To rest or not to rest....

[Mr.Wizard]

Riders back rest is what I mean...

Maneuvering the trike causes me to sit up and possibly lean forward a little. This takes me away from the riders back rest. It maybe temporary until i get used to riding it but for now it is what it is.

I'm also not used to getting off the trike just yet and have come close to kicking the fenders with my boots several times. The extra hight has me bent in all kinds of funny shapes.

Wifey uses the back rest for stability while riding with me.

My question is... how many of you have simply removed your riders back rest or keep swapping it out depending on one or two up?

What do you guys do?

[The Wolf]

Hello Reksul,
when my wife gets on the trike the backrest folds down. When on, it then flips back into position without hassle. I really like the backrest as it helps on long journeys. I have a heated Corbin seat on mine which helps on the cool Spring/Summer mornings.

[Ozarkryder]

Went for years without a backrest on the Harley (2 wheeler) and when I got one I wondered why it took me so long. Yes you often lean away from it, but on long trips while just cruising along it is like a gift from the gods of motorcycling.

A Corbin with backrest came on the the GW trike when we bought it, I liked it, wife hated it, so we got a stock seat, no backrest. The stock seat was better, but marginally, so we sprung for a Diamond this past summer. We both love the thing. The backrest adjusts up and down, forward and back and pivots. It took a while to dial it in, but after I did it is very comfortable. I used to take it off when riding single, but as time wnt by I found I just leave it on.

I have found it is a help to turning on the twisty roads here in the Ozarks. Instead of using just arm and back muscles to turn, I push the bar left to go left and leaning against the backrest gives me something to push against rather than stressing the upper body. I am less tired after a good curvey days ride with the backrest than without it. (Love those signs around here that say "Very Crooked And Steep Next XX Miles")

As far as getting on the rig, it is taller and wider than the Harley, so I step up on the rider footpeg to gain some height before the leg goes over. And I just can't thorw a leg over like on the 2 wheeler, I sort of step over the lowest part of the seat in front of the backrest. My wife gets on by facing the front of the trike, grabbing a bar, puts her right foot on the left riders peg, steps back with the left foot onto the passenger peg to step up and sit sidesaddle on the rear seat. She then swings her leg forward over the folded backrest. If she's not peeved at me she will fold it up so I can get on. It sounds a lot more involved than it is. I've tried it, and backing onto the rear seat is the easiest way to get on around the fenders.

[Mr.Wizard]

Great pictures Wolf.. but I got to ask.. ever ridden while wearing a Kilt?

My back rest hinges down flat and adjusts up and down. It's also hydraulic so it can move way forward or back. Solo I have it in the lowest position and as far back as it will go.

When two up I have to raise it for thigh room for the passenger.

When I get the trike back I'll have to experiment to see what is what but thought you guys may have a trick up your muffler.

[Ironhorsepilot]

I will keep mine on, even though I too lean forward away from it. But I have found myself leaning back into it on long stretches of highway. I have kicked my fenders several times and have scuff marks that are hard to get off. Now I use the passenger pegs to get on and off. Mine lies flat also, but you said that yours is hydraulic?

[Mr.Wizard]

Yeah.. there's a hydraulic cylinder on the frame base that is mounted to the fender. There is a latch just under the seat on the left hand side. Pull the latch and it will release and move forward... hold the latch and you can move it back.

Very common I believe. But... if you remove your back rest and your grand child pulls the latch you have to take the seat off to put it back in the proper position to reinstall the back rest.

[katfish16]

You can buy risers or set backs for your handle bars. I think Nana has a set on hers. To me that would help keep your sitting position better. You need the back rest, if not you are going to be hurting after riding for a while. Cathy does not use my back rest for anything but putting things in the pouch. Good luck.

[Mr.Wizard]

Good advice Fish.. I do have a few bad places in my back and neck. Too many years of playing Golf.

I should look into getting a new set of bars. Fit is very important when it comes to comfort and control. Guess a trike changes the riding position.

[Gorilla]

Hi, I get on and off using the front floorboards on my Road Glide Trike. When I get off I stop and put my right knee on the seat then down to the ground. This keeps me from kicking the fender. I have 2 inch pullback HD Road King Bars that place me flat against the back rest. I'm 509 and 210 lbs with a normal proportioned body for guaging the fit in your mind. Ted

[Mr.Wizard]

Thanks Ted.. I'm a bit taller and a little lighter. I slouch riding my Fatboy but sit tall when on my Ultra before the conversion.

I think I may want a 1" up and possibly a 2" back but before I start ordering or tinkering I want to get the trike back and get some saddle time in so I can check this out.

[sprt220]

I use my backrest a lot.I have a Corbin backrest and you can adjust it forward or back easily.I don't lean forward much and really like relaxing back even though it might be straight up or back a little.As far as getting on the trike,I turn the handle bars far to the right and put my left foot on the floorboards while holding onto the bars and swing my right leg over my seat.By standing on the floorboards you won't kick the fenders when you swing your right leg over the seat when getting off. Good luck, Ken

[Redrider]

Ironhorsepilot
What backrest did you put on your triglide? Can you give me a part number?
I'm thinking about putting one on my trike.
Thanks

[bdn56]

This quote from Ozarkryder says it all: I have found it is a help to turning on the twisty roads here in the Ozarks. Instead of using just arm and back muscles to turn, I push the bar left to go left and leaning against the backrest gives me something to push against rather than stressing the upper body. I am less tired after a good curvey days ride with the backrest than without it. (Love those signs around here that say "Very Crooked And Steep Next XX Miles")

I also had one on my Super Glide. Loved it. It's like Chap stick, once you start using one, you can,t stop.

My bride of 26 years just jumps on somehow. I am usually fumbling with the radio.

[Mr.Wizard]

I got the trike back after a few fix up's by the dealer.

Tried the right foot, left foot right leg swing over.. works great. Now my boot is no where near the fender.

After riding for a while yesterday I found the back rest is very helpful while making turns so I'll keep it on... the handlebar adjustment is next. I think a little higher and bring them to me about 2" would help me relax more. I also think it would help with sharper turns too.

[Ironhorsepilot]

reksul..I could use the adjustment to the handlebars too. Can they do that with out putting on pull back risers? I tend to goose the throttle in left hand turns because the reach is so far for me.

[Trikerjim]

I use a Kury backrest that is adjustable and folds forward for the passenger. Use it all the time. as far as getting on and off, just stand on the peg and lift your leg straight over. My M/T has the Aqua-Shields that you can stand on, so Diane just steps up on them to her floorboards.

[Mr.Wizard]

reksul..I could use the adjustment to the handlebars too. Can they do that with out putting on pull back risers? I tend to goose the throttle in left hand turns because the reach is so far for me.

IHP.... I found out today there is a set of HD bars made for the Ultra that are a little higher and a little closer in. I'll have to share the part number with you when I find it.

Only downside is... the clutch cable maybe a tight squeeze as it may be just a little too short and will have to be replaced...

Will keep in touch.

[John Luciano]

I removed my back rest but left the brackets. Only takes a few min. to reinstall. Wife does not like it because it wears out the front of her jackets.

[RED BARON]

i WOULD NEVER GET RID OF MY BACKREST...JUST LEAN BACK...RELAX AND "RIDE".

[adventurer]

I'm with you Red Baron. Had a V Star 1100 that I put a Mustang seat on with a drivers backrest. Loved it so much that when I got an Ultra Classic the first thing I did was to have a backrest installed. Now ride a Stallion and they come standard with a backrest. I don't know if I could ride anymore without one. Believe me, they will spoil you.

Adventurer