|
Fritz The Cat
|
 |
« on: November 05, 2011, 12:31:38 PM » |
|
How rigid is it? The one on my former GW was solid and didn't give any at all when you pushed back on it. By design, it couldn't budge without major breakage. I think I'd prefer this to one that's mushing when you lean into it.
Thanks
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
BradValk48237
|
|
« Reply #1 on: November 05, 2011, 01:55:46 PM » |
|
Very tough..... Very solid. I sit on mine sometimes on a long haul to stretch out. I have seen cases where the fender has cracked or bent. Have on I/S seat and solo seat- 2 different base brackets and the same top/pad. It also works with the solo seat rail if you have one. Good product at a decent price.
B
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Serk
|
|
« Reply #2 on: November 05, 2011, 03:23:07 PM » |
|
I'd consider it pretty solid. I sometimes lay back on it (And I'm not exactly petite) when I'm stretching on long rides, and it supports most of my weight...
Two things:
If you have on on a Valk, you MUST keep the rear seat in place. I learned that the hard way. Without the rear seat acting as a brace, the tins of the rear fender will be taking the weight, and that won't last long... (Thanks again Daniel!)
Second thing, after 10 years and nearly 100,000 miles of my 315 or so pounds slamming in and onto it, the Utopia bar finally snapped, it gave way all at once and pretty cleanly. I e-mailed Utopia to see how much a replacement would cost, figuring it was way outta warranty, he asked for my address and sent me a brand new replacement part totally free.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Never ask a geek 'Why?',just nod your head and slowly back away...  IBA# 22107 VRCC# 7976 VRCCDS# 226 1998 Valkyrie Standard 2008 Gold Wing Taxation is theft. μολὼν λαβέ |
|
|
|
old2soon
|
|
« Reply #3 on: November 05, 2011, 03:46:36 PM » |
|
I was lucky enough to find a member on the board who sold me a very good I/S seat with the Utopia backrest already mounted. My trip to Chicago and north this summer was made way more enjoyable because of and due to the backrest. I go a petite 6 foot 2 inch 245 pounds and i am not above putting my feet on the road pegs and pushing back REALLY HARD on numerous occasions. Backrest and all attaching hardware still looking good. If i were to buy another M/C and it did not have the backrest already on it-it fer dang sure would be one of my first boughts. Even before saftey chrome!!  Like the old credit card commercial-don't leave home with out it-i don't leave home without my Utopia. RIDE SAFE. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Today is the tommorow you worried about yesterday. If at first you don't succeed screw it-save it for nite check. 1964 1968 U S Navy. Two cruises off Nam.
VRCCDS0240 2012 GL1800 Gold Wing Motor Trike conversion
|
|
|
|
Fuzzy (Louisiana)
|
|
« Reply #4 on: November 05, 2011, 09:05:18 PM » |
|
I have an Utopia backrest on my Interstate. It is very strong and will not move. If I need to lean back more or need alittle more support, I just reach back and adjust the screw at the base of the seat. Keep it lubed up and you can do it by hand.
Fuzzy
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
1981 Honda Silverwing Interstate
1999 Honda Valkyrie Interstate
|
|
|
|
Tim H
|
|
« Reply #5 on: November 06, 2011, 04:55:17 AM » |
|
I'll let you know soon. I have one in the mail from a board member. It's nice to see all these kind reviews. My first big test will be the Veteran's Ride, Nov 11-12.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Valkahuna
|
|
« Reply #6 on: November 06, 2011, 05:57:56 AM » |
|
I have a question for those of you that have these on Stock I/S seats. How did you make the hole in the seat for the bar to go through, and how do you stop it from tearing further at the surface?  If you have a picture it would be great. Thanks in advance. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
The key thing is to wake up breathing! All the rest can be fixed. (Except Stupid - You can't fix that)
2014 Indian Chieftain
2001 Valkyrie I/S
Proud to be a Vietnam Vet (US Air Force - SAC, 1967-1972)
|
|
|
|
Farther
|
|
« Reply #7 on: November 06, 2011, 09:19:59 AM » |
|
I have the Utopia on my Standard without the passenger seat and find it very stiff. I use a solo rack and hope that the rack distributes the stress between the front and rear mounts.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Thanks,
~Farther
|
|
|
|
Red Diamond
|
|
« Reply #8 on: November 06, 2011, 10:51:36 AM » |
|
When I installed the backrest on the Interstate seat, I used a long butcher knife to cut the hole completely through the seat, from top to bottom. Then pushed the bar thru the seat and installed to bottom of seat pan. I have since installed a 2K up Standard/Tourer on my Interstate, with the bar used to install the backrest on the Standard/Tourer. Backrest on the I/S and Tourer is strong and supportive. Sorry no pix.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
 If you are riding and it is a must that you keep your eyes on the road, you are riding too fast. |
|
|
|
BradValk48237
|
|
« Reply #9 on: November 06, 2011, 11:20:21 AM » |
|
If you go to the Utopia website, the directions are there... they also come with the kit. There is also a glue down cover/grommet the goes around the hole on top to protect it. http://www.utpr.com/vkinstallation.htmlit works, but I did have to re glue mine after a while. Brad |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
ricoman
|
|
« Reply #10 on: November 06, 2011, 12:02:23 PM » |
|
How rigid is it? The one on my former GW was solid and didn't give any at all when you pushed back on it. By design, it couldn't budge without major breakage. I think I'd prefer this to one that's mushing when you lean into it.
Thanks
It is quite rigid, but it will bend. When I was rear-ended 8/03/10 the Utopia backrest kept the bike (totaled, bent frame) from being shoved out from under me. The guys at the dealer where it went to await the ins. bs took the backrest off and gave it to me a couple days later. After I put it my next Valk I could never get it to feel the same as when on the first one. One day when fooling with it I found it was bent backwards about 1/2 inch at the top. Straightened it up and it was back to normal. Will never ride without a rider backrest, period. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
take personal responsibility and keep your word
98 Tourer, black and chrome, added 8/11/10
98 Std, yellow/cream, totaled 8/3/10
|
|
|
|
Valkahuna
|
|
« Reply #11 on: November 06, 2011, 01:52:13 PM » |
|
When I installed the backrest on the Interstate seat, I used a long butcher knife to cut the hole completely through the seat, from top to bottom. Then pushed the bar thru the seat and installed to bottom of seat pan. I have since installed a 2K up Standard/Tourer on my Interstate, with the bar used to install the backrest on the Standard/Tourer. Backrest on the I/S and Tourer is strong and supportive. Sorry no pix.
Thanks for the info. I think it may be time for me to do this to my Fat Lady. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
The key thing is to wake up breathing! All the rest can be fixed. (Except Stupid - You can't fix that)
2014 Indian Chieftain
2001 Valkyrie I/S
Proud to be a Vietnam Vet (US Air Force - SAC, 1967-1972)
|
|
|
|
Valkahuna
|
|
« Reply #12 on: November 06, 2011, 01:53:15 PM » |
|
If you go to the Utopia website, the directions are there... they also come with the kit. There is also a glue down cover/grommet the goes around the hole on top to protect it. http://www.utpr.com/vkinstallation.htmlit works, but I did have to re glue mine after a while. Brad Thanks for the info and the link Brad. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
The key thing is to wake up breathing! All the rest can be fixed. (Except Stupid - You can't fix that)
2014 Indian Chieftain
2001 Valkyrie I/S
Proud to be a Vietnam Vet (US Air Force - SAC, 1967-1972)
|
|
|
|
