Utopia Backrest

[whiteyron]

Thanks for the report. I've got to get me one of those. I believe it's one of the few options I have for adding a backrest to my 2013 tan colored BRP Comfort Seat.

I put one on my 2013 RT L with the tan seat and love it.:yes::yes::yes:

 

[Magdave]

The space left for a passenger after installing a Utopia on an OEM seat is only for those who are not to large. A 118# person should be pretty good. Beyond that, ???

A comfort seat would be worse since you have lost an additional 2" of space for the passenger.

A bit more space for a larger passenger might be something that BRP should consider for the "touring" crowd at least. Not every family can have a :spyder2: for each ryder.

My wife is in the 170-180lb range and most of it is below the waist. She has an ample derrière and never had any issues with the Utopia and leg room. She is 5'2" also so she has short legs I have to keep the foot rests all the way up for her. I did have it adjusted forward a little as my arms are on the short side but not that much I am 5'10" . It is a fine product with the most adjustability of all the aftermarket back rests. With the new Ultimate seat I have she says she may have too much room. She doesn't like leaning back on the back rest and I keep seeing a set of feet coming up next to me when I accelerate briskly.

 

[ARtraveler]

My wife is in the 170-180lb range and most of it is below the waist. She has an ample derrière and never had any issues with the Utopia and leg room. She is 5'2" also so she has short legs I have to keep the foot rests all the way up for her. I did have it adjusted forward a little as my arms are on the short side but not that much I am 5'10" . It is a fine product with the most adjustability of all the aftermarket back rests. With the new Ultimate seat I have she says she may have too much room. She doesn't like leaning back on the back rest and I keep seeing a set of feet coming up next to me when I accelerate briskly.

Now you had me wondering a bit. I measured the space from the back of my Utopia to the seat back on the trunk and found a space of exactly 12 inches. I have mine adjusted towards the front as much as possible to I can lean back comfortably into the Utopia. Neither I nor my passenger would be enjoying the ride because of to much constriction. Glad your wife fits comfortably.

I am 185 and my passenger is um--a bit heavier and larger. :roflblack:

 

[Magdave]

Now you had me wondering a bit. I measured the space from the back of my Utopia to the seat back on the trunk and found a space of exactly 12 inches. I have mine adjusted towards the front as much as possible to I can lean back comfortably into the Utopia. Neither I nor my passenger would be enjoying the ride because of to much constriction. Glad your wife fits comfortably.

I am 185 and my passenger is um--a bit heavier and larger. :roflblack:

I just measured my Ultimate seat the same way and it is 13" from the BR to rider BR. The driver BR is not all the way forward(almost straight up) if it were I would be sitting on the glove box.:shocked:

 

[robmorg]

I just ordered the Utopia backrest today for my 2013 tan colored BRP comfort seat. Thanks, Mike, for starting this thread and reminding me that I "needed" to do this. And thanks to whiteyron for the pictures!

I've been wanting a backrest ever since I got a ride on one of the dealer's 2014 demos.

 

[wd8ajj]

Backrest Pics and instructions

Can anyone post a few close-up piks of the seat along with how to install into a 2014 RT. I was told the factory ones is just a snap-on for the 2014's.

Does the Utopia snap in without any drilling? There web site says nothing about installation of anything. I hate to spend the $$ on the factory backrest if there's a better unit out there.

 

[robmorg]

Just Installed my Utopia Backrest

Does the Utopia snap in without any drilling? There web site says nothing about installation of anything. I hate to spend the $$ on the factory backrest if there's a better unit out there.

For the 2014 installation, see machead's post #28 below. With regard to RT installation prior to 2014, you have to cut the seat and then mount the backrest to a bracket that Utopia supplies with the backrest. But it's not hard to do. (Click on the attachment below to see Utopia's mounting bracket for 2013 and older models.)

Here is a picture of the one I just installed this weekend on my 2013 RTL with a BRP Comfort Seat. (The backrests for the Comfort Seat and Standard Seat are exactly the same except for the length of the mounting bracket.)

​

I am tall, so I put the backrest at it's highest position. (There are four pre-set height positions to choose from, and continuous fore/aft adjustments that are simply made by turning a set screw.) As you can see, there is plenty of room for the passenger's legs - especially in this position. Not sure, but I would think there would be more room on the standard seat, as the upright mounting bar is longer.

More information and pictures located in my Farkles thread here (post #5).

 

[machead]

The Utopia Backrest for the 2014 RT just attaches to the bracket that is already in the seat. For 2013 and before, you have to cut the seat and then mount the backrest to a bracket that Utopia supplies with the backrest. But it's not hard to do. (Click on the attachment below to see Utopia's mounting bracket for 2013 and older models.)

I just installed my Utopia on my 2014 RT Limited (OEM seat). On the 2014 RT, there is not a bracket already in the seat for a backrest. There are mounting nuts in the seat pan for the bolts used when mounting a backrest bracket (either the BRP backrest or the Utopia both of which will come with a mounting bracket).

As fas as cutting the seat on a 2014, you have to remove the plastic backrest cover from the 2014 RT seat and cut a portion of it off. You also have to cut part of the webbing that is under the backrest cover and cut through the foam that is underneath that webbing.

Utopia has a very clear instruction doc on what to do on the 2014 RT. They even have some great information on their site about the differences between the RT Standard seat and the RT Comfort seat.

 

[robmorg]

machead,

Thanks for the clarification. I'll update my message above and point to your answer, so as not to confuse anyone.

 

[SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN]

just ordered mine today along with gel pads, can't wait till i get them & have 'em installed:yes::yes:

 

[robmorg]

I think you'll like the Utopia backrest. Which gel pad did you order?

 

[SAPD911]

One last question on this.

Does the Utopia provide for adequate clearance for the rider's legs? Really want it more for long rides where my bride is sitting behind me. The OEM looks like it's slimmer at the bottom to provide more rider leg clearance.

Thoughts?

I seem to have less room with my utopia, pushed me further up. I am still trying to adjust it, but no luck so far.

 

[robmorg]

I seem to have less room with my utopia, pushed me further up. I am still trying to adjust it, but no luck so far.

Try adjusting it up a notch or two so that it hits you in the small of the back, rather than lower. Then loosen the locking nut on the fore/aft adjustment screw and go riding. You can then reach behind and turn the screw with your hand until you find the most comfortable position. This worked for me even with the Comfort Seat (where the backrest sits an inch further forward on the seat).

 

[AFace]

Sheepskin source..

Would love to hear about the sheepskin source. Might need to get that for my RT.

I ordered from sheepskinfactory.com and very pleased with them and the product. I included the information that I had installed the backrest and it came through with a 'cut out' and reinforced stitching so it wouldn't tare at the opening. We are both very pleased with the product. :clap::thumbup:

 

[mcpjan]

Utopia driver backrest

I installed the Utopia Backrest a few months ago and very happy I did. Took me a couple of hours but I read the instructions 3 times and cut and drilled once, sense you only get one shot at it. I received some pointers from them via email before ordering it and they were very useful. They ship when promised and received when expected in great condition with full set of instructions. I have since added sheepskin to the seat at the request of my wife and I have to say I'm glad she requested it. Much more comfortable, especially with the heat in Florida. We will have to wait to see how the cool winters go. View attachment 92017View attachment 92018

I took the easy way out...I found someone with a stock 2014 seat (no cutting/drilling) they didn't want. Installed it and ordered my Utopia driver backrest. It was to ship on 9/29 but got an email with tracking yesterday. Can't wait. ...