Do all backrests suck?

[brian10x]

I have a 2018 F3. I'm fine with the stock seat, but I need lower back support. I've installed a generic Chinesium backrest, but I find it slowly bends rearward, even on the lowest position.

It stays put for about 50 miles, then starts to bend. I'm 190bs, and I make an effort not to push back too hard, but it still bends. I've looked around, but they all seem to be the same setup, and the main support bar just isn't strong enough.

I paid about $100.00 for mine, but , even looking at more expensive backrests, they all seem to have the same metal support bracket.

Short of buying a $900.00 custom seat with a built in backrest, are there any alternatives?

Thanks
Brian in Tucson.

[JKMSPYDER]

Check out the Smooth Spyder backrest. It won’t bend back. They are a site sponsor.

[brian10x]

I saw that, and thank you. Holy moly, though, its over $500.00.
The other issue, is, that if I decide to take a passenger, I will lose my backrest. It's for the driver OR the passenger.

But, that may be the choice I have to take. I'm kind of lower middle class , so I'll have to save up.

[sledge]

I saw that, and thank you. Holy moly, though, its over $500.00.
The other issue, is, that if I decide to take a passenger, I will lose my backrest. It's for the driver OR the passenger.

But, that may be the choice I have to take. I'm kind of lower middle class , so I'll have to save up.

I worked as a Mechanic all my working life , and have built several Hot Rods , Show Car's and a pile of Motor cycles , just an affordable answer to your problem would be remove your Back Rest , and take it to a good metal shop that might Cut / Weld & Build the piece that is Bending , with some better / stronger Metal that would fit and slide right in where the one you have now fits..... Just a Thought... but if I had that problem that's what I would do. hope this idea might help .

[pegasus1300]

Utopia back rest is the best and they are also very inexpensive and very high quality. I have had them on 3 different bikes.

[brian10x]

Utopia back rest is the best and they are also very inexpensive and very high quality. I have had them on 3 different bikes.

I'll do the Google and check back in. Thanks!

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Utopia back rest is the best and they are also very inexpensive and very high quality. I have had them on 3 different bikes.

X's 10 .... I've owned a few of them .... When I was vending I would buy the Utopia pad on e-bay and then make the Bracket for the seat ( 2014 thru 2018 ) .... they are the thinnest , most comfortable , and most adjustable sold .... they are easy to make lumbar supports for also .... Mike

[Isopedella]

I worked as a Mechanic all my working life , and have built several Hot Rods , Show Car's and a pile of Motor cycles , just an affordable answer to your problem would be remove your Back Rest , and take it to a good metal shop that might Cut / Weld & Build the piece that is Bending , with some better / stronger Metal that would fit and slide right in where the one you have now fits..... Just a Thought... but if I had that problem that's what I would do. hope this idea might help .

+ 1 on that. Get it beefed up or a replica bracket made out of some decent metal by an Engineer/Metalworker. No Brainer for the costings. . .

[brian10x]

I'm investigating the Utopia backrest right now. One part of the installation has me concerned, and I haven't found any videos that would clarify this step. Does anyone here know where I can find and installation video? None of the Utopia videos seem to work for me.

"This model does require that you unstaple and fold back material & foam from seat pan in order to install mounting bracket"

I'd like to do this part myself, but it would be helpful if I can find the instructions online.

Thanks

[Peter Aawen]

....

I'd like to do this part myself, but it would be helpful if I can find the instructions online.

Thanks

Before doing that Brian, you might want to read your PM's (click on the flashing Red Notification up in the top right of the page &/or open your Inbox, click YES to Send Read Receipt ) and then follow the instructions in the messages sent to you by the Mod/Admin Team! We can only help you to help yourself to a certain extent...

[Bfromla]

Check out the Smooth Spyder backrest. It won’t bend back. They are a site sponsor.

+1 for SmoothSpyder well built & multifunctional :thumbup believe Jim has a pic of it in vertical position using as a seat on back of his F3. One downside to any& all backrest on spyders: any pothole or bump kicks like a mule when rear tire hits it

[Mikey]

I worked as a Mechanic all my working life , and have built several Hot Rods , Show Car's and a pile of Motor cycles , just an affordable answer to your problem would be remove your Back Rest , and take it to a good metal shop that might Cut / Weld & Build the piece that is Bending , with some better / stronger Metal that would fit and slide right in where the one you have now fits..... Just a Thought... but if I had that problem that's what I would do. hope this idea might help .

x2

[SLICE]

I have the one you have pictured and I can attest it will not bend and I'm weighing in at 247 pounds.

[brian10x]

Before doing that Brian, you might want to read your PM's (click on the flashing Red Notification up in the top right of the page &/or open your Inbox, click YES to Send Read Receipt ) and then follow the instructions in the messages sent to you by the Mod/Admin Team! We can only help you to help yourself to a certain extent...

I try to avoid reading PMs, as they are usually the moderator warning me and handing down punishment for some rule infraction. Actually, I just checked, and I have no PMs in my inbox.

[Gwolf]

I got one about like the one in the picture too. Been on the scooter for at least 2 or 3 years. It is easy to adjust, stays where you put it, and does not bend. It is also easy to swap between the rear fender fairing thing and the pax seat pad. I got no complaints with it.

I think I did add some lock nuts to some of the bolts, but I do that on most fasteners on machinery that vibrates.

[Peter Aawen]

I try to avoid reading PMs, as they are usually the moderator warning me and handing down punishment for some rule infraction. Actually, I just checked, and I have no PMs in my inbox.

Well, obviously no good deed goes unpunished!

I've tried to do this nicely more than once now, but if you want to be that way about it, you might want to rethink that ^^ if you wish to keep posting here!

PM me when you've read and followed the directions in those PM's from more than just this moderator.