Episode 1 - 2002 Kawasaki Concours Center Stand

[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.

[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.

[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'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.

[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.

[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 YouTube 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.

[Sjonne]

bruuuuummmmmm IDIOT

[e017797]

I did not read through all the comments, maybe this point is made else where. I had a 1992 Concours that was a real bitch to get on the stand my 2005 is a breeze. My thinking is that Kawasaki change the geometry of the stand at some point.

[bikenutt1000]

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.

[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.

[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.

[doc1buc]

Thank you for the Video! Helped out immensely!

[KawaTony1964]

Are you sure that right side center stand foot is staying planted? If that foot lifts off the pavement, the effort required suddenly becomes immense. Concentrate on keeping both feet of the center stand planted on the pavement while you push and ift.

[KawaTony1964]

My lever arm measures 11 inches from the left foot. It appears to be unmodified, and it looks the same to me as a bunch of center stands that are for sale on Ebay right now. If it was half as long, the pedal would be underneath the left muffler.

[KawaTony1964]

First: Sorry it took so long. It was the first video I've ever made.

Second: Don't confuse lack of experience with stupidity. Most things are easy once you know how to do them. Calling people stupid makes you sound like an ass.

Third: The fishing line and pulleys are figments of your imagination.

Fourth: I love the Concours 14 and wish I could afford one. Maybe one day. Used ones are already under 10 grand.

[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.

[ibuiltmineo1oo]

nice vid dude! dispel a dumb myth!

Soemones gotta be stupid to not be able to put 1 on a centger stand.

[3rdcoastfishing]

Thanks for the tips. I just bought a'01 Concourse and its has been fun a great ride. I'm just to dang big (short with a beer tank) for my Buell firebolt xb12r after about 2/3 hours i have to get off. The Concourse has been very good to me I love it. keep the tips rolling in.

[KawaTony1964]

Glad to hear I was helpful. I think the Concours is very comfortable for long rides. I do like to get off and stretch after about 3 hours, though. If you don't have one yet, get yerself a Throttle Rocker or Cramp Buster. They're under $15 on Ebay, and I don't know how I lived without it. It makes the Connie buzz complaint go away. Unlike the ThrottleMeister (which is still good for some situations), you can use the Throttle Rocker any time.

[krewkiller]

nice demonstration, thanks for taking the time to do this for people, im actually thinking of buying an 1986 concourse, im 6'1 250 would this bike fit me? any info you can forward would be appreciated, as far as handling around town, also i read the foot pegs are not ideally positioned? thanks" Again!

[KawaTony1964]

As long as you have an inseam longer than mine (27-1/2"), you should be able to reach the ground comfortably, although, if your inseam is not much longer than mine, you won't be able to put both feet flat on the groun. I should have mentioned in my other video that I have 1-3/8" bar risers that give a more upright seating position and they give me a better view over the windshield. The only problem I've had with the pges is that they are just in front of my feet when I put them down.

[KawaTony1964]

So, if I'm not careful, I sometimes catch my feet on the pegs as I try to put my feet down. I haven't screwed up yet, but there is the potential there to drop the bike if one of your feet gets caught by the peg. It is quite a heavy bike, and was a load for me when I first got it. But I have gained strength by going to the gym (not really for the bike, but just because I wanted to get stronger), and the bike feels much lighter now, and more nimble than when I was weak.

[KawaTony1964]

I can maneuver it around pretty handily now, even in tight situations. I feel very confident in any situation except possibly hilly terrain where I have very little experience. But it did take some miles of practice to feel this way. I'm wary of parking it nose-down anywhere because it's an SOB to back it up - it's heavy. I have tested my around town mileage, and I'm consistently getting about 41mpg. It has lots of storage space. It's very good as a real vehicle. It's very comfortable, too.

[hannitysux]

I like your passion for the Concours...it's a great bike. Taking down the bike from the center stand by standing beside it looks like a disaster waiting to happen. At 6'1" sitting on the bike a pushing forward works for me. As far as the gas gage, it is VERY pessimistic and shows empty with 3 gallons left. Anyway, ride safe and keep your helmet on!

[KawaTony1964]

You're the 2nd person to say I shouldn't put it down the way I'm doing it. I don't understand why. You put it UP by standing beside it. Putting it down my way can't be worse than faltering while attempting to put it up and then needing to set it back down. I'm no Austrian weight lifter, but I don't think there is ANY way that bike is going on its side toward me. I feel plenty strong enough to prevent that. The only possible problem I see is doing it downhill, which I'm smart enough to not do.

[KawaTony1964]

I finally got around to trying to put the bike down your way - by hopping on, straddling it, and pushing forward on the handlbars. Well, with my 28-1/2" inseam, and with the Concours on the centerstand, I can just get my tiptoes on the ground. There's no way I can do it that way.

[KawaTony1964]

So, for shorties like me, it's either don't use the center stand or put it down my way: while standing beside it. Seriously, though, I really have no problem putting down my way. I must've put that bike up and down on the center stand 100 times since I got it 1-1/2 years ago. No disasters. Not even a close call of any type.

[hannitysux]

It took you a 5 min. video to show this??? I have a Concours...what's the big deal getting up on the center stand???

[KawaTony1964]

Exactly!!!!

[KawaTony1964]

Does YouTube filter out URLs? I can't seem to reply to you with one in the text. Anyways, go to BMW Sport Touring dot you know what, and search for Austrian weight-lifter. It would be a shame if people believed what they read there about the Concours center stand.

[slodeth5]

I liked this. I usually only put in on the centerstand when in the garage or while it's warming up, but you're right, it's pretty easy to do. There is weight involved but it's not that bad.

[KawaTony1964]

Glad you liked it. Does your experience with your Concours match mine? For example, do you have over 2 gallons of gas left in your tank when the gas gauge reads dead empty?

[ericpog87]

Gotta love the connie, but boy is she heavy!

[KawaTony1964]

Yeah, she is a bit heavy, and the weight is pretty high. When I first got mine, I was in very poor physical condition. I've been working out at the gym for about 1 year now, and my strengthening has resulted in the Connie feeling much lighter than before.

[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.

[KawaTony1964]

Hmm. I attempted to reply to your post a week ago, but I see it didn't take for some reason. Anyway, I just said I was glad I could be helpful, and that the CB750F (sportier version) is one of my favorites, and was high on my list of possibilities when I was shopping and ended up buying the Concours.

[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.

[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.

[KawaTony1964]

I haven't tried putting it down while sitting on it. I'm pretty short, though. I can't put both feet flat on the ground while sitting on the Concours. What you suggest kinda scares me, because I think it will take alot of forward force to get it down while sitting on it.

[KawaTony1964]

The bike actually rises UP slightly before going down from the center stand. So, to do it your way, I'd have to fight my own weight using only the traction generated from my tippie toes to force this 650+ lb (loaded) bike forward and upward.

[KawaTony1964]

Then, after the bike shoots forward, I'd have to lift and plant my feet (again, without being able to put them flat on the ground) to stop the forward momentum of the bike while keeping my balance on it.

[KawaTony1964]

I'll give it a shot, but the way I've been doing it works for me. My way, I have my full body weight on the side of the bike to stop it falling over. So, I only need stop the bike's forward motion, for which I have enough arm and upper body strength to do easily, as you can see in my video where I wheel it back and forth.

[KawaTony1964]

And with the kick stand down, if it does get out of control, it will fall on the kick stand, and should stay up unless I really let it fall hard. It is important to watch that left foot, and you'll see me in the video stepping wide to clear the kick stand.

[KawaTony1964]

If the kick stand crosses my foot, or if the bike is rolling forward when I drop it, the kick stand might fold up and provide no safety to prevent a complete drop.

[jengadill]

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

[forsolei]

I look forward to seeing other videos about your motorcycle- I've been thinking about picking up an older Concours to use as a commuter out here in the S.F. Bay in California!

[KawaTony1964]

I haven't gotten around to doing another one mainly because it's been cold and overcast most of the days I could have done a video. I'll do more when the weather gets warmer.

[KawaTony1964]

The only drawback for it as a commuter is it's size and top-heaviness. I've gotten more skilled at handling it, but for the first 6 months of ownership, it was a handful in stop-and-go, bumper-to-bumper traffic.

[KawaTony1964]

Sanfrancisco - oooh. I'm thinking of those steep hills. I learned that when I rode to WVA and learned I ddidn't have enough hill riding skills. This bike is a major handful on steep hills. You should have plenty of riding experience before getting a Concours and riding the hills of SanFran.

[forsolei]

Well, I don't actually live in the city, I live closer to San Jose. It's quite flat out here. :)

I've only been riding for three years, and those three years were spent on a 1980 Kawasaki CSR650. I'm ready for a bigger, more powerful bike, and I specifically like the look and feel of the Sport Touring class, which is why I'm looking into the Concours. :)

[KawaTony1964]

If you aren't in stop-and-go, creeping traffic, the bike is wonderful. I find the stock seat to be very comfortable. I can ride for over 2 hours with no problem. With the top case on mine in addition to the saddle bags, there's huge storage space. You can go get the groceries with it. And, if I resist the urge to have too much fun (that is, don't make the engine sound like you hear it in my video intro), I get around 35mpg in the city, and 50mpg on the highway.

[KawaTony1964]

It does have the "Connie buzz" you might have read about. Your throttle hand goes numb after a while due to high fequency vibes buzzing the handles. But I have a Throttlemeister throttle lock on mine, and that eliminates the problem as long as you're on the wide open road.

[KawaTony1964]

I should have said I get OVER 35mpg in the city. I haven't actually checked my city riding gas mileage, but I know it's much less than my highway mileage which I did very carefully check. I got right on 50mpg on my 600 mile round trip to WVA. I also know that I can drop my mileage into the low thirties if I hammer the throttle too much.

[KawaTony1964]

And the fairing is great. It blocks out almost all the wind blast. I won't hesitate to ride as long as the temperature is at least 40°F. At 5'7", I look right over the windscreen, and get very little buffeting. I've discovered head buffeting is more a function of my helmet design than the windscreen.

[forsolei]

That sounds fantastic! I have a friend who has a 2005 Concours, and his solution to the vibrating grips was to install longer grips with weights at the end- according to him, that has reduced the problem almost entirely.

[forsolei]

I might have to get an aftermarket larger windscreen, as I'm 6'5" tall- but that's an issue I'll have with any cycle I ride. It's also partially why I'm not quite so nervous about riding heavier/larger bikes. I can heft my CSR650 around without a problem, and that bike is probably close to as heavy as the Concours is- and horribly balanced, to boot!

Thanks for the info! :)

[rikiow]

DO you really think you should have been riding a bike if you couldn't even put it on the stand!!?

[KawaTony1964]

Huh? I CAN put it on the stand, and I demonstrate how to do so in this video. You missed the point, apparently. There are many OTHER people who think it's really hard to put the Concours up on the center stand. It isn't hard. That's the point of this video.

[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.

[KawaTony1964]

Hmm. Are you sure you are leaning it back all the way onto the foot on the far side? I definitely use mostly leg power to put it up. I only weigh 180 lbs. I think at 240 lbs, you should be able to put it up with very little arm effort.

[KawaTony1964]

Yesterday, my dad tried to put it up. Although he's stronger than me, he struggled and couldn't get it up. I went around and watched from the other side, and saw that as he lifted, he was pulling the bike toward him off the 2nd foot.

[KawaTony1964]

I bet that's what you're doing. I bet you're pulling it toward you as you lift. Have someone watch while you do it to see if that's the case. I'm not very strong, yet I find it quite easy to put up. At 240 lbs, I think you should be able to just stand on it and put it up.

[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".

[familymande]

Hello from Germany!

Great Job.

You did it with love and pride for your Bike.

We can´t wait to see more of this stuff round the Concours (aka GTR in Europe)

Merry Xmas !

familymande

[goober55]

good. It also helps to be on level ground.

[KawaTony1964]

Yes. I was on a very slight downward slope (driveway), which made it slightly more difficult. If the nose is pointed up a driveway, though, you get gravity assist.

[gcvalentini]

I think that the roosters in the background are a nice touch.

[jamiesonsAIM]

Good work Tony.