TRAIL TECH KICK STAND

TRAIL TECH KICKSTAND BY: JIMMY LEWIS

ROOST - Simple, light, and strong kickstand keeps a bike on two wheels - Easy bolt-on, usually less than 10 minutes - Clean looks and perfect function

ENDO - Might not integrate with frame protection

WHAT IT IS - A strong and simple aftermarket kickstand

Trail Tech kickstands are built in the USA for most current Enduro and MX-style motorcycles. Attached to the bike with a high strength chromoly mounting bracket, the arm is a lightweight, high strength forged and machined aluminum piece with an aluminum reinforced high-impact nylon foot at the base of the stand. The finish is a black ceramic coating. Each one is custom designed for exact model fit using existing mounting or points like chain roller or guide points and subframe pick-ups and a supplied bracket. The stands come with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee and are claimed to be stronger than standard. Retail price is $99.95 for this unit.

HOW IT WORKS - Easy model specific bolt-on for most current bikes

- Proper attachment that does not interfere when riding and puts the stand at the proper angle

- Tucks out of the way when not in use and does not flop around

- Lightweight and unnoticeable till you need it

Kickstands are one of the creature comforts of a trail or enduro bike and one of the things that makes your MX ride look uncool. That is until you have to lay your kickstand-less track bike over

on the ground or hunt for a tree while out on the trail. And on some off-road bikes, the standard kickstands were really an afterthought. Take KTMs for example, especially the older ones. Find an early KTM with a still functioning standard stand and I’ll be surprised. Luckily for me (I have a few of those bikes) Trail Tech has the solution. The TT Kickstand is not really special. It is sturdy and functional. Designed very much like the ones found on the KTMs, but built with much better components and including a stronger attachment that does not bend, twist or fail over time. On most bikes, the TT Kickstand bracket attaches to the frame with supplied hardware to the lower subframe mount and a chain guide or footpeg attachment point. The mount is very sturdy and not that heavy for how burly it is compared to the standard mount it might replace or the non-existent mount it creates on most MX bikes. Generally, the bolt-on process takes about 10-minutes so the kickstand is easy to remove if you desire, just keep track of the standard bolts. The only issue we have encountered in installation over the years resulted from frame mount tabs that had slightly relocated themselves via dents and crashes, but nothing that a little English or an older Husqvarna tool (read: hammer) couldn't remedy. Also, we’ve found some aftermarket frame guards may interfere with Trail Tech’s subframe mounting. There are included shims with some bikes to make the spacing of the stand perfect

and slop-free. Once mounted, all of the kickstands we tested were the proper length and seemed to take into consideration dirt bikes typically need a little extra length for sinking dirt or slight off camber terrain. We tended to agree with this even on most hard, solid, and flat surfaces where the bike is a little more upright and likes to have the handlebar turned just to keep the bike safely away from the tipping point. If you run lowered or very sacked out suspension, the length might need to be remedied--you could shorten the arm if needed. The foot is replaceable and small enough to stay out of the way when up. It isn't large enough to rectify for mud or sandy stopping spots, but we preferred this smaller size overall.

In use, the kickstand does everything asked of it and stays out of the way. The bracket is not noticeable on any of the bikes we tested and does not hang down so far as to drag or catch much more than the lower frame corner or the bottom of the footpeg. Strength-wise, it is as strong as could be expected but that does not mean a 200-lb individual can climb aboard and kick-start the motorcycle with all of their weight on the stand. It will easily hold up the bike and never give you problems. Asking an 8mm bolt to support more than 200-pounds at an angle is asking a lot. We whacked our stands across plenty of rocks in hard riding and cosmetic damage was the only result.Our only bent one came from a bike being rolled backwards, off a curb, with the stand down. It bent a little and was easily bent back (off the bike, of course, the mounting bolt won’t take the prying.)

The location and action of the arm is simple and solid. The spring tension in the up position is enough so that it will never come down during normal riding. The angle it sticks out when down offers good stability yet not so far out it will easily get bent. They come with a “for the life of the bike” warranty as well. Plain and simple, this is a great kickstand.