Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech How to get past the kickstand under floorboards?

I have really been giving my floorboards a good try to see if I can get used to them. I started riding with pegs and previous to my America, my only experience with florboards was on a Heritage Softtail. With that bike the balance wasn't quite as good for me as my America, and floorboards gave me a further fear of not being able to get my feet under me to control the bike. I am past that fear with my bike, because the floor boards are far enough forward. My problem now is how to catch that darned kickstand comfortably. I have really small feet, and sometimes the floorboard is just in the way. I try to kick it up a little because folded up it is easier to catch the kickstand with my toe, but I still bang my ankle trying to get to it. Anyone with floorboards find a way around this? I'm kind of liking my floorboards, but have been seriously considering going back to pegs. There's been a couple times when stuggling with my kickstand made me feel like I did with the Harley, like there is just too much bulk there.
I can't think of any way of extending the reach for the kickstand without doing some frankenstein sort of invention. Any options out there to give me ideas?

Yeah Laurie, I know what you mean. Same here... I swapped out the begs for boards and then, there is was... that nasty kickstand problem. I never did get around it, never did modify the stand in any way... just got used to it. I wear a boot with a hiking tread so I can catch a piece of the stand with that, but when I wear a smooth sole shoe... I have been known to reach down and grab it with my hand.

Yeah I know... pain in the ol' behind it is. Maybe you'll just 'get used to it' like I did. But if there is a mod that will make it easier to work that stand with your foot, you'll probably hear about it here first.

Hear, here!!

I put that warning up on a recent floorboard threads. I got used to it, but I'm 5'11", if you are shorter than that, it will be frustrating I'm sure.
I was on Snekepte's bike yesterday, he has a kickstand foot-pad that slips over the foot. You might want to check with folks who have that and the boards (Pete did not have boards) and see if that can catch your foot instead of the tang. The only mod I could think of would be to take the kick stand to a welding shop and have them put on a longer, re-shaped tang. I also seem to remember seeing a motorized kick-stand, when you lifted the bike off the stand, a motor snapped it shut. Saw that on a chopper. Not sure that mod would be worth the $$ investment....

I make a conscious effort to grab the tip of the side stand lever with my toe and then let the spring pull it up out of the way of the floorboard and then tuck it into the frame with my foot. I'll bet it took me two months to get that action down where it's second nature now.

Try this out...

http://www.indiantriumphfargo.com/eshopprod_cat_5939-12671_product_807351.Footfinder_Extension.htm

I got used to mine after about the first year. I "catch" the the bar on the kickstand with the lugs/tread of the front portion of my boot. It's a real PITA on the rare occasion I wear sneakers when riding.

Just have to get used to it, Wendy still has problems and at times I have to put it up for her. You can push the bike forward with the stand touching the ground to move it back closer to your foot then put it up the rest of the way with your foot.

Thanks guys.

If you continue to have problems and can't seem to get comfortable with the boards, sell 'em and go back to pegs.

I was actually thinking about going back to pegs...just have to find a set since the guy I bought the bike from no longer had them.

If the boards are in very good condition (like new) Wendy might swap you for her pegs. The pegs off her bike only had 1,000 miles on them then I put the boards on her bike. She likes the boards so may be willing to swap so she has a spare set. If you are interested let me know and I'll ask her if she is.

I might be keeping them to swap back and forth with pegs for a while, but just don't know for sure yet. These had just been installed fairly recently, and are clean and blemish free. Nice, but I'm struggling to get my toes under them to catch the kickstand. Sigh! Just the set up I thought I've always wanted...but never thought about any possible drawbacks.

Wendy will never be using her pegs because she is too short to reach them. The boards make it comfy for her and I moved the controls back closer to her. I think you may find also that you have much more freedom of movement on long rides to change you position to relieve the effects of sitting in 1 position for a long time. I like pegs but the boards are cool too.

See if you can find a stiff hose(pvc or rubber) to push on the "toe thing-a-ma-jig" just enough so it sticks past the floorboard and able to catch it with you foot.

Laurie, I've been running the boards for a few years. You're right sometimes they can be a bear when raising the kickstand. And forget a bout it if your boot is wet!
I just hook the toe under the board and give it a swift push. I have days where my brain foot and board just aint coexisting but most times it's not an issue for me.
Brings back childhood memories. I recall on my old Schwinn while standing beside the bike I would garb the left hand grip, kick the stand up, swing a leg over and go.
Don't suppose that would work very well with a 600lb motorcycle.
Just keep working with it and you'll find a way that works for you. I really love the boards for long distances. You can move around must better than with pegs. I've also found you can lean the bike over more in the twisties. With the pegs I seem to drag a heel much sooner in the turns.

I have a stock set of TR pegs for my Speedmaster and also a set of Kuryakyn Dually Isopegs. If you decide to trade let me know. Jim

I do like having the boards to shift myself to a more comfortable position even on shorter rides. Like mentioned though, wet boots, tiny feet (4 1/2 boys) and a tang hidden under the floor board that doesn't seem to like folding out of the way...well it can make for an interesting combo. My right hip is my tender one and reason for going with floorboards to begin with. Gets very frustraiting to bear weight on that side for long.

I also like that they get attention. People tend to stop me and talk to me about my bike whenever I stop. My husband warned me that would happen just because it is a Triumph.

Laurie, this is not very scientific or aesthetically pleasing as some of the other suggestions but, how about making a "helper" of sorts.
I was thinking of an old 1" key ring with a piece of cord attached.
Before putting the stand down, slip the ring over the end of the kickstand and hook the cord up near the seat.
When it's time to leave, straddle the bike and stand it up.
Pull back on the attached cord. When the stand retracts, slip the ring off of the kickstand and put it in you pocket till next time.

If you decide that you would like foot pegs, I have a set plus shifter from my '08 that never saw the road. They were replaced with the floorboards and heel toe shifter before I took delivery. I'll sell the whole set to you for $50 plus shipping.

Eric

Love my boards, but, like you, cannot reach the kickstand when it is down,..... I can deploy the stand when it is up. My solution is to put the kick stand up before I get on the bike, like the old bicycle..... Not pretty, takes some planning but works, love the boards.... If I strain, I can hook it in the lugs on my boots, but hurts me...

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If I strain, I can hook it in the lugs on my boots, but hurts me...

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Then it's unanimous, floorboards impede access to the kickstand. Sucks but true!!

It is true, but I will guarantee that I have the smallest feet here..... really I do. And while yes the stand is an issue, you develop a technique after time. Big cleats in the soles of boots are great...

Also Triumph did introduce a side stand extender. I've been on the site to try and get you the part number but it seems to have vanished.... it does mention it on the listing for the 'boards, but no where else.

I think that part# would be worth its weight in gold or maybe crome!

On the Australian Triumph Accessories page....

it has a "foot finder extension" with a part #A9758121, but no price....

anyone feeling brave enough to try and order it and see what it is...?

And then I google it and find it on Create my Triumph thing at £19.99.

Or for the guys over the pond....

http://triumph.gulfcoastmotorcycle.com/e...r_Extension.htm

Can I be of any more help...?

Interesting. Will the footfinder extension solve your problem?

Could have been worse!Triumph could have fitted auto retracting (spring loaded) sidestands like my old Moto Guzzi used to have.BAD IDEA!!!
I suppose I did get used to it eventually after several mishaps in the early days.