Hey everyone, just after peoples experiences with bike lifts or other solutions in raising a Tenere to remove Swing arm / Steering head for greasing. Also would be handy for lubing the drive chain instead of 'balancing' on the side stand while trying to spin the back wheel. I'm guessing that a bike lift would work better if a proper bash plate was fitted to take the weight as there isnt the frame running under the engine like my old DRZ.
Cheers.

I ended up buying centre stand. I tried a few other methods but didn't seem very stable/secure so decided I could do more damage if the bike fell over than cost of the stand.

I have a centre stand - which makes life a lot easier when it comes to maintenance.

However, for some jobs the stand must come off or can't be used - in that case I use a pair of axle stands:



It's a simple one-man operation to get it on them - with the bike on its side stand put one axle-stand under the peg furthest away and then from the side-stand side lever the bike up onto the first stand and hold it balanced upright then, having got another axle-stand ready by the nearest foot peg, slide the second stand under the footpeg with your foot.

Getting it down is the reverse.

It's pretty stable and secure like that - obviously don't put the stands under the folding part of the footpeg.

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Simon

Brighton, UK

Centre stand is the way to go. You can do everything you'll ever need to do with one, even the swingarm and forks, together with some strops to hold the rear/front of the bike up in the air from the rafters. The only real advantage of a bike lift is it will save your back as you don't have to bend down so far to do the work.

I had a bike lift, but sold it a few years back - didn't use it enough to warrant having it. The big problem with them is that, on the 360 days a year when you aren't using it, it'll just be getting in the way, taking up valuable garage/shed space and you'll just be tripping over it all the time! The other disadvantage of a bike lift is you can't take it with you on a trip - a centre stand will always be your trusty companion, where ever you go.

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Thanks for that fella's
I've got some axle stands from restoring an old VW Beetle , nearly got rid of them a while ago glad I didn't now. I'm thinking I've also got those 'handy' pieces of 4 x 2 timbers, & rolling the bike on to the timber ( effectively raising the bike 2 inches) then position the axle stands finally slipping out the timber from under the wheels?
But as you rightly point out a centre stand investment is very worth while for the long term.

Cheers

Have you had a look at the abba superbike stand with the attachment that lifts both wheels off the floor.
Ive just got one and it was about �60 on top of the cost of the abba stand ( which ive had for years.)
Wish i had got it before doing the rear linkages, i used a threaded bar through the frame on two bottle jacks, it worked ok but isnt as secure as the abba stand and ypu have to remove the rear brake to fit it.
Just a suggestion

Actually ignore that last post as unless you can machine youself some adapter bobbins the abba stand wont fit. Ive discussed this with them but the dont believes theres a market for an "adventure bike" stand

I made one of those Abba type stands for my Versys when I had it and used it for my lads Varadero 125 as well, but the weight of the Tenere didn't feel safe. Great stands if you can get them to work safely.

http://www.ghostbikes.com/products/A...xle-stand.html

Here's a dead cheap option

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Bike: 2013 XT660Z, TKC70 tyres

Mods:
Barkbusters, Scottoiler, DIY Tail Mod, DNA Stage 3, Power Commander V & O2 Eliminator, Exan X-Black Stainless exhaust, Tool tube, Ohlins linear front fork springs, Nitron rear shock, JT front and Supersprox rear sprockets, D.I.D. VX 520 chain, Adventure Spec bashplate, DIY USB Outlet, DIY chain guide, Kev's Throttle mod

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Repco. The orange bike lift.
Looks the same as the Supercheap blue one just cheaper.
Wait till their on sale. Can't remember how much but under $150 from memory.
Rated to about 250kg.
Works a treat. Bike doesn't fall of like trolley jack or make shift stands. It's happened to me once, that's why l bought the bike lift.
If you haven't sorted anything let me know and l will get the details of the lift or just check out Repco.
Good investment.

hi

i'm using since longer this bike lift for all my XT's:
http:// ebay.eu/1DA1sP2
It's easy and quick to install the bike on it and for this price it's unbeatable.
And it's coming/shipped from UK .

I'm a bit longer - so i enjoy working with streched back.

cheers and good luck

Andy