Protac driver backrest 900LT installed

[ersterhernd]

My backrest arrived yesterday, installed it this afternoon. I have to say, so far it's turned out to be a great product for the price. Haven't ridden it yet, but will tonight. I should mention that I have a Kawi Gel seat, and Protac hadn't actually done one for this type yet, so it was a bit of a calculated estimate on their part to get it right. I sent them some photos of my Gel seat prior to their making the brackets and vertical rails for it. They said that I may need to have the stainless vertical posts bent slightly if the seating angle wasn't right for my size. I'm 6 feet tall and all legs, short upper body.

Install requires taking off the saddlebags and removal of the chrome sissybar support brackets that sit between the bags and fender. The Protac mounting bracket hides nicely behind the chrome sissybar bracket, except for the holding tube that sticks up from the front of the mount. The brackets mount securely to both front and rear saddlebag bolts, ensuring a solid fit.

The studded cushion is a touch softer foam than the OEM passenger backrest cushion, and a slightly different shape (not as tall). I like that.

If you have a luggage rack like I do, then that has to come off, too. Its a little more work to install, but the hidden bracket when finished is well worth the added trouble.

To maintain a solid fit at the height I wanted, I dropped 2 sponge-type earplugs into each hole. When the backrest is inserted into its vertical holding tubes, I push down on it (squishing the earplugs inside) until it just touches my Gel Seat. The vertical posts have to be pulled outwards slightly to fit into both holes, which is perfect because of the added friction fit snugness this creates.

Even my Airhawk cruiser cushion still fits perfectly on the passenger seat! Fortunately, with my protective riding jacket on (has back armor inside), the seating position with this backrest seems nearly perfect for me. The lumbar support from the Kawi Gel seat will be enhanced nicely by this additional mid-back support.

I've put a bunch of photos in a album to view, including the mounting brackets behind the chrome ones. The entire list of photos including mounting brackets can be seen below.


Protac Backrest Photo Slideshow.

[NotOfThisWorld]

Looks awsome, now that looks ready for a long haul, and I'm intreaged. what did it cost?

[ersterhernd]

140.00 for the backrest, additional 10.00 for the studs.

Shipping was 25.00 to Canada, I think it's less to the USA.

[Badrocks]

Thanks for all the pics and info. You may have pushed me over the edge on getting the backrest. I'm also interested in the luggage rack. Can you tell me who makes it and where you got it? Looks like it mounts right to the stock sissy bar on the LT.

[dicel87]

Looks like a great option and it really looks nice on an already beautiful bike!

Quick question - I have the stock Kawasaki backrest that has the chrome rail that "encircles" the passenger seat as they form the support for the driver backrest. My passenger feels that they interfere with her legs quite a bit though.

Does this set up with the Protac cause any issues with your passenger?

Thanks

[Rsmith]

Man that looks awsome. I'd like to hear a ride review once you've put a few miles on it.

[Hot Cruiser]

Originally Posted by Rsmith

Man that looks awsome. I'd like to hear a ride review once you've put a few miles on it.

+1

[ersterhernd]

Originally Posted by Badrocks

Thanks for all the pics and info. You may have pushed me over the edge on getting the backrest. I'm also interested in the luggage rack. Can you tell me who makes it and where you got it? Looks like it mounts right to the stock sissy bar on the LT.

Its the Kawi OEM luggage rack, ordered it from the dealer and got it in about 4 business days. It was one of the first mods I made last year, its been a godsend for carrying our tailbag on trips.

To be honest with you, there is a new one out (found it on this forum) that I wish had been out when I bought my OEM. It really complements the flow of the Vulcan's rear fender, imo, and has a lower center of gravity than the OEM. I wouldn't trade my OEM rack now that it's on the bike, but if buying it now I'd seriously consider this one instead...

Irons In the Fire Luggage Rack


Regards,

Ersterhernd

[ersterhernd]

Originally Posted by dicel87

Quick question - I have the stock Kawasaki backrest that has the chrome rail that "encircles" the passenger seat as they form the support for the driver backrest. My passenger feels that they interfere with her legs quite a bit though.

Does this set up with the Protac cause any issues with your passenger?

We were out (wife and I) for a 40 mile ride this evening, our first with the new driver backrest installed. The comment I received from my wife after we finished was that it touches her thighs when seated. She usually uses our Airhawk cushion on the passenger seat, but tonite we left it at home. I'm thinking that when seated on the slightly raised Airhawk, this won't be an issue. Will try it next ride. Also, she said that her movement on the passenger seat is more restricted due to the backrest, and that mounting/dismounting is slightly more difficult. I think this would likely be the case with any driver backrest, not just the Protac one.

[ersterhernd]

Originally Posted by Rsmith

Man that looks awsome. I'd like to hear a ride review once you've put a few miles on it.

Was out tonite for a short 40 mile 2-up ride with the Protac installed. Here are a few thoughts about the product after first using it, albeit briefly...

Before I went, I bent the support rails slightly forward (about 1") to provide me with the preferred seating position that I usually ride with. I made sure to test my seated position while wearing my armored riding jacket. The back armor is quite thick, and makes a difference from wearing just a normal jacket or T-shirt. The Protac can be bent forward fairly easily to adjust it's position if required, but is very tough to bend backward, so care must be taken not to bend it too far forward.

Once on the road, it made riding the bike feel like it was meant to feel. The Kawi Gel seat always supported the lumbar well, but now that support continues all the way up into my middle back.

The cushion is quite soft, but with an armored riding jacket on, it isn't noticable. It just feels firm when pressing back into the backrest, especially when under acceleration.

The wife was on the rear of the bike, and felt somewhat more cramped by the presence of the backrest in front of her. Mounting/dismounting was more tricky for her, too, but not excessively so. She stated that the support rails rub her inner legs somewhat. I hope to try our Airhawk cushion next ride, to see if the added seating height fixes this issue for her. I think it likely will.

For the rider at the controls, this backrest inspires confidence. You really feel like you're sitting 'in' your bike, not just 'on' it.

I didn't notice excessive vibration through the backrest at 70 mph. A little, but then again, its a 900... a lot of parts vibrate on it at 70 and up.

I would summarize by saying that for the driver, it's a positive addition to an already great motorcycle. For the passenger (if you ride with one often), it may prove to be somewhat less inspiring, especially on longer hauls.

[Munch]

I have the CWI drivers back rest.The cushion part tilts readily on a pivot and also has the ability to "fold flat" forward for ease of passenger mount ups. It however doesn't have a taller cushioned area. Does yours do that? I like the looks of the taller back , but my woman is 5 foot nothing and if I don't have one to move forward like the CWI one does I would have to take it off.

[ersterhernd]

I looked closely at the CWI when I decided a backrest was in my plans for the bike. The only reason I didn't go with it was that it likely wouldn't fit the Kawi Gel seat. Even though I still have my stock seat in the garage, I wasn't willing to give up my seat for a backrest.

The Protac doesn't fold or move at all. It simply pulls out the support brackets if you want it off or to take the seat off.

The passenger mounting/dismount of the bike isn't really troublesome, just slightly more difficult than before. My wife is about 5'5" tall, so your lady may find some added difficulty. Also, my passenger floorboards really help now.

[dmsdude]

Hey Ersterhernd, I think you may have saved my life. I too have a 900 Classis LT (a 2008 Blue/Silver which is slightly faster than the '07 Ebony/Silver) with the Kawi Gel Seat. Irecently bought a driver's backrest and had to return it cause it would fit with the wider gel seat. Clearly you have solved the problem. I love the gel but need more back support. I tend to hunch over when riding and it hurst the back after a while. This should help. It will be interesting to see how my wife and daughter do with it. Although like you I have passenger footboards. So thanks for posting this stuff along with the pics. You may very well have saved me.

[madmac]

Originally Posted by dmsdude

Hey Ersterhernd, I think you may have saved my life. I too have a 900 Classis LT (a 2008 Blue/Silver which is slightly faster than the '07 Ebony/Silver) with the Kawi Gel Seat. Irecently bought a driver's backrest and had to return it cause it would fit with the wider gel seat. Clearly you have solved the problem. I love the gel but need more back support. I tend to hunch over when riding and it hurst the back after a while. This should help. It will be interesting to see how my wife and daughter do with it. Although like you I have passenger footboards. So thanks for posting this stuff along with the pics. You may very well have saved me.

You must be mistaken about the 2008 Blue/Silver being faster than the 2007 Ebony/Silver. Everyone knows that blue is a heavier color than ebony, therefore the extra weight slows the bike (Blue/Silver) down slightly from what the Ebony/Silver will do. Sorry.

[dmsdude]

Madmac, true Blue is slightly heavier. But it is also slicker. Slicker means less wind resistance (drag) which more than offsets the slight increase in weight. Therefore, Blue/Silver is still slightly faster than Ebony/Silver. It's all physics man.

[Slpr_61]

O.K.
I'll get in this one, lol
I hear the Titanium Classic is actually faster yet. 1st, theres just one color, the wind slides over it easier. 2nd, they actually use titanium in the paint, it's lighter than standard paints. hence, the titanium Classic is faster.

[ersterhernd]

dmsdude, I should tell you that I've overcome the problem of discomfort for the passenger with the driver backrest. Get a decent thick piece of sheepskin and place it on the passenger seat, bunched up into the backside of the driver backrest. This keeps the passenger's thighs off off the vertical rails very nicely.

I actually have an Airhawk Medium Cruiser size cushion underneath the sheepskin, so my passenger is VERY comfy, I highly recommend it for long hauls. We've done 1000's of miles 2-up with both backrests installed, no complaints from my passengers. Once you address the issue of keeping the vertical rails away from the passenger's legs, you'll achieve a very pleasant comfort level for not only yourself, but for your passenger too. I will recommend that you and your passenger spend some time practicing mounting/dismounting, its quite different with the backrest installed, but your floorboards will really assist, it would be a real bear with pegs.




One more thing, I wanted the backrest to fit more securely into the mounting brackets, so I drilled and tapped both sides and installed a set screw to firmly hold each leg. For whatever reason, on one side the set screw kept vibrating loose at high speeds, so I simply cut & inserted a tiny piece of butyl bicycle inner tube into the mounting tube and tightened the set screw snugly into the rubber. It hasn't loosened for 1000's of miles at any speed (Got this tip from a mechanic friend of mine).

Bottom line, I have comfortable backrest that is bent to fit me PERFECTLY, it is securely mounted with setscrews, and my passengers aren't affected by it when riding. The setscrew installed is shown below...

[dmsdude]

Ersterhernd, thanks for the additional tips for the install and subsequent comfort for the passenger. As we all know, if the passenger ain't happy, nobody's happy. Also appreciate the tip about the setscrew. I was thinking about that on the ride in to work this morning, how secure the install was. You answered that. I will be getting with Protac soon to order the backrest.

[dmsdude]

Slpr 61, try as I might I can't get you on this one. Although I believe your greater speed is due more to the lack of a windscreen than your light paint. Perhaps I should put a coat of wax on my windscreen to further reduce drag?