To get a center stand or not, that is the question here. It was an easy decision for me to get the SW-Motech model-specific tubular steel center stand for the Ultimate motorcycling Yamaha Ténéré 700 project bike.
Its main purpose is to facilitate maintenance when the bike is lifted. I enjoy the routine tasks of lubricating the chain, changing the oil, changing tires and even deflating the front forks. There’s no way I can jack the Ténéré 700 up on the bike stand I used when I had a 250-pound dirt bike.
The Project Ténéré 700 is lowered, so I was concerned it would be difficult to pry the bike onto it SW Motech main stand. After assembly, I stood on the foot pedal, lifted the pannier mount with a stabilizing hand on the left handlebar grip and it came. If the bike hadn’t been lowered it would have been much easier to get onto the center stand.
Installation is a simple step-by-step task that took me about 45 minutes to complete, including stopping to wash my hands after lubricating two rotating parts. I would suggest taking the skid plate off for installation as it would be difficult to screw with it. SW-Motech’s entire center stand kit weighs 10.8 pounds, so installation doesn’t require a friend (and the requisite six-pack). Final assembly does not affect the stock skid plate or larger Touratech RallyeForm skidplate that I installed.
The SW-Motech main stand installation kit is well thought out and fits perfectly. Most center stand bolts require a medium strength threadlocker be applied prior to assembly, so make sure you have some on hand. Some of the bolts are initially installed loosely and are waiting for final assembly. Threadlocker will begin setting up in about 20 minutes, so plan not to interrupt your installation.
You will appreciate the way SW-Motech designed the spring retainer and tensioning mechanism. No grunt work is required to install the spring. It attaches stress-free and then tightened by turning a screw with your socket wrench – a superb piece of much-appreciated engineering.
As the Ultimate motorcycling Yamaha Ténéré 700 Project Bike is already loweredI was also concerned that the center stand might take away some ground clearance, but it doesn’t. The lowest part of the ADV bike is still the bottom of the shock mount. The dual spring holding up the centerstand is strong enough for street use, although I can hear it slamming against its rubber bumper on the washboard. To keep it safe I attached a zip tie to hold it up until needed for my next chain oiling.
A center stand is a handy accessory that makes it much easier to fix a flat tire on the trail or to keep your bike upright if its side stand is sinking into quicksand. Changing tires, chains, sprockets, brakes and general maintenance are excellent reasons to spend $265 on the SW-Motech centerstand.
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