All my previous bikes had steel kickstands and I am used to spinning them around 180 degrees in the garage or parking lots by leaning them over onto the kickstand so both tires are off the ground and pivoting them around on the kickstand. Never had an issue. My new street triple has an alloy kickstand and brackets. Has anyone had an issue doing this?
Interesting trick. My Tigers side stand flexes and bends in a gentle breeze. Not sure I’d trust it to a 180
Thanks for your replies, and will inspect stand at oil change intrevals. I typically spin it just after I shed my gear and before I break out a COLD brew.
I was told many, many years ago by a wise biker who was older then than I am now (and that REALLY is saying something!) NEVER lever the weight of the 'bike onto the side (kick) stand if you can possibly avoid it. It may well be OK for occasional and/or unavoidable use but frequent use is likely to splay the stand lugs, bend the frame rail or both. I've closely followed his advice ever since as I don't want to repeat the problem I had with a Commando - a problem which caused the advice to be received in the first place! Your experience may very well differ. I hope so.
I had a 765RS and did this all the time as my drive is narrow, never had a problem on that or any other bike I have done it with.
Never had a problem with a Triumph, but KTM 525 EXC snapped straight off! The replacement also snapped in normal use.
I often ‘mount’ Tigger (OooooEeerrr) when the side stand is down - left foot on left peg and swing my short stumpy right leg over the saddle. Then kick up the stand. Hasn’t broken yet... A stationary u turn can’t be any worse than me putting all my weight (and the bike’s) through the side stand?
I think a lot depends on the angle and length of the side stand, more upright in normal use, the weight is pushed down through the stand. On an angle when the bike is being spun round, the stress is put across the stand rather than through it. A bit like standing on a stick between two bricks, its down to how strong the stick is. KTM sticks are lightweight cast aluminium
I would be wary of doing this to the early triples (T300). The sidestand is bolted to the engine and not the frame as was the norm in days gone by. As for ktm I have seen several people with broken stands, one of whom was sat waiting for the A.A.cause the part that fell off actuated the switch for the ignition interlock.
