What makes the forward handle lift a little worse I think is that you have to put the kickstand up first or it won't clear, so you are standing there holding beast balanced with one hand and maneuvering the stand with the other, after raising the kickstand. Very nerve wracking.

Pre-hanging the spools with duck tape worked really well, because I didn't have to jockey the stand at all with the bike upright, just had to verify the spools were engaged. Still going to look into velcro straps for the same purpose.

What makes the forward handle lift a little worse I think is that you have to put the kickstand up first or it won't clear, so you are standing there holding beast balanced with one hand and maneuvering the stand with the other, after raising the kickstand. Very nerve wracking

I get the lift forks on the spools and press down on the handle. That will hold the bike vertical as long as you keep pressure on the handle. Withe bike stably held at vertical and the handle only halfway down, you can push the sidestand up and out the way of the handle using your foot or your hand if you don't mind leaning forward. The Pit Bull forward handle effortlessly keeps the bike stable in the halfway position. Just as long as you don't let up on the handle.

Good call w/the 2x4. I'll do that.

Just did the 2X4 trick to change my rear tire. Worked great!

"Try placing a 2x4 under the side stand to hold the bike close to level while you line up the lift forks to the spools. Then you just need to hold the bike stable rather than balance it with one hand."

This is what I do - the 2 x 4 keeps the bike leaned slightly over towards the sidestand, but it is straight up enough to get the rear stand under the spools. Easy and impossible to drop the bike as long as you keep the 2x4 under the sidestand.

Get the Pitbulls. I have both Trex and Pitbull stands and the Pitbulls are way more beefy and no flex whatsoever. My Trex ones are scary on the big bikes, but I will use it on my dualsport

YMMV

No worries with an Abba Stand....

Never seen that before, where you get that.

Okay call me crazy or cheap but am I the only one that uses two 10MM bolts and jack stands? Never had any unstable issues with lifting it up on to them and it's not that heavy.

cavs, how does it feel working under it? I just installed a radiator guard today and it involved a little jostling while I was under the bike, and I wasn't at all concerned about the back falling off the pit bull. She's very sexy but does not get to be on top.

I Put It On The Stands To Wash It Because I Clean And Lube The Chain Every Wash. Not That I Would Let Them But I'm Pretty Sure I Could Let The Kids Play King Of The Hill On It With Out It Even Moving A Little Bit. It's Really Solid.

Bobby914, got it here.