Thinking about getting some bike stands for my 600RR. My question is can you lift the bike by yourself or do you need someone to hold the bike up straight (not leaning on the kickstand) and do you lift the front first or the rear (or does it matter). Thanks

 

You lift the rear first. It's a bit tricky to get use to, but I've never had any help liftng mine up. You just line up the rear and apply pressure then lean the bike up straight until the right side touches the stand. I've never had any problems.

Problems that have been reported to me... forgetting to put the kickstand down when you're taking the bike off the stands. And also make sure you have enough clearance to rotate the wheels when it's up on the stand. I was told by a mechanic that was a good friend, he's seen riders start to rotate the back wheel and part of the stand that is unuversal is adjusted in too close and the wheel hits it... causing damage and/or making the bike fall off the stand.

Just use your head.

 

+1 on pretty much everything Don said... Shouldn't need any help, but it is a little scary the first time until you've done it a few times.

+10,000 on double checking that your kickstand is down when you lower her off the stands! Been there, done that. [:@]

 

Always REAR STAND FIRST. Yeah it's pretty easy to get on the stands by yourself, just like what DC said. You'll be a little unsure at first, just takes practice. I can lift mine up in the dark now. Just leave your kickstand down even when it's on the stands and you shouldn't have to worry about it. But it is a good idea to check everytime, I do it out of habit.