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Customer
Comments for the Pirates' Lair BMW R1200GS Stealth Backrest
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Latest
4/27/08:
Ahoy, Captain. I received your R 1200 GS Stealth Backrest Thursday. Here's some feedback. The quality appears to be top-notch. I agree that the cover is a perfect match to my stock seat. Overall, the GS Stealth Backrest impresses me as a great product, and I give it a 9.9 on a perfectionist's ten-scale. I'll send digital photos when it warms back up here in Michigan. Thanks. |
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After riding two up with my wife Carol using the Stealth backrest we are ready to make our observations. First of all let me say it is a breeze to install. It just couldn't get any simpler. The powder coating of the backrest base plate blends well with the silver color of the tail rack. I particularly like the quick off/on installation of the backrest into the support plate. The material on the backrest matches the OEM seat perfectly. It looks like an OEM backrest. Once the backrest
is installed I can swing my leg over the seat and not hit the backrest
with my foot. Then my wife mounts left foot on peg and steps through to
put her foot on the other peg. The backrest reaches about midway up the
back, which is comfortable and gives her a sense of security. |
| I had
the top case on the bike, but I prefer your backrest. I would be interested
in the carbon fiber cover. I really like this GS Stealth! I thought the
fabric was fine. The angle and size are correct. A GS bike is not great
for 2 up riding. Your Stealth backrest makes it at least tolerable. I'll
just use it on the bike when my wife goes with me on weekends. I will keep
using it and keep you updated. Send me an address and I will get a check
out to you. I want to keep the prototype. Thanks again. Billy Turner / R1200GS / Chandler, AZ |
| I received
the backrest promptly after delivery address confirmation. It was delivered
with everything I needed to perform the simple installation. Regarding installation…
it was completely intuitive and I spent more time searching thru my tool
collection for the correct size hex wrench and open end wrench needed to
secure the backrest bracket to the factory luggage rack. Once installation
of the bracket was completed I slipped the backrest into its mounting point
on the bracket and secured it with the handy knob provided. The completed
installation looks OEM, and only until you are right up on it do you begin
to suspect that it’s not OEM. The fit and finish are beyond reproach
(especially considering that I’m sporting a prototype unit). The vinyl
material on the backrest is a perfect match to the vinyl on my seats, and
the paint matched the factory color perfect as well.
The only reason for
me to buy this backrest was to pacify my wife if/when the odd moment came
around for her to want a ride. I was able to persuade her to “mount
up” and go for a test ride and she liked the fit/feel of the backrest
as well as she liked the one on the previous bike (R1200CLC). That being
said, I have to proclaim this product “money well spent” and
completely satisfying my requirement. With the backrest removed from its
bracket and riding solo (which is most of the time) you really can’t
tell there’s been anything added on to the rear rack so the OEM look
is maintained. I’m totally satisfied with this product from the pirate
and would strongly recommend it to anyone with a R1200GS that needs to
provide some rear passenger comfort and added feeling of security (even
thought I’m to old to be poppin wheelies with the “old lady”
on the back). Well
done Jerry! I want to keep the prototype backrest as it will serve my
purposes perfectly. |
| Only one
ride with the back rest so far but my wife likes it and has not complaints.
I love the quickness with the way it is removed so I can ride solo. Keep
the two holes in the slide bar. I put it on in a matter of just a few minutes,
it tool longer to find the tools (in my mess) than to install the back rest. Robbie Huntoon / R1200GS / Truckee, CA |
| Very nice
piece, and as can be seen in the images, it looks stock, matching the stock
saddle well. I have some pictures posted HERE...1,
2,
3
Also worked well with some gear tied to the rack and the rest. Definitely
a much better solution than the woeful BMW topcase. Not only does it fall
off, but the pad is considered weak. Since I like to ride solo without the
pillion seat and rack, I'm thinking that I can access the center bolt without
having to remove the seat mount from the rack ... which would be another
very nice plus (try THAT with the BMW topcase, ain't happenin'). Thanks
again. Matthew Staller / R1200GS / Secaucus, NJ |
| Jerry &
Amber...your backrest for my GS12 is great..My wife loves it as it hits
her in just the right spot for comfort and good support... Randall Nentrup / / R1200GS / Bakersville, NC |
| My better
half reports your GS Stealth backrest is Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Chris Gordon / R1200GS / Arvada CO |
| I just
wanted to drop a note and tell you I like the your backrest for the R12GS.
One suggestion...you should include allen wrenches with the package. Other
than that, it looks great and works great. I'll likely have it recovered
in leather. I'm glad I was in on the first round of product....so is my
girlfriend. Thanks... Lawrence Schatz / R1200GS / New York, NY |
| The Stealth
Backrest for my R12GS was delivered today and I installed it this evening.
My initial impressions are quite positive... The fit and finish appear to
be excellent. The mounting bracket and backrest itself match very well the
color and texture of the luggage rack and seat, respectively. Although rain
precluded a proper evaluation of comfort, my wife thought it seemed promising
based on a few minutes on the bike in the garage. Weather permitting, my
wife and I will check it out on the road tomorrow and will do a couple of
hundred miles this weekend. I will follow this with better informed comments
and a few pictures at that time. Sincerely.. G. W. Coppenger / R1200GS / Tallahassee, Florida |
| Just received
my R1200GS Stealth Backrest and couldn't be happier with it. Excellent fit
and wonderful craftsmanship. Dan Alexander / R1200GS |
| How can
I describe the quality of this back rest but in a common industry term...
"FANF!$#INGTABULOUS" .. I can't wait for the girlfriend to backmeat
all pressed again it.. She will be all over it like a hobo on a ham sandwich...
again thank you... Loftus Hitchens III / R1200GS / Norfolk, VA |
| This is
my second backrest from you. The first was for my K1200GT 2004 which I ride
in Venezuela and it is wonderful. In the US I just upgraded from my cramped
R1150R to this beautiful R1200GS and my wife immediately wanted the same
superb backrest….well…. you've done it again. Absolutely perfect.
The riding angle, the matching upholstery, the easy of removing and super
easy to install. The most difficult part was perforating the plastic strip
that adheres to the bottom to avoid scratching!! In a few weeks I will let
you know if the second hole is useful. I presume that if I had a kid occasionally
ride with me I would like to have it. Gilbert Minionis / BMW R1200GS / Caracas, Venezuela |
| My girlfriend Denise and my 96 yr old grandfather both give the backrest
very high marks. They say the angle is perfect and they like that it has
a bit of flex. They say they don't get tired now and could ride all day.
My grandpa has wanted to go on longer trips but couldn't handle very much
mileage in a day until now. I love the design of the backrest; it looks almost factory. It was super simple to install and I love that I can remove and install the backrest without removing the rear seat. I know the instructions say to remove the seat, but on my bike I have about 1/2" of clearance between the bar and the seat as I'm sliding it in and out so it isn't necessary. I even like the backrest for solo trips. I move it forward and thus have two sided support and more room for my Ortlieb waterproof bag. I then strap my backpack (I always have this with me and usually wear it while on the bike) to the backrest while it is sitting upright on the seat which gives me quick access to my essentials at stops. You wanted ALL feedback, so here are my negatives: 1.It is very expensive, although the price seems to be in the ballpark of the other backrests available. I found one for around $200 but liked the Stealth design much better, so I splurged. 2.*The bolt holes through the rack are not perpendicular to the top and bottom and thus the allen bolt heads do not sit flush on top of the base plate when it is mounted.I don't know how this could be solved, but the mounting is not as "clean looking" as I would like because of this. (*Note from Pirate: This prob has been solved since this post.) 3. The color of the base plate does not match the factory rack color closely enough in my opinion. I will paint mine flat black which will tie in with all the other black parts; my beak, tank gripper panels, etc... Overall, I am very happy with the Stealth backrest. Thanks Jerry. Scott E. Kerbs / R1200GS / Redding, CA |
| 1/27/08: Hey Jerry, received my GS Stealth Backrest on the 25th Jan. Very pleased with the fit and finish. The smile on my wifes' face was well worth the coin. She's looking forward to riding in the spring. The speed of the transaction start to finish was a welcome bonus. Thanks kindley.. Dr. Ernie Schroeder/ R1200GS / Ontario, Canada |
