Thanks guys, I've slowly made changes and upgrades over the first year to get it where I wanted it, I'm still very happy with it. Since these photos were taken, I have added a backrest.
You're so right. Even though they sell a passenger seat and backrests, these machines are not made for two up riding. The salesmen will tell you that they are, but they will say anything to make a sale. The truth is for these machines to be able to ride two up, you would need the Max mount, passenger seat & backrest, and most importantly, a $1700 dollar suspension upgrade. So all in all another $3000 dollars in accessories and upgrades.
If anyone plans to ride two up, the Spyders are a much better choice. Much more comfortable for the passenger, they have longer range, and much more storage capacity. I dont ride two up, wife is just not into it. I do use the Ryker for me time and enjoy long distance rides, and sometimes I even take it on fishing trips. I plan on riding it to Robbinsville NC this October for a weeks worth of mountain riding. I usually take a two wheeler on the trip, this will be my fist time on a 3 wheeler.