Feedback on Ultimate Seats Low Profile Passenger Backrest vs the OEM Passenger backrest with arms, or mounting the OEM backrest straight onto trunk?

[Elqueso2]

Hey there,
I was wondering if anyone has done anything with the passenger backrests on the 2020+ RTL? I was looking at the Ultimate Seats Low profile passenger backrest replacement from SlingMods. This eliminates that 2 ¾” trim piece between the rear trunk and the seat; which would give my wife more room on the rear seat between that backrest and my ride backrest. In the short term (trying to save some money), has anyone gotten rid of that trim piece and mounted that stock backrest (if possible) straight to the rear trunk? Worst case I just buy the Ultimate Seats one. Thank you, Mike

 

[Knizar]

Hey there,
I was wondering if anyone has done anything with the passenger backrests on the 2020+ RTL? I was looking at the Ultimate Seats Low profile passenger backrest replacement from SlingMods. This eliminates that 2 ¾” trim piece between the rear trunk and the seat; which would give my wife more room on the rear seat between that backrest and my ride backrest. In the short term (trying to save some money), has anyone gotten rid of that trim piece and mounted that stock backrest (if possible) straight to the rear trunk? Worst case I just buy the Ultimate Seats one. Thank you, Mike

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We added the Ultimate back-rest to our 2020RTL about 5 years ago.
The Ultimate doesn't stand so straight up and eliminated the wrap around design of the OEM.
The wife considered it an improvement, but rather spendy!

 

[Jbernstorf]

I just added it... before and after measurement from back of my backrest to front of hers are identical oem or replacement. I probably wasted $250!

 

[Elqueso2]

I just added it... before and after measurement from back of my backrest to front of hers are identical oem or replacement. I probably wasted $250!

You sure, when I looked at the SlingMods website and it shows a person sitting aganst both from the side view and you can physically see their postition "move" back a few inches. The wives of all the folks I ride with really like it over the stock "armed" backrest. They all say it's more confortable to ride now. Nothing worse than having your other half not confortable.....I call it "road noise" and she gets mad at me ~

 

[Knizar]

I just added it... before and after measurement from back of my backrest to front of hers are identical oem or replacement. I probably wasted $250!

It doesn't add as much room as advertised, but it leans more back and not as st8 up and down.
If your passenger has a 20" waist you don't need it.
My wife is "full figured", (she lets me say that!).

 

[Elqueso2]

It doesn't add as much room as advertised, but it leans more back and not as st8 up and down.
If your passenger has a 20" waist you don't need it.
My wife is "full figured", (she lets me say that!).

Obviously you've been married (like I) a while and know how to "verbally" navigate those waters....LOL
Yeah my wife is the same and can't get on the Harley anymore so trying to make the Spyder has comfortable as it is on my Ultra Classic Limited.
She loves the fact that she can get on Spyder easily and get the wind in her hair again. I'm really enjoying the Spyder and my Ultra is still covered.

 

[Jbernstorf]

I ended up tilting my backrest forward more to give her more room. I think the pics are a bit deceptive since the oem one has the wings that make it look thicker. The actual seat back part seems about the same

 

[mecsw500]

We just upgraded to a '26 S2S this year, and my wife says the seat is a 100% better. I don't think the dimensions have changed much, but she says she's a lot more comfortable than our prior '21 RT LTD.

Interestingly BRP says they have a new seat again for the '27 S2S for this next model year, so I've no idea why they changed it yet again?

I asked her what the difference was between the '21 and the '26 and she just said it's "a lot more comfortable." I don't use the rider backrest and I cannot see any difference in comfort for me.