Back in the day it was common for new owners to have an issue with getting it up ...on the center stand . I worked with a fellow who knew everything , I think he was the one who told me . Put your foot on the stand and think of it as trying to put your foot and the stand through the floor now Lift straight up on the bike it will go backwards on its own into the engaged position.I put a center stand on my new 1200 XC as a winter mod . It was an OEM part on my 1970 BSA 650 Scramble back in the day. I'll say this, I have to learn the new skill of pulling this boat anchor up onto the stand.
Push the stand thru the floor
Lift straight up .
Grunt .