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I have an adjustable backrest on my 02 EGC. I find that on long rides, I do adjust it from time to time to change the angle of my back. It seems to allow me to ride longer.
+1, me too. I've got a solo on my RKC with no backrest and an adjustable Mustang on my Ultra. As soon as I get some cash I'm putting an adjustable on my RKC as well.
Purchased a Adjustable from a Brother here on HDF...150miles on it and i think less.....cost 1/2 of new,he shipped free,.anyway I love it....Shop a used one!! I ran a wanted add here and got alot of replys.Some guys just dont care for them.Im KEEPIN MINE!!!!....EZ install!!!!!! Directions suck...i even ran the cable without pulling bag or side cover just fished it with a piece of wire.....Flips way forward for O'lady to swing in a little EZer....BUT Remember its something higher for ya to swing YOUR leg over...NO tight geans for this BROTHER!!!..Happy Trails...R.W.
You guys are right, once you get the standard backrest tuned in, you never have to change it. That is part of the beauty of the adjustable is you CAN adjust it on the fly. You want to lean back more, just pull the tab, you want to sit up more, just pull the tab. It is infinately more comfortable when you can adjust it without tools and without stopping.
Thanx for all the responses folks. I've been riding for 27 years and never used one so either would be a vast improvement.
There is one time when an adjustable is great to have . . .
When I put my feet up on the highway pegs, I always adjust my backrest back in a more "layed back" position. I also like to adjust it to get a different position on long rides. The backrest along with a sheepskin pad and I'm good for all day. In fact, my wife and I have a 1200 mile ride planned for Memorial Day weekend.
Is the adjustable backrest worth the extra money? Going to Sturgis this year and want to put a back rest on my 02 RK but $300 for an adjustable is a lot of money. Seems to me, once you find the right spot for your back, you would just leave it there and not need to continually adjust it, which would negate the advantage of having an adjustable. Or am I wrong? Any comments from those of you with the manual backrests? Are you satisfied or do you wish you got an adjustable model?
I had a backrest installed in the middle of a west coast trip in 1984 and haven't ridden a mile without one since. Dialing in a stationary backrest is the key. HD has redesigned the mounting kit for 2009 allowing the backrest to be mounted further back than the previous design. Love mine. Won't leave home without it.
I think it all depends what you are used to. I bought an adjustable one when the dealer had it on sale in the winter. Every once in a while, I move it -- sometimes because of more or less gear, sometimes when I just feel like a change. So I like that its adustable on the fly. That said, if I had bought the standard, I'd probably have fiddled around with it until it felt most comfortable, and left it, and never known the difference. For me, I'm glad I got the adjustable.
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