Rider backrest options
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 157
Likes: 37
From: Colorado
Rider backrest options
Purchased a new 2017 RGU and so far happy with the bike for power and agility. However, on the ride home I did feel my back and shoulders having issues. After getting home I did add crash bar pegs and after sitting on it I have come to the conclusion that without a backrest I am leaning too far forward. I've had back rests on the last 2 bikes (non HD) and loved them.
Quick question. HD has 2 options with the stock seat. Seat feels comfortable so far and if I need an adjustment I'll take it to a custom seat place for an adjustment rather than buy a new seat.
One option had an adjustable backrest and the second is more fixed. Anyone have one of these two and would like to hear about pro's and con's of these. Another option is an after market from www.grasshopperlimited.com. I had one of these before and it did help but wasn't perfect and it is a fixed version.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Quick question. HD has 2 options with the stock seat. Seat feels comfortable so far and if I need an adjustment I'll take it to a custom seat place for an adjustment rather than buy a new seat.
One option had an adjustable backrest and the second is more fixed. Anyone have one of these two and would like to hear about pro's and con's of these. Another option is an after market from www.grasshopperlimited.com. I had one of these before and it did help but wasn't perfect and it is a fixed version.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
I went with the adjustable HD backrest on my last two bikes, I like being able to adjust the backrest which I can do on the fly. I can push it back like it's not there or move it forward, the more options I have on a long the trip usually the more comfortable I am. I have no experience with the non-adjustable backrest. I installed the adjustable model on my gals Street Glide and she really doesn't adjust it, there are a lot of people happy with both.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 181
Likes: 37
From: Broken Arrow, OK
I have a much older bike with an aftermarket solo seat. I had almost no options and was looking at fabricating something. Even Grasshopper did not list a backrest for exactly my setup, but they had me send some measurements and I ended up buying one of their backrests. I'm very happy with it. As you already know, it's fixed with no adjustment, but I bolted on the bracket facing the other direction to get it where I needed it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 14,438
Likes: 2,421
From: Pittsburgh, Pa
I just looked at the grasshopper site. Not bad for the price. Do you have to remove it when your out so nobody steals it? Looks like you also have to remove it for the passenger to mount as well. I like that. Beats flipping it forward.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 797
Likes: 166
From: MA
I purchased a Mustang backrest that is both height and front/back adjustable. In a word - terrific! FWIW, got it from Revzilla...good folks.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Pittsburgh, Pa
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,385
Likes: 1,412
From: Northern NJ
This one will likely be on my next bike:
http://www.kuryakyn.com/products/407...enger-backrest
It is not the best looking thing, but very practical.
I had something similar on my old 650; with a twist of a thumb screw is slid forward or back.
It was fugly, but also very practical.
There is a link to a picture of it in my signature.
http://www.kuryakyn.com/products/407...enger-backrest
It is not the best looking thing, but very practical.
I had something similar on my old 650; with a twist of a thumb screw is slid forward or back.
It was fugly, but also very practical.
There is a link to a picture of it in my signature.
Last edited by hairymoth; Feb 16, 2017 at 12:27 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 415
From: Southern Maryland
Had both
I bought the adjustable for my 09 Ultra, but once I found the sweet spot, I hardly ever changed it. When I bought the 15 Limited, I opted for the non-adjustable one. In reality it is adjustable, just not on the fly like the other one. Both work fine.