Have an 08 Deluxe w/ stock seat and pillion and only 770 mi. but already noticing lower back and mild butt freeze. Read about the Sundowner in this web site...but wonder if it's gonna lift me up much. Not a big guy 5'9" 150 with 30" inseam and right now I'm very comfortable at stops and backing.
Jmar in Houston

 

I have a Corbin Hollywood solo on mine and it is fine for rides for an hour or so. I am 5' 10" with a 32" inseam and it puts me pretty low to the ground which i like. Might want something with more padding for long hauls. I have heard good things on the Saddleman Road Sofa for the trips.

 

Part of your lower back pain might have to do with having to lean slightly forward for the handlebars. If you want to do a lot of touring, your bars need to be in a place where you can shift your butt position periodically. This is usually accomplished by adding an engine guard and highway pegs and sliding down in the seat some.

 

When I got my 07 FLSTC I had really bad back pain and legs cramps. Had'nt rode for several yrs and at 58 it does make a difference, but after a couple K's on the bike everything worked out, now I love the stock seat and will replace it with the same when needed so u might try it a few more miles as it does brake in to your butt or change and get your choice of others, just my $.02 worth...

 

I have an '08 Deluxe, and rode with a Sundowner saddle for a very short time as my wife prefers the large touring pax pillion to the Sundowner. I'm 5'9", have a 30" inseam (but a little heavier at 240 lbs), and the Sundowner seat fit me very well, sitting me noticeably lower, and further back, and was much, much more comfortable when on 2+ hour rides than the OEM saddle. I ride now with the Touring Pax Pillion in back of a 2003 Heritage Springer saddle. I can ride until I need to stop for gas now with little "saddle soreness."

Handlebars do make a difference too, as noted already. I do well with the OEM bars on my Deluxe, but others change them out for less of a reach and spread...

 

The sundowner will put you back and lower compared to stock like Hayden said. I have one on my 08 as well. I use it for 2up riding. Ironicaly, my sleek dannygrey for around town riding pushes me forward compared to the sundowner. I had the worst time with the stock setup. I swaped the seat, bars and deleted the risers to get it feeling just right.

 

My wife has a Sundowner on here bike, 08 Deluxe, and it set her closer to the ground. She's 5'4", and the Sundowner made the ride better. Now she needs to get the bars closer.

 

On my Deluxe, I kept the stock seat but changed the bars for ones that were pulled back more. I'm just about 5'11" and this helped keep my wrists in a more comfortable position and allows me to move around in the seat more. Alot better for me and less cramped. Next thing I need on my engine bars is some highway pegs...

 

I hated my stock seat......I now have a sundowner. You can't go wrong with it. I took my Sundowner to an upholstery shop and added a little more padding for increased lower back support. Perfect now!!

 

If you can get a back rest that may help your back. I wouldn't want to go on a long trip without mine. Back an but get to uncomfortable, makes it not nearly as enjoyable.