thanksI had a bit of trouble raising my bike up onto the T-Rex center stand when I first installed it as well. Having the T-Rex upper crash bars helps, as it gives you a good lifting/pulling point for one hand. Technique is pretty critical as well-it was much harder to lift onto the stand than my old Honda Valkyrie which was much heavier. I got the hang of it, but it was taking two or three tries each time.
I recently installed a Cogent Moab rear shock which added about an inch of height to the rear and a side benefit is it is easier to get on the center stand now.
I think using a piece of plywood under the rear wheel would suffice for you, or the 2x4 if it fits. With the new shock I cannot quite get a 2x4 under my rear tire anymore. Cutting a little off the legs of the stand and welding would be the ideal solution. In any case, your technique will improve with time and practice.
If you are worried about weight, you are on the wrong bike. Plus, what does it weigh, 3lbs. When adventure touring that ain’t nothing. Breaking? As you say they are built. What space? The are on the bottom, I never carry anything down there. What is there to maintain? I will admit you do loose ground clearance and they can be an issue on off road use, if you are riding a klr like a true off road machine or single track use. But for those that use it as a dual sport and adventure touring, they do come in handy! Not necessary, but a blessing to have when needed and never noticed when not.For the record, I own T-Rex Crash Bars & Skid Plate. The Initial quality is GREAT! They are built like a "Brick $hit House"!
I do NOT own the Center Stand. I've, in my 50ish years on 2 wheels with an Engine have not been able to develop a like for the "Center Stand" on a Motorcycle. The side stand works. If you want to work on the Bike, a Hoist or Lift is the only way to go. If in the field, is a center stand going to work in anything other than a road condition?
Different strokes.... just not for me. I can't stand them. Pain in the A$$ to use. Add weight. Take up space. More to maintain. More to break. You lose ground clearance.
If the T-Rex Center Stand is anything like the Crash Bars, my guess is they are bulletproof!
Willie
I am a bit worried about weight. Since taking myself off the Opioids the Doctors had me on for 20+ years for my Back (and most recently Neck injuries), I've gone from 293lbs down to 221lbs. But that's me. I'm shooting for 200lbs.If you are worried about weight, you are on the wrong bike. Plus, what does it weigh, 3lbs. When adventure touring that ain’t nothing. Breaking? As you say they are built. What space? The are on the bottom, I never carry anything down there. What is there to maintain? I will admit you do loose ground clearance and they can be an issue on off road use, if you are riding a klr like a true off road machine or single track use. But for those that use it as a dual sport and adventure touring, they do come in handy! Not necessary, but a blessing to have when needed and never noticed when not.
To use in dirt or soft gravel, I carry two pieces of 1/2” plywood, the size of my saddlebags, just slid down inside. Yeah they weigh an extra pound combined, and they take up a 1/2” space. But nice to have if I have a flat.
just my stupid thoughts on the subject!
T Rex Centerstand is too high. Almost impossible to deploy.
I have owned dozens of bikes with centerstands and this is ridicilous.
I like them as a company but they need to redo the design.
If your bike is lowered in any manner, all single height center-stands will be to long to deploy & lift, unless you carry a 2 x 4 wedge to roll under the rear tire before deploying the center-stand.Anyway, well made for sure just not well engineered.
Not lowered in any way.If your bike is lowered in any manner, all single height center-stands will be to long to deploy & lift, unless you carry a 2 x 4 wedge to roll under the rear tire before deploying the center-stand.
Happy-Trail is the only one that I know of that makes an adjustable height center-stand to accommodate both lowered or raised KLR's.
no kiddingNot lowered in any way.
I have had many bikes with centerstands that lifted quite easily. Trex are just too long. The rear is 2" off the ground when deployed.
A good centerstand will lift the bike leaving the rear tire less than 1" from the ground. It's enough to remove the rear wheel and balanced so it tilts rearward when the front tire is removed. It's also little enough that the pivot point where the most pull stress occurs is not bad at all and uses downward foot force against the fulcrum as opposed to bike lifting.
My 09 had a SW Motech centerstand and it was engineered very well.
I appreciate your 2x4 suggestion but to me paying $219 for a centerstand that requires a piece of wood in your kit is silly.
It is in my first post.it....where exactly would the 2 x 4 be placed to improve the leverage of getting the bike on the centerstand?
ExactlyIt is in my first post.
Under the Rear Tire.
One can even Tilt a bike with a flat tire to the left on the side stand and slide the wood block under the rear tire with your right foot. Then deploy the center stand.
With all due respect, thats ridiculous.
I dont mean your idea to make it work but rather that the engineering requires you to carry a 2 x 4.
Well you should both contact the manufacturer of any inferior products that you've purchased, rather than whining about them on a forum.Exactly
Pathetic! Spend that kind of money to come up with a work around, because the QC fell short!
I am only discussing it here on the forum because I have reached out to them and they replied saying they have received positive feedback so it is not an issue.Well you should both contact the manufacturer of any inferior products that you've purchased, rather than whining about them on a forum.
I'm out!
GoodWell you should both contact the manufacturer of any inferior products that you've purchased, rather than whining about them on a forum.
I'm out!
so true. But even for a non lowered bike. That stand is very poorly designed. You would think they would have taken notice by now and redesigned. Makes you ask the dual question how and why in the first place and how and why it is not addressed. If they do they should offer a discount to buy the replacement.If your bike is lowered in any manner, all single height center-stands will be to long to deploy & lift, unless you carry a 2 x 4 wedge to roll under the rear tire before deploying the center-stand.
Happy-Trail is the only one that I know of that makes an adjustable height center-stand to accommodate both lowered or raised KLR's.