wcarter
Mar 27th, 2006, 11:00 pm
I've wanted to install a driver backrest for a while. The two best options appeared to be the BakUp and the Utopia. I've seen several examples of the BakUp, and it seems to be a great choice, but I decided to give the Utopia a try.
Utopia's website, www.utpr.com, includes installation instructions; the page for the LT has a little disclaimer but it seemed simple enough. I sent an email to Utopia with some questions, and received prompt and helpful answers from Bob, the owner. I had a Myrtle Beach trip (500 miles) coming up, and asked if I could get a backrest in time. Bob juggled the schedule a little to accomodate me, and I received the package last week. I probably spent an hour installing the backrest, including taking pictures and replacing tools afterwards.
Ride report? I liked it. Although the LT position is pretty upright, I appreciated the lower back support. I'm still tweaking the settings but definitely more comfortable.
The cost of the backrest, with the optional $14 cover for the bar and shipping, was $238, and a local upholstery shop charged $20 to staple the seat cover back on. The backrest pad is larger than the BakUp, and it appears to me to have a wider range of adjustment. One feature I like is an easy "hi-lo" setting to match your seat setting.
I'm new at posting attachments on this site so the pictures may be out of order. I bet you can figure it out. One picture shows the passenger backrest with the "base" of the backrest mounted inside; the top of the bar is a horizontal tube into which the backrest bolts; this is also the pivot hinge that lets the backrest fold forward to allow the passenger to mount and dismount. Even though the installation of the base is permanent, you can remove the backrest from time to time. I took this picture before I had the seat cover restapled.
One picture shows the front of the bike with the backrest installed. The driver's seat and the backrest are in the upper position.
One shot shows the rear of the backrest as mounted. This shows the additional height adjustment via two allen screws. The vertical screw controls the tilt (front and back) setting. The backrest pivots at the top point so that the edges don't dig into you as you lean back. Spiffy. I removed the velcro'd bar cover for this shot, and raised the storage pouch out of the way. The strap allows you to use the pouch as a fashion accessory. Assuming you have matching boots, of course.
There are two pix showing the backrest in the "high" and "low" positions. The internal bar in the passenger seat has a ball detent; this is designed especially for the KLT.
I'll add some installation pix later. The ones on the website are a little hard to see; the printed instructions that came with the backrest were clearer.
I'll have my bike at STC-II next month, and at CCR in August if anyone wants a closer look, or maybe a test-sit.
I will
Utopia's website, www.utpr.com, includes installation instructions; the page for the LT has a little disclaimer but it seemed simple enough. I sent an email to Utopia with some questions, and received prompt and helpful answers from Bob, the owner. I had a Myrtle Beach trip (500 miles) coming up, and asked if I could get a backrest in time. Bob juggled the schedule a little to accomodate me, and I received the package last week. I probably spent an hour installing the backrest, including taking pictures and replacing tools afterwards.
Ride report? I liked it. Although the LT position is pretty upright, I appreciated the lower back support. I'm still tweaking the settings but definitely more comfortable.
The cost of the backrest, with the optional $14 cover for the bar and shipping, was $238, and a local upholstery shop charged $20 to staple the seat cover back on. The backrest pad is larger than the BakUp, and it appears to me to have a wider range of adjustment. One feature I like is an easy "hi-lo" setting to match your seat setting.
I'm new at posting attachments on this site so the pictures may be out of order. I bet you can figure it out. One picture shows the passenger backrest with the "base" of the backrest mounted inside; the top of the bar is a horizontal tube into which the backrest bolts; this is also the pivot hinge that lets the backrest fold forward to allow the passenger to mount and dismount. Even though the installation of the base is permanent, you can remove the backrest from time to time. I took this picture before I had the seat cover restapled.
One picture shows the front of the bike with the backrest installed. The driver's seat and the backrest are in the upper position.
One shot shows the rear of the backrest as mounted. This shows the additional height adjustment via two allen screws. The vertical screw controls the tilt (front and back) setting. The backrest pivots at the top point so that the edges don't dig into you as you lean back. Spiffy. I removed the velcro'd bar cover for this shot, and raised the storage pouch out of the way. The strap allows you to use the pouch as a fashion accessory. Assuming you have matching boots, of course.
There are two pix showing the backrest in the "high" and "low" positions. The internal bar in the passenger seat has a ball detent; this is designed especially for the KLT.
I'll add some installation pix later. The ones on the website are a little hard to see; the printed instructions that came with the backrest were clearer.
I'll have my bike at STC-II next month, and at CCR in August if anyone wants a closer look, or maybe a test-sit.
I will