Utopia Backrest

[bodymanpainter]

Keep us posted and show us some pictures. I just ordered mine 3/10/10.
Hope it is as easy to install as it was on my Goldwing.:spyder:

 

[Questions]

Ordered mine today

Been watching your site to see how thing were going on your order and based on what I saw today I placed my order. To be shipped on March 22. Will be checking back to read and see what you have to say after you complete your installation. Thanks for keeping us posted:2thumbs:hyea:

 

[MarkLawson]

And Here It Is...

The Utopia Backrest for the 2010 RT...

 

[lawrenc454]

Utopia Backrest - does it crowd your passenger

Looks great. Congratulations.

Three questions:
1) does it crowd your passenger?
2) my wife gets on by starting in my seat and moving back to the passenger seat. The backrest looks like there is a bag on the back. If she accidently sat on it would she chance breaking the support? She is less than 150 lbs but has a problem with her back.
3) can you reasonably remove the backrest when needed or is it pretty much a permanent fixture?

Thanks, Lonnie

 

[MarkLawson]

Looks great. Congratulations.

Three questions:
1) does it crowd your passenger?
2) my wife gets on by starting in my seat and moving back to the passenger seat. The backrest looks like there is a bag on the back. If she accidently sat on it would she chance breaking the support? She is less than 150 lbs but has a problem with her back.
3) can you reasonably remove the backrest when needed or is it pretty much a permanent fixture?

Thanks, Lonnie

1. I have never found crowding the passenger to be an issue with the Utopia on other bikes, so I doubt it'll be that way on the RT. Obviously, a very large passenger may be crowded, but a 150 pound passenger should be fine.
2. The backrest is bolted into place, although a quick release pin is also available. It will fold forward pretty flat, but I don't know how that would work for your wife, because if she sits while mounting the RT & moving back, it might not be too comfortable. There is a steel bracket that runs vertically through the saddle that may still present an issue if you use the quick release pin. While it only sticks out the top of the saddle by about 1/2", I would think that it might pose a problem for someone trying to slide from the front to the rear. They'd have to raise up off the saddle to make that move. There is no chance your wife could break or damage the support. It is very-very solid steel.
3. See answer #2. I believe the backrest should likely be considered a permanent installation, but I guess you could remove the backrest and go with it. If the top of the vertical bracket were to slip beneath the upholstery, you might risk damaging the upholstery.

I also opted for a bar cover, which is a cover made from the same upholstery material as the backrest which covers the part of the bracket that attach's at the top of the saddle and runs up about 6-8" to then connect to and support the backrest itself. Some passengers might find that option to be appealing. It runs about $18 or $19.

 

[Lamonster]

Looks factory and should have been a factory option. :thumbup: I'm sure it will be a big help on those long trips.

 

[Wheeler~]

The Utopia Backrest for the 2010 RT...

Very Cool!
:2thumbs: :thumbup:

 

[MarkLawson]

Thanks.

An interesting thing happened right after I took those pics. I got back on the Spyder to pull through the yard, circle back around on the street and pull back up the driveway (behind the RT in the pic) & I found it wouldn't move forward. I finally gave up and backed back into the driveway & saw that I had dug a nice hole in the middle of the front yard (rain soaked) by spinning the rear tire. I hadn't realized that was what I was doing, although I should have. Now I have a mud covered trailer hitch and rear fender, not to mention the mud-stained rear tire. Drat.

I think what probably happened was that since I hadn't fully installed the saddle, having just set it on the Spyder & then ran it outside to get the picks before it got too dark, I hadn't connected the rear passenger sensor lead to the RT. As a result, I had a VSS light (Vehicle Stability System, I think) lit on the dash. I'm guessing it was in play, but who knows? Knowing me, I may have been pressing on the brake peddle hard enough to keep the front wheels planted while the engine broke the rear wheel loose & dug a hole! Only been riding for 20+ years... :dontknow:

 

[syclemom]

Utopia

My wifes backrest will be here any day , looks great thanks for sending your backrest also looks nicer with matching stitching,we just got back from the Three Twisted Sisters in west Texas ,she missed her backrest, bike handled better than expected, already replaced back tire 7000mi. with Nitto,she is still loving it.

 

[ARtraveler]

I liked the pictures so much I ordered one for my new RT-S. If its as nice as they appear to be, I'll also be ordering one to go with my spouses comfort seat. I'll let you know what I thank after a thousand miles or so.

 

[syclemom]

Utopia

You wont be disappointed, my wifes will be here Monday , this will be our forth from Utopia.

 

[bodymanpainter]

Mine came in today, will install it Sat.:yes:

 

[MarkLawson]

Looks great. Congratulations.

Three questions:
1) does it crowd your passenger?
2) my wife gets on by starting in my seat and moving back to the passenger seat. The backrest looks like there is a bag on the back. If she accidently sat on it would she chance breaking the support? She is less than 150 lbs but has a problem with her back.
3) can you reasonably remove the backrest when needed or is it pretty much a permanent fixture?

Thanks, Lonnie

Hey Lonnie, I got a note from Bob (at Utopia) that reminded me that there is an optional 'quickout bar' that make removal of the backrest easy. This might be what you need.

 

[syclemom]

utopia

Installed my wifes backrest yesterday, only one thing to say, awesome, unmatched quality , looks like it came on it. Only hope factories dont get any ideas would hate to see anything cut into his business a craftsman such as this still has his place in america, thanks to Mr. Lawson for sending his in for prototyping.

 

[Wheeler~]

Installed my wifes backrest yesterday, only one thing to say, awesome, unmatched quality , looks like it came on it. Only hope factories dont get any ideas would hate to see anything cut into his business a craftsman such as this still has his place in america, thanks to Mr. Lawson for sending his in for prototyping.

Pics? pics? pics?

 

[syclemom]

pics.

look on page 1 of this post , is just as Mr .Lawsons , awesome.

 

[1551retired]

Just ordered the backrest and was looking at the installation instructions online. Is there really any reason to remove the RT seat for installation? Looks like if the gas shock is released there would be enough room for drilling. Am I correct in my assumption or am missing something?

 

[MarkLawson]

Just ordered the backrest and was looking at the installation instructions online. Is there really any reason to remove the RT seat for installation? Looks like if the gas shock is released there would be enough room for drilling. Am I correct in my assumption or am missing something?

I hadn't thought about it, but I would guess that might work. You'll have a few holes to drill, but can probably do it. Give it a try & let us know how it goes. If it doesn't work, you'll have no trouble backing out & removing the saddle.

 

[InspectorGadget]

Just ordered the backrest and was looking at the installation instructions online. Is there really any reason to remove the RT seat for installation? Looks like if the gas shock is released there would be enough room for drilling. Am I correct in my assumption or am missing something?

It would be very challanging to do it without removing the seat---if you could even do it at all. I have installed 2 of them and as an engineer I don't believe you can do a quality job without removing the seat.
Good luck C-YA RL

 

[canam9]

It would be very challanging to do it without removing the seat---if you could even do it at all. I have installed 2 of them and as an engineer I don't believe you can do a quality job without removing the seat.
Good luck C-YA RL

:agree:with the Inspector. :ani29: