Back rest?

[Thulsa Doom]

I had a failed spinal fusion surgery a couple of years ago and am finally starting to get back on the bike. Trouble is that every bump feels like an uppercut to the spine. At home I'm really most comfortable reclined on the couch. I was thinking that maybe if I could lean back while riding maybe that would help.
Does anyone still sell back rests for the stock seat? It's a '98 Standard.
Thanks.

[Serk]

Get a Utopia.....

https://www.utpr.com/valkyrie.html

Have had one on my Standard for >20 years. I've had a few parts break over those years and everytime I've contacted 'em to ask how much for a replacement they said that shouldn't have broken, what's your address?

One note - Do NOT use this without the back seat in place. I learned the hard way the back seat acts as a brace to support the leverage applied to the rear fender through the backrest. Without that bracing in place you'll eventually lean into the back rest and fold the rear fender inwards.....

(Been there, done that, one of the first things Daniel Meyer helped me correct.)

[old2soon]

         I believe I have an older model Utopia back rest. Lets just say I wouldn't go around the block with out it. Messed my back up years ago moving furniture and doing-well ya know-hold my beer and watch this!  RIDE SAFE.

[Foozle]

Get a Utopia.....

https://www.utpr.com/valkyrie.html

Have had one on my Standard for >20 years. I've had a few parts break over those years and everytime I've contacted 'em to ask how much for a replacement they said that shouldn't have broken, what's your address?

One note - Do NOT use this without the back seat in place. I learned the hard way the back seat acts as a brace to support the leverage applied to the rear fender through the backrest. Without that bracing in place you'll eventually lean into the back rest and fold the rear fender inwards.....

(Been there, done that, one of the first things Daniel Meyer helped me correct.)

I wholeheartedly echo this recommendation - especially if you're a bit lanky from the waist up.

Not the sexist looking of accessories, but well-built and does its job.  I have an Ultimate on my other bike (came with the seat) and there's no comparison.  Form follows function.

My 0.02.

Terry

[Patrick]

I agree about a backrest. I don't remember what mine is, either Utopia or Mustang [ if Mustang makes one]. But it certainly makes riding much more better.

[Jess from VA]

I think you might benefit from a back belt when riding too.

I've always had driver's backrests, but the belt helped me out quite a bit during times of low back pain.

I tried hard ones and soft ones, and about the best I found was a motocrosser backbelt like this.

They are hard and stiff in back, but you adjust how tight they fit with wraparound straps.  I was a little worried the hard outside might rub/tear my driver's backrest on my seat, but it didn't.  I put it over T shirt and underwear for padding me (and sweat).  There's wider and narrower too.  And you might find some for try-on at a MC dealer.

https://www.amazon.com/FOX-BLACK-BELT-28-36/dp/B005HKV624/ref=asc_df_B005HKV624/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312195936700&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15776341834393882183&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9008139&hvtargid=pla-463282391954&psc=1

https://www.google.com/search?q=motocross+back+belts&client=firefox-b-1&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiju8e7i6zxAhUDGFkFHeanCjwQ_AUoAnoECAEQBA&biw=1409&bih=652

The next best ones I found were the working belts like the guys at home depot wear.  For working, suspenders help keep it in place. 

[Valkorado]

I just don't won't ride without backrests.  Ruby had a Russell Daylong -- sans backrest -- when I married her.  Sure felt good to sit on.  Thought I'd give it a try on a long day ride.  About halfway through the trip my back started hurting, and was in a full spasm by the time I got back to the stable that evening.  Sold that Russell pronto.

Have a Ultimate King (with backrest) on Ruby, and a Hartco (with backrest) on the Bullet that's comfy as hell.  The most important thing for me on both is the backrests.

Get one,  you won't regret it.

Some low cost options on eBay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/362618748496

Saw another with studs for a couple bucks more.

[blackvalkyrie]

I have one from a 97 standard , but it is for the passenger I have a driver's back rest on my bike but I can't figure out how to post the damn picture.. email me and I'll send you a picture of it.. I'll try to find out where I bought it from  I'm pretty sure

I had a failed spinal fusion surgery a couple of years ago and am finally starting to get back on the bike. Trouble is that every bump feels like an uppercut to the spine. At home I'm really most comfortable reclined on the couch. I was thinking that maybe if I could lean back while riding maybe that would help.
Does anyone still sell back rests for the stock seat? It's a '98 Standard.
Thanks.

[Thulsa Doom]

Do these back rests usually mount via the passenger seat mounting holes?
The directions on the Utopia site don't look anything like my F6C and the eBay link backrest (good price) doesn't specify.

https://www.utpr.com/installation.html

[Serk]

I can't speak to the F6C, but the Utopia for a Valkyrie Standard definitely mounts to the front 2 bolts of the passenger seat... I'm in for the night, but if it helps lemme know and I'll get some pics of it tomorrow...

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

The Utopia does mount to the two holes at the front of the passenger seat. No idea about the Ebay ones though.  https://www.utpr.com/vkinstallation.html

[Thulsa Doom]

The Utopia does mount to the two holes at the front of the passenger seat. No idea about the Ebay ones though.  https://www.utpr.com/vkinstallation.html

Look that's more like it. Mine is a standard. Those are the directions I should have been looking at.
Thanks for all the help.

[hubcapsc]

Sold that Russell pronto.

Russell + Utopia 



-Mike

[MarkT]

I used to have a Utopia on Deerslayer.  Didn't work for me because it was too high.  I need support in the lumbar area - it's above that.  Sold it.  Had a Mustang set after that.  Worked well - adjustable and I could put it low.  Have an Ultimate on that bike since years ago.  Same, it's low enough.  Have a Russell on Jade.  Back rest is very adjustable, up/down forward/back.  I'd say, support in the lumbar area is the main thing.  I didn't need or use the pouch on the Utopia but useful for some I'm sure.

[Thulsa Doom]

Hope this picture works.
Seems strange that many of the back rests found online that claim to fit 1997-2003 Valkyrie Standards state their mounting bracket holes are spaced 5" apart.
The ebay version seller told my son that the holes on his were 3-¾ apart.

This is the passenger seat mount on my bike shown with the drivers seat removed.


I don't mind experimenting with $60 for the ebay version but I'm not in a position to try $200.

[Valkorado]

Sold that Russell pronto.

Russell + Utopia  



-Mike

Mine was the whole shebang, two-up seat.  No cutout for a Utopia.