Scrambler 2016 Triumph Scrambler

Hi,

I just bought a 2016 Triumph Scrambler. It has 22,000 miles. I have a couple questions.

1) What bothers me most is the exhaust heat. Mainly, my upper right thigh gets hot, I feel it even at slower speeds - not just when stationary. The heat dissipates through the area between the heat shields and the frame where there is a gap without heat shields so it goes straight up, heating up my thigh. I was wondering what I can do to resolve this? Do you think it is running lean? Or maybe it is the air injection system people mention on forums? Maybe it needs new spark plugs? I do get backfiring on occasion. I almost always ride in temperatures between 80F and 95F so I need to solve this issue to make it more bearable.

2) Also, I am worried about what I think is a valve clicking noise. It sounds a bit metallic but isn't too loud. Do you think it needs valve adjustment? Could the engine have been damaged by riding without valve adjustment for a while by the previous owner?

3) On cold starts, I usually have to pull out the "fake electronic choke" to increase the revs. Otherwise it dies. I just need to increase the revs for 5 seconds and then it is fine. Do you know what needs to be adjusted?

Thanks! I appreciate any help.