Utopia Back Rest

[BikerDoc]

I have a 2010 RT and have tried out the Utopia backrest on another riders bike. It provided great back support for the primary rider, however I am not really mechanically inclined. Have any of you installed one of these and can you encourage a mechanically challenged person to try it.? thanks

 

[StormSpyder]

Utopia back rest install

I am a fair do it yourselfer and it took me about three hours, two problems, one - removing the seat, two - cutting a hole in the seat. Cutting the hole was hard as you have to remove quit a bit of foam to install the mounting bar.
It looks great and is a great back rest, very good design. Utopia is great to work with. When I ordered mine there was a two week back order, get your order in.
Dave Mc:2thumbs:

 

[curly]

I am NOT very handy with tools, and I got 99% installed on my own.

I got the seat removed, made the cut, drilled the holes. The last part where you line up the post going down thru the seat to the base plate under the seat then screw the 2 together is what stymied me. I had it close enough to get one screw in, but the 2nd one would not quite go in.

Ended up taking it to a local Harley place that does customizing. They drilled the holes just a bit bigger, and within 10 minutes it was done.

So if you have any skill with tools it's very doable. Just take your time lining things up before cutting/drilling. Believe me, I have about a zero on the handiness scale, so anyone with even a small amount of skill will have few problems with the install.

 

[Recon]

I have a 2010 RT and have tried out the Utopia backrest on another riders bike. It provided great back support for the primary rider, however I am not really mechanically inclined. Have any of you installed one of these and can you encourage a mechanically challenged person to try it.? thanks

BD, I should have talked to you at Daytona about this; you probably didn't notice that I have a utopia on mine because it was covered by the beaded seat cover.
You shouldn't have a problem with it, I did it all start to finish in less than an hour. The only thing troubling people seem to have is taking off the seat and reinstalling it, but it seemed easy enough to me, or I was just lucky. Not much room to work behind the seat with the bolt. One other thing i did was use a long fillet knife and if you feel around as you slice down through the styrofoam (the cut goes down at a slight angle and behind a ridge of metal inside the foam) you can feel where you need to be.
If you really need some help and are up this way stop in and we'll install it. I wouldn't be without mine. R

 

[Rider Steve]

I'd like to see some pic's please.

 

[MarkLawson]

I'd like to see some pic's please.

http://www.utpr.com/spyder.html

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17304

 

[Rider Steve]

Thanks, looks mighty fine.

 

[Recon]

Thanks, looks mighty fine.

Can't beat their price, and I wouldn't ryde without it anymore. Folds down, and also removes easily

 

[BikerDoc]

Ordered

Mine seat rest was supposed to have shipped today so I guess I will give it a try for install by next week

 

[Recon]

Mine seat rest was supposed to have shipped today so I guess I will give it a try for install by next week

Call me Doc, if you have a problem

 

[BikerDoc]

Seat Rest

will do ,, thanks

 

[Phil]

I've been reading all of the threads about the Utopia. Thanks Mark for plowing the way! I LOVE the look of it.

Before I buy and install... Getting the seat off the bike seems to be one of the #1 challenges. I've tried one time before and gave up. Those bolts in the back.... WHAT's THE TRICK?

I also have the same question about the space for my bride when she rides with me. I wouldn't mind removing it when she rides with me IF the left over part of the bracket wouldn't... how shall I say it.... uhhhh.... impede or enhance her comfort?

One last-- Rider leg clearance. It looks like the Corbin guys had covered that with their unit, looking at its shape. How is the feel for the rider with the Utopia?

 

[Dochands]

$40 plus shipping and some bike down time for them to install. That might be my way to go. Assuming I can get the seat off. lol

 

[MarkLawson]

The key to seat removal is approaching it from the top. First detach the lift arm. Press the passenger backrest up out out of the way to allow a little more room for your ratchet. The two bolts screw into square nylon nuts that are in slides on the outside of the brackets. There are also steel sleeves in the plastic the bolts run through. These will fall out as you lift out the seat, so be careful. There are also a couple of holes back there that will suck down anything you drop while working. I recommend you stuff a rag or some foam in them first. When reinstalling the seat, set it in place without attaching the lift arm. Lock it down. This will help you get the proper alignment so you can install and tighten the two rear bolts. Don't forget the metal sleeves. Good luck. You should do alright.

 

[Phil]

The key to seat removal is approaching it from the top. .................... You should do alright.

Thanks Mark- I'll give that a whirl. I had not removed the backrest last time.

 

[MarkLawson]

Thanks Mark- I'll give that a whirl. I had not removed the backrest last time.

I guess you could remove the passenger backrest, but all I did was compress it so it's out of the way.