Looking for backrest

[macx]

New 2004 r1150r owner, first BMW.

So far, the stock seat, that might change.

I've heard of a variety of good aftermarket seats,
variety of prices. I'm gonna ride some miles before
i decide "where it hurts" then go from there.

I suppose I need to wait to see what I'm gonna do
for seating before I start looking for backrests?

My wife will occasionally be riding with me, so that
adds another variable. would like a backrest for her, too.

Any good experiences with any particular type or brand
of seats that have available backrests?

My inseam is 30 to 31, I'm about 230 lbs if that helps.

Thanks much!!

[MadrasGiaguari]

Dear macx,

I spent a lot of time (and very little money) to solve this question.

Among various options, I would suggest you to check the following post:

2003 R 1150 R Backrest
by Rokko on Sun Oct 14, 2007 7:29 pm

(sorry: I don't know to give you a direct link...)

I can only add that the addicts that you will see are all working perfectly. My wife is the happiest one about it...

Hope that can help you.

Kind regards,

Angelo

[Daryl_stamp]

I've got a backrest & luggage rack combo that I have replaced; I was going to add upholstery but since we're ATGATT she said the padding in her jacket was more than enough;
It's on the blue one;


The replacement; backrest is coming soon.


I'm thinking something around what I paid for it & shipping;
$100 for factory rack from Bob's
$75 for under-rack support, brackets & backrest

PM me if you're interested.

DLS

[challey]

Pirate's Lair sells a very nice-looking, albeit pricey, backrest http://piratesk12site.net/1150.htm.
No personal experience with it but it looks well-made and certainly is attractive. It has the added benefit of making the somewhat flimsy BMW "luggage rack" a bit less flimsy and even potentially useful.

Charlie

[peterbulgar]

Hi macx,
Ditto on the Pirate's Lair backrest recommendation. My son and daughter have logged many miles as passengers using that backrest. Note that it attaches to the BMW luggage rack, so if you don't have that you'll need to get one. I have the Sargent passenger seat, which my kids also recommend. As for a backrest for the "driver" - I think you'll find that with the slightly-leaning-forward seating position on the R you won't want one. This is not a cruiser where you lean back. The "step" between the rider's seat and the passenger seat keeps you from sliding.
Peter '73 R75/5, '04 R1150RA

[kantuckid]

I have posted my "backrest solution" prior & will throw it in again-I wanted a topcase for travel and bought a Chinese Givi clone(sorta) on ebay for ~ $50 & made a small backrest for the rare occasions that I ride my wife pillion. I cut a long oval of 1/4" plywood, drilled twice and inserted two small carriage bolts then covered foam with leather/vinyl and placed @ front of case so as not to interfere with opening of the topcase. As a side note I'll say that the topcase went on a 7k Mexico jaunt and was dustproof and never leaked in the rain. I did come home to learn that one of the fastening posts was missing (they are like a large rivet in the mtg. plate)and was able to replicate it with a carriage bolt and a spacer. I have the case mounted to the bullet proof Pederson, sp?,luggage rack with a thin layer of foam tape in between the two.I have since gotten a bit anal and I cut several BMW car oil filter large o-rings and placed them in the channel where the topcase comes together as extra insurance as a weather seal.To my notion and budget this is a better solution than the $300+ backrests out there and it holds a lotta stuff!