TBH it was virtually impossible for me to get the 500 up on the center stand on my own. I managed it only once without my brother's help a few days ago.
A mate gave me a nice sized piece of 1/2" ply so I tried using it under the back wheel today whilst fitting an adjustable stopper for the center stand. It wasn't that easy but I did manage to get it up several times. On my 400 I just press down on the stand arm and a slight lift on the handle and it up.
I suspect I need to work more on my technique as it's too easy for me to have it leaning to the left ( I put the side stand down as well for safety) so the right side of the stand is off the ground.
Definitely you've identified something there Ted. It makes a big difference to lifting them if not set onto both feet of the stand equally. You'll end up about 5 foot 4 with spinal compression trying it on just the left side of centre stand
It feels a little insecure as it starts to lean away from you, naturally you don't want to feel you're going to drop it on the other side too.
But putting the stand down until it touches the ground, then letting it tip over until the other leg touches down before exertion in going to the lifting part will maximise the leverage available to you.
