Manual VS Adjustable Backrests
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 616
Likes: 70
Manual VS Adjustable Backrests
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?
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 231
Likes: 3
I have the standard back rest on my 2001 Road King. I put an adjustable back rest on my 2007 Ultra Classic, and, as you have already said, once I had it adjusted, I never changed the setting. Personally, I will never but an adjustable back rest again. It's not worth the extra money, in my opinion. Halfbreed
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 164
Likes: 2
From: Rural Northern CA
Adjustable Backrest
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.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 410
Likes: 1
From: Reseda, CA
The adjustable backrest is easy to install, easy to adjust and hard to live without. I adjust it when I have more or less gear on, when I need more or less room for my passenger, when I want more or less distance from the bars for a different ride- lots of curves vs. long straight rides, when I have different boots -longer or shorter and when I want to shift around on a long ride. Also, I let a friend ride my bike and he was able to adjust the backrest in 3 seconds, he is now eternally grateful. It is good to have options and I never ride without it.
The standard has to be dialed in which could take some time, but is less expensive, I don't recommend the standard.
The standard has to be dialed in which could take some time, but is less expensive, I don't recommend the standard.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,738
Likes: 7
From: St. Charles, IL
Yes, it is worth every cent!!
I had the adjustable on my old Road Glide, it was great, I would move it while I was riding. If I felt I wanted to relax a bit, I moved it back. When I needed to be alert, I raised it up.
I just traded the RG in for the new CVO Ultra. The CVO comes with a standard backrest. I rode it for 300 miles Saturday. It was the most uncomfortable 300 miles I've done in a while. I kept reaching to adjust it and I couldn't. I had to stop and do it and that was way annoying even to find the sweet spot. Even then I couldn't just flip it back with a finger. I went back to teh dealer this morning and my adjustable rest will be going on when I am back for my 1000 mile service.
So yeah, it is worth it
I had the adjustable on my old Road Glide, it was great, I would move it while I was riding. If I felt I wanted to relax a bit, I moved it back. When I needed to be alert, I raised it up.
I just traded the RG in for the new CVO Ultra. The CVO comes with a standard backrest. I rode it for 300 miles Saturday. It was the most uncomfortable 300 miles I've done in a while. I kept reaching to adjust it and I couldn't. I had to stop and do it and that was way annoying even to find the sweet spot. Even then I couldn't just flip it back with a finger. I went back to teh dealer this morning and my adjustable rest will be going on when I am back for my 1000 mile service.
So yeah, it is worth it
Trending Topics
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,900
Likes: 4
From: way down upon the Suwannee River
I've made up to 650 miles a day on mine with the standard one. No problems, very comfortable. I'm doing an Iron butt in June and find out then.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 1
From: Riverview, FL
No problem with the manual BR. I have had 2 and I like them. I never move it after it is set. If my butt gets sore I just move foward and lay back and put my feet on the highway pegs. I alternate positions and do very well on long trips. I put it on myself and saved the cost of the labor. I never ride without it.
