I have the same problem on long rides, my fix was to install bar risers, T-Rex highway pegs and I welded up a bracket to adapt a Utopia backrest to the bike. I rode to the Arctic Cir. last July and it was very comfortable, no back issues.
The seat is a Corbin, I fabricated a backrest and a platform for extra area to carry items on the bike, there is no rear seat ( wife only rides on Goldwing. Yes we pressure washed the bikes and ourselves in Fairbanks at 11:00 pm .
I did the the Alaska trip starting the last day of June 23, it rained all the way up the Dalton Hwy. and back, the mud was unreal, I had to do the same as you to clean the bike. I sure could have used the bigger tank, we had to use our spare 2 gal. Of gas twice.
Scott my problem was the 7.5 amp fuse in the right fuse box was bad. I replaced it and all was good. Also check the other stop and cruise fuses above the fuse boxes.
I agree I just had my 2017 es done by Two Wheel DynoWorks last week. Nate was great to work with, he explained exactly what would be done ( fuel mapping, timing changes, lowering temp. activation for cooling fan and other changes I don’t know much about) and how it would affect the bike. Told...