Utopia Backrest Installed

[SpyderDon]

Finally broke down and bought a Utopia Backrest. Why did I wait so long?

Did a lot of sweating, just didn't like the thought of cutting a hole in a perfectly good seat, in my case a brand new one, BRP replaced mine, cover delaminated from foam. Bit the bullet, read the instructions, again and then again. Read all the post's concerning insalling them took the seat off, had one of the little tube things come out and roll into the hole for the passenger aboard cord, that was an interesting recovery, had to take the passenger handle off. All in all it took about 2 hours for the entire process and thats for someone not mechanically inclined, with big arthritic fingers.

I was suprised by how well these things are made. The post and support bracket are made of 1/4" steel, nicely painted and well thought out. :clap: They did an excellent job of making it look like it came with the RT.

Only rode a short distance yesterday. I plan to make a longer ryde today to see if I really like the backrest.

 

[bullant12]

Finally broke down and bought a Utopia Backrest. Why did I wait so long?

Did a lot of sweating, just didn't like the thought of cutting a hole in a perfectly good seat, in my case a brand new one, BRP replaced mine, cover delaminated from foam. Bit the bullet, read the instructions, again and then again. Read all the post's concerning insalling them took the seat off, had one of the little tube things come out and roll into the hole for the passenger aboard cord, that was an interesting recovery, had to take the passenger handle off. All in all it took about 2 hours for the entire process and thats for someone not mechanically inclined, with big arthritic fingers.

I was suprised by how well these things are made. The post and support bracket are made of 1/4" steel, nicely painted and well thought out. :clap: They did an excellent job of making it look like it came with the RT.

Only rode a short distance yesterday. I plan to make a longer ryde today to see if I really like the backrest.

Best investment I did. I was like you... sweating on the installation of the backrest worring that I would make a wrong cut and had to order a new seat cover. Took me a while to get the metal bar in place but once I did... I have put 3000 + on it, made several long (over 5 hours) trips and I get to my destinations with very little back disconfort. Truly worth the price!!:2thumbs:

 

[MarkLawson]

...I was suprised by how well these things are made. The post and support bracket are made of 1/4" steel, nicely painted and well thought out. :clap: They did an excellent job of making it look like it came with the RT...

:thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

Well I'm STILL sweating over the thought of the potential damage that I could do... pps:
But you guys are making it sound less terrifying! :bowdown::bowdown::bowdown::firstplace:

 

[Jornie1]

Hope this helps

Tape, mark and measure several times. Making sure that before you cut the seat the Utopia back pad is even with the lower seat butt pad... Here are a few pictures of my install and it went well... Len

 

[Bob Denman]

Thanks! :2thumbs:

 

[GloryRyders]

It was a lot easier than I thought and not scary at all................I just let Cowtown do it.

 

[SpydherLuv]

Ordered mine on Monday and expect to see it the week of Thanksgiving. :yes:

 

[BikerDoc]

The quality and comfort of the Utopia Backrest is worth it many times over, whether you install it yourself or have it done. I have over 12000 miles since installing mine and I love it.

 

[ulflyer]

The only problem I had was getting both bolts under the seat screwed into the metal bar. Just couldn't get one bolt to bite onto the threads so after about an hour of fiddling I tightened up the one bolt and its held just fine for 2 months now.
The metal bars are thick, but its fairly soft metal and I think my turning the bolt with an elect screwdriver rounded off the threads. If I ever have occasion to pull the seat I'll freshed the threads and try a new bolt.

 

[MarkLawson]

The only problem I had was getting both bolts under the seat screwed into the metal bar. Just couldn't get one bolt to bite onto the threads so after about an hour of fiddling I tightened up the one bolt and its held just fine for 2 months now.
The metal bars are thick, but its fairly soft metal and I think my turning the bolt with an elect screwdriver rounded off the threads. If I ever have occasion to pull the seat I'll freshed the threads and try a new bolt.

I would encourage you to do that sooner rather than later. With only one bolt in place, side to side movement is likely, which could tear the saddle cover more than you want. It also pretty much negates the lateral bracing on the underside of the seat pan.

 

[Jersey Girl]

Thanks for the info. My Utopia is set to arrive the beginning of the week. Can't wait to install it. Also ordered one for my husband's Vulcan. We'll do his first to get all of the kinks out. I saw them at Americade this year and their product is well made and looks good also.:yes:

 

[JCSMOKE]

Thank you

Tape, mark and measure several times. Making sure that before you cut the seat the Utopia back pad is even with the lower seat butt pad... Here are a few pictures of my install and it went well... Len

These photos answered my questions, the utopia instructions are a bit blurry and I could not figure it out. Thanks!

 

[Flight Risk]

The hardest part is actually plunging the knife into the seat. After that, you are good to go!!!

 

[stevedfive]

The only problem I had was getting both bolts under the seat screwed into the metal bar. Just couldn't get one bolt to bite onto the threads so after about an hour of fiddling I tightened up the one bolt and its held just fine for 2 months now.
The metal bars are thick, but its fairly soft metal and I think my turning the bolt with an elect screwdriver rounded off the threads. If I ever have occasion to pull the seat I'll freshed the threads and try a new bolt.

I had bought several bolts that were a inch longer and used them to bring it in close enough to use the bolts that came with the seat.

 

[CMA Cowboy]

I did it the hard way also. Just like my Elka's I had Cowtown install the Utopia. Both were excellent additions.

 

[SilverFox1]

I would just like to know,,, is it absolutely necessary to remove your seat for this install
or could a person drill the two holes using a small right-angled drill while the seat is still
on the Spyder? I think I am more affraid of removing the seat than cutting into it.

SilverFox

 

[Flight Risk]

I did it the hard way also. Just like my Elka's I had Cowtown install the Utopia. Both were excellent additions.

My dealer would not do it...........jerk. Richardson Motor Sports, a necessary evil. They pick and choose what they will or will not do.

 

[JCSMOKE]

You do have to remove the seat! Or the other way is to remove the bike, either way there is a separation of church and state. The measuring and drilling require it.

 

[Mattman]

My dealer would not do it...........jerk. Richardson Motor Sports, a necessary evil. They pick and choose what they will or will not do.

Check with North Texas Yamaha in Lewisville. I don't know what their stance on this install would be but they have been great to work with for me.