Want to ask 2011 Downtown 300i owner's

[Syl]

I have had someone explain with video on setting the 300i on it's center stand but just about ashamed to say, I have a rough time even doing it by way of the explanation. Do any 300i owner's find this difficult to do and have any advise? I don't believe it is lack of strength but I just can't get it going readily. Thanks.

[streetdown]

I just put left hand on  left hand grip on handle bar right hand on side of scooter put my right foot on center stand then stand on it and it pops right up.

[jprestonian]

That really should work for most... I have no difficulty with the same weight (P250 = 367lbs dry, too), but I do weigh just over 200lbs, myself. The secret is to shift one's weight onto the right foot as one gives a slight tug upward on the rear rack, and steadies the left handlebar with the left hand.

The secret of getting it OFF the centerstand when on a slick surface (very fine concrete, or steel, such as on a service lift) is to put one's left foot in front of the stand's contact point with the surface, and gently push forward.
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[Whisper]

1. Stand facing scooter (Very important, LOL!), make sure your right foot is lined up with the centerstand peg.

2. Grab the luggage rack/passenger rail.  Make sure you are grabbing from under it - Palm up.  Your other hand is on the left handlebar.

3. Step on the centerstand peg like you are stepping up onto a stepstool - put your weight on that peg and let your weight do all the work for you.  You can lift on the grab rail a little if you want.

4. The whole thing will shift back.  Let it do its thing.  Just keep it smooth (avoid jerking, brute force - it doesn't help) and you'll never have a problem.

  Getting it off the centerstand is easy.  Stand in the same place as putting it on.  Hand in the same place too - but grab the brake while taking it off!  Just pull it forward smoothly and with constant, controlled force (Doesn't take much), and it happily hops right off.

[Syl]

Thank you for the replies, I was hoping someone would say they have trouble too!! Gonna practise all that has been explained here. Knowing my S200-Peoples was lighter, I had no trouble with it to center stand. By the way...just a note here. I read that the Downtown 300 is the hottest unit in Europe now. Thanks again everyone.

[Syl]

Jprestonian, thanks for the input. From what I see in the spec's on the 300 is that it is 400 + some lbs. I am 6'1", 245-50lbs. I honestly don't feel I'm weak being a jock of many sports when younger. I just have to practise. Can't wait for warm weather. Been using the trickle charger in this cold weather. Water cooled so I go out and start it once and awhile.

[jprestonian]

400lbs. plus?  That may be; sometimes the actual production models vary from the marketing department's specs, which are usually cooked up well in advance of the model actually being marketed in whatever market. It sure looks bigger than the P250, from the pictures I've seen.
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[Syl]

As reported in "my first 300 ride", while on a parking lot, I tried to get on the center stand. I found that moving the scooter backwards and at the same time stepping and pulling finally got it up! I felt I accomplished something but telling you the truth, I felt the difference in weight from the S200. By the way, it was great getting out on this new ride ending up with a few questions.

[Whisper]

CONGRATS!!!!

Good News:  It will get even easier with practice! 

[sklnzl]

Hi there ,just bought a silver dt 300i yr 2013 ,and i have so far done 400 km .For the centre stand i have no problem at all doing this as i find it easier than my 2010 cpi aragon 125. The point is to use the centre stand as the onley pushing mechanism and just hold the scoot's back part and  front handle it will come up by the sheer movement of the stand that acts like a pivot  or lever .hope i was of any help.

[de dee]

  If your parking spot has dips ( little hills) and your wheel is in it, you will have a hard time putting it on the center stand, 
 and I sit on my scoot to take it off,  hold the bars and throw my Wt. forward ,have your hands on the brake if your in a tight spot,  good to be 6 feet tall or over ,. and feet on the floor,.

[Philly]

Also make sure both legs of the stand are making contact with the ground before raising it. You can do this by lightly standing on the foot lever and gently rocking the scooter side to side until you feel both legs are making contact with the ground. If only one side of the leg is contacting the ground it will be a lot more difficult to raise.

[bobofgsm]

Philly is right!  The trick is to be sure that both sides of the centerstand are in ground contact. I use to have trouble getting the bike up on the centerstand until I got rock before you step advice( 5"9" 175lbs). Now I just rock and step and the thing goes right up on the stand.

[wheels]

watch this, the B650 weighs around 600lbs.

[sklnzl]

This is what i was trying to explain the centre stand just do the job by itself ,all the force on it only