Rider back rest

JerryC

New Member
Joined
May 7, 2024
Messages
4
Location
South Florida
I am 10 days into my 2018 S-10. I rode 500 miles this weekend and the back pain started: I am 6'5". I saw older threads on backrests, but am hoping something has an update. I have a Sargeant seat.
Alternatively to a back rest, has anyone secured a luggage bag on the passenger seat and used its a back rest? Any help and my back will thank you! Jerry
 

Cycledude

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Joined
Jan 29, 2016
Messages
4,322
Location
Rib lake wi
Whenever I’m hauling camping gear I use a waterproof bag from Cabelas and that makes a pretty decent backrest , I have passenger seat removed and have the Yamaha OEM top box installed.
 

SkunkWorks

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Joined
Sep 13, 2018
Messages
2,157
Location
Colorado
Is the pain in your lower-back? Or is it upper-back/shoulder-blades?
Some people have not been compatible (myself included) with the sweep of the factory Handlebar.
I had upper-middle and shoulder-blade pain on longer rides with the factory setup.
I ended up switching to a ProTaper ADV Bar with a better sweep angle.

If it's lower-back, you could try a back-support Belt..................sometimes I tour with one if it's early in the season, before I've built back up my core riding-muscles.
 

holligl

Find the road less traveled...
Joined
Nov 13, 2015
Messages
2,427
Location
IL/AZ
I might suggest hiway pegs too. I used to think they were for wimps. My opinion has changed after some longer rides. Easier on the knees and back. It is so nice to be able to mix up riding positions. I do take them off for rougher stuff.

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk
 

Sonic007

New Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2024
Messages
7
Location
Ontario
I might suggest hiway pegs too. I used to think they were for wimps. My opinion has changed after some longer rides. Easier on the knees and back. It is so nice to be able to mix up riding positions. I do take them off for rougher stuff.

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Do you have a suggestion on brand as well as position of install?
 

Tenman

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Joined
Dec 7, 2013
Messages
2,166
Location
Natchez Ms USA
I have had a Utopia backrest for years. It’s very adjustable. I can reach around behind it while riding and adjust it forward or backwards. It still looks new. I can’t imagine not having it now. I made these hiway peg mounts out of aluminum diamond plate. They are clamped to altrider crash bars. They will fold in a little in a drop and not damage the cases. The second picture is TRex hiway pegs. Had them on 3 other bikes. They work great.
IMG_1047.jpegIMG_4684.jpeg
 

holligl

Find the road less traveled...
Joined
Nov 13, 2015
Messages
2,427
Location
IL/AZ
Do you have a suggestion on brand as well as position of install?
Really depends on your crash bars and skid plate setup. My RideOnAdv plate makes it easy with some cheap Amazon bolt-ons. (I added the Rubber to these.) This position is perfect for me.


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simmons1

Active Member
Founding Member
Joined
Oct 4, 2010
Messages
529
Location
Fort Worth TX
I have had a Utopia backrest for years. It’s very adjustable. I can reach around behind it while riding and adjust it forward or backwards. It still looks new. I can’t imagine not having it now. I made these hiway peg mounts out of aluminum diamond plate. They are clamped to altrider crash bars. They will fold in a little in a drop and not damage the cases. The second picture is TRex hiway pegs. Had them on 3 other bikes. They work great.
View attachment 112826View attachment 112827
My 2012 has an Altrider aluminum luggage plate instead of the rear seat. I have a Utopia backrest mounted to it that look like the one above. That and a back support belt make a big difference for me on long days.
 

Skytower

Active Member
Joined
Jun 9, 2020
Messages
178
Location
Norfolk, VA
I also have the T-Rex highway pegs, mounted to the SW Motec bars.

I strap the Mosco Moto Duffel to the backseat as a backrest. I have a Givi Topcase that keeps the duffel from sliding backwards, and use Mosco's cam straps to secure the duffel in place.
The duffel will interfere with sidecase access, depending upon how full it is. The fullness of the duffel and type of gear inside will determine the amount of support and clearance. It took me awhile to dial it in...

I used a Givi Drybag (50l IIRC) prior to the duffel. It didnt restrict access to the sidecases, but was far less durable.
 

JeffB

Member
Joined
Feb 24, 2019
Messages
76
Location
Tampa Florida
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.
 

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mybackhurts

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2024
Messages
675
Location
AZ
6'5"

Handle bar risers (ROX) for my body shape helped alot. Long rides I do some yoga with cruise on. Stretch out onto the crash bars as needed. Ccarefully scoot back (as to not upset the front end) in the seat to take pressure off my knees.

I'm crippled af I make it work with a stock seat in the high position. Some of the adventure is just accepting some pain.

Curious to sit on the new BMW R 1300 in the right configuration for freaks of nature.
IMG-20240722-WA0006.jpeg
 
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