Back Rests Question

[Rams]

OK, no one around here has one for me to try so I'll ask here.  Just bought an Ultimate Low Boy for my Valkyrie, considering getting a foldable Ultimate back rest but, I keep asking myself just how much use is it.  I'm planning on taking my Gurl out solo so I'm not interested in a passenger option.  The Low Boy I just got is much deeper and I'm sitting lower than I was before.  I've never really had a problem needing a back rest on any bike but, the question still lingers, would a back rest make riding more enjoyable.  I know this will vary between riders.  I think the back rest looks good on the bike but then again, the bike looks great the way it sits now.

Feedback would be greatlly appreciated.   Thanks.

[SANDMAN5]

I have the Ultimate Big Boy with the back rest. My back feels MUCH better
having that extra support....especially when I'm using my highway pegs. If
you don't need it for short rides, it slides right out. My opinion is it's a
must-have!!   

[Titan]

I don't have back problems but I still wouldn't be without my backrest. To me, it makes riding much more comfortable, especially when you're cruising awhile and put your feet up on the hiway pegs and just sit back and relax. Pure laziness! 

[Rams]

Well, that might explain it.  Though I do have highway pegs, I don't use them often.  Hmm, something else to consider.  Thanks.

[Rufsorn]

I'm 6'-1" tall, and have had the Ultimate Lowboy on my Valk since whenever the first Paducah Inzane was, and the best thing I've ever added to my Valk is the Ultimate backrest that goes with the seat. I put a little more riser under the handle bars, and spend most of my time with my feet up on the highway pegs. It's so comfortable, I take my recliner out of the living room and put my Valk on a stand to watch TV during the winter months.

[Jess from VA]

I have a lowboy and a bigboy on two interstates, both have backrests.  I won't ride without them at 5'9" with occasional low back issues.  Mine are mounted straight up 90* to the seat.

When riding in heavy traffic or with deer in sight or such situations, I tend to sit up straight pulling my back off the backrest. But the rest of the time I am on it firmly, and with the feet up on the Hwy pegs you are pushed back into the rest and it provides wonderful comfort on longer cruises and when traveling.

One of my bikes is solo supervalk, and I have often used the backrest to tie/bungee, lodge my duffel bag behind it.  

Though it folds down, it has changed the way I get on my bikes, stepping thru and sliding on, instead of swinging over.

Now the Ultimate backrest on my lowboy has a slotted instal with a flat piece of chromed metal going in the slot.  That backrest did not sit down flush with the back of the seat, and I was missing low back support right where I needed it, and it could be adjusted, but not lower without a cut and reweld.  I called Dez and asked why mine did not touch the seat.  He would not cut and reweld it.  (this set was purchased new)

So I happened to have a Mustang solo and backrest on a Kawasaki mean streak, and I put the Mustang backrest in the lowboy, and it fit perfectly.  And, it set the backrest pad right down flush with the rear of the lowboy seat, and fit me much better (again, at a short 5'9"), so it stayed in the bike, and I gave the Ultimate backrest to Marty for one of his bikes.  

The Mustang backrest pad is smaller and firmer than the Ultimate, but it works perfectly, and it does not look out of place, and I've never had a fellow Valk rider even notice or comment on it. The Streak got sold without it.  If you are taller, the ultimate backrest would probably be fine for you.  But here's the rub... you would likely have an easier time finding a used Mustang backrest than a used Ultimate backrest for lowboy (the Ultimate backrests for bigboy mount with a square tube, and will not fit a lowboy, but I believe all mustang backrests are slotted mount, and would fit lowboy.  Just FYI. (not for Roadking, and not in Mustang seats that have the backrest mounted in the front of the back seat, but for metric cruisers mounted in the drivers seat)

Now the ultimate backrest on my bigboy does sit down flush with the seat, and is fine for me.

Mustang:


Ultimate for lowboy:

[donaldcc]

It's so comfortable, I take my recliner out of the living room and put my Valk on a stand to watch TV during the winter months.

  sometimes i do go out in the garage and sit on the Valk and make noises like "vroooom, vroooom".  i try to do it quietly so no one know i am out there acting like a fool. 

  but . . . sitting on the Valk in the living room watching tv in front of everyone (and i know you are making noises and "pretend" turns) just ain't right.  it makes it too easy for people to see how crazy you are about it.   

[6pak2go]

If anything makes riding more enjoyable, it is a backrest.  I find that when ya hit a bigger bump and are leaning on the backrest heavily, ya can get quite a jolt. Seems going onto or off bridges are the worst places to consistantly have bumps.  I've trained myself to lean forward off the backrest when approaching them.   

[Willow]

I've not had a backrest on any of my motorcycles.  Just never saw the need, but I have one in each of my cages.

Maybe when I get older I'll need a backrest.   

[Tundra]

 I never understood the value of it...until I used one.
I ride with mine almost 100% of the time. I have been known to toss it in my saddle bag when temperatures exceed 95 degrees. It makes my back sweat.

[scoot]

It's so comfortable, I take my recliner out of the living room and put my Valk on a stand to watch TV during the winter months.

  sometimes i do go out in the garage and sit on the Valk and make noises like "vroooom, vroooom".  i try to do it quietly so no one know i am out there acting like a fool. 

  but . . . sitting on the Valk in the living room watching tv in front of everyone (and i know you are making noises and "pretend" turns) just ain't right.  it makes it too easy for people to see how crazy you are about it.   

Huh, I sit on mine in the living room while watching TV, with a fan blowing in my face. 

I also have a Ultimate back rest. I use it alot. I did put a thumb screw in place of the adjustable screw (front to back adjustment). That way it is easy to reach back and adjust it a little. A little adjustment can make a big difference.

[highcountry]

I am biased as I have had three lower back surgeries so a backrest is mandatory for me - - wouldn't leave home without it.  A backrest gives the rider more flexibility in seating positions.  Add an Ultimate seat, floorboards, and hwy pegs and you are in rider's heaven.

[Billinva]

I have mustang seats with backrests and highway pegs on the Valk Tourer and 1998 Magna. I've made cross country trips on both bikes and don't believe I would have made it without the backrest and highway pegs.

[Rams]

OK, you all have convinced me to give this a shot.  After all, it's only money.

But, just in case, I'll ask, anyone got a Ultimate back rest they don't need?

[Valkahuna]

Has anyone put a backrest on a Standard Valk IS seat other than a HL unit? If so, what and how?

[Willow]

But, just in case, I'll ask, anyone got a Ultimate back rest they don't need?

Which post does your saddle take?

[Rams]

But, just in case, I'll ask, anyone got a Ultimate back rest they don't need?

Which post does your saddle take?

Well, it appears to be a flat plate, there's a slot in the back portion of the seat.  I can measure it if I need to.  Maybe an inch or so wide, maybe an 1/8th inch or slightly larger thick.

[Willow]

Well, it appears to be a flat plate, there's a slot in the back portion of the seat.  I can measure it if I need to.  Maybe an inch or so wide, maybe an 1/8th inch or slightly larger thick.

I have the wrong shaft.  Mine is the older square post style.

[Rams]

Well, it appears to be a flat plate, there's a slot in the back portion of the seat.  I can measure it if I need to.  Maybe an inch or so wide, maybe an 1/8th inch or slightly larger thick.

I have the wrong shaft.  Mine is the older square post style.

Well, thanks for thinking about it.  I just went and checked and it's a flat stock that slides into the back of the seat.  I really appreciate the gesture. 

Guess I'll have to break open the grandkids piggy bank.   They aren't old enough to know what grandpa is up to.     Sure hope granny don't catch me. 

[Gavin_Sons]

Will never ride without my back rest. I have a bad back anyway, probably fron the 8 years i bounced around in a earthmover, scraper, pan. Whatever name everyone knows them as. Im going to order a new 4 piece set of ultimate seats probably this week. Like the way the backrest is adjustable. Mine is off my corbin 1 piece interstate seat. When i turned it into the siper valk i put stock seats on it and fabbed up a bracket for the backrest. Any backrest will give you more support.

[rmrc51]

I also have the Ultimate 4 piece Big-Boy setup. I couldn't imagine NOT having the backrest. It's extremely comfortable and very supportive!