Mine stays on all the time. Does my back wonders doesn't matter if it is just a short hop or a long haul. How ever what ever you do get a adjustable one and take the time to fine tune it to you.

 

i have adjustable from Harley and I dont know how I rode so many years without one

 

In a word.....YES!

 

I have the adjustable, you can choose to slouch or sit straight up. I move my sitting position on the go on trips. The adjustable backrest is the best item I have ever put on my bikes and always the first item purchased.

 

There must be some adjustment I am missing, because when mine is pushed all the way back, it is basically standing straight up. I wish it would go back farther. Is there a way to adjust it?

 

I've had back rests, off and on, with various bikes. I'd have to say their worthwhile is the proverbial "it depends". Mostly on how you sit on the bike. If you've got your bike set up to already hold you forward, the backrest isn't going to do much of anything. On the other hand if you've bars and such that let you lean well back, and slouch, a backrest can help tremendously. Only other caviat with a backrest is their ability to basically punch you in the small of the back on potholes if your rear suspension isn't set up well.

 

Not only is a backrest crucial to long distance comfort but if you're gonna do a iron but or just taking off for some extended touring there are a few other things necessary...

Loose fitting/comfortable pants
Something between your butt and the seat
Seamless underwear (check out LDComfort.com or similar)

I'm no touring guru but I've done my share of ironbutt's and some occasional 500-600 mile a day road trips.

I have the adjustable HD backrest that ended up costing +$300 for everything but I can tell you having that adjustability helps on the long hauls.

As for seat covers, you need to get some degree of air moving between your butt and seat. I tried a couple inflatables and gel pads but those didn't work out for me. I ended up buying the basic pad that HD makes I guess as an alternative to a sheep skin. It's thin and fits the seat really well. You barely notice it's there and its just enough to get some air circulating between you and the seat.

 

Kinda like comparing sitting on a padded stool with and without the back. Which is more comfy after awhile. I didn't want to get into comparing your bike's seat with a stool, but you get the idea.

My back rest stays on most of the time, and all of the time for long trips.

 

I recently got a Corbin with drivers backrest. I love it. Plus if you fall asleep you won't roll off the back.

 

HD Adjustable here also. Easy to remove, folds down to assist passenger. Make adjustments on the fly on long trips. Helps with backing up your bike.
Makes things much mo betta...