After Market Backrest ?

[Fire34]

Just wondering if there is anyway to add a backrest to my 2013 RT limited. I am hoping to find what might be a more affordable option if there is one out there, than the dealer.Or first road trip this past fall was not too bad, sort of used the wife as a backrest but the Blue Ridge is next on the bucket list. Thanks guys

Dave

 

[Bob Denman]

Utopia... :thumbup:

https://www.utpr.com/moremodelslinks.html

 

[Highwayman2013]

Value Accessories on the home page should have one.

 

[Arion]

Your floor boards

Value Accessories sells what I believe are Big Bike Parts brand driver backrests. They offer both a small and large backrest. This link will take you there - Smart Mount Dr Backrest, Can-Am Spyder RT 10+ (Std or Lg Pad)

I chose the small backrest and it's entirely acceptable, but if I were to do it over again I'd opt for the large backrest. The large version is $159.95. And it more closely approximates the size and comfort of the BRP backrest thought this one costs much less.

Installation, by the way, is not difficult at all. Removing the saddle is the most cumbersome part. Spoiler alert - do not lose either of the two shiny metal sleeves the seat hinge bolts pass through. You'll have to order new ones, wait for them to arrive, after which you'll find the one that disappeared. I wonder how I know that?!

The black beauty is mine and has the small Value Accessories backrest. The red beauty is my bride's and has the large BRP backrest (vintage 2012). Hope this may be of some help.

 

[ARtraveler]

As mentioned earlier, Utopia is the way to go. You will have to cut a small hole in the seat on the 2013. 2014's came with a plug for the installation of the seat back.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

SEAT REMOVAL FOR - NEW BACKREST

Value Accessories sells what I believe are Big Bike Parts brand driver backrests. They offer both a small and large backrest. This link will take you there - Smart Mount Dr Backrest, Can-Am Spyder RT 10+ (Std or Lg Pad)

I chose the small backrest and it's entirely acceptable, but if I were to do it over again I'd opt for the large backrest. The large version is $159.95. And it more closely approximates the size and comfort of the BRP backrest thought this one costs much less.

Installation, by the way, is not difficult at all. Removing the saddle is the most cumbersome part. Spoiler alert - do not lose either of the two shiny metal sleeves the seat hinge bolts pass through. You'll have to order new ones, wait for them to arrive, after which you'll find the one that disappeared. I wonder how I know that?!

The black beauty is mine and has the small Value Accessories backrest. The red beauty is my bride's and has the large BRP backrest (vintage 2012). Hope this may be of some help.

View attachment 156560

:agree::agree::agree: ........... Those metal insert sleeves can be taped on , just make a hole in the tape ends ......AND before you take any bolts / nuts etc. off ..... use masking tape for all the BRP -oem Holes that are on the PAN they swallow EVERYTHING dropped near them ...... Mike :thumbup:

 

[Arion]

:agree::agree::agree: ........... Those metal insert sleeves can be taped on , just make a hole in the tape ends ......AND before you take any bolts / nuts etc. off ..... use masking tape for all the BRP -oem Holes that are on the PAN they swallow EVERYTHING dropped near them ...... Mike :thumbup:

It's a classic case of live and learn. It's not likely to happen again, but if I suddenly lose all memory of my first effort then it's my bad! That just might happen too - it wouldn't be the first time I've suffered a partzheimer attack.

 

[mark4Jesus]

As mentioned earlier, Utopia is the way to go. You will have to cut a small hole in the seat on the 2013. 2014's came with a plug for the installation of the seat back.

Does the hardware seal that cut in the seat from water? I don't intentionally start out in the rain, but never know when I can get caught out in it!

 

[Arion]

Does the hardware seal that cut in the seat from water? I don't intentionally start out in the rain, but never know when I can get caught out in it!

I don't think the hardware will effectively seal the slot. The installation on my 2015 RT-S involved removing the stock backrest "plug" covering the slot and replacing it with a soft, self-adhesive oblong decorative piece with slot for the metal brace. Although it fits snugly, I wouldn't expect it to completely prevent water intrusion. Short answer - not likely.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

WATER INTRUSION

Does the hardware seal that cut in the seat from water? I don't intentionally start out in the rain, but never know when I can get caught out in it!

...I have done a Utopia backrest for all the Spyders if have owned ( 3 )..... and frankly Un-less you submerge the seat .... I wouldn't be concerned about it...... been in the rain many, many times and I never discovered this to be an issue...... the OEM seams leak way more than the backrest slot ever will ............. Mike :thumbup:

 

[Arion]

...I have done a Utopia backrest for all the Spyders if have owned ( 3 )..... and frankly Un-less you submerge the seat .... I wouldn't be concerned about it...... been in the rain many, many times and I never discovered this to be an issue...... the OEM seams leak way more than the backrest slot ever will ............. Mike :thumbup:

Couldn't have said it better (except for the many, many times part). The same holds true for the Value Accessories version. :2thumbs:

 

[Spyder 42]

Utopia

 

[spydernatic]

I have a 2012 RT seat with the Utopia backrest on it if you are interested then all you have to do is remove your seat and put this seat in its place ...not sure if the 2012 RT seat will work on the 2013 although I think it will fit. Both the seat and Utopia backrest in great condition.
PM if your interested.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

12 or 13 RT seat

I have a 2012 RT seat with the Utopia backrest on it if you are interested then all you have to do is remove your seat and put this seat in its place ...not sure if the 2012 RT seat will work on the 2013 although I think it will fit. Both the seat and Utopia backrest in great condition.
PM if your interested.

The seat " PAN " changed in 2014 ..... so the 10 thru 13 are the same ............. Mike :thumbup: