Backrest pad for 1100RT Top Case?

[bensonga]

Hi folks,

I'm looking for a backrest pad for the BMW topcase on my 1100RT. I've seen the BMW pad, but I'm looking for something a little more substantial (thicker). I saw an RT with topcase and pad that I really liked, but the owner didn't know who made the backrest pad.....it was already on the bike when he bought it. I've searched the Internet but haven't found anything like it yet.....so I'm turning to the best source possible....fellow BMW owners. My wife says she wouldn't mind riding on the RT with me now and then if the topcase had a pad. Usually, if she wants to ride the RT, I just hand her the keys and I ride one of our other bikes.

To tell you the truth, I shouldn't even be looking to find one of these backrest pads because I generally prefer riding without a passenger....but what the heck, she is my wife after all, so I suppose carrying a passenger once in awhile might be ok. :heart

TIA!!!

Gary Benson
Eagle River, Alaska

pic -- Kathleen on the RT (minus the aforementioned top case)

[cruisin]

We tried a backrest on the top case of our RT and my wife says that the difference between having and not is not that significant considering we always wear padded gear. She says the back pad in her jacket is more than enough to be comfortable using the bare top case as a backrest. She also noted that the only thing a backrest did was move her forward causing us to feel more crowded on the bike.

[clgennone]

I put a Sargent seat on my 1150RT and the backrest that comes with it is about twice the thickness of the stock BMW pad. My wife says it makes a difference in comfort but she's still after me to fabricate some sort of armrest so she can rest her arms. To my knowledge thereaer none available so I guess I'll have to make my own.

Good Luck.

03 R1150RT
06 883XL

[toz35]

I bought an 04 R1150RT and it had a backrest installed. Didn't think anything was unusual, don't they all come with a backrest?

Then, because I and my backseat passenger couldn't ride the bike for 2 hours without being in pain, we made an appointment to visit Rich on Aurora Ave in Seattle for some seat work (worth every penny). While working on our seats, Rich made the comment that the backrest looked like one of his (didn't know he made them too).

Then, I got gently rear ended by a lady in a 1 ton pickup truck that popped my top box off and cracked the lid. She paid for a new one and I put it on, moving the backrest pad to the new lid in the process. Low and behold the backrest has the original sales sticker on the back. It was made by Rich and sold for $125 new from a third party vendor but I can't remember where it was sold.

I don't know what you have been looking at, having never seen the factory rest, but this one is reasonably comfortable (Teresa has never complained).

Check out Rich's phone number on page 126 of the February BMWON and call to see if he makes them still. I will send a picture of mine if you like.

david

[bensonga]

Thanks everyone for the tips and replies......I'll be checking these out very soon and hope to have a new pad on the topcase before the summer riding season begins in a couple months. Our RT has Sargent seats so I'll check their website first and see how it looks.

Gary Benson
Eagle River, Alaska