Your kickstand snaps off, can't start bike! Drilled holes in my Scrambler 1200 XE swingarm. WHY?
This is a follow up video of • 83.000 KM On The Trium...
I forgot some stuff, hence this video.
Today, I’m sharing a crucial tip for Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE owners after covering over 85,500 km (53,100 miles) on this amazing bike. If you're concerned about your kickstand’s durability, especially when heavily loaded, this video is for you.
First, I'll show you a simple, effective way to secure your number plate to stay road-legal on long trips. Then, I’ll discuss why I drilled holes in my swingarm, to save you from a big trouble which might happen.
The main focus today is a practical workaround for a potential kickstand issue. The Triumph Scrambler 1200 XE has a safety feature where it won't allow you to gear up if the kickstand is down. If your kickstand ever fails or breaks off, this can be a problem. I'll demonstrate a simple method to bypass the magnetic switch that detects the kickstand’s position, allowing you to start and ride the bike safely in an emergency.
The German Footpegs:
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📹 Recorded in April 2024 / Italy Island of Sicily
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Thank you for the informative look around your Scrambler. I just took delivery of my new Scrambler 1200XE last week. I am filled with anxiety about how complex it is, compared to my old Kawasaki KLR650. Thank you for showing us your innovative tips about the bike. It helps a lot. Happy Trails
Hello. Thank you for taking the time to comment on my video. Enjoy your Scrambler. Iam still happy with it after almost 90.000 km BTW I think it's much less complex like a big ADV and on top it looks much better. IMHO Ride Save 🏁
Good video as I’m a new triumph scrabbled owner 🙏🏻👍
You will have lots of fun. I still do after 5 years.🏁😁
Great tip about the magnet! Will be putting a magnet on my bike somewhere now just in case. Have a 22 XC and will check to see if the swingarm has those drainage holes. If not, easy enough to add. Safe travels!
Thank you. Would be interesting to know if they added them holes in later models. Ride Save 🏁
Thanks again for this, in particular the drilling of the swingarm drainage hole. My chain adjustment screws are getting harder and harder to turn and I couldn't work out why. Will be drilling a couple today. 🙏🏼 I also carry a magnet which I have stuck on the frame under the seat (I don't always have my tool kit with me when riding around town). There's a vid somewhere where the magnet on a guy's kickstand was broken off by a stone or something and he was stranded. 🥺 I've never broken a headlight and after researching the cleaning issue have given the mesh guard a miss. I like to keep mine clean and with the high front mudguard they can get dirty pretty quickly in the wet/mud. For the OEM oil filter I use a filter removal tool which I got for a couple of bucks off a local website. It's basically a cup that fits on the filter with a half inch drive. Super easy to change. You can also just punch a screwdriver through if you're in the middle of nowhere but it's a bit messy. I'm sure you know this. Footpegs look awesome, particularly that they drop your foot down a bit which would solve one of the gripes of the bike which is the foot brake lever being too low. You mentioned you might post a link but I can't see it here? Great tip on the numberplate. I lost one, fortunately in my home country, but it would be a nightmare overseas. Thanks for that 🙏🏼. I'm trying to think of some tips for you but you have everything I know covered and more! A couple of things I've done: I flipped the bar risers around to give me a better riding position and a bit more height when standing. I have a velcro strap holding a stiff piece of plastic around the front brake reservoir to protect it from stones. I also use that strap to lock the front brake when adjusting the chain using a trail stand (great piece of kit). Also to put the brake on when lifting the bike if I drop it on a hill. Swapped out the weak horn for a plug and play Denali Soundbomb Mini for a bit more volume when that truck is changing lanes on you. Wired up an aux system to run tire pump, jumper cables, quad lock phone charger but you mentioned in a previous post you have something set up. It would be good to see what you've done in that department if you have time? Thanks for the advice in a previous post about not loading the battery up too much because the alternator isn't that strong to charge. Put a TEC Booster Plug in to help with low speed stalling. Also a spacer in the throttle housing as there was quite a bit of play in the throttle when I got it. Changed mirrors, grips, pegs to Pivotpegz but interested in yours, pipes to slash cut because sound good, cheaper to replace by half if dented, less chance of denting because smaller, allow me to put my gear on without risk of burning bags. They are a bit noisy for stealth camping though, even with baffles. Changed handguards to Barkbusters. Put on SW Motech crash bars. Must do your bash plate extension to protect the oil filter at some point too, why didn't Triumph do that from the start?! Have you done a toolkit review? That could be some good knowledge to share. Also what spares do you carry for long tours? My clutch cable broke once when overseas which was fun getting a replacement for 😭. Any electrical problems? My ABS and TC light comes on randomly sometimes to say they are disengaged. If I turn the bike off and on they go away but not cool. Anyway, I've written a book here so sorry about the but its a real honour to be able to talk to someone knowledgeable that uses our bike for extended, out of the way adventures. Happy trails.
Thanks so much. Lots of info. Just typing this so you know i was reading it. But just came home from a day offroad. And i want to reply. . I edit my post later with my proper response. I tag you so you know. Such a great comment you wrote. Extremely appreciated 👍🏁
Again, thanks for commenting, much appreciated, and I'm sure some others here appreciate it as well. Now I've found some time, sorry I was a bit busy with work and out on the bike for the full 2 days. 'You mentioned you might post a link but I can't see it here?' Thanks for pointing that out. I updated the description the moment I read your comment. 'Put a TEC Booster Plug' I have never had any issues with that at all. It runs perfectly. The gear ratio is just not good in 1st, especially on very steep hills. I switch off the engine and go easy down the steep hill. Like this weekend, I had a very steep one. Engine off. Works perfectly. 'Front Brake Reservoir Protection' Tennis wrist sweatbands I added them right at the beginning when I started, before even my first drops with the bike, wanted to get one of those aluminum cases. After riding and falling many times, in my humble opinion, absolutely no need. Got a Velcro band as well, it's tangled around my mirror, always use it when on some trails. 'Clutch Cable' When I left Switzerland, I had a full checkup on my bike, including the cable. It was still in mint condition. If it would have broken, well, a bike shop, local fixer, etc., somehow there is always a solution. BUT next time I will bring one because I had this time stuff with me which was unnecessary, non-bike stuff, and related to tools and bike. 'Have you done a toolkit review?' No, and I think I am the wrong person for that. I am by no means a mechanic at all. A bit taught by friends here and there and my dad. When I am back home, I will remove some really unnecessary stuff and doubles... go figure. 'Filter removal tool' Got that tool, but did not bring it; I ran out of space. And until now, it was always somehow removable, but I liked the K&N solution with the bolt. Screwdriver hack, yes I know. Extremely messy. Happy me never needed to do that. Yet. 'It would be good to see what you've done in that department.' I had a setup which will be possible back again, ordered it already. 1 Day before I left I broke it. Will post it in the community, and the setup. But as I type it now, honestly very honest? Funny as it sounds, I did not miss it... So I might not even put it back. 'Any electrical problems?' 1. The old story about the connection of the Bluetooth key. Fixed right in the first 500km. 2. In Morocco, the ABS sensor in the back was dirty and displaced. Made my front display go nuts. Clean and adjust on return by the dealer. Could have done it myself, but did not really care. 3. Until now, 2x Fuse Blown. Just the other day one, because me, totally tired, wanted to unlock the steering lock and put the key in the 12-volt socket. ROFLOL. Me awake instantly LOL." I hope I somehow covered your questions. Happy Trails as well.
thank you for your videos! love being "part" of your adventures. Im currently saving up for my scrambler 1200xe
Hi, you are more than welcome. Glad you enjoyed it. Keep on saving; you will not regret it. Even after so long riding this bike, I still enjoy it like the first day.
HiFlo Racing oil filters have the hex nut/bolt on the end of them too - used them for years and can recommend them. They are a bit cheaper than the K&Ns too.
Hi. Thanks for taking the time to comment. I will check them out. Very much appreciated 🏁👍
TOP TIP:- keep your kick stand magnet handy by putting it onto the oil drain plug. It will turn the drain plug magnetic while it's there and you can easily get hold of it should your stand fail.
Personally, for me, this is not a good option, as I have an extended skid plate. Previously, I had the magnet on one of my four handlebar bolts. Guess what? Even with those strong magnets, they slid away, especially off-road. Personally, I also would not place them on the oil drain plug when doing a lot of off-roading. I would be worried all the time, thinking, "Is it still there, or did the last tree branch catch it?" 🤣 Anyway, after so many kilometers off-road, my kickstand has never broken off. It's really just a precaution in case it happens, so I have it safely stored in my tool bag. It only takes me a minute to retrieve it. Nevertheless, it is a great idea if you do not go off-road. This is just my two cents. Great Idea 👍🏁 Ride Save
The K&N used to be good. I forget who bought them out, but their quality went downhill causing failures on the racetrack. Our local race organization has banned them due to this. I stick with the factory filters these days.
Hi Charlie. Thanks so much for your info. Very good to know 👍🏁
K&N oilfilter works perfect, no issues at all and easy dismount.
Thank you for your info. And taking time to write me a comment.
Haia from Wales. XC owner here at 20,000 miles from new. As to drilling the swingarm... There are actually drain holes each side of the swingarm on the inside face, just above where you have drilled. Mine were clogged with mud causing the adjuster bolts to stiffen up as you mentioned. Cleaning the drain holes isn't easy without removing the rear wheel - it would have been better if Triumph had put them underneath as per your modification! Interesting tip about the magnet. I never put weight on the sidestand (other than luggage) but the sidestand pivot and bush needed replacing as I use the cross channel ferries from UK to Europe enough for the sidestand pin and bushing to wear when they strap the bike down for the crossing. Fortunately an easy fix, but it would be difficult if the sidestand snapped as you say. Thanks for the info - enjoy your journey in Sicily!
Thank you very much for the comments. If I remove the rear tire, I will definitely check for those holes. But I'm almost sure there are none. My model is one of the first from the production line in 2019. Yours? If added later, maybe they included some holes in the newer models. Thanks for the info on the bushings. I will check them as well. Take care and ride safe. Sicily is amazing; did some off-roading today-awesome place. Had a wire today messing up my rear. Have it on Instagram as a reel. Sometimes stuff happens you never expect, LOL.
@@ScramblerTales Haia. Mine's also a 2019. I know yours (the XE) has a longer swingarm, but I think the end caps are the same, marked 'SL' on the left and, unoriginally, 'SR' on the right. The drain holes are at the bottom of a sort of moulded crease just above where the paddock stand bobbins fit. I'd be surprised if they weren't also on the XE model. Sicily sounds great... watching you is like adventure trail riding by proxy. I only ride the local green lanes, gravel roads and forest roads here in Wales.
Hi. When I remove the rear next time, I will check that. It would be a bummer, but anyway, as you said, even if there are drain holes, they are in the wrong place. Green lanes are always on my mind. Britain, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland are on my list. I just don't know when yet. Glad you enjoy riding as a proxy, now i know why i sometimes tip over... extra weight i guess.😁 Take care and ride save those lanes. Frank
Stop the chain adjuster bolts seizing up by removing them completely and coating the threads with lots of Copperslip before refitting them.
Thanks for the tip. i do that, plus the holes it's perfect.🏁
Yes a lot of bikes have that issue with side stand , like the KTM 1090 and others , I have a Moto Guzzi V85tt, they have a bolt that can come off on the kick stand , but the bike will still run , I was very surprised. I had to cable tie it up until replaced bolt .
Good to know that I am not alone with my issues. Funny that some of the heavy bikes do not have proper kicks.
I have two Triumphs, a Tiger 900 and a Speedmaster 1200(both 2023 MY)and both have very stout kickstands. So, it surprises me that your kickstand is flimsy. Maybe they revamped them in the later years.
No they did not its now third generation. I have version 2019 the model which came out first . The latest they even removed oeilings shocks and the front upside downs. Same price but cheaper parts.. but thanks a lot for your input. Very much appreciated 👍