I just pulled the trigger on a white F800GS. I have a 05 1200 GS that is going to become my road bike. There were two 800's at Sierra BMW. One had a centerstand, the other not. I picked the one without the Center stand. I want light as possible. I have a lift at home. Did I screw up? Dave
I got the sw motech center stand. A must for this heavy a bike. http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productlist/162/
Well IMHO a centre stand is absolutely necessary if you are going to do anything more than commute or play on Sunday afternoons with the bike. No of course you didn't stuff up, and many have ridden millions of kays without one. But you will find that doing things like chain mantenance and fixing a flat much harder than need be. I would get one and stick it on.
I rode my DR and DL 650s with no centrestands, and always thought they were cumbersome, heavy, stupid things only your dad would want. My 800 came with one standard, and I now cannot imagine life without it (in the ADV context). Trailside tyre repairs, luggage loading, chain lube... it's all so easy. The BMW 'ram's horn' type doesn't allow the bike to (easily) rock backward and lift the front off the ground, but it's stable and came free. Not sure if the aftermarket 'antelope antler' types would allow you to rock the front up or not, but whatever you choose, check for compatibility with your preferred bash plate.
The sw motech center stand is easier to put up than the BMW ram horns and works with the BMW aluminum skid plate. They also let you rock the bike to lift front wheel into the air with some extra weight on the rear seat.
If you have a lift at home I wouldn't worry about it. It could come in handy if...____ ? But personally I wouldn't spend the $ and the effort to haul it around for just an if. I have one and love mine but I don't have a lift.
Get one. Makes life easy. It will take the occasional hit off road but that is the price you pay. The feet on the SW Motech one are small. It is ridiculously easy to put your bike up on the BMW stand once you get the technique. Do it in my bare feet and I'm just an average sized lad.
Yes, the centre stand is really useful on this bike, especially for tasks such as loading luggage on a (now) stable bike, lubing the chain is real easy, punctures, etc. And I have someone sit atop the pillion part of saddle on standard BMW centre stand as a test to rock back back the bike and lift the front wheel off of the ground, and that works, too. Buy it, my 5c
Thanks guy's. I guess this is another lesson I am learning the hard way. I am going to get the SW Moteck. Could have had the BMW for free.... Dave
