Tall Guys with a backrest.....Help!

Ok, I put a Utopia backrest on the bike and I'm wondering where you taller riders have it adjusted. So far, I have it as far down as possible and as far back as I can get it.

I'm not sure if I like the thing to be honest. Might take it off the bike before I ride to Oberlin. Maybe a long trip is just the thing I need to decide weather to keep it or not. I've never rode a bike before with a backrest and it's a bit weird to me.

Ok, I put a Utopia backrest on the bike and I'm wondering where you taller riders have it adjusted. So far, I have it as far down as possible and as far back as I can get it.

 

I'm not sure if I like the thing to be honest. Might take it off the bike before I ride to Oberlin. Maybe a long trip is just the thing I need to decide weather to keep it or not. I've never rode a bike before with a backrest and it's a bit weird to me.

I'm tall and the back rest feels best the higher it sits. Sitting low isn't going to offer much support. I also like it slanted back as much as possible..... Gives me that recliner feeling....

I had to do something to mine and I forgot what it was. It seemed to be pushing me forward. I think I would up changing the way the rest mounted to the arm. Once I did that it was fine.Seems like it wasn't more than a half inch but it made a big difference.

I'm 6 ft 7 and love the backrest. I had to take the mounting bracket and put it in a vice and bend it back about an inch. It does push back some into the front of the passenger seat. When I put it on stock it pushed me way to much up on the tank and bow its great.

I'm not a tall guy, maybe 70 inches. But I played with my backrest for probably two years. I did a lot of adjusting when I first got it because it didn't seem to be low enough. I have back problems in the L1 L2 area so that's where I like the support.

I shimmed the mounting points with washers to try and get the angle different and/or farther back. I actually went down to a friends shop and made a new bracket and I did use that for one summer but it still wasn't quite right.

I would have to go look at it but what I finally did was turn the bracket that attaches to the backrest upside down so I could move it farther down. Took some new bolts and shimming again but I like it now. Been riding it for a couple of summers and I now like the way it feels.

The bottom line is I'm using all the original parts but I am not using them in the configuration they were designed to be used. I could try and take some pictures if you like.

BOO

Takes some tweaking for sure. And a little getting used too. I had 2 more holes drilled in mine so I could lower it a little more. Had the frame mount bent back a bit, thus moving the rest back ( can't bend it much - but a little here makes a big difference) Now it's nearly perfect and I think I'm going to love it. Stay with it - keep tweaking - and you will find the sweet spot.

Drill a hole or two in it and lower it. Mine wasn't fitting in the small of my back. I agree with the other posters that you can also bend it back in a vice. Wrap tape or a towel around it first so you won't scratch it, then, strike with a rubber mallet. Do this in small increments, Don't over bend. Hope this helps:fingers-crossed-emo

I had never ridden with one before my RSV either and it took some getting used to for sure. I still reach back and adjust it with the adjustment bolt all the time. I think anytime you get on the bike you sit just slightly in a different spot and it requires tweaking. I love mine and can't imagine taking it off. Really helps on those longer rides.

Thanks for all the replies. Lots of great suggestions! I'll definitely work with this to see if I can get it comfortable.