Is my kickstand bent? Can I bend it back?

[malinamps]

I have a 2015 R1200RT which I purchased this spring. I just bought a kickstand pad for the side stand, but it's not fitting. Is the foot of my kickstand bent? Is it supposed to be like this? If not, is it possible to bend it back, or will that brake the foot (will the metal fatigue)?

 

[r0ckrat]

In the pictures it looks like you have the bike on the center stand. If you put it on the side stand, does it still have that "bent" part in the air? Based on the photos, it almost looks like the "toe" of the stand will be flat on the ground.

 

[malinamps]

What's weird is, on eBay I was looking at used side stands...some are like this...some are flat.

 

[20774]

I found this picture of a '15 R1200RT and it appears that the pad of the stand and the small bar for foot action are not at the same angle. It seems like your pad and bar are almost nearly angled the same. I suspect yours is bent. Also, if you draw a line along the part of the pad that is welded to the upper stand, it would seem it would be bent.

 

[malinamps]

I found this picture of a '15 R1200RT and it appears that the pad of the stand and the small bar for foot action are not at the same angle. It seems like your pad and bar are almost nearly angled the same. I suspect yours is bent.

Is it possible to bend this back without it making the metal weak along that bend line? I see used ones on eBay for $50-80.00...but "free" is a lot nicer...

 

[MCMXCIVRS]

That's bent. Mine on my 23 RT is flat, I welded a larger plate on it rather than use the add on foot like you have, but nothing wrong with using that product. I would remove the stand and just bend it back flat. It's just mild steel and should be fine to straighten it out without issue. You may have to use a vise or some other solid surface to hammer on to get it bent back. Probably a good idea to give it a shot of paint afterwards.

 

[omega man]

That's bent. Mine on my 23 RT is flat, I welded a larger plate on it rather than use the add on foot like you have, but nothing wrong with using that product. I would remove the stand and just bend it back flat. It's just mild steel and should be fine to straighten it out without issue. You may have to use a vise or some other solid surface to hammer on to get it bent back. Probably a good idea to give it a shot of paint afterwards.

My feelings as well.
To bend it back, you can use a pipe wrench to stabilize the shaft an adjustable wrench to bend the tab back. I would get it as close as possible so the bolt on pad fits as perfect as possible. Those small Torx screws will strip before they help straighten the tab.
Having shortened BMW side and center stands, I think the steel is a bit better than “mild” steel but should move with deliberate adjustment. Adding the foot should actually be adding some strength to the foot itself.
Good luck.
OM

 

[malinamps]

Thanks guys. I decided to try bending it. I actually parked the bike ON the side stand, and used a rubber mallet to flatten it against the cement floor in the garage. Installed the new foot, and it's all good. I'll have to touch up the area where the black paint flaked.

 

[teech]

While we are on this subject. It is my understanding that BMW makes several different side stands for each model based on where they are too be shipped to. Some countries have rather tight parking restrictions so the stands may be longer to stand the bike up straighter. Is this fact or fiction? I remember well the auto side stand return, spring loaded, we called "Hitlers Revenge" and of course the the cable return on the K bikes a lot of broken clutch cables on those. Ping and she is gone...

 

[20774]

There's only one part number shown in the online fiche for the side stand on an '15 R1200RT - 46538532726.

 

[lee]

While we are on this subject. It is my understanding that BMW makes several different side stands for each model based on where they are too be shipped to. Some countries have rather tight parking restrictions so the stands may be longer to stand the bike up straighter. Is this fact or fiction? I remember well the auto side stand return, spring loaded, we called "Hitlers Revenge" and of course the the cable return on the K bikes a lot of broken clutch cables on those. Ping and she is gone...

The Side stand on the R1200/1250RS and R is too long for most owners. This causes the bike to sit almost vertical when using the side stand.
The RS and R must have a shorter suspension for the Japan market because the side stand in that market is shorter and has a different part number.
For awhile owners were ordering the Japan market side stand but BMW put a stop to that.

 

[51797]

The sidestand on my '23 RS lets the bike lean over a noticeable amount more than either of my previous RS's. Yet it measures the same as the earlier ones. The only explanation is that the suspension on this bike sits higher than the previous bikes or the installed angle is different.
I'm helping a riding buddy with lowering his '16 RS. The Wilbers setup reduces the height (front and rear) by 30mm. shortening the sidestand by 3/4 inch put the lean just about as it was previously, 1 inch would have been better. Now the rear wheel is probably 6 inches off the ground on the centerstand and it is minimum two person job to get it up there. We're having the centerstand shortened below the crossbar as much as is possible to hopefully make that job easier.
A half inch sorter sidestand from the factory would be welcome.
I had the spring loaded sidestand on my 900SS Ducati and neutered it almost immediately! If I remember correctly, it had a light on the dash to indicate sidestand was down, but no ignition interlock.

Frank

 

[warnerjoe53521]

The Side stand on the R1200/1250RS and R is too long for most owners. This causes the bike to sit almost vertical when using the side stand.

Exactly right, but the problem is worse than vertical. With the crown of most roads, it is impossible to use the side stand at all if the road slopes upward on left side by even a small amount. I once was on a trip with a group and we were stopped for road construction in full sun. The flagman said it would be at least 12-15 minutes, so everyone got off their bikes, removed helmets, etc....except me. I could not find a spot where I could put the side stand down due to the slope. 15 minutes balancing the bike in full gear in full sunshine left me unhappy with BMW's decision (I had ordered he shorter kickstand from my dealer, but they could never get it).
As an alternative, I'm trying to figure out what setting on the suspension to use to bring bike highest at rest, to make the stand useful. I need the lower setting normally since I am inseam challenged.
Curious how many different answers I may get.

 

[lee]

I'm trying to figure out what setting on the suspension to use to bring bike highest at rest, to make the stand useful. I need the lower setting normally since I am inseam challenged.

It's going to be tough with short legs.
Both of us have long legs so we can leave the preload at Max.
Some people get their butt up off the seat before shut down so the spring will extend a little, but you probably can't do that.
You can set the prelaod to Max before shutting the bike off but that's not handy.
You can get off the bike before shutting off the ignition but I always like to shut the bike off before I get off.
Some people have cut a section out of the sidestand to make it shorter.
You can drink more BMW Coolaid and tell everyone there is nothing wrong with the stand

 

[warnerjoe53521]

Many things are tough with short legs, but I appreciate your thoughts - especially the last one!

I'm not a big Cool-Aid guy. BMW does many things very well. but their engineering is inconsistent as far as ergonomics goes. I was in Munich a year ago and went to their museum. The first half was unbelievable...one narrow aisle into an exhibit and the same aisle was the only way back out, so even though it was not crowded, it seemed like it - the worst complete cluster F. I've ever seen. Second half was normal, so traffic flow was normal. Not a place for those who are claustrophobic
I have ordered an adjustable side stand...we'll see how it works.

 

[motorhead1977]

I bought a second stock sidestand for my '20 RS and had it shortened 1", stock is approx 10.75" from bolt center to foot and my short one is about 9.75". My bike now sits as it should when on the sidestand, even with most roads that have a slight to moderate crown. Excellent results IMHO.

 

[brownie0486]

It's going to be tough with short legs.
Both of us have long legs so we can leave the preload at Max.
Some people get their butt up off the seat before shut down so the spring will extend a little, but you probably can't do that.
You can set the prelaod to Max before shutting the bike off but that's not handy.
You can get off the bike before shutting off the ignition but I always like to shut the bike off before I get off.
Some people have cut a section out of the sidestand to make it shorter.
You can drink more BMW Coolaid and tell everyone there is nothing wrong with the stand

And that's what I've come to with my 16rs. I also grab the left grip and pull it toward me, then shut it off. It's still a no go on the side of a crowned road, in that it's a PITA. Eventually I'll get the side stand shortened IF I decide to keep it.

 

[warnerjoe53521]

So I have found a welding shop that will cut the side stand shorter. I have a shop manual CD that tells me to remove the springs, then bolt for stand, and bolt for switch; but I do not see a bolt for the safety switch, only what looks like a quick release electrical connection of some type.
Anyone familiar with R & R of side stand on a 2018 RS?

 

[lee]

Anyone familiar with R & R of side stand on a 2018 RS?

Mine is parked in a tight spot and the metal spoiler hides part of the stand so I can't get a good look.
Here's a couple picture that may help someone explain it to you.
For the switch it looks like you slide the grey or white tab up.

 

[lee]

Found this picture.