F3 Backrest ? worth getting

[SpyderHands]

It seems like Capt. Jim designed a nice dual purpose backrest. I think it is me but I don't find the support brackets to be as attractive in the solo rider position. Additionally, if one uses the Smoothspyder backrest for the passenger, then the rider will be without back support and I guess would have to purchase a factory backrest? These observations are given with what I hope people sense is a light touch because Smoothspyder is a kind supporter of this site and we need to encourage further development of factory and/or aftermarket parts developers to improve upon an already great product.

Well, when my wife is in the passenger position, I love that SHE is my backrest. :yes:

I definitely so agree with needing to be an encouragement to the manufacturers to improve their products. AND, I'd like to add them needing to improve their prices too. :thumbup:

 

[Ron2andia]

Agreed!!!

I second that!:thumbup:

 

[bigwhammy]

I second that!:thumbup:

I have been using BRP driver and passenger back rests for 12 months on F3S.
wife and I love them. The drivers one has some adjustment and folds forward to allow the passenger to get on. But there is only room between both for a small medium frame person to sit on the passenger seat.
I am 5'9 and love the short reach handle bars. If I was short of funds I would buy the bars before a backrest. The bars allow me to really enjoy the long distance ride.

 

[al0vely]

Just got off the phone with Jim at Smoothspyder. The backrest DOES Indeed fit my 2016
F3 Limited.

I emailed them after I posted the comment and they said it would work. The website said it didn't fit.

 

[SpyderHands]

I emailed them after I posted the comment and they said it would work. The website said it didn't fit.

:thumbup:

 

[Midian]

All I will say at this point is, SHOULD you decide to add a backrest to your F3, do NOT even consider BRP's stock backrests.

Instead, do what we and many others have done.

Go straight to http://www.smoothspyder.com and order the DUAL BACKREST for your F3.

We just got it about a month ago and I will say, it is quite the addition.

You will love it.

Okay, aside from this being a blatant advertising/pushing of the smooth spyder backrests, take out of the equation it being adjustable for either driver or passenger, what are the benefits of it over the stock BRP backrest for just the passenger; taking its "dual" purpose out of the equation? I mean, 'do NOT even consider BRP's stock backrests.
is pretty strong language to use. So, why is it better than the stock BRP passenger backrest?

 

[SpyderHands]

Easy 2 Explain!!!

Okay, aside from this being a blatant advertising/pushing of the smooth spyder backrests, take out of the equation it being adjustable for either driver or passenger, what are the benefits of it over the stock BRP backrest for just the passenger; taking its "dual" purpose out of the equation? I mean, 'do NOT even consider BRP's stock backrests.
is pretty strong language to use. So, why is it better than the stock BRP passenger backrest?

This is a very easy question to answer.

First of all, one cannot omit the "DUAL" feature, because that is what makes it so nice to have on the bike. Secondly, it's a very comfortable backrest in either position. And, lastly, the price point is also another factor, especially when considering being able to use it when riding solo.

So, if not considering the DUAL feature, it's comfort and price point alone are two great reasons to make it your choice. I feel like BRP's accessory prices are simply out of range in the first place, especially when considering the accessories I've purchased through the years for all of the 2 wheel bikes I've owned. That's just my 5 cents worth. Whichever way one goes, it's a personal preference and application.

By the way, after you buy your Smoothspyder backrest, I'm sure you will be stopping by here and bragging on it as well.

Enjoy everyone!!!
:thumbup:

 

[Capt. Bob]

Midian, I had deleted my previous post about the Smoothspyder backrest being kind of unsightly. Capt. Jim's picture angles on the white Spyder with saddlebags on this thread did not show how uniquely the Smoothspyder's backrest works in the driver mode. I went to his website and on the third picture in the F3 section, I found that the pad is actually artfully suspended in air with what appears to be an attractive bracket arrangement from the side view.

I just recently purchased a stock BRP driver backrest off the Internet and got it for about $45 less than the Smoothspyder unit but that is not a big deal. I do like how the BRP unit articulates forward to a flat position for a passenger to mount the pillion seat. I am not sure if the Smoothspyder backrest does that?

The Smoothspyder seems to have a lot of well thought out features for placement and adjustability that the factory unit is lacking. I went on a fairly long ride with my new BRP backrest and I found it to be extremely comfortable for my back and very much enjoyed having it. I do like the understated look of the factory unit. I think if someone is going to ride two-up intermittently, the Smoothspyder would clearly have the edge in ease of adjustability/position placement. Do not know if the Smoothspyder has an anti-theft feature like the BRP pad? As always, YMMV. Good luck on your decision.

 

[pdxsenior]

BRP's driver and passenger backrest work great for me.

15' F3S SE6 owner

 

[Steven Young]

Happy

Got the SMOOTHSPYDER Backrest. Easy instructions, well built, comfortable, strong. Happy camper. 2016 F3 LIMITED.:clap:

 

[Capt. Bob]

Got the SMOOTHSPYDER Backrest. Easy instructions, well built, comfortable, strong. Happy camper. 2016 F3 LIMITED.:clap:

Please let us know, does it have an anti-theft feature built-in so somebody doesn't walk with your comfy backrest?

 

[Steven Young]

Please let us know, does it have an anti-theft feature built-in so somebody doesn't walk with your comfy backrest?

The Smoothspyder is Bolted to the frame via the four 6mm hex bolts holding the rear hand rails. It mounts between the hand rails and frame.
The kit comes with 4 longer bolts & caps.

 

[SpyderHands]

Please let us know, does it have an anti-theft feature built-in so somebody doesn't walk with your comfy backrest?

Talk to us about BRP's anti-theft feature... how does it work? What makes it theft proof?

BRP has no information on their website, nor do they include it in their little video promo piece on the website.

Thank you!!!
:thumbup:

 

[Capt. Bob]

Talk to us about BRP's anti-theft feature... how does it work? What makes it theft proof?

BRP has no information on their website, nor do they include it in their little video promo piece on the website.

Thank you!!!
:thumbup:

The BRP backrest has about a 2" screw that goes through the lower part of the vertical steel backrest support bar horizontally and parallel to the ground and above the fender mounting hardware and below the two seat pans. The kit is supplied with a capture nut that snugs the screw up to the bar and a rubber end cap for the screw that will not allow the seatrest to be pulled up and out when the F3 rear pillion seat is in the locked down position with the key and the two bolts that hold the rear part of the front seat to the frame. The seats and backrest are locked in place. It is definitely a low tech solution but effective in not being able to remove the backrest.

Seems to me that if I owned the Smoothspyder backrest which is very nice and also fairly costly like the BRP unit, that I would maybe install some tamper-proof bolts with maybe special/exotic screw heads and a install/removal tool like I used to have on some mag wheels instead of the hex bolts that sound like they could be removed in less than a minute? Here is what I am thinking about http://www.losspreventionfasteners.com/store/products/ultra-lok-ll/ Unfortunately, not all of our fellow citizens are as honest as we are and probably would covet the Smoothspyder backrest as much as we do. I hate to think of that Nicholas Cage movie, "Gone in 60 seconds":yikes:

Folks might want to consider getting up with the Smoothspyder manufacturer and coming up with a simple solution for theft protection. OTOH, maybe this is a solution in search of a problem?

 

[SpyderHands]

The BRP backrest has about a 2" screw that goes through the lower part of the vertical steel backrest support bar horizontally and parallel to the ground and above the fender mounting hardware and below the two seat pans. The kit is supplied with a capture nut that snugs the screw up to the bar and a rubber end cap for the screw that will not allow the seatrest to be pulled up and out when the F3 rear pillion seat is in the locked down position with the key and the two bolts that hold the rear part of the front seat to the frame. The seats and backrest are locked in place. It is definitely a low tech solution but effective in not being able to remove the backrest.

Seems to me that if I owned the Smoothspyder backrest which is very nice and also fairly costly like the BRP unit, that I would maybe install some tamper-proof bolts with maybe special/exotic screw heads and a install/removal tool like I used to have on some mag wheels instead of the hex bolts that sound like they could be removed in less than a minute? Here is what I am thinking about http://www.losspreventionfasteners.com/store/products/ultra-lok-ll/ Unfortunately, not all of our fellow citizens are as honest as we are and probably would covet the Smoothspyder backrest as much as we do. I hate to think of that Nicholas Cage movie, "Gone in 60 seconds":yikes:

Folks might want to consider getting up with the Smoothspyder manufacturer and coming up with a simple solution for theft protection. OTOH, maybe this is a solution in search of a problem?

Oh OK. I think I'll just run a line from the backrest straight to the battery with a hidden switch that will deliver an electrical discouragement to any potential unwanted persons, whether sitting on it or contemplating whether to take it with them. :clap:

 

[Lastchance]

Well I guess you all talked me into it, I never ride 2 up so only needed a drivers rest, BRP price is out of sight so that was out, went with the Utopia adjustable up & down forward & back, rolled pad and red stitching to match stock seat and whole a lot more reasonable price. Thanks for the reply's.

 

[Minister]

I purchased the BRP unit (at a discount), still pricy but it is a well built and very comfy backrest.

 

[Tazzel]

I got lucky and got a F3 BRP driver backrest for 200.00 off Ebay. Love it. I think the Smoothrider backrest is nice but I don’t hardly ever have a second person and I don’t like the look of the Smoothrider backrest in the driver position. Blocks the passenger area for anything you might want to strap down.

 

[fritzer1]

If you think you're keeping the OEM seat and wanting a backrest, look at Ultimate Seats. They make an aftermarket backrest for the F3L. They don't make a seat, just the backrest. I assume it fits the F3 Limited.

http://ultimateseats.ca/can-am-spyder-accessories/can-am-spyder-f3-driver backrest

I too, am 5'8" and am in dire need of a backrest on my F3T, as I posted in another thread yesterday on 'seats'. My debate is between the stock BRP and the Ultimate(Lamonster sells it, but with an easier-to-install bracket). $294 for the Ultimate and about $460 for the BRP. Question for me also - is one more comfortable than the other?
Smooth Spyder Dual mode is out of the discussion for me, as my wife and I always ride together.

 

[SpyderHands]

Well I guess you all talked me into it, I never ride 2 up so only needed a drivers rest, BRP price is out of sight so that was out, went with the Utopia adjustable up & down forward & back, rolled pad and red stitching to match stock seat and whole a lot more reasonable price. Thanks for the reply's.

Glad you found what you were looking for.

Best of luck with the fit, function, and overall comfort and reliability of the backrest.

Stay safe!!!
:thumbup: