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Thanks for all the replies. I need to figure out on how to modify my backrest. I have the adjustable one with the lever mounted on under the seat frame. I took a look at it this morning and everything is setup right. Im guessing Im just a tiny person. Moving the handlebars lower helped as I can slightly touch the back rest now. But as far a long distance riding, it seems to me that frequent stops are just inevitable.
I have an aftermarket backrest but it came assembled like this:
In that configuration I had to lean back to really have it contact my lower back. I took the pad off and flipped it so it is like this, with the metal angled forward:
In that position it fit nicely against my lower back for support without me having to lean.
You definitely have to get yourself some highway pegs. They make adjustable ones with offset mounts, you should be able to get creative and place them in a spot where your feet can rest comfortably.
Ive got a 98 RK Classic, Heritage bars, stock windshield. Corbin dual tour seat without backrest (although Ill probably add it at some point), Kuryakyn ISO grips with throttle boss, ISO highway pegs, and these neat little things that Kuryakyn calls flip blades that fold out from under my foot boards. Just big enough to rest my heel on with my toe on the highway peg, so I have like 5 options for leg position.
Just did a 2000 mile trip on her, including one day over 600 miles on the interstate. Its all about being able to switch positions just enough to change the pressure points so you dont feel like you gotta stop every 50 miles. Gotta say the Corbin (literally) saved my ***. I used to be screaming to take a break after ~75 miles on the stock seat, but this was my first long trip on the Corbin and I love it. One of our guys was on a chopped Sporty with a 2 gallon tank so we were stopping for fuel more often than wed like (no more than 70 miles without topping off from his saddlebag gas can) and I just wanted to keep going! If you plan on keeping the bike, its worth the investment for a high quality seat and some comfortable grips and pegs. Especially if you want to ride across the whole country!
I seem to be the lone voice of dissent with regard to highway pegs. They place even more weight on my tailbone & I just cant get used to having my feet further from the controls. My RK is also missing the heel shifter, and that gives my big size 14 feet more room on the boards, as well. There is value in being able to lift some weight off my butt by sliding back on the boards, instead of having my legs up and forward like Im getting a prostate exam.
I also cant kick back and ride in White Mode, and leaning back while riding compromises my ability to react quickly if something happens. Being alert is more important to me than looking cool.
Last edited by Ironhandjohn; Aug 3, 2021 at 07:59 AM.
I know people don't like to hear this but the best comfort mod I did to my bike was getting a membership at a gym. Deadlifts and squats cured my back and leg pain on long distance tours...
When I was 25 years old I did a trip from Monterey to Orange County (CA) in about 6 hours, stopping only for gas and once for a snack. No more. I don't think I have ever ridden my Road King 3 hours straight. Don't think I ever will. So if the OP is able to (barely) do this, he is doing good. I used to do a lot of long-distance riding, and I learned that at least for me, the importance of stopping every 90 minutes or so. Get coffee, get a snack, but above all get off the bike for a few. It makes riding safer and more enjoyable, at least for me. Now that I'm in my 60s doing that is no longer optional. Not because of the bike. Because of me.
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