Backrest vs. backrest advice
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Tourer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 289
Likes: 4
From: Canada
Backrest vs. backrest advice
Thinking about ordering the comfort stitch backrest for my Ultra, trying to decide between the adj. version or the regular one.
Seems like a lot of $ for the adj. backrest compared to the regular one just to have adjustment with a remote cable. If both give you the same end result.
Any thoughts on one versus the other?
Seems like a lot of $ for the adj. backrest compared to the regular one just to have adjustment with a remote cable. If both give you the same end result.
Any thoughts on one versus the other?
I have the regular one and I must say on a long trip I love mine however if I were to buy one today and cash was no problem I would get the other one . I think it would be nice to be able to do minor adjustments on the fly,and it folds forward allowing you easier mounting your bike, and finally my rest has 2round rods that go through the seat to the mounting bracket and if you leave this on to long it starts puckering your seat the other one has a flat bar,it fits in the bracket without a lot of stress on your seat . All that being said I wouldn't go on any long rides without one. Goodluck
Last edited by fat daddy; Jul 27, 2013 at 03:47 PM. Reason: Spelling
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 80
Likes: 3
From: Shallotte NC
I have the regular one on my 09 FLHRC and there is an allen screw adjustment through a small eyelet on the back of the backrest to adjust the tilt and the mount on the fender under the seat has 3 or 4 height adjustments, mess with it and get it where you like it and leave it alone, love mine, as the saying goes, "Don't leave home without it" save the coin for something else
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 234
Likes: 12
From: Ohio
bought the cheap (?) one for my RK. Installed it, went for a riide, went home and took it off. Didn't allow me to lean back enough (I'm 6'1"). Returned it to the dealer and exchanged it (with more cash, of course) for the cable actuated one. Worth every darn penny. Leans back further, has more up-an-down adjustment, and you can adjust "on the fly" when on a long haul. That's my story.
ed
ed
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
there are 4 positions fore and aft...at 6'2" I find the 3rd position works fine- but we all have different needs.
There are 3 positions up and down
as above allen screw for tilt, and the pad can be tensioned if the nylon washers wear.
I just sold a used one w/smooth pad, mount etc. for $140.
Fair deal both ways I figure.
and that's what I use, the cheepy. w pad to match the SG seat most often on the bike
Install of the mount by owner takes under 20 minutes
I have experience with the "adjustable" and no way i can justify that expense, but many can
mike
There are 3 positions up and down
as above allen screw for tilt, and the pad can be tensioned if the nylon washers wear.
I just sold a used one w/smooth pad, mount etc. for $140.
Fair deal both ways I figure.
and that's what I use, the cheepy. w pad to match the SG seat most often on the bike
Install of the mount by owner takes under 20 minutes
I have experience with the "adjustable" and no way i can justify that expense, but many can
mike
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 9
From: North Carolina
I have adjistable. When feet are on the floorboards and I am incity traffic or technical situations I like it in one spot. Then when going down the road with my feet on highway pegs I can lean it back amd relax.
Can't do that with the non adjistable one.
Can't do that with the non adjistable one.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,833
Likes: 35
From: Southern Maryland
i have the non adjustable one, well at least on the fly. it has an array of variable settings, you just have to pull the seat and figure out where you want to position it forward or backward and as also mentioned, you have a verticle adjustment also. love mine. compared to the ultimate seat and mustang seat backrest, it is pretty much the same but a little better because of the variations in adjustment. when the dealer put it on, they had it too far forward. i adjusted it after getting my day-long seat. takes up some of the passenger room though...keep that in mind if you have someone ride regularly.
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I have the HD adjustable and wouldn't like nearly as much if it wasn't adjustable. I adjust it while riding and I also adjust it for passenger comfort. Don't know about the non-adjustable but it does take away some passenger room in certain postions and being able to adjust it fixes that.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 940
Likes: 3
How long do you stay in the saddle?
If you only do short trips, the non-adjustable will be fine. For longer trips though, the adjustable one is a much better option.
I started with a non-adjustable backrest. Loved it. It was just that on longer trips I found myself wanting to change the seating position slightly. Picked up an adjustable backrest in the For Sale forums and found what I had really been looking for.
If you get the adjustable one, you won't find yourself adjusting it much for daily use--it really shines on longer trips. For the most part I don't adjust the backrest much at all. I've got it set so it's comfortable for the daily commute and short trips and it will stay there until at least August. The last multi-day trip I took though, I probably adjusted it once or twice a day (different riding position between morning and afternoon).
If you only do short trips, the non-adjustable will be fine. For longer trips though, the adjustable one is a much better option.
I started with a non-adjustable backrest. Loved it. It was just that on longer trips I found myself wanting to change the seating position slightly. Picked up an adjustable backrest in the For Sale forums and found what I had really been looking for.
If you get the adjustable one, you won't find yourself adjusting it much for daily use--it really shines on longer trips. For the most part I don't adjust the backrest much at all. I've got it set so it's comfortable for the daily commute and short trips and it will stay there until at least August. The last multi-day trip I took though, I probably adjusted it once or twice a day (different riding position between morning and afternoon).