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Utopia Backrest - Pics and Impressions

20K views 41 replies 20 participants last post by  Larryb 
#1 ·
I just received my Utopia police pad backrest with quick-out option. I am extremely impressed with the quality, ease of install, and functionality. It's easily adjustable in every direction, provides just the right amount of back support, and looks like it should have been a factory option. Here are some pics of it on my XR.





 
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#2 ·
I put one of these on over the winter and agree it's a good quality item and installs easily.

However, it doesn't seem to fit me right. I've tried different height positions and different front to back positions, but can't find anything that feels real comfortable.

Seems the size and curvature of the back rest mostly puts pressure on my sides/ribs and not so much my lumbar or back. It's not terrible, just not as comfortable as I had hoped.

Maybe I just need to let it break in and conform a bit more to the shape of my back. As it is I only lean back into it when accelerating or occasional stretching during a longer ride.

Cheers,
Randy
 
#10 ·
However, it doesn't seem to fit me right. I've tried different height positions and different front to back positions, but can't find anything that feels real comfortable.

Seems the size and curvature of the back rest mostly puts pressure on my sides/ribs and not so much my lumbar or back. It's not terrible, just not as comfortable as I had hoped.

Maybe I just need to let it break in and conform a bit more to the shape of my back. As it is I only lean back into it when accelerating or occasional stretching during a longer ride.

Cheers,
Randy
Do you have the standard backrest pad or the "police" version? I've heard others say the same with the standard pad but Utopia has very good customer service and will likely swap with you if you are not happy.
 
#3 ·
do you have to keep posting more pictures of your bike.
quit teasing me.if it doesnt rain mine will be home tomorrow night.
i ordered the backrest mt only and he went ahead and got the
backrest too .i was going to use my ultimate one.more stuff
and still less in price than when we started so im having iso
grips put on too.that way i wont have to do it. gosh i love
your bike!--irv
 
#5 ·
Hah, thanks Irv. I hope you get yours soon! Sounds like the mod disease already started for you. :)
 
#4 ·
Bryman,
If you don't mind letting the world know how much was the backrest/police option/quick-out option/shipping?

Also does it tilt for passenger mount and is it much more difficult to swing your leg over?
 
#6 ·
Sure, all the prices are public on the website:

Backrest w/small 7" pad: $215
Quick out for XC/XR: $65
Shipping: $10
--------------------------------------------
Total: $290

As for swinging a leg over, I'm 6' and have no problem getting on the bike without flipping it forward. In the lowest position like I have it, it flips forward but not quite flat. I bet if you put it in a higher position, it would.
 
#7 · (Edited)
It looks great and I thought I rembered that you were close to my height so thank you very much for the info! I had to ask the price because I couldn't tell on the website if the price was the same for the short pad or not so now that I know Utopia may have another customer soon!

One last thing; in the Police section the mention air for the Police pad - in your opinion would this be beneficial or is it comfortable as is?
 
#8 ·
I think the air they are referring to is for the HD police seat they make. As far as I know, the backrest doesn't have an air option. And for me, the backrest is very comfortable. I especially like that you can lean back on it and the angle pivots a bit to let you stretch out. And you can reach behind you and adjust the screw at any time to change the position of the backrest. Plus the thing is built like a tank by people in the USA. Go for it! thumb up
 
#9 · (Edited)
just exactly is the quick out?doesnt the standard mt allow
you to pull the backrest out. that backrest looks real
comfy. any pics of the quick out part-thanks--irv

oops, do you know the pad size difference between the regular
and police pad . the lady i talked to told me id be happier w/the regular.
i assumed it was bigger. i like the look of yours .what are the
dimensions of your pad.ive heard pros and cons on the stock
seat for long rides,so am waiting to hear on the ultimate. i
have one on the vtx and have never seen the wonderfulness of it.
 
#11 ·
On the standard rest, I think you have to unbolt the pad to take it off, and you still have a piece sticking out of your seat. Here is the front and back of the male quick out piece:




There is a notch in the front of the steel bar that corresponds with a special spring mechanism in the female receiver. They preset the tension so that it takes probably about 20 lbs. force to pull it out. To insert and lock, just push it down until it clicks.

As for police vs. regular, yes they push the regular and say you will like it more. Here's exactly what Bob said was the difference:
"Same width, small is 7x12 standard is 9x12. As far as leg room for large passenger, the large pad has cut our on plate for legs, though foam and cover is same at leg area. If passenger touches, though you are wider and would touch you first, then there is no hard area. On small pad, no leg cut out on plate."

But for me, I wouldn't want it any higher than the police pad. I think it would make me feel too claustrophobic. The extra 2" would make it harder to swing your leg over the bike too. I'm very happy with the smaller pad.
 
#12 ·
stock victory is about 7 3/4 x 10 1/2. so the one you hav is the small
or the large. looks great. wonder if i could use the victory mt
with the utopia backrest?
cant read well .you got the small. would work fine for me
 
#13 ·
Utopia BAck rest

The Utopia backrest is great, I love mine on my 2011 CC. I like the way it adjusts, you have 1- 2 inches of play and it is easy to adjust when driving.
Is easy to pull out and stick in your bags if you ned to.
I keep mine in 99% of the time.
 
#14 ·
Bringing this back from the dead...

I emailed utopia yesterday to ask them about the small pad for the Cross Country and how to order it because it doesn't show on their website.

The response i got was vague and not helpful at all.

Bob said, "Don't know why you would want it on a Vision, but we do make a shorter backrest for the police air bladder seat"

Me, "I don't have a Vision, as stated i have a Cross Country Tour"

Bob, "Same story on Cross Country, same depth in front seat"



So, do they not sell them anymore? Instead of asking "why" i would want a smaller pad, and suggest what to do about it, he just seemed to brush me off, or get me to buy an air bladder seat.

Oh well, i guess i will find something else.
 
#15 ·
I got a similar response when ordering. They don't seem to understand why someone would want the shorter pad, like I have. They are reluctant to sell the police pads because they have limited stock and believe their taller pad is better for most people. This is why they try to convince people to go with the regular pad. Personally I definitely would not want the taller backrest. The low one provides plenty of support, and my friend and I both did an 800 mile day because of the comfort the low one provides. A taller one would feel too restrictive to me and hot as it's higher on the back and the low one is plenty high enough to reach your upper middle back.

So just tell him you want the police pad, and I'd recommend the quick out too. It's just so convenient to be able to pull it out or click it in instantly. It's worth the effort to get what you want on this one. This is the highest quality aftermarket part I've ever purchased for a bike.
 
#16 ·
Yup, they absolutely don't wanna sell the "police" version. He said so in another reply. It's why he doesn't advertise it. He said it's only an advantage if your short. Is that true? I'm 6'3"! He also said it's been a pain in the ass for him to respond to confused people about the "police" version. (maybe because it's not on your site?).

I think if his site was laid out better and wasn't so against the short pad, he would have my business. Right now, i just don't know.

Might sell my stock heated seat and just go with a Corbin set up!
 
#17 ·
My friend is 6'3" as well and wouldn't want the taller pad. We both went 800 mi in one day, and he had two back surgeries last year. The owner is a really good guy. He should just accept that there's a market for the smaller pad and enjoy making more money :)
 
#18 ·
How hard was it to install? Who do you talk to to get the smaller police pad?
 
#19 ·
Hatchet the install is insanely easy.

1 Pull stock seat
2 unbolt the factory passenger strap bracket
3 bolt Utopia bracket in it's place
4 Install stock seat
5 Fixed backrest, bolt on the pad - Quick out Backrest, just slip it in until it clicks.
6 Go for a ridecheers
 
#20 ·
I have one on order and is suppose to ship out on the 21st, I ordered the regular one, 9" tall.

I'm 6 also so I'll see how I like it, hopefully it will not be to tall and if it's hard to swing my leg over I think it does fall foward easily.

If I don't like it I hope they will exchange it because I did inquire about getting the smaller one and she said they could so it but recommended the regular one for my size.

I think the stock victory one is similar in size to the Utopia's regular one.

I'll report back with pics.
 
#21 ·
I bought the regular backrest from Utopia for my 12 Cross Roads. Being 6'5" it works pretty good for me. I do have it set on the lowest and I might like it a little lower. I didn't know they mad a smaller one when I ordered mine in July. But it does a good job. Better then waiting months for the victory one. Ride Safe all...
 
#22 ·
pictures are appreciated[mandatory] :)
 
#24 ·
So gregbener, how did you convince them to sell you the police pad? Did you do it over the phone or through email? Was it the same price as the large pad? Did you get the quick disconnect? Sorry about all the questions but I'm trying to find out the easiest way to order the backrest.
 
#25 ·
Just give them a call. Tell him you want the police pad. Listen to him give you a speech about how the regular pad is better, then tell him you want the police pad anyways ;)

I love mine and 800mi days are doable because of it. If it were any taller I'd think I were in a car.
 
#27 ·
Placed my order today. Asked for the smaller pad (police version) and no hassle, no speech about the other being better. Great customer service rep Linda. Now I can't wait til it gets here.
 
#28 ·
So, do I need to buy the LOCK & RIDE® DRIVER BACKREST MOUNT or will this backrest come with all the hardware to secure it into the seat? Interested in being able to remove the backrest quickly and easily.
 
#31 ·
I received my standard-size Utopia backrest about September 10th and have since put over 1000 miles on the bike and I can say without reservation that I love the backrest! It's comfortable and doesn't feel at all restrictive. It took a few stops on my first ride to get it adjusted and there were a couple of adjustment "tweaks" after that, but long rides have been a real pleasure since installing this backrest. The attached picture wasn't taken to show the backrest specifically, but it's kinda visible. Should I take another that shows the backrest better I'll be sure to post the picture.

The big thing is that I do like the size of this backrest over the much smaller backrest that was on my Vegas 8-Ball and granted, we're talking about two entirely different bikes but, having that extra support has, for me, really made a positive difference in riding comfort.

Miles cheers
 

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#34 ·
Got my Utopia backrest a couple months ago, and hands down is 1000% better (considerably cheaper, better quality, more comfortable) than the one Victory offers.
 
#35 ·
does the utopia back rest attach to the factory mount or do you have to use their own mount. their website is a little vague. one page says it goes through the factory slit, another show a bracket being screwed to the bottom of the seat pan. If it goes through the factory mount is it still removable without tools?
 
#37 ·
The backrest attaches to the factory mount.
The mount attaches to the bike under the seat. Then the mount goes through the seat at the factory slit in the seat. Then the backrest attaches to the mount with a bolt. The backrest can be removed, but at mount will just barely be visible.
It is a very adjustable and comfortable backrest.
 
#38 ·
Awesome info on this backrest. I'll be ordering one next week. Just need to decide if i want to pay extra for the quick release version.
 
#40 ·
I am also curious about the difference. Not sure i need a quick release as I am pretty positive it will be staying attached majority of the time.
 
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