Will I need a Driver Backrest-21’ Spyder RT Limited

[shakin_jake]

Seeking wisdom of the list. I’m picking up a 2021 Spyder RT Limited next week from an out of state dealer. Just wondering what the consensus is in regards for the need of a driver backrest for the stock seat. Would it be wise to have one added before I pick it up, and then I would imagine it would be a BRP Item, are they as good or better than the after market or would it be prudent to go with an aftermarket backrest, and if so, which one? What are others doing or have done. Never owned an RT before yet have seen threads here in the past talk about driver back rests for the OEM saddle

I realize it won’t kill me to go w/o a back rest for at least the Honeymoon phase. That said I’d like to hear what other RT owners (past & present) have to say on this subject

 

[K80Shooter]

Do you need one? I cant answer that as I only have about 1600 miles on mine all without one. Did it bother me, not at all.

That said I did just install a Utopia back rest but have not ridden it since. I do like the looks better with it on there. One question, do you ride 2 up any? The reason I ask is that with it on there it doesn't leave much room for lets say a full figured woman. With the Utopia it just slides right off. I cant answer about any others.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

When I got a new foam for my Goldwing seat the guy I got it from said having no backrest promotes better sitting posture. I've ridden many miles with my backseat cargo bag serving as a backrest on my Spyder. I can't say that I derived any particular benefit from it. I'd say wait until you get a good feel for the seat w/o it, then decide. You may want to change the seat first. If so, do the backrest after.

 

[Peteoz]

One question, do you ride 2 up any? The reason I ask is that with it on there it doesn't leave much room for lets say a full figured woman. With the Utopia it just slides right off. I cant answer about any others.

You can leave the spring clip that keeps the stock BRP backrest “locked”, unclipped, K80. That way the backrest just slides straight off. I have always done this on my Spyders and have never had an issue. BUT, I would not recommend the stock BRP backrest over aftermarket. It is much more expensive, and provides no extra features.

Pete

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Seeking wisdom of the list. I’m picking up a 2021 Spyder RT Limited next week from an out of state dealer. Just wondering what the consensus is in regards for the need of a driver backrest for the stock seat. Would it be wise to have one added before I pick it up, and then I would imagine it would be a BRP Item, are they as good or better than the after market or would it be prudent to go with an aftermarket backrest, and if so, which one? What are others doing or have done. Never owned an RT before yet have seen threads here in the past talk about driver back rests for the OEM saddle

I realize it won’t kill me to go w/o a back rest for at least the Honeymoon phase. That said I’d like to hear what other RT owners (past & present) have to say on this subject

I've put a " Utopia " backrest on every touring bike I have ever owned ...... Mike :thumbup:

 

[JayBros]

From my perspective, I did not get a backrest when I purchased my Spyder and had no problems with long touring days. My wife gave me a BRP one as a birthday present three years or so after I bought the bike and I was presently surprised at how much fresher I felt at the end of long, for me, days, 400+ miles/day.

 

[DanDanTMM]

I would say first figure out if the stock handlebar position works because a lot of back and shoulder pain are fixed with risers and not a backrest, especially if you are not far back enough from the bars to really take advantage of a backrest. I was having shoulder and middle back pain on my 2021 RTL and thought I needed a backrest. I put on the Helibar risers and so far that has fixed my issue so I haven't felt the need to get a backrest. I haven't done an all day ride yet so that may change once that happens. I'm good up to three hours right now without a backrest.

 

[bigbadbrucie]

R

Seeking wisdom of the list. I’m picking up a 2021 Spyder RT Limited next week from an out of state dealer. Just wondering what the consensus is in regards for the need of a driver backrest for the stock seat. Would it be wise to have one added before I pick it up, and then I would imagine it would be a BRP Item, are they as good or better than the after market or would it be prudent to go with an aftermarket backrest, and if so, which one? What are others doing or have done. Never owned an RT before yet have seen threads here in the past talk about driver back rests for the OEM saddle

I realize it won’t kill me to go w/o a back rest for at least the Honeymoon phase. That said I’d like to hear what other RT owners (past & present) have to say on this subject

Did you have one, or feel the need for one with your Ryker? Whatever you answer to that, should be the same on your RT....at least for now. Time will then tell you if you need one.

 

[pidjones]

I installed Utopia. Had one on the GoldWing. Pushes me just a touch too forward, but I only remove it when the wife is back there.

 

[shakin_jake]

Do you need one? I cant answer that as I only have about 1600 miles on mine all without one. Did it bother me, not at all.

That said I did just install a Utopia back rest but have not ridden it since. I do like the looks better with it on there. One question, do you ride 2 up any? The reason I ask is that with it on there it doesn't leave much room for lets say a full figured woman. With the Utopia it just slides right off. I cant answer about any others.

~~~I can honestly say part of the reason for trading the Ryker in on the RT is so Helen (Mrs. Jake) will have a more stable pillion to sit on. She wont ride on the back (pillion) of my Raslly Ryker, she claims it doesn’t feel stable enough for her comfort, but lets face it, I’m getting the Spyder because I’ve always wanted one. This time and place feels like the right time to buy one


Best,


Jake
Reddick Fla.

 

[shakin_jake]

When I got a new foam for my Goldwing seat the guy I got it from said having no backrest promotes better sitting posture. I've ridden many miles with my backseat cargo bag serving as a backrest on my Spyder. I can't say that I derived any particular benefit from it. I'd say wait until you get a good feel for the seat w/o it, then decide. You may want to change the seat first. If so, do the backrest after.

~~~change the seat to what?, I’m not sure I follow you. Are you referring to removing the seat altogether and go for something like a day long?


Best,


Jake
Reddick Fla.

 

[shakin_jake]

I've put a " Utopia " backrest on every touring bike I have ever owned ...... Mike :thumbup:

~~~Hey Mike!, Ive only owned one Utopia back rest. I put it on an OEM Honda scooter saddle, the 250cc (Now I can’t remember the model)…I bought it new in 06’, it was a leftover 2005 model. Used the same drivetrain my 85’ Honda 250cc Elite scooter had. I recall the Utopia backrest made it much more enjoyable. I had backrests on 2 of my Ru$$ell day long saddles. The first was a used saddle I bought for my93’ ST1100 Honda. I had purchased a custom Ru$$ell for it w/o a back rest and the bike was fine w/o the back rest until I installed foot pegs under the tip over wings, a popular Farkle for the Honda ST. When placing your feet on the pegs under the tip over wings, the riding position forced you to lean back, making it necessary for a back rest, to feel comfortable otherwise, if you didn’t use those aux. pegs, a back rest wasn’t needed at all

 

[shakin_jake]

From my perspective, I did not get a backrest when I purchased my Spyder and had no problems with long touring days. My wife gave me a BRP one as a birthday present three years or so after I bought the bike and I was presently surprised at how much fresher I felt at the end of long, for me, days, 400+ miles/day.

~~~I’m going to wait awhile before installing a back rest on the Spyder I will be riding soon, after reading yours and others thoughts on when to get a back rest, it just makes sense to ride w/o one for a bit b4v\ moving in that direction


Best,


Jake
Reddick Fla.

 

[shakin_jake]

I would say first figure out if the stock handlebar position works because a lot of back and shoulder pain are fixed with risers and not a backrest, especially if you are not far back enough from the bars to really take advantage of a backrest. I was having shoulder and middle back pain on my 2021 RTL and thought I needed a backrest. I put on the Helibar risers and so far that has fixed my issue so I haven't felt the need to get a backrest. I haven't done an all day ride yet so that may change once that happens. I'm good up to three hours right now without a backrest.

~~~your testimonial makes sense but I’ve never felt the need to change handlebar reach via risers. That said, the 92’ BMW R100GSPD I just sold came to me with risers on it. I’m not sure how many inches the risers were, and those reading this that have owned and ridden off road motorcycles know its quite typical to move the bars higher via risers so as to be able to not have to bend over to grab the bars (handgrips) while standing on then pegs & riding simultaneously. For those that have never owned or ridden off road motorcycles, quite commonly, many riders like to stand on the pegs while negotiating slow terrain. Having risers to get the bars higher is a common mod, so you dont have to stoop to reach the bars. speaking strictly for myself, I never cared to stand while riding slow terrain but to each his/her own


Best,


Jake
Reddick Fla.

 

[shakin_jake]

R
Did you have one, or feel the need for one with your Ryker? Whatever you answer to that, should be the same on your RT....at least for now. Time will then tell you if you need one.

~~~never installed a back rest on my Ryker Rally. Is totally comfortable w/o, for me anyways. Some do feel the need to have a backrest on their Ryker though


Best,


Jake
Reddick Fla.

 

[JayBros]

Good luck, Jake!

 

[RayBJ]

I found the backrest on my '20 RT to be of partial benefit for me.
When riding relatively smooth, flat roads the backrest adds support at the beltline.
BUT, when the road undulates side to side, the backrest tends to transfer all those motions to my body rather than let me 'pivot/float' in the seat and stay more upright. So, on the slab (mostly smooth & level) the backrest is on. When the going gets rough, the backrest goes in the pannier.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

~~~change the seat to what?, I’m not sure I follow you. Are you referring to removing the seat altogether and go for something like a day long?


Best,


Jake
Reddick Fla.

Yes. Maybe even the BRP Comfort seat.

 

[shakin_jake]

Good luck, Jake!

~~~Thanks Brother Jay!


Best,


Jake
Reddick Fla.

 

[CopperSpyder]

:congrats: On the new 2021 Spyder RTL Jake!! Wow enjoy the Ride home on that thing, I'm sure Mrs. Jake will love getting some wind therapy now. :2thumbs: