Am I the only one ...

[Gene]

That hates the design of the center stand? On my 85 650sc Nighthawk, to put the bike on the center stand is not as easy as it should be. I believe the problem is you have to lift the rear  using the rear grab bar and the grab bars side. When on the center stand, there is too wide of a gap of approx. 3-4 inches from the rear tire to ground. I'm 6'1", and I can't imagine it would be easy for anyone shorter.

Are they all like this?

[Bob H]

Put a piece of plywood in front of one of the wheels, ride over the wood, then the center stand is easy.
Some bikes are difficult to get on the stand, others have a long extension you stand on with more leverage.

When on the center stand, there is too wide of a gap of approx. 3-4 inches from the rear tire to ground.

When you roll over something, that gap reduces. You may need to roll over a concrete paver or 2x12 (which is 1 1/2 inches thick)

[Gene]

Bob, that is a good suggestion, thank you. However, I find it difficult to know why Honda, a company that can virtually do no wrong thought that everyone is built like a gorilla.

[Pete in PA]

Also makes a difference what tires you have on.  original sizes?

Its been many years since I had mine, don't remember any problems and my bikes are almost always parked on the CS.

My 750 now puts itself on the CS. Too easy.

Try a Honda ST1300. Probably the worst I owned. 700 LB. bike.

[Gene]

Pete, my bike has the stock sized tires. As-is, they would have to be considerably taller to make my problem go away.

Seems strange that no one that has a 650 has commented

[mollusc]

With every centre stand I've encountered, you don't lift the rear.  Instead, you push down on the peg on the stand.  It seems weird to try and explain it, but it makes a difference in how you apply leverage through your body.
Of course, you are still lifting and pulling on the back of the frame, but the key really is to press down into the ground with your foot.

[Larry Fine]

I do both. I concentrate on increasing the distance between the handle and the pedal.

[Bob H]

I believe the problem is you have to lift the rear  using the rear grab bar...

Watch this video, with a focus on NOT lifting the rear.
1) Put your weight down on the center stand arm
2) Focus on pulling the bike rearward (and up) as opposed to straight up in the air

[Gene]

 Thanks everyone for the replies. I am no beginner on using a centerstand, all of my bikes have had one, and this is the only one I've ever had reason to complain about. Previously I used to straddle the bike, push down on the lever, and pull on the handlebars to put it on the centerstand. However, this one is different. The "lever" on the centerstand is quite a bit farther back than my previous bikes and for me to do it the way I used to, I would have to lean forward like I was riding a Ninja, and make sure the trunk of my body is vertical. Then I would have to yank or pull very hard on the handlebars to get it to overcenter on the centerstand while maintaining my balance. Unless I'm missing something, It's impossible that way, at least for me.
 
NOTE: I think the main problem is the way the center stand overcenters. What I mean is, the rear of the bike has to be lifted at least 4 inches, before it settles down to about 3 inches. This makes it very difficult to put it on the centerstand.

[Bob H]

... Previously I used to straddle the bike, push down on the lever, and pull on the handlebars to put it on the centerstand.

... Unless I'm missing something, It's impossible that way, at least for me.

I would count my blessings that method worked for you in the past.
To be blunt, that is the wrong way to do it.

It may work for a light motorcycle, or very user friendly centerstand.

[Gene]

 Ok Bob, I'm going to have to search youtube for something I would have never have entertained.

[mollusc]

I have never encountered a bike where it was possible to put it onto the centre stand while astride it.  I've tried on a couple of small bikes but even those could not be done that way.