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Iron Butt
Posts: 741
Central New York | Well I just broke down and ordered my Utopia drivers backrest. Not particularly crazy about the looks of a backrest (not the item itself but the way it changes the lines of the bike). But my hopes are it will improve my posture. I notice that after I ride for an hour or so I get lazy and all slumped over like I'm a little ball. Now understand, I don't care how I look. The problem is all the time it takes to iron these old bones straight again. I've got high hopes for this backrest. Hope it works for me.  |
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Tourer
Posts: 575
Spirit Lake IA "Birthplace of Victory Motorcycles" | I put on the Utopia this winter . . . rode it a few days ago for first time for just over 150 miles. It is nice. I bought the quick change option so that I can pull it off for around town and put it on when I want to put on some serious miles. Easy install if you get over cutting a slit in a perfectly good seat! Enjoy! |
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Tourer
Posts: 447
Northeastern Penna. | I bought mine last fall. I like it. But, one thing I must say, for me,I don't find it always necessary to use,if that makes any sense. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | i have that back rest love it.. but passenger friendly though. so get the quick release.. now i only use the backrest on trips... so if you dont like the looks you dont have to worry about it on a day to day basis... just a thought.. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| I have the standard mount but I use a push pin instead of a mount bolt on the base. Allows me to take it off in a flash if I don't want it. Normally I just reach behind me and loosen the adjustment screw to move it away from my back if I don't need it.
I agree the rest is function over form, but you could have the pad reworked by a good auto upholstery shop if the looks really bothers you that much. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | The Utopia backrest is one of the top three aftermarket items I've added to the bike. I got mine shortly after Utopia put it out for the Vision. You will be able to adjust many different ways for your fit and comfort. Probably the only drawback is riding with passenger. For some passengers it maybe intrusive to their comfort. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | Here is a Video for the install. My only tip is to picture in your mind that the bracket rests against the plastic shell of the seat so.....insert the knife at an angle so it slides next to the shell of the seat after it passes through the foam of the seat.
Here is a video of my install.
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Tourer
Posts: 575
Spirit Lake IA "Birthplace of Victory Motorcycles" | Loved the video. I reviewed it just before I attempted this install this winter. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1117
Northeast Ohio | I got the quick release and wish i wouldn't have (can come out a little too easily). The backrest folds forward for easy access for the passenger. I can't imagine riding without it. |
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Tourer
Posts: 390
| ScoreBo - 2010-03-21 2:49 PM
I got the quick release and wish i wouldn't have (can come out a little too easily). The backrest folds forward for easy access for the passenger. I can't imagine riding without it.
Yeah.....I have learned to make sure to position the rest before riding off....you look silly holding it in your hand riding down the road.....  of coarse I had to do it twice before developing new habit..... |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 721
| John, I'm considering getting this for my Vision as I had the QD Utopia on my Goldwing. The one for the Goldwing had a spring loaded ball and detent to hold in the metal slide from the backrest, is there the same feature on the QD Utopia for the Vision? If it doesn't I would opt for the regular Utopia then. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1117
Northeast Ohio | It does have the ball and takes some force, but can come out relatively easily. I had the same thought as wjoel, easy removal, I won't use it all the time, etc. It NEVER comes out of my bike since I have put it on. Can't imagine riding without one. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1158
Richmond, Virginia | I have the new model Utopia on my bike. As several of you have already emailed me for photos, its a much better looking (IMHO) model and suits the Vision much better then the standard unit. As posting pics on here is a pain in the back (pun intended), if any of you who are considering ordering one, want to see what the new model looks like, please email me directly and I will send you the pics.
Bob at Utopia does not promote this new model on the website, so you wont hear mention of it or see pics of it on their site. But i can tell you, every single one of you will want the new model instead of the old model. email me VaParadox@aol.com. If someone
can take my pic and post it on here, that would be awesome as well. Thanks guys |
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Tourer
Posts: 390
| This is the picture VaParadox has on the new backrest.
(Utopia backrest (Small).jpg)
Attachments
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 Utopia backrest (Small).jpg (47KB - 5 downloads)
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 43
Rossville, IL | Looks great! Does it have a pouch on the back side of it like the others? |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1117
Northeast Ohio | VaParadox - 2010-03-21 10:20 PM
I have the new model Utopia on my bike. As several of you have already emailed me for photos, its a much better looking (IMHO) model and suits the Vision much better then the standard unit. As posting pics on here is a pain in the back (pun intended), if any of you who are considering ordering one, want to see what the new model looks like, please email me directly and I will send you the pics.
Bob at Utopia does not promote this new model on the website, so you wont hear mention of it or see pics of it on their site. But i can tell you, every single one of you will want the new model instead of the old model. email me VaParadox@aol.com. If someone
can take my pic and post it on here, that would be awesome as well. Thanks guys
Looks like the same as mine from a year ago. Not sure if I got the 'new' model too. Do you know what the differences are? |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | i like the little pouch i have on mine.. i store things i need to access quickly. I also have the quick release and it never came off while i was riding.. what i do is when i get to where i want to go is. i take the backrest off and put it in my trunk or bag.. I ONLY use it when im not riding two up.. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1158
Richmond, Virginia | ANSWER Mine does not have the pouch on the back. Bob at Utopia custom made mine without it because I didnt like it and it looked like a pair of droopy britches on the back esp once the sun/heat hit it. I wanted a cleaner looking unit. The attachement point for the pouch also serves as stiffener for the backrest , so with mine not having it, the entire backrest had to be re-made to strengthen it without
the attachement flap. Bob at Utopia has already told me that he will not make them this way anymore, but he will make my unit for any of you who want it. Keep in mind that your unit will have the droopy pants on the back. The biggest benefit of this unit over the standard one is that while its height is cut down 3 inches shorter, the curve in the unit becomes more proununced and contours better to suite the look of the Vision. It is 7 inches tall vs 11.5 inches tall. If you want to order one from Utopia, the cost is the same as what is posted on his website. In the notes section tell Bob that you want Mac's back rest, or use the term "police back rest" and he will know what you mean. My unit also has the quick out bracket and the bracket cover pad which also enhances the clean look.
Highly recommend both. Anyone who has questions or wants to see more or different photos please email me directly.
Bob at Utopia does not have photos of this unit he can send you, which is why im offering to show you mine to help you in your decision.
(no, i dont get any kickback, just being a nice guy). VaParadox@aol.com. |
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Tourer
Posts: 390
| Additional pics from VaParadox
(Utopia Backrest 1.jpg)
Attachments
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Utopia Backrest 1.jpg (35KB - 4 downloads)
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Iron Butt
Posts: 741
Central New York | Just put my Utopia on. Did the backrest and the center stoplight mod at the same time. Whole deal took less than a half hour. Like some have said, the hardest part of the job is taking a knife to a perfectly good seat. Took it for a short ride and love it. Takes getting used to the 'crowded' feeling of something behind you but the overall change is fantastic. It makes you feel more as one with the bike. Hard to describe but it's more like you're in control instead of hang'in on for the ride.
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| Va, yours looks just like mine only mine has the pouch. Bob made mine lower (the first one he'd done) as I have back issues and the standard one was way too high for my back. Mine actually sits flush on the top of the seat, but appears to have the same wrap that yours does. Bob had said that he was going to produce the one like mine for the Vision since it would appear to fi most riders best. I had just figured that has been the case since. Regardless I do like the appearance of yours without the pouch. Unfortunately my Mrs uses it a lot and would kill me if I had it removed, lol... |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | The backrest has extra holes in the hinged bar that removes from the seat. I lowered mine down to the lowest two holes.
I would really like the back rest a little lower still.
I was going call utopia and see if they have a bar that is one or two mounting holes shorter then the one I received. Why do that when I could just I could drill two more holes in the bracket....
Ride Safe |
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