right foot on the large lever sticking out of the left side of the center stand. (Your left foot is going to help maintain your balance.) Grip the left handle bar grip firmly with your left hand. Firmly grip the left side passenger grab bar with your right hand. Now you're ready. With your right foot, push down hard on the center stand lever while lifting up with your right hand, and pulling back with your left hand, and your bike should rock right up on the center stand. Obviously it's best to do this on level ground. Until you get the hang of it, (and especially if you're a light weight), it might be a good idea to have someone on the right side of the bike to catch it, just in case your loose your balance and it decides to lean over to the right.

SR-71

Thanks SR71.

When I attempted this I had both hands on the handle bars, I did not use the passenger grab bar which makes it much easier. My insurance is not contingent on the certificate, however we are changing all of our insurance over to a new agent who suggested that if we can wait for the certificate it would save us some money and make the transition to the new insurance company a bit smoother.

I don't know what a Gunny is so I can't say it isn't so.

No I'm not a new rider.

And yes I've owned other bikes, mostly cruisers, dirt bikes and ATC's.

I'm a bit surprised by some of these replies. If I were a new rider do you think I'd get much encouragement or help by questioning my riding ability? Don't get me wrong, I don't mind being questioned about my ability but I guess I thought others might share in my excitement, remembering what it was like the day they took delivery of their new FJR and let me know what the trick was to getting this bike on the center stand easily.

After all, the saleswoman at the dealer had no problem using the center stand.

Thanks for the help SR71 and TechJunkie.

Where are you located?

Thousand Oaks California.

 

[wheatonFJR]

My mistake...

I thought you were getting your certificate for the first time.

Yeah, I remember the excitement as sure as it was today. However, the excitement gets tempered with concern if we misunderstand and think that this is the first time you have thrown a leg over a bike.

Alls good if you know what yer doin. :clapping:

 

[odot]

Oh, christ......another kalifornian left koaster. Yer in good hands with the kali krowd....in fact, you'll fit right in with them. They'll welcome you with open arms. By yer handle yer probly a licensed pilot, too. Welcome to the fracas, petey.

 

[ngarider]

Yep, my first thought was 'oh great, here go my insurance rates' -- this bike is WAY too much for a new rider.

Anyhow, congrats... and don't lift, push with your foot and push down and back. If you're straining, you're doing it wrong.

 

[rushes]

I'm a bit surprised by some of these replies. If I were a new rider do you think I'd get much encouragement or help by questioning my riding ability?

Howdy!

Ya gotta have a sense of humor 'round here. Some of 'ems kinda ornery!

 

[nathank]

Yep, my first thought was 'oh great, here go my insurance rates' -- this bike is WAY too much for a new rider.
Anyhow, congrats... and don't lift, push with your foot and push down and back. If you're straining, you're doing it wrong.

It cracks me up how everyone on this site talks about the FJR like it's some kind of rocket ship. A beginner could easily start on this bike. After all, the bike isn't going to do anything you don't tell it to do.

My first bike was a zx-9r, and I heard everyone tell me how I was about to kill myself starting on a liter bike. I had so much fun with that bike it's not even funny.

We should encourage people to ride whatever they want.

 

[Av8rider]

I'm a bit surprised by some of these replies. If I were a new rider do you think I'd get much encouragement or help by questioning my riding ability?

Howdy!

Ya gotta have a sense of humor 'round here. Some of 'ems kinda ornery!

No worries, I have a sense of humor, although a bad one.

I hope no one thought I was taking anything out on them, I was just embarrassed that the sales women could accomplish this relatively easily and the first time I try I almost drop the bike.

Yes I'm on the left coast which means I'm always in the right mind for riding.

 

[vandy]

And don't feel bad about not being able to get it up on the center stand especially without practice.

We have a couple of really experienced riders that will not even attempt it because the proper procedure just hasn't clicked for them.

Tell him not to worry fjrchik.

 

[twowheelnut]

It cracks me up how everyone on this site talks about the FJR like it's some kind of rocket ship. A beginner could easily start on this bike. After all, the bike isn't going to do anything you don't tell it to do.
My first bike was a zx-9r, and I heard everyone tell me how I was about to kill myself starting on a liter bike. I had so much fun with that bike it's not even funny.

We should encourage people to ride whatever they want.

Are you high? Oh, yeah, you said you were cracked up. <_<

 

[SR-71]

Thanks SR71.

When I attempted this I had both hands on the handle bars, I did not use the passenger grab bar which makes it much easier. My insurance is not contingent on the certificate, however we are changing all of our insurance over to a new agent who suggested that if we can wait for the certificate it would save us some money and make the transition to the new insurance company a bit smoother.

I'm a bit surprised by some of these replies. If I were a new rider do you think I'd get much encouragement or help by questioning my riding ability? Don't get me wrong, I don't mind being questioned about my ability but I guess I thought others might share in my excitement, remembering what it was like the day they took delivery of their new FJR and let me know what the trick was to getting this bike on the center stand easily.

After all, the saleswoman at the dealer had no problem using the center stand.

Thanks for the help SR71 and TechJunkie.

No problem. Glad the response helped.

It sounds like you had a savy saleswoman. That's great. I also bought my first FJR (an '05) from a saleswoman. After I signed the paperwork, she was giving me my prep-briefing and I'll never forget her last comment, "Oh, and don't forget to oil the chain periodically." I just smiled and said, "Okay. Will do!" And I thanked her. Oh, and the fact that she was hot had absolutely nothing to do with my response.

But getting back to the center stand issue. Some people may not realize there's a ton of bikes out there without a center stand, so fairly easy to understand why, even an experienced rider might have never encountered using one. In any case, don't sweat the occasional strange forum comment. There's a bunch of good people here.

Welcome to the group!

SR-71

 

[ctfjr]

I thought others might share in my excitement, remembering what it was like the day they took delivery of their new FJR

Hell I've been riding for more than 40 years and if you could see the SEG on my face since yesterday you would probably figure it out - I received the call from D&H yesterday! Fly down to Alabama on 6/3 to pick mine up! - crap that's a long time from now

Have a great time with the new ride!